Naruto: The Shadow of Uchiha

Just as Ryosuke was checking on the unconscious Hinata in his arms, a figure swiftly approached from a distance.

The man's face was filled with worry—it was none other than Hyuga Hiashi, the head of the Hyuga clan.

Earlier, one of the patrolling clan members had noticed that Hinata's window was opened wider than usual.

Going to shut it, they sensed traces of infiltration and immediately checked her room—only to discover she was gone.

The disappearance of the clan heir was no small matter.

The news was reported to Hiashi immediately, and he quickly mobilized the entire Hyuga clan to search for her.

He knew Hinata hadn't run away.

Recently, he hadn't scolded her harshly, so she had no reason to leave on her own.

Which left only one explanation: someone had abducted her.

There was only one reason someone would target his daughter—

They were after the Byakugan.

Hiashi was enraged.

Not only had someone dared to sneak into the Hyuga compound, but they had the audacity to abduct his daughter.

After giving instructions to his clansmen to begin searching, he personally rushed toward the area closest to the village outskirts, reasoning that the kidnappers would flee quickly.

Sure enough, he found signs of a battle ahead.

It confirmed he was on the right path.

Soon, he spotted a figure in the distance—and it was the very one pursuing the enemy.

He also saw his daughter, Hinata, in the arms of a familiar face: Uchiha Ryosuke.

It was the same Uchiha who had escorted Hinata home previously.

Ryosuke was radiating powerful chakra, a presence so intense that even Hiashi was startled.

Still, Hinata was in his arms, and the attacker lay injured on the ground, clad in black.

Hiashi immediately concluded:

Ryosuke must have rescued his daughter.

That was enough to ignite Hiashi's fury once more.

Someone dared lay hands on his daughter?

They had to die.

Without hesitation, he surged forward, raising his right hand, chakra bursting through his tenketsu.

He slammed his palm at the downed black-clad man.

"Gentle Fist!"

The famed Hyuga clan technique injected chakra directly into the opponent's body, targeting their chakra pathways and internal organs.

If it landed—death would be instantaneous and brutal.

Dodai, the man in black, had already taken a severe hit from Ryosuke's kick.

Though injured, he had been struggling to stand.

He was terrified of dying—

But just as he rose, a terrifying killing intent enveloped him.

Before he could react, Hiashi's palm slammed into his chest.

An explosive force rushed into his body, destroying him from within.

Eyes wide, blood gushed from his mouth as his internal organs ruptured.

He died a horrible death on the spot.

Ryosuke watched the brutal scene and couldn't help but click his tongue.

The Hyuga Clan Head really is furious—he didn't hold back at all.

Still, it played perfectly into his plans.

He calmly walked toward Hiashi and said with feigned regret,

"Hyuga Clan Head, your strength is truly impressive... but wasn't that a bit too impulsive? Killing him outright like that?"

Hiashi, still burning with rage, replied coldly:

"Anyone who dares abduct my daughter deserves death."

Ryosuke nodded in agreement, but added with careful phrasing:

"Of course, I understand your anger.

But… that guy was actually the leader of the Cloud Village envoy sent here for peace talks."

As he spoke, Ryosuke gently handed Hinata over.

"Earlier today, I noticed this man skulking around the Hyuga compound and suspected something was off.

So I waited—and sure enough, he made his move tonight and tried to abduct your daughter."

Hiashi carefully examined Hinata and relaxed slightly upon confirming she was merely unconscious.

He then removed the black-clad man's mask and clothing—only to discover the uniform beneath was clearly that of a Kumogakure shinobi.

His expression turned grim.

So the Cloud wanted peace… and yet still tried to steal the Byakugan?

He looked at Ryosuke.

"Thank you for saving my daughter.

But even if he was a Cloud envoy—he died as he should have.

Anyone who dares covet our clan's kekkei genkai must pay the price."

Ryosuke nodded smoothly.

"I completely agree—he got what he deserved.

Still, now that he's dead…

How can Konoha continue peace talks with the Cloud?"

"Won't this… bring trouble to the Hyuga clan?"

Hiashi's face darkened.

He had nearly forgotten the political implications.

Konoha and Kumogakure had been at war for years, and the losses on both sides were great.

The Third Hokage had long shown signs of desiring peace.

"I understand what you're saying," Hiashi replied.

"But this was their fault—they should explain themselves.

We Hyuga will not back down."

Ryosuke internally scoffed.

Explain themselves?

Once Hiruzen got involved, he'd likely pressure the Hyuga into compensating the Cloud—probably by offering someone to take responsibility for killing the envoy.

And Ryosuke already knew who that someone would be—

Hiashi's own twin brother, Hizashi.

Still, Ryosuke wisely held his tongue.

Pushing further now would only offend Hiashi.

Soon, more Hyuga clan members arrived.

Hiashi handed Hinata over for a thorough medical checkup and instructed someone to report everything to the Hokage.

He believed the Hokage would give the Hyuga clan the justice they deserved.

Not long after, the Third Hokage arrived at the scene, having rushed there upon receiving the report.

The moment he saw the body, his face paled with headache and dread.

Just one look at the ruptured corpse was enough—this was Hyuga Hiashi's doing.

The swelling and signs of chakra trauma were clear.

They were supposed to sign the peace treaty tomorrow.

This?

This could ruin everything.

He turned toward Hiashi, face filled with disapproval.

"Clan Head Hiashi… why did you act so rashly?

Couldn't you have just captured him alive?"

If the envoy had lived, Hiruzen could've swept this incident under the rug and gone ahead with the treaty.

Now, the treaty might be dead in the water—worse, this could spark another war.

Konoha could not afford that.

Hiashi was stunned by the Hokage's rebuke.

Was he serious?

This wasn't his fault—

"The man abducted my daughter," Hiashi said sternly.

"And she bears the Byakugan.

Anyone who covets our kekkei genkai will face the same consequences."

Hiruzen clenched his jaw.

Of course, he knew what the Cloud wanted.

They had come not for peace, but for the Byakugan.

But with the envoy dead… there could be no peaceful resolution.

And Konoha—already war-weary—was not ready for what came next.

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