Chapter 64: The Hyuga Clan Makes No Progress; Uchiha Madara Sets His Sights on Jin

Hizashi Hyuga's brow furrowed slightly.

He truly had not expected Hiruzen Sarutobi to react so quickly.

"Very well, I understand." Hizashi Hyuga offered a faint smile: "Hiashi, there is no need for such formality between us!"

Clearly.

For his younger brother, his love was genuine.

But, unfortunately.

Because of the Caged Bird Seal, the two brothers could never return to the past.

Hizashi Hyuga merely bowed in response.

"My Lord Clan Head, propriety cannot be abandoned!"

Hizashi Hyuga felt a headache.

Facing his own younger brother, he truly did not know what to say.

Just as he prepared to speak again, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his group entered.

Seeing this, Hizashi Hyuga could only swallow his words.

He then stepped forward to greet Hiruzen Sarutobi: "My Lord Hokage!"

"Hmm, I have heard the matter." Hiruzen Sarutobi, his expression calm: "Speak specifically, what are the losses of the Hyuga Clan?"

He looked deeply displeased.

These past few days, due to the Uchiha affair, his mood had already been poor.

So many clan members had awakened their eyes, and even a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan had appeared.

Truly, the evil Uchiha!

The action plan formulated previously against the Uchiha, after such changes occurred within the Uchiha, naturally had to be revised again.

Delayed for six hundred and sixty days, the plan was not yet finished being revised.

The Hyuga Clan had caused trouble again!

Damn it.

He, Hiruzen Sarutobi, hated these great clans the most.

After ascending to power for so many years, he had only just managed to eliminate the Senju Clan; now, the plan targeting the Uchiha was only halfway through, yet trouble kept arising.

Before the Uchiha were wiped out, he truly had no interest in dealing with the Hyuga Clan.

But, there was no way around it.

The Hyuga Clan had suffered such a major incident, and the Byakugan was a strategic resource.

Even with his displeasure, he could only rush over.

"This... the situation is very dire!"

"A full nine members of the Hyuga Main Branch and seven members of the Hyuga Branch Family have died, and a full nine pairs of Byakugan have been lost."

"In the entire history of the Hyuga Clan, losses of this magnitude have never been seen before."

"Disturbing the Hokage, I offer my deepest apologies."

"However, this matter is too grave; the Hyuga Clan must investigate it thoroughly."

"If we cannot ascertain the enemy's methods, the Hyuga Clan may lose the Byakugan once, but then we must fear a second, a third, or even countless times."

"Therefore, I beg the Hokage's forgiveness!"

Hiss!

Upon hearing Hyuga Hizashi's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others were stunned.

Good heavens.

Losing a full nine pairs of Byakugan is a major incident!

If these Byakugan fall into the hands of other Hidden Villages, it would be disastrous for Konoha.

No wonder!

Before arriving, Hiruzen Sarutobi had heard reports from the Anbu Black Ops that the entire Hyuga Clan was acting like madmen, running amok throughout Konoha.

Now, he understood.

Losing nine pairs of Byakugan; if it were me, I would likely go mad too.

"Hiruzen, this matter must be investigated rigorously," Homura Mitokado spoke up. "We must capture this person and interrogate them to learn their infiltration method."

"Yes, Hiruzen, otherwise every other clan will live in fear," Koharu Utatane quickly added.

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment.

After a long while.

He finally took a deep breath and spoke directly.

"I see."

"Truly unexpected that someone could infiltrate Konoha and even steal nine pairs of Byakugan."

"The two elders are right; this matter must be investigated rigorously."

"I will have the Anbu Black Ops cooperate with the Hyuga and provide necessary assistance."

"By the way, Hizashi."

"Does the Hyuga have any leads?"

Hyuga Hizashi breathed a sigh of relief.

The Hokage's willingness to deploy the Anbu Black Ops was certainly good news for the Hyuga Clan.

However, as for leads...

After pondering for a long time, he still shook his head.

"Absolutely none!"

"Throughout the ninja world, too many factions covet the Byakugan."

"Anyone could be responsible!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.

This was, in fact, the most troublesome part.

If there were leads, they could investigate with a specific target in mind.

But with not even a single clue, it was highly likely they would find nothing in the end.

But, never mind.

Do one's best and leave the rest to fate!

After helplessly shaking his head, Hiruzen Sarutobi took his leave immediately.

Yes.

Regarding the Hyuga losing their Byakugan, it was indeed serious if viewed strictly, but not so serious otherwise.

Compared to the battlefields against the Hidden Stone, Hidden Mist, and Hidden Cloud, the Hyuga Clan's issue was trivial.

In fact, one could say.

In Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind, it was less important than dealing with the Uchiha!

He had too many urgent matters to attend to; he had no time to waste on such trivialities.

Agreeing to let the Anbu Black Ops assist was already quite generous.

Time slowly passed.

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi had predicted, a full week had passed, and news of the Hyuga losing their Byakugan had spread like wildfire throughout Konoha.

But, there was nothing to be done.

No matter how hard the Hyuga Clan and the Anbu Black Ops investigated, they could not find a single clue.

Moreover, with the war currently ongoing, almost all departments in Konoha were dedicating the vast majority of their efforts to the war effort.

So.

The incident of the Hyuga losing their Byakugan was eventually dropped.

Konoha returned to peace once more.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

The Land of Grass, the Kannabi Bridge.

Inside a massive underground cavern.

An elderly man with white hair, despite his advanced age and frailty, still radiated immense dominance.

His body was pierced with numerous tubes, the other ends of which connected to a colossal golem behind him.

Yes.

The old man was none other than Madara Uchiha, and behind him stood the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.

Just at that moment.

A mud-like substance surged from underground, gradually forming a humanoid creature.

This was the White Zetsu.

"Lord Madara, good news!"

"I found another Uchiha in the Hidden Leaf Village. This person is far more powerful than Obito and has already awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan."

"Truly worthy of Lord Madara's clan. Would Lord Madara like to make contact?"

"I've made another contribution. Lord Madara, may I watch Itachi take a dump?"

Madara Uchiha opened his eyes.

A flash of cold light shot forth, and a ferocious smile appeared on his lips.

"Oh, the Mangekyo Sharingan, is it?" Madara Uchiha, his face full of disdain: "I truly did not expect that such a decaying village, such a decaying clan, could still produce the Mangekyo Sharingan."

"Let me see his file."

The White Zetsu dared not delay.

He quickly handed over the file on Uchiha Jin. After Madara Uchiha scanned it in a single glance, he fell into deep thought.

After a long while, he spoke softly.

"An Uchiha like the Nara, huh!"

"And they even evaluated Uchiha Jin as not being like an Uchiha?"

"Rubbish!"

"Who said Uchiha cannot use their brains?"

"But he truly resembles Izuna!"

"However, it all does not matter. As long as my plan succeeds, I will eventually see Izuna again!"

"No need to make contact with this Uchiha Jin. We cannot deceive such a clever fellow!"

"Let us settle on Obito and proceed according to the original plan!"