The next few days, Kenshin and Kasumi worked from morning till night setting up all sorts of formations, fearing they wouldn't finish creating a strong defense in time. He was sure Konoha knew the approximate location of the base, as hiding it without radical measures was impossible.
Kenshin hoped Zabuza would stay silent about seeing Hyuga and Nara clan techniques. But to his regret, on the evening of day 386, Momochi Zabuza complained about the amazing abilities of the Hyuga, whose "Rotation Technique" could effortlessly deflect attacks from much stronger enemies. When a drinking companion asked, "How did you manage to clash with a member of the Hyuga clan?" Zabuza briefly recounted the story from a few days ago, not realizing its significance.
Day 390, Konoha.
Hyuga Hitoshi, like most of his free time, was leisurely practicing calligraphy. This meditative activity was the only thing that could quell his frequent bursts of anger.
Someone knocked on the door, and upon hearing permission to enter, a very meek young man slipped inside quietly. Bowing to his lord, he struggled to find the words.
"Hitoshi-sama, one of our clan members was spotted on the border of the Land of Fire," the short-haired black-haired boy began, but faltered under his lord's scorching, venomous gaze.
"And Hiruzen smoked his pipe yesterday—so what?!" Hitoshi said, restraining his anger.
"S-sir, that's not all. It wasn't a clan member—it was one of the mercenaries!" the young man blurted out, mustering courage.
"WHAT?! It must be a mistake. A member of our clan can't be a mercenary!" Hitoshi said, shaking his head.
"It might be a mistake, but you ordered reports on any information regarding Hyuga Hitomi, so I decided to inform you."
"Has that spawn gone mad and joined a mercenary group...?" Hitoshi muttered thoughtfully, his anger growing with every second at the thought of Hitomi.
"Rumors say this person was seen in a mercenary team called the 'Nakayama Family.' I double-checked, and there's not even nominally anyone from our Hyuga clan there," the young man said.
"What rumors? Who saw this person, and under what circumstances? Man or woman?" Hyuga Hitoshi demanded, bombarding his subordinate with questions.
"Momochi Zabuza clashed with a mercenary squad from the Nakayama Family and later reported that a Hyuga clan member was among them. I don't know other details."
"One of the Seven Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist?! Even I'm not sure I could fight Momochi Zabuza on equal terms, and who is this elite shinobi who fled our clan? Maybe the rumors are wrong?"
"I don't know, Hitoshi-sama. Our external intelligence agent reported it, and they know how to filter information..."
"Nakayama Family, you say... By evening, gather all info on this group. Hitomi might be hiding among them," Hitoshi ordered.
"Yes, Hitoshi-sama. But rumors say Root Anbu is interested in them too..." the young man said, shivering. Familiar with various secret info, he knew better than anyone what Root Anbu was and really didn't want to tangle with them.
"Root? Damn! Hiashi-sama will surely take this under his control. He won't let Root get a renegade from our clan... Find out all details on this 'Nakayama Family' ASAP and report to me, or we could be in trouble!" Hitoshi ordered. For the first time in a long while, his anger gave way to worry and fear. The elderly branch family elder of the Hyuga clan feared how this might end.
Day 391.
The last five days, Kenshin had focused solely on preparing a huge area for his future base. This project was incredibly risky and dangerous. In truth, he didn't want to surface and show himself to the world, but he rationally realized their underground hideout would be found sooner or later, leaving them without an advantage in battle. Any large defensive formations would eventually be noticed, so they couldn't be placed around a secret hideout, while weak, inconspicuous ones for deception and concealment were useless in combat.
"Father, we've spotted three squads sniffing around the area. All are at least peak Chunin, professionals. Their steps are silent, appearances unremarkable, and their clothes seem covered in fuinjutsu seals, making surveillance nearly impossible," Ichiro reported, approaching Kenshin.
"Hm, more hounds?" Kenshin muttered in surprise, rubbing his tired temples.
"Yes, but this time it's serious. They're far more professional and intent on finding something. Last time, two bored Chunin trailed us lazily and happily left when they lost our trail. I fear that trick won't work with these. They'll find us sooner or later," Ichiro said, worried for his father's safety. He least wanted an enemy attack while Kenshin was on the surface.
"Don't worry, the main defensive formations are ready. Tomorrow we'll move our hideout here and stop hiding," Kenshin declared authoritatively. He was tired of hiding and playing the smiling idiot, groveling even before weak shinobi. Now he led a strong organization that could take down one of the Hidden Mist's Seven Swordsmen, and even top Jonin had lost the right to raise their voice to him.
"Think Zabuza told someone about the clash with our family?" Kasumi asked, hugging him from behind.
"Don't know... In this world, anything's possible. Better Zabuza's loose lips than surveillance from someone like Obito or Zetsu... We're nowhere near ready for Akatsuki's attention," he whispered with a sigh, stroking his embracing wife's tender hands.
"Can't Obito just teleport straight home?" Kasumi asked warily. Kenshin's safety was her top priority.
"Doubt it. At most to the entrance, until I set up interference."
"You said formations tied to universal laws like space/time/gravity are incredibly hard to master," Kasumi said curiously.
"Yes, but creating spatial interference isn't that tough. Plus, Ichiro might learn from distorted space," Kenshin said with a smile, recalling his eldest son's incredible ability.
"Yes, Father. I feel my 'Space Authority' is on the brink of breakthrough, but something's missing," Ichiro replied respectfully.
"Does meditation help?" Kenshin asked interestedly. He cared deeply about Ichiro's progress—the strongest fighter in the family right now. Kenshin followed under full buffs, with Fifteenth rapidly catching up.
"Yes, I enter that incredible state more often and sense almost everything around me. Once, I influenced an object a hundred meters away, but the effect was weak and control zero..." Ichiro sighed, sitting beside his father.
"Hm? Let me see how it was," Kenshin said, touching his eldest son's head and seeing everything in seconds.
"Quite possibly the path to your own domain... If so, mastering it will make you an incredibly powerful shinobi!" Kenshin said joyfully.
"Great Grandpa said the closer a shinobi gets to Sage of Six Paths level, the better they grasp laws. Maybe due to his unique Kekkei Genkai, it started earlier for Ichiro?" Kasumi suggested with a smile.
Suddenly Kenshin's smile faltered. He instantly applied x150 focus, and in one real second, mentally commanded:
"To all four teams: head here fast and prepare for battle!" Kenshin ordered seriously.
"Ichiro, be ready to take your team. We have uninvited guests!" he mentally directed at his eldest son.
"Kenshin, what happened?!" Kasumi asked worriedly, but before answering, Kenshin activated her suit's formations, her face vanishing behind a thin but sturdy mask.
"Don't know how they bypassed detection formations, but the hounds are five kilometers out—no avoiding a clash. They'll notice if we try to flee," he replied, "listening" again to pinpoint enemies via residual thought impulses.