Hiruzen persuaded me to die

In the depths of Konohagakure, a large force composed of the Sarutobi, Shimura, Mitokado, and Utatane clans marched with cold determination toward the Hyuga compound.

"Father, is that bastard Hyuga Naraku really dead?"

Sarutobi Asuma's voice simmered with resentment as he walked briskly beside his father. If there were any justice in the world, he would be the one to kill Hyuga Naraku himself.

Even though he hated to admit it, Asuma knew he wasn't strong enough. Naraku's power had long since eclipsed the imagination of most in the village.

Whispers had spread like wildfire: Naraku had easily defeated the legendary A–B combo of the Hidden Cloud—Fourth Raikage A and Killer Bee, the Eight Tails Jinchūriki.

More shocking, some claimed he had torn apart entire mountains and hurled them at Kumogakure, forcing the proud village to bow in surrender.

So how could a man like that… just die?

"There's no doubt. He's dead—probably already reduced to ash," Sarutobi Hiruzen declared confidently.

"That idiot even took the Konoha troops on the so-called 'peace expedition' and camped in Kumogakure," Mitokado Homura scoffed, recalling the diplomatic mission that now seemed more like a suicide pact.

It reminded them of the Second Hokage's fatal negotiation with the Hidden Cloud, when Tobirama had been ambushed by the Gold and Silver Brothers.

"But can Kumogakure really take Naraku down?" Asuma asked, frowning. "Didn't he master some insane defensive jutsu?"

"Relax." Hiruzen waved dismissively. "To kill Hyuga Naraku, the Hidden Cloud built a chakra cannon—a secret weapon stronger than a Tailed Beast Bomb."

"He won't even get the chance to raise his defense. He walked straight into their trap, thinking he was brokering peace."

A twisted smile curled on the old man's lips.

Asuma slowly nodded, the logic cold and cruel. If Naraku had been caught unaware and hit with something stronger than a Bijūdama… maybe it really was the end.

"In that case… the more than 2,000 who went with him won't return either," Asuma mused aloud.

"That would be ideal," Utatane Koharu sneered. "They were all infected by Naraku's influence. Just like the Uchiha—they followed his orders without question!"

"They were traitors. Let them rot in Kumogakure."

One of the Shimura shinobi grinned darkly. "If most of the Uchiha clan's elite are gone… we can wipe them out too."

Hiruzen's heart stirred. For years, the Uchiha had been a thorn in his side. But now, it was the Hyuga who posed the greater threat, especially with Hyuga Naraku's rise.

"Yes. Once the Hyuga are eliminated, we'll turn on the Uchiha," Homura agreed.

Koharu licked her lips greedily. "Just think… so many Sharingan to collect."

"Quiet," Hiruzen hissed as they neared the towering walls of the Hyuga compound. His eyes glinted with hatred. No clan has ever humiliated me the way Naraku did. Not even the Uchiha.

"Move in fast. Wipe them all out!"

Boom!

A flare shot into the night sky above the Hyuga compound.

"Enemy attack!"

Shouts echoed from the Hyuga defenders. Despite being outnumbered, their voices rang with sharp discipline.

In a flash, Hyuga shinobi appeared atop the walls, pale Byakugan eyes scanning the intruders.

"That's Hiruzen Sarutobi!"

"The old fossil dares to march on the village with Kirigakure—and now comes here?!"

"Wait—those are Sarutobi, Shimura, Mitokado, and Utatane clansmen. All four of the old guard!"

"And those two—weren't Homura and Koharu locked in prison?"

The hidden assault was completely exposed under the penetrating gaze of the Byakugan.

"Damn it," Hiruzen growled and stepped into the open.

He clenched his fists as the Hyuga spoke again.

"Look at them… bold now that Naraku isn't around. If he were here, they'd piss their pants!"

"Shut your mouths," Utatane Koharu snarled. "These are all branch house members. So many Byakugan… it's a shame we can't just harvest them yet."

Asuma's brows furrowed. "Didn't Naraku find a way to remove the Caged Bird Seal? If we find his notes, maybe we can use them…"

He smiled cruelly. "Remove the seal first—then take their eyes."

The others nodded with glinting eyes. Without the Caged Bird Curse Mark, their collection of Byakugan would be simple.

"Take as many alive as possible," Hiruzen ordered. "Byakugan is crucial for intelligence. And if we can replicate Naraku's 'enhanced' Byakugan, we'll have unstoppable power!"

With such strength, even the Hidden Cloud and the mysterious masked man from Akatsuki would bow before them.

"You worms think you're worthy of mastering Byakugan?"

A Hyuga shinobi snarled from atop the wall. Despite being of the branch house, he held his head high.

"You only dare show your fangs when Naraku-sama isn't here!"

"Hmph," Hiruzen sneered. "Looking forward to his return? Keep dreaming. He's dead. Kumogakure built a chakra cannon stronger than the Bijūdama. Even someone like him wouldn't survive that!"

For the first time, a hint of doubt spread among the Hyuga.

Could Naraku… really have fallen?

After all, even Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi had gone with him.

And the clan had sent much of its strength away—leaving them vulnerable.

But one man stood tall.

Hyuga Hiemon, a contemporary of Naraku, raised his voice.

"Naraku and I were classmates at the Academy. If he marched into the Hidden Cloud, it was because he knew he would win!"

His voice lit a spark of hope in the defenders.

Still, they were few—and the four great clans advancing were many.

Was it enough?

"You're deluding yourselves," Asuma said with a cold smirk. "There's no one coming to save you."

He drew his blades.

"Everyone—go in together. We'll finish the Hyuga today, and the Uchiha next."

He chuckled darkly.

"Too bad Naraku isn't here to watch his clan burn."

Suddenly—

A black spiral twisted open in midair.

A rift of space tore open.

From the other side, a voice—cold, calm, and terrifyingly familiar—rang out:

"Oh? I heard you want to destroy my Hyuga clan?"

Gasps echoed across the battlefield.

Hyuga Naraku stepped through the portal.

In a blur of motion—

CRACK!

His hand clamped around Sarutobi Asuma's neck like an iron vice, lifting him into the air with effortless strength.

To be continued…