Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 97: Lord Fuji Asked Me to Send His Regards

Several gazes grew solemn, particularly that of the Second Tsuchikage, who furrowed his brows. "There were monsters of that caliber during that era?"

He had personally experienced the overwhelming pressure of Uchiha Madara. Because of this, he vaguely understood Hyuga Fuji's strength and chose not to act recklessly.

Without the likes of the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara in the present, there was likely no one who could suppress Haneda Fuji.

But what had Fuji just said?

A shinobi who had crossed paths with the First Hokage and lived to tell the tale—still seemingly at their peak even now?

Could it be that Fuji himself was wary of this unknown individual?

Seeing Fuji's faint smile, Mu shook his head and cast aside his suspicions.

Hyuga Fuji had never specified when this individual clashed with the First Hokage. What if it had been during the First's childhood?

A young "God of Shinobi" wasn't unbeatable.

If there truly existed someone who had fought the fully realized First Hokage and survived, surely Mu would have heard of them.

With this thought in mind, Mu shifted focus and asked, "Which small nations are you referring to? Are neutral nations like the Land of Demons and the Land of Iron included?"

"Naturally," Fuji replied.

"Through military dominance?"

Fuji shook his head slightly. "No need for such brutish methods. They'll cooperate willingly."

As soon as he finished speaking, dozens of figures began to rise slowly from the ground. Under the intrigued or wary gazes of the assembled shinobi, the figures morphed into various shapes and appearances.

"Specific missions will be assigned shortly. I expect all of you to complete your tasks within a year."

Kaguya Yuko narrowed his eyes. "Can I take on the one who fought the First Hokage?"

"I'd like to see them for myself as well," Hozuki Mangetsu added with a grin.

Pakura glanced at him. "You're under my command now. Don't make decisions on your own."

"…"

Mangetsu's smile froze.

"Do as you wish," Fuji said indifferently. "Just don't delay the mission."

"Understood!"

Pakura took the lead in accepting the order, and the other shinobi, regardless of their private thoughts, followed suit.

As time passed, the gathering dispersed.

Only Pakura, Hatake Sakumo, and another shinobi clad entirely in protective gear remained with Haneda Fuji as they ventured deeper into the shadows.

"Shikuro, have you seen your child recently?"

"I have," the Aburame clan member replied softly. "I observed him from a distance."

"Given his condition, he won't be allowed to enroll in the Ninja Academy. Do you wish for him to continue living peacefully within the clan, or do you want him to grow stronger?"

After a brief moment of silence, Aburame Shikuro replied, "Can he be trained as a reserve member of Hidden?"

"He can," Fuji nodded.

Shikuro let out a small sigh of relief.

If Konoha were ever to undergo a major upheaval in the future, his own position would likely affect his child. Having his son join Hidden in advance might be the best course of action.

With their discussion concluded, Pakura stepped forward. "My lord, the underground black market is backed by the Five Great Nations. Even some nobles from the Land of Fire are involved. Allowing them to act—will this…"

"Are you worried they'll leak information?" Fuji asked.

"Yes."

"The ordinary members might, but the leading shinobi will not. If anyone attempts to act recklessly, they'll deal with it themselves."

Hearing Fuji's confident response, Pakura glanced at Sakumo and then at herself, gradually coming to an understanding.

The stronger one is, the more they understand how astonishing Fuji's various abilities are.

Even the Second Tsuchikage had refrained from making any overt moves.

As they operated in small squads, certain matters would naturally be handled according to protocol.

Relaxing slightly, Pakura refrained from speaking further.

Pitting small nations and the underground black market against Fuji was akin to throwing eggs against a rock.

Moreover, although Fuji hadn't explicitly stated it, all the shinobi present understood another implicit mission: capturing powerful enemies or bringing back their corpses for Edo Tensei.

Using war to fuel war, Fuji's forces would only grow stronger over time.

However, with such a diverse composition, how would he manage internal unity in the future?

Carrying her questions, Pakura followed the group deeper into the shadows.

---

Land of Fire, Daimyo's Mansion

The somewhat rotund and overweight Daimyo of the Land of Wind stared blankly at a transmission from Rasa.

"Konoha's power is truly this overwhelming?"

Even Rasa had admitted that Sunagakure was no match for Konoha.

Closing his eyes, the Daimyo recalled the war between Kirigakure and Konoha.

Once Konoha's reinforcements arrived, Kirigakure fell within days.

'Although there might be ulterior motives, this isn't mere alarmism or a ploy for more military funding. With such a Konoha at your side, how can you sleep soundly, Daimyo of the Land of Fire?'

Opening his eyes, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind stood and addressed his attendant outside. "I wish to meet your nation's Daimyo in the main hall."

According to Rasa, the key figures were Namikaze Minato and Haneda Fuji.

Hopefully, he could find common ground with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

---

"Are you sure it's him? The shinobi who mastered Edo Tensei?"

In the pitch-black forest, Black Zetsu stared at the middle-aged man under his control and questioned a nearby White Zetsu.

"I'm not sure. I stumbled upon information suggesting Orochimaru had once collaborated with him to study Edo Tensei," White Zetsu replied.

"I don't know Edo Tensei," the man protested hastily, his tone filled with survival instinct. "I merely worked with Orochimaru on it. He never taught me the technique."

The man, a summoning prodigy and now a wanted fugitive of Konoha named Hiruko, added desperately, "As you can see, I'm not particularly strong. If I had mastered Edo Tensei, capturing me wouldn't have been so easy."

"Orochimaru cast me aside once he realized I couldn't help refine Edo Tensei further. Ever since, I've been on the run. I really don't know it!"

Hearing this, Black Zetsu shook his head.

"Seems you're of no use after all."

Summoning prodigy? With such mediocre strength, it was laughable.

"No, wait! I'm useful!" Seeing Black Zetsu prepare to manipulate him into stabbing himself with a kunai, Hiruko panicked.

"You're searching for shinobi who might know Edo Tensei but are hesitant to approach Orochimaru, fearing he's aligned with Konoha. Right?"

"You don't need to worry. I know Orochimaru well. He's no saint. I can help you establish contact with him."

"You just said he abandoned you. Why would he care about you now?" Black Zetsu remained unmoved.

Desperate, Hiruko felt sweat drip down his forehead. Suddenly, he remembered something. "There's someone else who knows Edo Tensei—Hyyga Fuji, Konoha's assistant to the Hokage!"

"Hyuga Fuji isn't as harmless as he seems. Orochimaru dismissed me only after Fuji offered his insights into improving Edo Tensei. Otherwise, I'd have collaborated with him for much longer."

"Orochimaru holds Fuji in high regard. If anyone has mastered Edo Tensei, it's him!"

Haneda Fuji?!

Black Zetsu's expression shifted, his eyes narrowing slightly.

This was an unexpected discovery.

The Hokage's assistant… it seemed he held many secrets. Perhaps he could be exploited.

"You've done well."

Black Zetsu turned to the White Zetsu beside him. "He's yours to handle."

"Understood."

As Black Zetsu vanished, White Zetsu approached the visibly relieved Hiruko.

The fugitive offered a sycophantic smile. "May I ask your name, sir? I…"

Thunk!

Dizonas's eyes widened in disbelief as White Zetsu drove a kunai through his heart.

"W-why…?"

His lips trembled, struggling to form words as his body weakened.

He had resented White Zetsu for his predicament, but he hadn't dared show it.

White Zetsu crouched down, his face eerily human-like as he mouthed silent words.

'Lord Fuji asked me to send his regards.'

Though soundless, Hiruko, who understood lip reading, saw the words clearly.

He collapsed, lifeless, his eyes wide open in shock.

This creature… was Hyuga Fuji's spy?!

Then why… why allow him to reveal that information?

Why…?

(End of Chapter)