While Rengoku was on his way back to the clan grounds, he suddenly received the memories from a shadow clone that had just dispelled itself.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
'This Hanabi really is smart.'
———
Rengoku's shadow clone kept tapping his fingers on the table.
"So why did you decide to tell me directly? Aren't you afraid of being poisoned to death?"
After returning, Hanabi had immediately come to the training grounds to tell him.
She told him everything: the clan grounds being infiltrated, her kidnapping, the infiltrator wanting information about the clan, and being forced to swallow poison.
The fear and despair she had shown earlier were completely gone.
She was still somewhat nervous in front of Rengoku, but her thoughts were clear.
"The strongest medical ninjas in the ninja world are all in Konoha. I don't believe any poison can defeat our medical team."
Approval appeared on Rengoku's face, "Go on."
"The infiltrator must have discovered a weakness in our clan's defenses, or they have some special method. That's the only way they could have taken me out."
"We need to investigate the clan grounds again so they can't get in next time."
Rengoku nodded slightly, agreeing with Hanabi's reasoning.
"What did they use to win you over?"
Hanabi's eyes flickered for a moment, then she shook her head.
"Nothing. They only threatened me."
Rengoku said nothing more. He simply raised a finger and waved it a few times beside Hanabi's eyes.
"Get some sleep first. I'll take care of the poison in your body."
As Hanabi looked at Rengoku's finger, it seemed to split into countless afterimages. The voice in her ears also became unclear.
Her head dropped, and she lost consciousness.
Rengoku touched Hanabi's arm, and the black line disappeared.
Of course, he hadn't actually given Hanabi poison. The black line was only the visible form of a sealing pattern.
But taking Hanabi out today had allowed him to discover that White Zetsu seemed to be searching for someone.
Rengoku had a rough guess and planned to test it tomorrow.
———
[The Next Day]
[At Hinata's Home]
Hanabi slowly woke up.
When she opened her eyes, she found herself in the home she knew best.
Hanabi looked at her arm.
There was no black line.
'Was it all a dream?'
Hanabi shook her head and gradually became fully awake.
'It wasn't a dream.'
"Nee-san!"
Hanabi hurried out of bed and slipped on her shoes.
Click!
The door opened.
Hinata was wearing an apron and holding a spatula. She was clearly cooking.
Concern was visible on her face.
"Ah, Hanabi, you're awake!"
"The clan leader said you were attacked and poisoned. The poison has already been removed. Do you feel unwell anywhere?"
Hanabi froze briefly before answering, "No. I feel great right now."
Sizzle! Sizzle!
After hearing that Hanabi was fine, Hinata quickly ran back outside.
The food in the pan was still cooking.
"Hurry and wash up. After breakfast, we'll go see the clan leader."
Hanabi opened her mouth as if to say something, but after seeing Hinata run off, she gave up.
After washing up, Hanabi sat down at the table.
Hinata had already brought all the dishes over.
She looked very happy as she put food into Hanabi's bowl and asked:
"Did the clan leader tell you?", Hanabi looked confused.
Rengoku hadn't told her anything.
Seeing her reaction, Hinata realized that the clan leader must have been delayed by the attack last night.
She didn't keep the suspense and answered directly, "The clan leader said there's a secret technique that can temporarily bring Father back."
"After breakfast, we'll be able to see him."
Clatter!
Hanabi's chopsticks fell onto the table.
"Nee-san, are you serious?"
Her lips shook as she spoke.
Hinata held Hanabi's hand, "Mm. I know you've missed Father. And seeing Sota and Uncle come back made you feel bad."
"I couldn't think of any way to make you happy, so I told Naruto about it. Yesterday, Naruto suggested that I ask the clan leader directly."
"The clan leader told me he has a secret technique that can let us meet him."
As she spoke, Hinata patted Hanabi's hand and stood up to get her a clean pair of chopsticks.
When Hinata turned back around, she saw that Hanabi's eyes were red and two streams of tears were running down her face.
Feeling distressed, Hinata hugged Hanabi and gently patted her back.
"It's okay. The clan leader said that since he brought us into the clan, he's our elder."
"If anything happens in the future, tell him. He'll help us deal with it."
Hanabi sniffed and quickly wiped away the tears on her face.
"Okay, okay. I understand."
At that moment, she suddenly realized why her sister was calling him "Clan Leader" instead of "Lord Rengoku."
———
[The Lower Level of Orochimaru's Laboratory]
When Hinata and Hanabi arrived, Rengoku was talking with Hizashi and Sota.
"Wait here for a moment. Orochimaru will be here soon."
Hinata and Hanabi nodded to Hizashi and quietly stood to the side.
There was already a fixed Edo Tensei formation in the room.
Orochimaru used it frequently, and redrawing it every time would waste a lot of time.
A short while later, Orochimaru walked in carrying a member of the Sarutobi clan.
Sota handed a package to Orochimaru.
After taking it, Orochimaru pulled out a section of foot bone and threw it into the formation.
With his other hand, he tossed the Sarutobi clansman into it as well.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Orochimaru rapidly formed hand seals.
"Edo Tensei!"
Smack!
He slammed a palm onto the ground.
The formation lit up, and a cold wind seemed to pass through the room.
A large number of paper talismans emerged from the ground and covered the Sarutobi clansman.
Hinata and Hanabi looked surprised.
They hadn't known that this secret technique required a living person as a sacrifice.
But they didn't think much of it.
After all, there were plenty of spies in the ninja world that could be captured.
Soon, Hyuga Hiashi's figure emerged from the Edo Tensei.
Orochimaru formed another seal with both hands, and Hiashi quickly regained awareness.
Orochimaru instructed Rengoku, "He can't leave this area right now. I'll get back to work. Let me know when you want it undone."
Without waiting for a reply, he left.
"This place... is..."
Hiashi looked around and noticed Rengoku standing nearby.
He raised a hand and looked at his body covered in cracks.
He had already guessed what had happened.
"Stop looking. Hiashi, you're already dead."
Rengoku spoke and confirmed his guess.
"Father..."
At that moment, Hanabi threw herself into Hiashi's arms.
Tears kept flowing down her face.
Hiashi carefully looked at Hanabi several times before recognizing her.
His expression was full of emotion.
"Y-you are Hanabi. You've grown so much."
Hinata bowed to Hiashi from the side.
"Father, I'm Hinata."
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