Chapter 897: Hyuga Tsukuyuki: Oh no, I've been exposed?
Chapter 897: Hyuga Tsukuyuki: Oh no, I've been exposed?
Team 10!
Or the new generation of Inuzuka, Yamanaka, and Akimichi.
At this moment, the three of them were strolling down the street, snacking on chips.
Crunch, crunch!
Akado Shijou was munching on potato chips, occasionally offering one to his two friends beside him.
"Lately, for some reason, all the missions have been located not too far from the village. Perhaps some danger is about to emerge!"
Kiba casually shared his analysis.
Having started to follow his teacher, Asama, in handling various tasks, he had access to a lot of information and was now subtly leaking some of it to his two friends.
Danger!
The village had already sensed the danger, which was why they had restricted the activities of the ninjas, ensuring they could assemble quickly if needed.
"Hmm, Father... I'll stay in the village during this time and practice the Super Multiplying Jutsu!"
Akado Shijou replied subconsciously, but he paused for a moment when he mentioned the word 'Father'.
This was because he had just remembered something—the fathers of his two friends had both died in battle.
The previous generation of Inuzuka, Yamanaka, and Akimichi had already lost two members at the hands of Hyuga Tsukuyuki, leaving only Akado Shijou alive.
It could be said that Kiba was the one most eager to take revenge on the Shell Organization.
Unfortunately, the Shell Organization was incredibly mysterious, and the only known connection was with the Sunlight Nation. No other intelligence was available.
That's right!
Konoha had already identified the terrifyingly powerful member of the Shell Organization, the one with nine fox tails.
The Hyuga Clan!
Yes, this had been confirmed.
However, the exact identity was still being slowly investigated.
Since the individual had been active even before the Nine-Tails Night, the younger generation, including Hyuga Ayame and Hyuga Nijyu, had been ruled out.
Hyuga Jirou!
Even this former clan leader, who had supposedly died, was on the suspect list.
After all, if they wanted to set up a fake death, it wasn't impossible.
The one who was initially most suspected was Hyuga Nichiro, whose body had 'disappeared'.
These two, in the Pure Land, had no idea what the people of Konoha were thinking. Otherwise, they would have surely climbed out of their coffins to protest... "You're treating us unfairly! Do you expect me to take the blame even after I'm dead?"
It could only be said that the village's higher-ups had brought in all the Hyuga Clan members of the appropriate age for investigation.
Hyuga Tsukuyuki was also on the list, but she was at the very bottom.
However, the main reason she was on this list was that she was a member of Team 404, not because of her strength.
Team 404!
They were a legendary team in the Shinobi World.
The leader of this team was none other than the famous 'Purifying Flame', 'Tyrant', and 'Sun Sovereign' in the Shinobi World.
Each of these three titles was renowned, and there was not a drop of exaggeration in them.
Not to mention the number of titles, just the quality of them was awe-inspiring.
'Purifying Flame' referred to his record in the Great Shinobi War, where he had consecutively defeated strong ninjas from various villages and even killed the Third Mizukage.
'Tyrant' referred to the countless nobles who had died under his command.
'Sun Sovereign' further indicated his identity as the leader of the Sunlight Nation, a superpower capable of challenging the entire Shinobi World.
With these titles combined, even the other teammate with the title 'Storm Fury' was overshadowed by the leader's brilliance.
Not to mention the last teammate, who had always been quiet and unassuming, like a transparent background character.
Although Konoha's higher-ups had included her on the list, no one considered her a suspect.
But that was before!
With just one sentence from Kiba, she became a prime suspect.
This ability to make people subconsciously ignore her, if used on the battlefield, could it allow her to assassinate targets effortlessly?
Presence!
This was Kiba's conclusion after thoroughly studying Team 404's files, including every mission they had undertaken, the routes they had taken... and so on.
Inheriting the intelligence of the Nara Clan, he had keenly noticed this ability.
For some reason, everyone seemed to overlook Hyuga Tsukuyuki.
Yet, she had always been by the side of Uchiha Douhei, a legendary figure in the Shinobi World, and still, no one had paid attention to her.
If this ability were used in assassinations or battles, wouldn't it be similar to the scene when his father was assassinated?
Even with the most advanced stealth capabilities, it would be impossible to break through the numerous layers of defense and directly confront the 'Leaf Strategist'.
But she had done it, and this ability was likely an innate trait of Hyuga Tsukuyuki herself.
So, Konoha had been continuously gathering intelligence to determine if Hyuga Tsukuyuki was indeed a member of the Shell Organization.
If she was, it would undoubtedly shock countless people.
After all, the Shell Organization could be said to have committed all sorts of evil, causing numerous major incidents. If she were a member of Team 404, it would be truly astonishing.
Shikamaru had secretly identified the culprit, so when Chouji mentioned the word "father," he subconsciously wanted to kill Hyuga Tsukuyuki.
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. I'm going to undertake a long-term mission, and it's likely that I won't be returning to the village for some time!"
Ino changed the topic.
Yes, she was about to take on the mission, and all preparations for her 'defection' were in place.
No matter who came to investigate, they would discover that the Yamanaka clan was preparing to take action against the young woman who had the authority to act as the clan leader. So, in her anger, she 'counter-killed' her opponent and fled from Konoha.
Even her escape route was well-planned, ensuring her safe arrival at the Heavenly Fortress Tower.
At the same time, she could also quickly integrate into the Sunlight Nation by relying on the power of the 'Konoha Lineage.'
Konoha Lineage!
This refers to Yuhi, Akado, TenTen, and Hyuga Hinata, among others, who joined the Sunlight Nation as ninjas from Konoha.
As for the grudge of the father's murder?
Among ninjas, killing and death are common, and if they were to fight due to hatred, they would have perished long ago.
Take the current Raikage, for example. Even though his father, the Third Raikage, was surrounded and killed by the Iwagakure ninjas, he still frequently collaborates with them.
"Do you need any help with the long-term mission?"
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Chouji asked with concern.
Shikamaru, on the other hand, wore a worried expression but remained silent.
Because he had already figured out that if someone could help, there would be no need to specifically notify them.
"No, this is a mission that can only be executed 'alone.' You'll understand later!"
Ino emphasized the word 'alone.'
At the same time, the latter half of her statement was also a hint.
As long as the two of them heard the news of her 'defection,' they would guess what she was up to.
"Is that so!"
Chouji, being straightforward, didn't say more after hearing that no help was needed.
However, Shikamaru had discerned a lot from her words.
Because he genuinely couldn't imagine what kind of mission would require Ino, who was only a Chunin, to execute it alone, and even disband Team 10 for it.
Therefore, this mission must have some issues.
Even if he had guessed this, he wouldn't say it out loud. He just decided to stay vigilant.
Tang Ping, who was following Team 10, had listened to their conversation and instantly understood. Ino was explaining what would happen next, and it seemed that the 'Beauty Plan' was about to begin.
Cough, cough... He didn't care about the beauty plan or anything like that. He just wanted to challenge his soft spot.
After that, Team 10 didn't discuss anything important, and Tang Ping stopped following them, instead wandering around leisurely.
This was probably their last chance to remember Konoha.
If they waited until after Nagato's 'Carrying Rice' event, they would never see the current Konoha again.
In the evening, Tang Ping returned to the inn.
Quan also explained that Ichiraku and Water Plant, under Senju's protection, were on their way to the Heavenly Fortress Tower.
With that, they could now watch the show with peace of mind.
Oh, right!
Today, Kakashi and a large number of ninjas also left the village to carry out missions, but it didn't attract any attention.
At the same time, Tang Ping received a message via a paper crane, informing him of the precise time for the 'Carrying Rice' event.
Tomorrow!
Today, Konan and Nagato were already near Konoha, but they were just adjusting their conditions.
Pain's Six Paths state didn't need adjustment, but Nagato's state did.
At the same time, the added spice was also prepared.
It seemed that Konan still resented Jiraiya for his double standards.
In the original story, it was because he had personally killed her that she felt nostalgic.
But now?
Jiraiya was the renowned Fifth Hokage, a legendary figure, so it was natural for Konan to resent him.
Therefore, adding some spice was quite normal.
As for why the other members of Akatsuki weren't brought along?
Of course, it was because capturing the Nine-Tails was a mission for 'Pain,' and it was normal for him and Konan to handle it. Bringing others along wouldn't be appropriate.
Because when they captured tailed beasts, they always worked in pairs, and as the leader, he naturally had to set an example.
With an expectant mood, Tang Ping and the others arrived the next day, and they had even prepared sunflower seeds and drinks in advance, ready to watch and snack.
Early in the morning, he brought Quan to the top of the Hokage Monument to wait and watch the show.
There was a barrier in place, so they didn't have to worry about being discovered.
At the same time, the backup team that had been prepared in advance was not far from Konoha, and they could get close at any time if needed.
If given the chance, Tang Ping naturally wanted to take advantage of the situation.
This had become a habit.
(End of Chapter)
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