With the front-line operation concluded, the battle report from the Land of Water was swiftly delivered back to the Village.
This time, the unit led by Hatake Sakumo had gained little ground.
In war, victory and defeat often walked side by side, so this result was not entirely unexpected. However, alongside the report came far more troubling news, Himeji Hyuga had lost her Byakugan.
The Hyuga Clan was thrown into complete turmoil.
For generations, the Hyuga had upheld a strict and merciless hierarchy between the main and branch families. To preserve this system, even the clan head's own children could be branded with the Caged Bird Seal and forced into the branch family.
All of this cruelty existed for one reason, to prevent the Byakugan from ever falling into outside hands.
Now, that very fear had become reality.
Himeji's loss meant the Byakugan had slipped beyond their control, something unprecedented in the clan's long history. Considering how ruthlessly the Hyuga protected their bloodline, it was easy to imagine their reaction. If the enemy learned the secrets of the Byakugan, they could potentially unravel the clan's entire bloodline ability.
To the proud Hyuga, this was not only a humiliation, it was a direct threat to their survival.
What made matters worse was that the stolen eyes belonged to the daughter of the clan head himself.
How could Hyuga Tenku endure such an insult?
If not for the severe injuries he had sustained during the Second Great Ninja War, he would have already rushed to the front lines in the Land of Water.
Inside the Hokage Office Building, a council of three had gathered.
Seated behind his desk, the Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the scroll in his hands, his expression unusually grim. The situation had clearly worsened beyond expectations.
After a long silence, he spoke.
Orochimaru has requested reinforcements.
Beside him, Utatane Koharu shook her head.
That is easier said than done. Where can we even find more troops?
On paper, fighting against four enemies at once sounded impressive. In reality, it placed immense strain on the Village.
Konoha appeared strong on the surface, but its resources were stretched dangerously thin.
Hiruzen folded his hands and spoke again after a pause.
Orochimaru is facing forces several times larger than his own in the Land of Wind. I have already reassigned Jiraiya to the Land of Hot Springs. The remaining two thousand ninja in the Village will be sent to reinforce the Land of Wind.
Koharu's expression darkened further.
Think carefully, Hiruzen. If those forces are deployed, only the Anbu will remain to defend Konoha.
Hiruzen let out a quiet sigh.
At this point, we have no other choice.
Konoha had reached its most desperate moment.
In the Land of Wind, Orochimaru was overwhelmed by multiple enemy forces. In the Land of Grass, Onoki had personally taken the field. Meanwhile, in the Land of Hot Springs, both Kumogakure and Kirigakure had formed an alliance, pushing Danzo Shimura and Jiraiya to their limits.
Fortunately, Hayashi and Sakumo had successfully cut off the Mist's reinforcements by sealing their sea route to the Land of Hot Springs. Because of this, the alliance between the Cloud and Mist could not hold out for much longer.
However, even with this advantage, the matter of Himeji's Byakugan demanded immediate attention.
You both know about Himeji. What are your thoughts? Hiruzen asked.
Homura Mitokado spoke first.
His body was still heavily bandaged, the result of injuries sustained in the Land of Hot Springs. He had been forced to withdraw along with other wounded ninja after Jiraiya's reassignment.
From Hayashi's report, it is clear that the Yagura ambushed Himeji to steal her Byakugan. However, two issues remain unclear.
He pressed a hand against his injured cheek before continuing.
First, the enemy seemed unusually well informed about our troop movements. Second, I still cannot understand how the two of them managed to escape.
Hiruzen replied calmly.
There is likely a spy, but we have no leads. As for their escape, the Fourth Mizukage retreated after realizing he was outmatched, and Hayashi rescued Himeji from the ravine.
He deliberately withheld critical details.
Hayashi's awakening of the Mangekyo Sharingan was far too sensitive to reveal. Likewise, the fact that Yagura had been under external control was something he chose to keep secret for now.
So what should we do next? Koharu asked.
At the heart of the issue was the Byakugan itself.
The Hyuga Clan would never allow their bloodline to remain in enemy hands. The eyes had to be recovered or destroyed.
For Konoha, the Byakugan was an invaluable reconnaissance ability, capable of seeing through enemy formations and tracking every movement across the battlefield.
If the enemy gained full access to it, it would be like handing them a weapon against the Village itself.
However, the Byakugan had been taken in the Land of Water. By now, it was almost certainly within Kirigakure.
Under normal circumstances, a retrieval mission might be possible. But with Konoha engaged on multiple fronts, no forces could be spared.
After a long silence, Homura finally spoke.
Although Sakumo's assault on the Land of Water achieved little, the Fourth Mizukage is now seriously wounded. This is the perfect opportunity to strike their supply lines. As for the Byakugan, we may have to abandon it for now.
Hiruzen remained silent.
He understood the logic behind those words.
If Hayashi and Sakumo seized this opportunity to cripple the Mist's supply chain, the overall situation of the war could improve significantly.
From a strategic perspective, even sacrificing a pair of Byakugan might be justified.
But what about the Hyuga Clan?
They had already sacrificed so much for the war. They deserved an answer.
Homura continued.
Hiruzen, once the war is over, we can demand the return of the Byakugan through a peace treaty.
Koharu let out a quiet sigh.
It sounded reasonable, but it was nothing more than wishful thinking.
Even if Konoha achieved victory, it would likely come at a devastating cost, much like the First Great Ninja War, where victory existed in name, but the Village lacked the strength to enforce its demands.
Would the Hidden Mist truly return the Byakugan after the war?
Koharu did not believe so.
Still, from a purely strategic standpoint, Homura's proposal was the most rational, even if it meant wronging the Hyuga Clan.
After a long period of contemplation, Hiruzen finally made his decision.
I have reached a conclusion. Sakumo will send a team to retrieve the Byakugan. If they fail, the mission will be abandoned. I will personally handle the Hyuga Clan. The greater good must come first.
Koharu glanced at him.
And Hayashi? You are aware of his connection to Himeji.
After a brief pause, Hiruzen replied.
Send him a message. Hayashi will understand the Village's situation.
Koharu let out a cold snort.
Then write it yourself. I will not.
She stood and left without another word, the door closing behind her.
The room fell into silence, leaving the two remaining elders staring at each other.
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