Chapter 85

Hizashi disappeared.

The two branch family guards accompanying him also disappeared.

To the Hyuga clan, this was absolutely not something that could be brushed aside.

This matter also eventually made the elders of the Hyuga main family suspicious.

Unfortunately, no matter how they investigated, seeking out the survivors from the cruise ship that day, the answer they received was only one—

It was suspected that three Hyuga clan ninjas, sitting on a cruise ship traveling from the Land of the Rainbow to the Land of Fire, were attacked by ninjas using Water Release techniques during the journey.

They are currently missing, with no news at all.

Whether they are dead or alive is unknown.

This is the worst part.

The deaths of the two branch family guards were not particularly significant, just like the previous Hyuga Shingo. Even if they disappeared, the enemy could not obtain the Byakugan.

The only way to remove the Caged Bird Seal is through death.

However, after death, the Caged Bird Seal would destroy the branch family ninja's brain nerves and eyes, preventing the enemy from obtaining anything useful.

Their disappearance would only be regrettable and would not be seen as an irreparable situation.

But the disappearance of a main family ninja was a serious matter.

Hizashi was a member of the main family, and the sealing technique implanted in his brain nerves was not as extreme as the Caged Bird Seal, which could be broken.

If the Hyuga's Byakugan were obtained by the enemy, it would not be good news for the Hyuga clan and the entire Leaf Village.

The strategic importance of the Byakugan is too significant.

This matter was also known by the higher-ups of the Leaf Village.

Within a few days, they had already held over ten meetings to deal with this issue.

Hizashi disappeared in the sea between the Land of the Rainbow and the Land of Fire. Before his disappearance, according to many witnesses, they had fought with ninjas using Water Release techniques.

"This matter might be a plot by the Hidden Mist Village; we must be on guard."

As the leader of the Root, Danzo, who represents the dark side of the Leaf Village, naturally speculated with the greatest malice.

If he were in the position of the Hidden Mist Village's higher-ups, and if he discovered the traces of a Hyuga main family ninja in the neighboring Land of the Rainbow, he would naturally do everything to capture this main family ninja and study the precious bloodline limit.

"The witnesses on the cruise ship said that the ninjas using Water Release techniques were not dressed in the attire of the Hidden Mist Village. Although their identities cannot be confirmed, the possibility of the Hidden Mist ninjas being in disguise is the highest."

This ninja village, which is basically isolated from the rest of the world, is the military force of one of the Five Great Nations, the Land of Water.

Their strength should never be underestimated at any time.

Since the First Great Shinobi War, after the Hidden Mist Village fought with the Earth Country's Hidden Rock Village, the Hidden Mist Village has been building up its strength. During the Second Great Shinobi War, like the Lightning Country's Hidden Cloud Village, they did not take any action.

They have been secretly accumulating strength and cultivating excellent ninjas.

Like other ninja villages, they have a hostile attitude towards the Leaf Village.

"Even before the Hyuga main family elders came to me, I had already dispatched the Anbu to negotiate with the higher-ups of the Hidden Mist Village."

Hiruzen spoke at this moment.

"How do they explain it?"

"They claim to have no knowledge of it and have proven that there were no Hidden Mist ninjas on duty in the sea between the Land of the Rainbow and the Land of Fire at that time. They expressed condolences for the matter."

"False sympathy. If they target the Hyuga main family ninja, it will pose a threat to the Land of Fire and the Leaf Village in the future. Hiruzen, give the Hidden Mist Village a taste of our power."

Danzo said firmly.

"The last Great Shinobi War caused significant losses for the Leaf Village. Now is not the time for a major conflict."

Although the Leaf Village's strength has been rapidly recovering over the years with the funds provided by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, and with the emergence of many young geniuses, the Leaf Village's current strength can be said to exceed that of the Second Great Shinobi War period.

However, the strength of the Hidden Mist Village remains unknown. Since the First Great Shinobi War, the Hidden Mist Village has not participated in the Great Shinobi Wars, but this does not mean that the village's strength is weak.

"Hiruzen is right. We do not have conclusive evidence, and everything is based on speculation. Even morally, we do not have a strong stance, which could easily trigger a war."

The Leaf Village has always valued its reputation. Because of this good reputation and the outstanding quality of its ninjas, many merchants are willing to establish business relationships with the Leaf Village and hire its ninjas to complete tasks.

If a conflict arises with the Hidden Mist Village for such a baseless reason, the Hidden Mist Village might turn the tables on us.

"The reasons can be thought of later. The importance of the Byakugan is clear to all. We cannot let the Byakugan fall into enemy hands. Otherwise, in the near future, the enemy will use the Byakugan against us, and we must prevent this from happening."

Danzo spoke with unwavering determination, considering the future of the village.

"I will think about it."

Hiruzen frowned. Danzo's words made sense, and such a situation could indeed happen.

In past wars, the Hyuga's Byakugan has caused headaches for other ninja villages.

If the enemy uses the same method against them, they will be the ones with the headaches.

However, a sudden deterioration in relations with the Hidden Mist Village... The Leaf Village might end up in an isolated and awkward position.

Hearing Hiruzen say this, Danzo and the two advisors understood that the matter would be handled in a way that would be smoothed over.

However, this was a more prudent approach.

Without evidence and without knowing who did it, if this was a trap set to make the Leaf Village and the Hidden Mist Village turn against each other...

Such a situation must also be considered.

Compared to Danzo's suggestion, the two advisors were more inclined to Hiruzen's approach.

The village has mobilized a large number of people to find the missing main family ninja of the Hyuga clan, but due to the lack of evidence and the identity of the enemy, if there is no key evidence, it can only end here.

Even the elders and the clan head of the Hyuga clan have no words to say.

They are not unwilling to stand up for the Hyuga clan, but they need sufficient evidence and the identity of the enemy who took Hizashi to do so.

◎

"Has the Hokage given up on the matter?"

In the meeting room of the Hyuga clan, the current clan head and all the elders gathered.

They were very clear about what the disappearance of Hizashi meant for the Hyuga clan.

The loss of the Byakugan was a heavy blow.

"The Anbu found no information, and the results from the branch family members we sent to investigate are the same. The identity of the enemy is a mystery, and there is a lack of effective evidence, so it can only end here."

One of the elders spoke more rationally.

"The last time, Hyuga Shingo disappeared suddenly, and now Hizashi and the two branch family members... It seems suspicious."

Another elder folded his hands, showing a thoughtful expression.

"Are the two disappearances related?"

"The time gap is only a few days, which seems very suspicious."

"That's true, but without being able to determine the identity of the enemy, it can only end here."

Despite their deep hatred for the enemy who targeted the Hyuga clan, the elders could not find any clues to vent their anger.

This matter could not be blamed on the Hokage and the higher-ups.

"I heard that Elder Danzo wants to stand up for our Hyuga clan..."

Hizashi's father, the current clan head of the Hyuga clan, immediately frowned when an elder mentioned this.

"Who told you that?"

"Everyone is saying it."

The elder lowered his head and said.

"Stay away from the Root in the future. Let the higher-ups handle their own affairs; the Hyuga clan does not need to get involved."

The Hyuga clan head scanned the elders, his tone serious.

That old man Danzo is spreading such rumors.

Is it for the position of the next Hokage?

The Third Hokage is almost fifty years old, and it is indeed time to select the next Hokage candidate.

The Hyuga clan has come a long way, and they do not need to get involved in political struggles. They should remain neutral.

Because no matter which generation of Hokage, they will not abandon the Hyuga clan's Byakugan.

As long as there are ninjas and a war market, the Hyuga clan will be firmly protected by the Leaf Village.

The premise is not to get involved in any sensitive matters.

Especially the Hokage election.

"If anyone gets involved in the power struggles of the higher-ups, don't blame me for being ruthless. Don't pick up the bad habits of the Uchiha clan."

"Yes!"

A few elders lowered their heads guiltily, while the others responded loudly.

"Hizashi, continue to investigate the matter. No matter what, we need to give an answer to the clan members. I will leave this to you, as I have always done. I will not interfere, and you can handle it as you see fit."

The Hyuga clan head looked at his eldest son, Hizashi, the future successor of the Hyuga clan, and spoke in a more gentle tone.

Over the years, he has not interfered much in his eldest son's affairs. He wants a qualified Hyuga clan head, not a puppet.

He will eventually grow old, and the future of the Hyuga clan will depend on these young people.

No matter what, a qualified clan head must have their own judgment, not just theoretical knowledge.

The elders saw this and understood that the day when Hizashi would take over as the clan head was not far off.

"Yes, Father, I will handle this matter well."

Hizashi nodded solemnly, knowing that delaying this matter would be disadvantageous for the clan and needed to be resolved quickly.

◎

Looking at the information passed by Ayame, Shiroishi was conducting research on senjutsu.

"It seems they are not planning to investigate the disappearance of Hizashi. Good, it saves me a lot of trouble."

Even if they pursued it, the time and manpower required would be substantial.

Moreover, there was no evidence left at the scene.

The ninjas using Water Release techniques conveniently became the suspects for the Leaf Village and the Hyuga clan.

Although curious about the identities of the Water Release ninjas, Shiroishi did not intend to investigate further.

Such a small matter was not worth his attention. He only wanted to break the Caged Bird Seal, and their identities were of no use to him.

Whether they were from the Hidden Mist Village or another ninja village, it did not matter.

He burned the information on the alcohol lamp and began to focus on his research on senjutsu.