"The power of this taijutsu is impressive," said Hyūga Shigeo calmly, "but it causes severe internal strain. The pill I gave you will enhance recovery and protect your body somewhat."
"Thank you, my lord! Thank you!" The man's face lit up with excitement. "My name is Hyūga Nami. Please allow me to learn from you!" His heart pounded wildly — to speak directly with the famed Hyūga Shigeo felt like a dream.
"There's no need for formalities. It was a small matter."
After finishing his words, Shigeo gave the three Hyūga before him a long look, then waved to Hikaru. "If there's nothing else, I'll be off. And remember, here, my name is A-Mo."
"Shigeo—no, A-Mo," Hikaru called, unable to hold back any longer, "why are you here?" He had wanted to ask since they met, but the clan head's orders kept him silent until now.
"I'm investigating the Orchid Sect."
"The Orchid Sect?" Hiashi's composed expression faltered; his curiosity broke through his restraint. "You know of them?"
"I do."
"What do you know?" Hiashi pressed. "Forgive my impatience, but if you're investigating the same thing, why not share information?"
Shigeo arched an eyebrow, then smiled faintly. "Fine. We'll share what we know."
Hiashi's lips lifted slightly as well. Looking at the young man before him, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Time flies. Once, he was just a blind child... now he stands as a shadow-level figure.
If the Hyūga Clan had supported him properly in those days, then with his abilities, the position of Fifth Hokage could easily have been his.
What greater glory could the Hyūga have hoped for?
What a waste.
As the two sides exchanged information, they realized — each knew as little as the other.
From Shigeo's side: reports of an organization called the Orchid Sect operating in the western Land of Water, known to have kidnapped over ten shinobi from the Ink Village in recent months.
He never mentioned the Blue Gate organization, presenting the missing operatives as ordinary Ink Village ninja.
From the Hyūga side: two years earlier, a Branch House member disappeared while on a mission in the western Land of Water. His teammates searched for weeks, finding nothing.
Everyone believed him dead — until earlier this year, when another Hyūga disappeared, leaving behind a short coded message:
"Hyūga Akira and I are alive. Western Land of Water. Orchid Sect."
Those few words were the clan's only lead.
Originally, the investigation should have been handled by Konoha's Anbu, but the joint Chūnin Exams, followed by Orochimaru's invasion and the death of the Third Hokage, left the village in chaos. With Tsunade's succession and reconstruction underway, there were no spare operatives.
So Hiashi himself took two trusted clan members and ventured into the western Land of Water to investigate.
However, their Byakugan drew too much attention.
More than once, groups of rogue ninja ambushed them for their eyes.
In one town, over a dozen mercenary shinobi attacked at once — forcing them to wear dark glasses to hide their identity.
That was how they'd ended up in Moon City.
And it was there they crossed paths with Shigeo.
"That's everything," said Hiashi, finally exhaling. "We suspected the Sea God Festival here might be connected to the Orchid Sect, but after three days of watching, we found nothing. Tonight we were planning to leave — until we were ambushed. If you hadn't appeared, we might not have survived."
Beside him, Nami nodded fervently. "Yes, my lord, thank you! The pill you gave me worked instantly — my strength's already returning!"
"It's fine," Shigeo replied evenly. "Seems we both have very little concrete evidence."
Hikaru nodded. "A-Mo, the clan head and I plan to continue north. What about you?"
"North?" Shigeo's tone sharpened. "You don't understand. Those attackers weren't all after your Byakugan. Their leader was from the Orchid Sect. They've infiltrated Moon City under the guise of wandering ninja to ensure this year's sacrificial ritual succeeds. I'm certain Moon City and the Orchid Sect are connected."
Hiashi's eyes widened. "How can you be sure?"
"I read the man's mind — directly from his brain."
Hiashi's back stiffened. Even Hikaru's eyes bulged. "You can read memories… from a corpse? That's impossible! Even the Hyūga don't have such techniques!"
Of course, they didn't know about his hidden Rinnegan or its powers.
"Believe me or don't," Shigeo said simply. "Either way, our exchange is complete. I have things to do." He turned to leave.
"My lord, I—" Nami hesitated, glancing nervously at Hiashi before blurting out, "I believe in your power!"
They had all nearly forgotten who they were talking to.
Shigeo, the most unpredictable shinobi in the world.
A Jinchūriki of nine tailed beasts.
A Hyūga who wielded the Sharingan.
A man capable of mastering every kekkei genkai.
What technique could he not use?
Nami, though older than Shigeo, regarded him like a living legend. He desperately wanted to join his mission—but not with the clan head present.
He looked anxious, and Hikaru too seemed torn, both glancing toward Hiashi.
Hiashi understood. If not for Shigeo, the three of them would be corpses now.
When they were surrounded earlier, he had already been preparing to die—to destroy his own eyes before capture.
Then Shigeo appeared.
"A-Mo!" Hiashi called suddenly.
Shigeo paused.
"Would you consider working with us on this mission? Our abilities are limited, but with you here, we might rescue the two missing Hyūga. And…" Hiashi hesitated, lowering his voice, "about your childhood—I owe you an apology. Back then…"
(End of Chapter)
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