The loud bang in the center of Konoha Village in the dead of night startled countless sleeping residents.
Inside the bedroom, Namikaze Minato, who was in a deep sleep, suddenly bolted upright. He quickly rushed to the window, pulled back the curtains, and looked in the direction where the white light had flashed. Even after becoming the Hokage, Minato's quality as a ninja had not deteriorated, and he was awakened the moment the abnormality occurred.
On a small cot beside the bed, young Naruto was sleeping soundly. Even such a loud disturbance failed to wake him; it only made him turn over.
On the other side, Kushina also sensed the disturbance. She sat up and leaned against the headboard, her brows slightly furrowed:
"That's Shinichi's chakra; something happened to the Hyūga Clan!"
As a member of the Uzumaki Clan, Kushina not only possessed an exceptionally large chakra reserve but also had excellent sensory abilities. Within a few breaths, she had sensed the identity of the powerful, explosive chakra's owner.
Hyūga Shinichi and Kushina's relationship could be considered that of teacher and student. Although Kushina only taught Shinichi the Flying Thunder God Technique and some sealing jutsus, the Hyūga Clan had formally presented her with a teacher's stipend, and the clan had provided great assistance regarding the matter of Naruto.
Over the years, the two families' relationship had been harmonious. Even during the sensitive period following the Nine-Tails incident, Kushina and Hanako frequently communicated.
The two mothers, raising their children, had long become close friends who spoke about everything, meeting for tea and shopping every few days.
Now, sensing the anomaly at the Hyūga compound, Kushina's face showed a hint of anxiety. She was naturally aware that Hyūga Hiashi had gone to the front line with the Hyūga elites.
If something were to happen to the Hyūga Clan at a time like this, it would definitely be a bad sign for Minato. As the Hokage, Minato had the duty to protect everyone in the Village.
If someone took advantage of the Clan Head's absence to act against the Hyūga, and Minato, as Hokage, failed to act, it could cause a rift in the close relationship between the two families. While concerned for the Hyūga's safety, Kushina was also considering the situation from the perspective of a Hokage's wife.
While Kushina was speaking, Minato had slowly crouched down by the window, placing one finger on the ground, sensing the chakra fluctuations from the Hyūga compound. A moment later, Minato's expression relaxed slightly, and he reassured her softly:
"It is Shinichi's chakra fluctuation, but Shinichi is fine."
"Kushina, you stay home and look after Naruto. I'll go check on the Hyūga Clan."
"Be careful. The enemy's target may not actually be the Hyūga."
Minato came to the bedside, gently wrapped his arm around Kushina's shoulder, and softly advised her.
After the incident with Obito, Minato had become more cautious in handling matters. Having suffered once from a diversionary tactic, Minato did not want to fall into the same trap twice.
"Don't worry. Things are different now; I'm not some delicate woman!"
Kushina replied with a smile, patting her slightly bulging bicep as she spoke. Her lively demeanor brought a light chuckle from Minato, who then instantly vanished from the bedroom.
Minato still trusted Kushina. Without the weakness caused by childbirth, Kushina's strength was immense. Even if an unexpected situation occurred, she was strong enough to hold out until he returned. In Minato's mind, the number of ninjas capable of posing a threat to Kushina at full strength was very small across the entire ninja world.
...
Minato was not the only one who sensed the disturbance at the Hyūga compound that night. Hiruzen Sarutobi, many experts within the Uchiha Clan, and various masters from the major and minor ninja clans in Konoha were all able to detect the anomaly coming from the Hyūga direction.
The Hokage's direct Anbu forces immediately mobilized, rushing toward the location of the explosion.
Black shadows flickered across the roofs of residential buildings; nearly the entire ninja force of Konoha was being mobilized. An incident of this magnitude in the heart of Konoha was enough for even the slowest ninja to realize something major had happened.
However, as these ninjas approached the Hyūga compound, they were quickly intercepted and warned by Hyūga ninjas.
In the corridor in front of the Hyūga dojo, Shinichi leaned against a pillar, quietly sensing the approaching ninjas. Beside him, the already startled Hyūga Shin had arrived and was directing the Hyūga ninjas to set up a cordon around the compound.
Shinichi had briefly explained the situation to the experienced Elder. Upon hearing that the enemy was a Mist Ninja, the Elder immediately classified the incident as an assassination attempt targeting the Hyūga by a hostile ninja village.
To prevent spies from exploiting the chaos to enter the Hyūga compound, the Branch Family experts who arrived to assist were dispatched to prevent any ninja from approaching the Main Family's residence.
Strong and unreasonable.
The moment the Byakugan was threatened, the Hyūga displayed an unprecedented unity.
...
As Hyūga Shin's orders were implemented by the Branch Family elites, arguments quickly broke out outside the compound.
"Hey! Are you guys serious? We are the Hokage's direct Anbu! Why can't you let us in to investigate?"
"You dare to obstruct the Anbu?!"
On a street outside the compound, five Branch Family elites intercepted a three-man Anbu squad, stopping them from moving forward.
The intercepted Anbu clearly did not expect to be treated this way. They were in Konoha Village; they, as Anbu, should have the right to intervene in any incident. But here, they met a dead end.
"No one is allowed near the compound. This is the Main Family's order!"
Facing the Anbu's questioning, the Hyūga clansmen wasted no words. Five pairs of Byakugan stared intently at the Anbu, reiterating the order from above, and all were prepared for combat. Seeing the Hyūga clansmen aggressively preparing for a fight, the Anbu were flustered, unsure how to proceed.
Just then, an Anbu wearing a cat mask flashed in, mediating:
"Everyone, calm down. Take it easy."
The Anbu turned their heads at the voice. Seeing the newcomer, their guard dropped: "Captain."
The Anbu squad leader, Kakashi, had rushed over after hearing the commotion, just in time to catch the confrontation.
"Hyūga members, an incident of this magnitude has probably alerted every ninja in Konoha."
"Shouldn't you at least explain what happened to the outside world?"
"Simply preventing the Anbu from entering to investigate is somewhat unreasonable."
Although Kakashi was young, he was experienced and handled matters deftly. Since he had arrived, if the Anbu couldn't gather any intelligence, he wouldn't be able to report to his superiors tomorrow. However, forcing entry would clearly provoke an attack from the Hyūga. Bloodline limit clans were different; he, as an Anbu squad leader, could not afford the consequences of angering the Hyūga.
"The Main Family was targeted by an assassination, but the enemy has been eliminated."
"The details will be explained to the Hokage tomorrow."
"Unrelated personnel, leave immediately!"
Strong and domineering. Even Kakashi, after hearing these words, only frowned. The situation had escalated to a point where the Anbu were helpless, and the Hokage needed to intervene.
However, compared to the cooperative nature of the Hokage's direct Anbu, the Anbu from the other faction might not be so easy to negotiate with.
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