In the past few days, Konoha has been conducting extensive military drills.
I have to admit, the four elders—Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane—are still quite adept at strategic planning. They assigned different squads based on their specialties and operational requirements, ensuring seamless coordination among the forces.
Some shinobi who had outstanding teamwork were placed in the same divisions. The Ino–Shika–Cho trio was a prime example of this cohesion.
For reconnaissance, the Aburame and Inuzuka clans made up the majority due to their tracking and sensory abilities. The Yamanaka clan took charge of the Sensory Division, while the vanguard was spearheaded by none other than the Uchiha clan.
This particular decision did not sit well with Uchiha Mikoto.
It was painfully obvious that the village leadership still viewed the Uchiha clan with suspicion. They were being placed at the forefront, the first to face enemy blades, the first to shed blood for the village. And when the inevitable casualties piled up, Konoha's elders would carve their names onto the Memorial Stone, calling it an honor.
But honor did not resurrect the dead.
Deep within the forests outside Konoha, away from prying eyes, two figures stood in conversation.
"Kushina, after this war ends, are you really planning to take charge of the village?" Mikoto asked, her arms crossed as she leaned against a tree.
Kushina Uzumaki grinned, twirling a lock of her crimson hair between her fingers. "Of course! Once this war is over, those old fossils in Konoha should step down. This is the perfect opportunity to make a name for ourselves and win over the people's trust."
Mikoto chuckled softly. "Ambitious, aren't we?"
Kushina shrugged. "Someone has to change things around here. By the way, have you seen Hikari lately?"
Mikoto frowned slightly. "No, I haven't. It's been a while."
Kushina sighed, concern flickering in her striking blue eyes. "I hope she's alright."
Before Mikoto could respond, Kushina's expression suddenly sharpened. Her senses tingled as an all-too-familiar chakra signature entered her perception.
"Someone's coming," she muttered.
Mikoto tensed. "Who?"
Kushina's lips pressed into a thin line. "Hyuga Hizashi. What is he doing here?"
Hizashi moved swiftly, covering ground at an impressive pace. When he finally reached them, he was panting from the exertion.
Kushina and Mikoto exchanged uneasy glances, an unspoken feeling of dread creeping into their chests.
"Hizashi," Mikoto greeted, her voice calm but firm. "What's going on?"
Hizashi caught his breath before speaking, his tone urgent. "It's Hikari. She's been imprisoned by the Hyuga elders."
Mikoto and Kushina's eyes widened in shock.
"What?"
That explained her disappearance. But why?
"Hyuga Hiashi has been chosen as the next clan head," Hizashi continued grimly. "The elders have decided that he needs a suitable wife. And they have chosen Hikari."
Kushina's expression darkened, rage simmering beneath the surface. "A forced marriage? Seriously? What the hell is wrong with them?"
"Hiashi agreed to it," Hizashi said bitterly. "He met Hikari once, and he was 'satisfied' with their choice. The elders plan to hold the wedding as soon as the war ends. Hikari refused, of course. So they locked her up."
Mikoto clenched her fists. "The Hyuga elders think they can just do whatever they want, don't they?"
Hizashi gave a hollow chuckle. "In our clan, tradition is absolute. The elders dictate everything, and those of us from the branch family have no right to interfere."
The Caged Bird Seal that plagued the branch family ensured that they could never defy the main house. They were little more than glorified slaves, their fates sealed from birth.
But Hikari was not a branch member—she was from the main house.
And that was precisely why she had no choice.
Beautiful, strong, and a perfect political match—Hikari was the ideal candidate for the Hyuga clan's future matriarch.
Kushina's nails dug into her palms, her temper threatening to explode. "So that's it? They just expect her to accept it like some kind of obedient doll? This is beyond disgusting."
She took a deep breath, then reached into her mindscape.
Inside the dark, sealed space, the massive form of Kurama lounged lazily, his crimson eyes half-lidded.
"Kurama, the Hyuga elders are really pissing me off right now," Kushina muttered.
The Nine-Tails opened one eye, watching her with mild amusement. "So? Do what you always do, Kushina. Follow your instincts."
"But if I get involved, the higher-ups—"
"Will do nothing," Kurama interrupted with a scoff. "The Hyuga clan operates under its own laws, separate from the Hokage's rule. As long as it doesn't endanger Konoha's interests, Hiruzen won't interfere. You know that."
Kushina narrowed her eyes. "So you're saying we can get away with it?"
Kurama smirked. "More or less. Just don't be stupid about it."
Back in reality, Kushina exhaled sharply, her resolve solidifying.
She turned to Mikoto. "We're going to the Hyuga compound. We're getting Hikari out."
Mikoto nodded without hesitation. "I'm with you."
Hizashi looked panicked. "Wait! If you go in there like this, it could start a clan war! If the Uchiha and Hyuga go at it, it'll get the Hokage's attention—"
Kushina grinned, cracking her knuckles. "Then let's make sure we don't get caught."
Hizashi stared at them in horror.
What had he just set in motion?
Konoha was already teetering on the edge. The Third Shinobi War needed just one spark to ignite into a full-scale conflict. The other villages were waiting, watching like vultures, eager to strike the moment Konoha showed weakness.
And now, internal strife was brewing within its walls.
Would this be the breaking point?
Hizashi wasn't sure. But as he looked at Kushina's burning determination and Mikoto's unwavering conviction, he couldn't help but feel that the Hyuga clan had made a grave mistake.
Perhaps the real storm in Konoha wasn't the war on the horizon.
Perhaps it was the fire in these two women's eyes.
And it was about to consume everything in its path.
--
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