Naruto Birdcage

"Why the sudden mission?"

Ayano couldn't help but ask as she looked at Hiashi, who was now dressed in full shinobi combat gear.

"Some supplies need to be delivered to the frontlines.

It's a critical matter, and the Hokage has entrusted the Hyuga clan with the task," Hiashi replied flatly.

A servant had already packed his belongings, and Hiashi's brother, Hizashi, was waiting outside.

"How long will you be gone this time?"

"If all goes smoothly, I'll return in two or three days."

Ayano stood to the side, her face filled with worry, but given Hiashi's detached demeanor, she didn't say much more.

When Hiashi entered the living room, he saw Hizashi and Hakumen standing in the courtyard.

The Hyuga clan was dwindling in numbers, with only a handful of adult shinobi left.

Among the younger generation, Hakumen was the only one with notable potential.

Hiashi paused briefly and stood still for a moment before suddenly asking Ayano, who was standing beside him, "Is Makoto at home?"

Ayano was momentarily taken aback but quickly answered, "Right now… he should be at home."

"Have him come over too."

"Huh?"

"Go get Makoto."

"Oh! Alright!"

Ayano hurriedly left, making her way to Makoto's residence.

At that moment, Makoto was at home reading a book. Hearing a knock on the door, he assumed it was Ayari.

"Ayano-nee?"

"Makoto, Hiashi is calling for you," Ayano said bluntly.

Makoto was a bit surprised. "Right now?"

Ayano replied, "Hiashi is waiting for you."

Makoto thought for a moment before saying to Ayano, "Ayano-nee, please wait for a few minutes."

"Wait—" Ayano started to respond, but before she could finish, Makoto had already turned around and shut the door.

This made Ayano frown slightly.

She raised her hand, intending to knock on the door, but then lowered it again.

After some hesitation, she activated her Byakugan to see what Makoto was doing inside.

The first thing she saw, however, was Makoto taking off his clothes, causing her to quickly deactivate her Byakugan in shock.

The "few minutes" Makoto had asked for turned out to be exactly that.

When he opened the door again, Ayano saw that he had already changed into the standard green Konoha ninja combat uniform, complete with a forehead protector, leg wraps, and a fully equipped ninja pouch.

Ayano was momentarily stunned.

She realized she had only told him that Hiashi was looking for him.

How had he managed to prepare himself so thoroughly?

She pondered Hiashi's intentions carefully.

Calling Makoto over at this moment could only mean he planned to take him along for the mission.

How had this guy figured it out?

"Let's go, Ayano-nee," Makoto said calmly.

"..."

When the two arrived at the gathering point, both Hizashi and Hakumen were visibly surprised to see Makoto dressed in full ninja gear.

Especially Hizashi, who never expected Makoto to be part of this mission.

Was this Hiashi's decision?

During Konoha's previous life-and-death crisis, Makoto had not been sent to the battlefield.

Why was Hiashi taking him now? What did this mean?

Hizashi pondered this for a long time but couldn't figure it out.

For now, he could only silently watch Makoto from beside Hiashi.

"Lord Hiashi," Makoto greeted with a bow.

"It seems you're already prepared," Hiashi remarked, assuming Ayano had told Makoto about the decision to bring him along on the mission.

Makoto replied, "I've always wanted to contribute to the clan and the village. I'm grateful for the opportunity, Lord Hiashi. I just hope I won't hold anyone back during this mission."

Hiashi nodded. "It's good to see you have such resolve."

He then turned to Hizashi and Hakumen.

"Let's move out."

....

When Orochimaru returned home after meeting with the Daimyo, he found Danzo sitting in his living room.

"Lord Danzo, trespassing into someone's home isn't exactly a good habit," Orochimaru remarked.

"Orochimaru, being specially summoned by the Daimyo—you're quite valued," Danzo said, his tone neither warm nor cold.

Hearing Danzo's words, Orochimaru chuckled lightly and walked over to sit on a seat beside him.

He replied, "After all, I once saved his life. Have you forgotten, Lord Danzo? Back then, it was you who helped arrange everything."

Danzo let out a faint sneer. "I thought you had forgotten. I assumed Orochimaru got to where he is entirely on his own."

Orochimaru laughed softly. The sound was raspy and low, carrying an eerie undertone.

"It seems Lord Danzo harbors quite a bit of dissatisfaction toward me," he said.

Danzo gave a cold smile. "How could I dare be dissatisfied with the future Hokage?"

Orochimaru sighed at this moment and said,

"It seems Lord Danzo has misunderstood me. Everything I have is thanks to you, and I've never had any intention of burning bridges after crossing them."

Danzo remained unmoved by these words.

Orochimaru continued, "Perhaps Lord Danzo isn't aware yet—Sarutobi-sensei seems to have uncovered some leads."

Danzo's eyes flickered slightly. "What leads?"

"Naturally, about the things we've done in the past."

Danzo frowned. "How do you know that?"

"During my recent conversations with Sarutobi-sensei, he subtly probed me more than once. It's clear that he's begun to suspect me," Orochimaru said.

Danzo's expression darkened, his brow furrowing deeply as he carefully recalled his recent discussions with Hiruzen.

He suddenly remembered a remark Hiruzen had made when Danzo suggested Orochimaru as the commander against the Kirigakure: "I won't allow traitors to remain in this world."

Could that statement have been directed at him?

Thinking about it this way, it suddenly seemed all too plausible.

Orochimaru sighed and said,

"Lord Danzo, we are currently in the eye of the storm. It would be wise to step back now to preserve ourselves."

"The first thing we should do is handle the traitor issue, eliminate all traces and loose ends, and then put forward a scapegoat.

If I go to the frontlines now, everything in the village will be beyond my control, and if something happens to one of us, we'll both be doomed."

"A victory in the war against the Kirigakure isn't everything.

Let Minato handle it; what do you think, Lord Danzo?"

Danzo's gaze flickered, contemplating how credible Orochimaru's words were.

Orochimaru smiled faintly and said,

"Lord Danzo, right now, neither of us can afford to abandon the other.

I could never leave you, after all, all my 'secrets' are in your hands, aren't they?"

Only then did Danzo speak indifferently, "You'd better understand that."

Seeing this, Orochimaru's smile deepened, his serpent-like gaze growing even more unreadable.

He chuckled, "Lord Danzo, you understand my nature. I'm only interested in research on forbidden techniques; I'm completely clueless about politics, even if I became Hokage. In the future, I'll still be relying on you to help manage the village!"

Danzo wasn't sure whether to believe such words or not, but he simply said,

"The traitor issue must be settled quickly. I'll put forward a scapegoat during this time."

Orochimaru nodded in agreement, but inwardly, he was sneering.

In such a special and sensitive period, how much credibility could a traitor who willingly exposed themselves have?

It's possible that rather than eliminating suspicion, this person could end up becoming the very thread that the Hokage grabs hold of!

Danzo, oh Danzo. No wonder you've been suppressed by Sarutobi-sensei for your entire life.

Do you consider yourself the master of strategy while treating others as fools?

-------------

End of chapter

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