Hokage's Office –
An Anbu operative appeared instantly before Sarutobi Hiruzen, bowing deeply with utmost respect.
"Hokage-sama! The delegation from the Land of Lightning has entered Konoha's territory. They are expected to reach the main gate within half an hour!"
Hiruzen calmly set aside the document he was reviewing. His face remained composed, though his breath grew slightly heavier.
"Very well. Let's go and welcome them," he said as he stood up.
The Anbu appeared startled. "Hokage-sama… you will receive them personally?"
Hiruzen nodded firmly. "Of course. They come as official envoys of the Land of Lightning, not merely Kumogakure's shinobi. Refusing to greet them personally would be seen as a diplomatic insult."
"Understood, Hokage-sama!"
Main Gate of Konoha – Half an Hour Later
Hiruzen stood tall before the village gate, his Hokage cloak fluttering in the breeze. Behind him, an elite unit of shinobi waited, including several important figures of the village.
The delegation from the Land of Lightning approached in orderly formation—about twenty individuals, most of them standard shinobi. In the center of their group, a black horse-drawn carriage moved slowly.
Once the carriage stopped, a man disembarked with composed elegance. Broad-shouldered, sharp-featured, and radiating confidence.
Denmaru.
Hiruzen stepped forward, wearing a diplomatic smile. "Welcome, Envoy from the Land of Lightning. Konoha greets you warmly."
Denmaru gave a slight bow and responded with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Thank you, Third Hokage. We come to strengthen the friendship between our two great nations. The Daimyo of the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire have reached a mutual understanding. We hope this relationship will grow even more harmonious."
His tone was calm, yet every word carried a veiled warning.
By mentioning the Daimyos directly, Denmaru subtly emphasized that their mission was not merely a shinobi matter—but a political one at the highest level.
Hiruzen understood the message perfectly: 'We come under political protection. Mind your actions carefully.'
Of course, Hiruzen knew how to play this game. He answered smoothly, "Of course. We too hope that this visit will strengthen our mutual trust."
Yet behind the smiles and polite words, the two leaders were already sizing each other up.
'The performance has begun,' Hiruzen thought grimly.
Once the formalities ended, Hiruzen nodded to his subordinates. "Escort the envoys to the prepared accommodations."
After the delegation departed, Hiruzen stood silently for a moment, then let out a deep sigh.
"Kushina."
The red-haired woman who had been standing nearby approached, slightly surprised to hear her name.
"Yes, Sandaime-sama?"
Hiruzen fixed her with a sharp gaze. "I want you to personally monitor this delegation."
Kushina frowned. "Won't there be Anbu surveillance?"
"I'm pulling all official surveillance. If we appear too obvious, it will seem like fear—and they will use that as an excuse to disgrace Konoha."
His tone grew serious. "You will be Konoha's eyes and ears from the shadows. I trust no one but you for this, Kushina."
Kushina clenched her fists, then bowed deeply. "Understood. I accept the mission."
Kushina's House – Shortly After
Kushina stood before her bedroom mirror. This time, she wore a tight black Anbu suit. Her vivid red hair was hidden beneath a long black wig, and her eyes were masked by bright blue contact lenses.
She touched her now completely transformed face—a handsome young man's face, with a strong jawline, calm eyes, and a half-lazy smile.
"Tch tch tch… look how handsome I am!" she chuckled, twirling before the mirror, showing off her new identity.
In the reflection, barely a trace of Kushina remained. Only someone extremely close to her would recognize the truth.
"Since this is my second time going undercover… maybe I should give this alter-ego a name…"
She thought for a moment, then grinned mischievously.
"Menma. A good name. From now on, whenever I need to move in the shadows… I'll be Menma."
Before leaving, she paused to glance around her empty home.
"Naruto must be playing with his friends now…"
She locked the door, then leapt soundlessly out the back window, heading for Hokage headquarters to report.
Konoha's Night – Black Sky, Silent Threats
The night sky over Konoha was dark, almost starless. In the silence, a dark figure slipped out from the inn where the Kumogakure delegation stayed. Moving swiftly and silently, the figure merged into the shadows.
Perched casually on a large tree nearby, Menma—Kushina's undercover persona—lounged against a thick branch, one arm supporting her head, eyes keenly tracking every movement below.
'Finally… they're moving,' she thought with a sly smile. 'Time to play.'
Hyuga Clan Compound – Minutes Later
Within the vast, peaceful Hyuga compound, only the night guards remained awake. Dim lanterns lit the corridors, and most of the family slept soundly.
Inside a small, neat room, a little girl slept deeply—Hyuga Hinata, the clan head's daughter.
Her face was innocent and serene, unaware of the shadow creeping into her room.
Denmaru slipped through the imperfectly locked door. His breathing was even, his hands cold.
He looked down at Hinata for a long moment, then whispered, "Sweet little one… forgive me. This world is cruel, and I am only following orders."
With a smooth movement, Denmaru cast a subtle genjutsu toward her. His technique wasn't particularly powerful—Kumogakure wasn't known for genjutsu—but it was enough to deepen the child's sleep.
He carefully lifted the small, fragile body into his arms.
But Denmaru had no intention of fleeing. Not within the heart of Konoha's defenses.
'The village's security is too tight. I can't escape with her… but if that fails…'
He glanced toward the main house.
'…then the only way is… to provoke Hyuga Hiashi.'
Hiashi's Room
Hiashi sat at his desk, flipping through a book, though his mind was restless. Something gnawed at his instincts—something he couldn't explain.
Suddenly, he stood up.
"There's something wrong tonight… too quiet."
He strode quickly through the halls. As he rounded a corner, a shadow darted past—fast and suspicious.
"WHO'S THERE?!" Hiashi bellowed, his voice booming.
His eyes widened.
"That's Hinata…! She's being taken—!!"
Without hesitation, Hiashi exploded with chakra, propelling himself forward like a white flash.
Denmaru ran as fast as he could, but Hiashi was faster. In seconds, the Hyuga leader landed directly in front of him, blocking any escape.
"How dare you infiltrate this village! Who are you?!" he roared.
Denmaru didn't answer. Holding Hinata with one arm, he pulled a kunai with the other, attacking without hesitation.
Hiashi smirked coldly. "You think that'll stop me?"
He dodged easily, his body moving with the trademark Hyuga grace, and aimed a palm strike at Denmaru's vital chakra points.
But shockingly—
Denmaru didn't evade.
Instead, he closed his eyes… and accepted the blow.
'Lord Raikage… I have succeeded. The rest is up to you…'
Just as Hiashi's hand was about to strike a lethal blow, another figure appeared above them!
A strong hand seized Hiashi's wrist mid-air, halting the deadly strike.
In the same instant, another hand delivered a precise blow to Denmaru's neck, rendering him unconscious but alive.
Hiashi turned, startled.
A young man in Anbu gear stood before him. Mysterious, yet undeniably powerful.
"Who are you?"
The man replied in a cold, even voice, full of warning.
"I was assigned personally by the Hokage. And this man…"—he glanced at the unconscious Denmaru—"…is the leader of the Land of Lightning's delegation."
Hiashi paled. His hand trembled slightly.
"What?! The envoy leader…?! If I had killed him just now…"
Menma—Kushina in disguise—nodded solemnly. "Had you killed him, Konoha would have been accused of murdering a diplomatic envoy. Kumogakure would have a perfect excuse to demand blood—maybe even war. This was a trap, Hiashi-dono."
Hiashi closed his eyes, controlling his anger.
"…So their real target was my Byakugan," he said quietly, though his gaze sharpened like a blade.
Kushina met his eyes. "Whatever their motives, our task is clear: ensure none of them die by our hands."
Hiashi nodded slowly. "You're right. Thank you… Anbu-san."
Kushina didn't reply. She simply hefted Denmaru onto her shoulder with ease and disappeared into the night.