Inside Sarutobi Hiruzen's modest home, silence reigned. An oil lantern hanging in the corner of the room illuminated the main hall with a dim, flickering light.
Kushina, still in her disguise as Menma, stepped in with steady strides.
But before she could report, her eyes caught a small figure sleeping soundly on the sofa—Karin, wrapped in a warm blanket, her breathing even, her face peaceful.
Kushina paused for a moment, her lips softening into a gentle smile. The fierce woman known for her fiery determination now showed the tenderness of a mother.
However, that smile quickly faded when she turned her gaze toward the Third Hokage, who was already waiting for her with a serious expression.
"Something happened," Hiruzen murmured, standing up and approaching her.
Kushina nodded. "Denmaru attempted to kidnap Hinata from the Hyuga compound and tried to provoke Hiashi into killing him. I stopped him in time and returned his unconscious body to the inn without anyone noticing."
Hiruzen let out a heavy breath, his face darkening. "That conniving bastard…"
Without wasting time, Hiruzen gestured to one of his guards.
"Summon the Anbu squad. We're going to the Hyuga compound. Now."
The Anbu behind him exchanged quick glances when they noticed the 'young man' in a foreign Anbu uniform standing silently beside the Third Hokage.
But since the Hokage said nothing, they asked no questions.
Hyuga Compound — A Few Minutes Later
Chaos had erupted in the main courtyard of the Hyuga residence. One of the Kumogakure delegates—a tall man with short hair and sharp eyes named Reika—was shouting in a furious rage.
"I demand an explanation! Denmaru has disappeared, and the last traces of his chakra were found near this area! We have every reason to believe that Hyuga Hiashi has murdered him!"
Hiashi stood calmly, wearing his night yukata, one hand holding the tiny hand of a still-sleepy Hinata.
"How amusing," he said flatly. "I was merely walking with my daughter through the inner gardens. Is that considered murder now?"
Reika clenched his fists. "Don't play games with me, Head of the Hyuga Clan!"
Tension soared.
Swish. Swish. Swish.
Several Konoha Anbu appeared, moving into a tight formation. The sound of their footsteps sliced through the courtyard like a sharp wind.
Their gazes were cold. Filled with killing intent.
The Kumogakure delegation immediately broke out in cold sweat.
"Will Konoha... slaughter us all? Is this your so-called 'friendship' toward the Land of Lightning?" Reika yelled, voice shaking but still provocative.
The Anbu gripped their weapons tighter—but they restrained themselves.
In the middle of the rising tension, two figures walked in calmly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Menma.
Their presence alone silenced the courtyard.
"Lord Reika," said the Third Hokage in a calm tone, like a grandfather speaking to a stubborn grandchild. "You accuse Hiashi Hyuga of murdering your delegation leader, Denmaru. I only wish to ask one thing... where is your proof?"
Reika fell silent. No evidence. No witnesses. Only assumptions.
Hiruzen smiled serenely, though his eyes were sharp. "In that case, allow us to find out ourselves."
He turned to Hiashi. "Hiashi-san, please activate your Byakugan and scan the area. If Lord Denmaru has indeed been killed, we must discover the truth."
Hiashi nodded. In an instant, the veins around his eyes bulged as his Byakugan fully activated.
He scanned the compound, every room, every hidden corner—and then—
"He's… still asleep. In his bed. At the delegation's inn," he reported quietly.
For a moment, the entire courtyard froze.
All eyes turned to Reika, whose face drained of color.
Hiruzen smiled again, calm as ever. "Lord Reika… if Denmaru is sleeping soundly, how could Hiashi have killed him? I believe... this joke has gone on long enough."
Reika trembled, but forced his voice louder. "T-This is impossible! I'll see for myself!"
Without waiting for permission, he turned and ran, followed closely by several of his subordinates.
After They Left
Watching them leave, Sarutobi Hiruzen merely smiled faintly, his aged eyes glinting with quiet relief. 'Thank goodness Kushina moved quickly. Otherwise… today could've ended in a diplomatic disaster.'
Hiashi turned his gaze toward 'Menma'—the mysterious Anbu figure he had never seen before.
'Who is he, really?' Hiashi wondered. His movements, his strength… and that chakra… felt strangely familiar.
But before he could ask, Hiruzen sighed and patted his shoulder. "Hiashi, although today's incident ended without bloodshed, be cautious. Kumogakure... they won't back down easily. Stay vigilant in the coming days."
Hiashi nodded. "Understood, Sandaime-sama."
"Apologies for the discomfort. Kumogakure... always finds ways to stir trouble."
Hiashi said nothing. He understood all too well—possessing a kekkei genkai like the Byakugan was like carrying a priceless gem through a den of thieves. Being hunted was not a choice—it was a destiny.
'If you don't want to be a target, don't possess anything precious.'
The incident seemed to end there, dismissed like a bad joke.
But Kushina knew—this wasn't over. Not even close.
Later — Kumogakure Delegation's Inn
Reika burst into the room, gasping for breath. Inside, Denmaru still lay on the bed—unconscious but breathing steadily.
Reika bit down a curse. 'How the hell did our plan fail like this?!'
He grabbed Denmaru by the shoulders and shook him violently. "Wake up! Denmaru, get up!"
Minutes later, Denmaru groaned and slowly opened his eyes. His hand instinctively went to his sore neck.
"Ugh… where am I…? Is this… hell?"
"Idiot! You're still at the inn! Welcome back to reality!" Reika growled.
Denmaru blinked awake, then jolted upright. "What happened?! Last thing I remember, I had Hinata and then... Hiashi attacked me! I should be dead!"
Reika stared at him coldly. "You failed, Denmaru. But we can't retreat now."
They stood in silence for a moment. Outside, the tension between villages was as thin as cracking glass. And if they returned empty-handed… they knew what awaited them.
"Reika…" Denmaru said weakly, "Let's move to Plan B. Use my death."
Reika narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean...?"
Denmaru nodded weakly. "I'll sneak into the Hyuga compound... and commit suicide there. If my body is found within Hiashi's home, it will be enough to accuse him of murder. It will force Konoha to surrender… one of their Main Family heirs."
Reika stared blankly. It was a dirty, vile plan. But… it might work.
"…Are you sure?"
"This... is the only way. I'm ready. Kumogakure cannot afford to fail."
Minutes later, Denmaru activated Doton: Moguragakure no Jutsu, disappearing underground and slipping toward the Hyuga residence.
Hyuga Compound — Midnight
Hiashi had just tucked Hinata back into bed when he heard a commotion outside.
He stepped out—and saw a body lying in the middle of the family's private garden.
His eyes widened.
Denmaru!
A kunai stabbed into his chest, blood still trickling from the wound. He was unmistakably dead.
And before Hiashi could fully comprehend the situation—
BAM!
The compound's main gate shattered.
Reika stormed in, flanked by several Kumogakure ninja.
He pointed at Denmaru's corpse and screamed with righteous fury, "Hiashi! You have murdered our envoy! This is an act of war against the Land of Lightning!"
Hiashi stood frozen, internally cursing: 'Damn it. How shameless can they be?!'