Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its character belong to Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 111: Hyuga Slave Seal
HOTSPRINGS - LAND OF FIRE BORDER
BEFORE THE WAR - RECAP
Kirigakure was a village located on an island separated from the mainland of elemental nation by vast stretches of sea. Because of this geography, its movements during war were always difficult to predict compared to other village.
Located closest to the Land of Hotsprings, Kirigakure position created three potential routes through which they could launch an attack on Konoha.
The first route was by sea and there were only two practical ways for shinobi to traverse the ocean either by ship or by running directly across the water using chakra.
Neither option was simple, using ships required enormous preparation. Not just one or two vessels, but an entire fleet at least ten to twenty ships capable of transporting troops, supplies and commanders safely across waters. Such an operation demanded time, resources, and secrecy. Even for a powerful hidden village like Kirigakure, assembling that many ships would be costly and even Daimyo would think twice either to let them join or not.
Running across the sea using chakra was even worse, while elite shinobi could maintain chakra control for extended periods, the ocean wasn't a calm water. Waves are non stop and disrupted balance, drained stamina and prolonged use of chakra risked exhaustion.
Just one mistake, one moment of chakra fluctuation and a shinobi could be dragged under by the current and died drowning without anyione noticing it. For large-scale troop movement, this method was wildly inefficient and dangerous.
Because of these limitations, Raiken dismissed a direct sea invasion early on.
That left two remaining possibilities.
The Land of Rice or the Land of Hotsprings.
Both were viable landing zones where Kirigakure forces could regroup before marching inland toward the Land of Fire. They only need a few ships and can return to pick up more shinobi before deciding to attack Konoha.
However, after careful analysis Land Of Rice is slightly a far from the landing zone and the enemy are likely would regroup on land of hotspring before attacking Konoha.
There was a ninety percent chance they would emerge in the Land of Hotsprings and the reason was very simple.
The Land of Hot Springs was closer, not just geographically, but strategically.
Its terrain allowed for rapid regrouping, temporary concealment, and multiple paths toward Konoha's interior. Unlike the Land of Rice, the cost and the risk of exposure could make their position known by an enemy.
Raiken understood Kirigakure mindset well, they were cautious, patient, and above all, opportunistic. They would not rush into battle alongside Kumogakure and Iwagakure. Instead, they would wait, watching the war from afar, conserving strength and striking only when Konoha was sufficiently weakened.
The sea itself served as their excuse on why they were late on attacking.
If questioned by their daimyō or allied villages, they could simply claim delays due to weather, tides, or logistical difficulties. By the time they finally moved, the narrative would already favor them.
'Late arrivals often survive longest,' Raiken thought grimly.
And when they did arrive, they would not come empty-handed.
That was why the Land of Hot Springs mattered.
Positioning Hyuga clan near that border are really good, they won't enter that land but still can see what happen on that other side of land.
But even after a day they didn't attacked Konoha Shinobi.
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While the other village have started their attack, each of Konoha Shinobi who stationed on the border near the land of Hotsprings become tensed waiting for the enemy.
They didn't know when it would be their time and what they know was they need to be ready and always patrolled the area, almost every shinobi become active after hearing the report and even after they are given a shift time to sleep or eat.
Almost all of them choose not to sleep, they are afraid they would be killed in the war against Kirigakure while they are still sleeping.
But after waiting for a few hours, it finally a night and their defence is still not breached.
Some ninja are joking even in this situation.
"Do you think Kirigakure are too afraid against us?" asked a Civillian ninja.
"Maybe, we have Hyuga clan and Uzumaki clan in here," replied another ninja.
Meanwhile, the Hyuga and Uzumaki Clan are planning to seal more barrier so they can detect more faster if the enemy had come closer.
Uzumaki Yashiro are using secret barrier that they used to detect white Zetsu in Konoha. This is secret barrier that only known by them.
"Is that a new barrier?" asked Hyuga Itsuki
"We have a lot of barrier seal," replied Uzumaki Yashiro. "This is one of them."
Uzumaki Raiken had instructed them to keep this barrier as a secret and never told the ally about the function of this barrier, but they can use it on war and even infront of the ally.
"Really?" asked Hyuga Itsuki.
"Yeah, we are clan that specialize in Fuinjutsu and it is not weird if we have multiple barrier," replied Uzumaki Yashiro.
Itsuki become silent while looking at Yashiro.
"I wanna ask," asked Itsuki with a face full of frustration while biting her lips. "If you found a seal that are so complicated, can your clan destroyed that seal?"
Yashiro looked at Itsuki before answering her question.
"Is that about your clan slave seal on the forehead?" questioned Yashiro.
"Wait.. Noo.... No it wasn't slave seal... It.." but Yashiro cut her off.
"My clan leader already told us Jonin in Uzumaki clan about your clan, it said that every Hyuga who are not from main branch would bear a seal on the foreheard and this seal would torture anyone who wanted to defy the main family," said Yashiro.
Itsuki freezed for a while and looked at Yashiro with widened eyes, even the others Hyuga who are there also freezed hearing Yashiro words.
"Did any of you were forced to marry the elders or main family?" asked Yashiro.
Hearing Yashiro question, the Hyuga ninja who are there to protect Yashiro while he was erecting new barrier paused and they cried.
"Yes... the elders son wanted to marry my sister but he is such a trash and we Branch family didn't have power to fight them," answered Itsuki.
"Wait... wasn't it the main family only who didn't have the sealing mark?" asked Yashiro feel confused.
"Half correct, although only main family who didn't have sealing mark on the forehead but each of the elders know how to activate sealing mark and tortured us," said Itsuki with anger on her voice.
"Oh my..." Yashiro blocked his mouth then looked at everyone who are angry thinking about it. "To be honest it is possible to alter the seal so the torturing part can be removed, we can even change the seal position not on the forehead."
"What?" Every Hyuga freezed hearing Yashiro.
Yashiro nodded his head.
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P/S: On first part I edit my grammar using chat gpt, while on the second part I wrote it raw and didn't use grammarly or any other software to fix it.
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There is 30 advanced chapter on my patreon.
Chapter 137: Permanent Interest
Chapter 138: Hatred
Chapter 139: Teaching Mikoto
Chapter 140: Pregnant
Chapter 141: 183 cm
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