An hour later Hitomi entered the lounge—sat in a nearby chair and said:
"Nothing serious. I reconnected the bones and healed the wound. True several places were shattered into small pieces—so rehabilitation will take at least a month. He's sleeping now—better wait until morning," she reported to Kenshin—who finally sighed in relief.
"Hitomi—you're real gold! What would I do without you?" he said smiling—lifting her into the air with telekinesis and smoothly pulling her onto his lap.
"And what would I do without you?" Hitomi whispered smiling—leaning in to kiss his lips.
Kasumi sitting nearby only rolled her eyes: "Enough cooing. We need to make an action plan."
The next few hours Kenshin spent with loving wives. Aya and Natsumi who came later participated in discussion but even so Kenshin learned nothing new. The plan formed in his head in minutes was only slightly refined; implementation was to begin tomorrow.
*****
The next few days Kenshin only established various formations with Kasumi from morning to evening—fearing not finishing strong defense in time. He was sure Konoha knew the approximate base location—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 evening of day 386 Momochi Zabuza complained about surprising Hyuga abilities whose "Kaiten" could easily reflect attacks from much stronger enemies. To a drinking buddy's question "How did you encounter a Hyuga clan member?" Zabuza briefly recounted the incident several days ago—not thinking the information meant anything.
*****
Day 390—Konoha.
Hyuga Hitoshi leisurely engaged in calligraphy as most free time. This meditative activity was the only thing able to extinguish his very frequent rage outbursts.
A knock at the door; hearing permission to enter a very meek youth quietly slipped inside. Bowing to his lord he barely found strength to say.
"Hitoshi-sama—one of our clan members was seen at Fire Country border," the short-haired black-haired youth began but faltered under his lord's scorching poisonous gaze.
"And Hiruzen smoked his pipe yesterday—so what?!" Hitoshi said restraining anger.
"M-my lord—that's not all. It wasn't our clan member but one of the mercenaries!" the youth blurted finding courage.
"WHAT?! Surely a mistake. Our clan member can't be a mercenary!" Hitoshi said shaking his head.
"Possibly a mistake but you ordered reporting any information concerning Hyuga Hitomi—so I decided to inform you."
"Could that spawn have gone mad and joined mercenaries…?" Hitoshi muttered thoughtfully; thinking of Hitomi rage in his heart grew with each second.
"According to rumors this person was seen in a mercenary team called 'Nakayama Family.' I double-checked—nominally no one from our Hyuga clan there," the youth said.
"Nakayama Family you say… By evening get all known information on this group—possibly Hitomi hides among them," Hitoshi ordered.
"It will be done Hitoshi-sama. However rumors say Root is interested…" the youth said shivering. Being familiar with various secret information he knew better than anyone what "Anbu Root" was and really didn't want to deal with them.
"Root? Damn! Hiashi-sama will surely take this under control. He won't let Root get a rebel from our clan… Hurry and learn all details about this 'Nakayama Family' and report immediately—or we may have trouble!" Hitoshi ordered. For the first time in long while his anger gave way to another emotion: worry and fear. The elderly branch family great elder feared what this matter could end with.
*****
Day 391.
The last five days Kenshin only prepared huge territory for his future base. This project was incredibly risky and dangerous. In reality he didn't want to surface and show himself to the world but reasonably concluded sooner or later their underground refuge would be found—and then they wouldn't have combat advantage against enemies. Any large defensive formations would eventually be noticed—so placing them around a secret refuge was impossible; weak unnoticeable concealment formations were useless in battle.
"Father—we noticed three groups sniffing around. All at least peak Chunin and professionals. Their steps silent, appearance unremarkable, and clothes apparently covered in countless fuin—making observation almost impossible," Ichiro reported approaching Kenshin.
"Hm—more bloodhounds?" Kenshin muttered surprised—rubbing tired temples.
"Yes—but this time serious. These are far more professional and aimed to find something. Previous times two Chunin followed boredly and happily left when losing our trail. Afraid this trick won't work with these. Sooner or later they'll find us," Ichiro said fearing for father's safety. Most of all he didn't want enemies attacking when Kenshin was on the surface.
"Don't worry—main defensive formations are ready; tomorrow we'll move our refuge here and stop hiding," Kenshin declared authoritatively. He was tired of long hiding and playing smiling idiot—even groveling before weak shinobi. Now he was head of a rather strong organization capable of destroying one of the Seven Mist Swordsmen; even strongest Jonin lost the right to speak to him in raised tones.
"You think Zabuza told someone about clashing with our family?" Kasumi asked hugging him from behind.
"Don't know… In this world anything is possible. Better Zabuza's gossip than surveillance from someone like Obito or Zetsu… We're completely unprepared for Akatsuki attention," he whispered sighing—stroking his hugging wife's tender hands.
"And Obito can't teleport directly to our home?" Kasumi asked warily. Kenshin's safety was her top priority.
"I don't think so. Maximum to the entrance—and only until I install interference."
"You said formations related to universe fundamental laws like space/time/gravity are incredibly complex to master," Kasumi said interestedly.
"Yes—but creating space interference isn't that hard. Besides Ichiro might gain something for himself from distorted space," Kenshin said smiling—recalling his eldest son's incredible ability.
"Yes father—I feel my 'Space Authority' is on the breakthrough edge but something's missing," Ichiro replied respectfully.
"Meditations help?" Kenshin asked interestedly—very concerned with Ichiro's successes who was currently the family's strongest fighter. Kenshin himself followed under all enhancements; rapidly strengthening Fifteenth was behind.
"Yes—I increasingly immerse in this incredible state and can sense almost everything around; once I influenced an object a hundred meters away—though weakly with zero control…" Ichiro sighed sitting beside father.
"Hm? Let me see how it was," Kenshin said—touching his eldest son's head and seeing everything he wanted in seconds.
"Quite possible this is the path to your own domain… If mastered you'll become an incredibly powerful shinobi!" Kenshin declared joyfully.
"Great-grandfather said the closer a shinobi gets to Sage of Six Paths level the better they comprehend laws. Possibly due to unique Kekkei Genkai it started a bit earlier for Ichiro?" Kasumi suggested smiling.
Suddenly Kenshin's smile faltered; he instantly applied x150 focus and a second later in real time mentally commanded:
"All four teams: quickly head here and prepare for battle!" Kenshin ordered seriously.
"Ichiro—be ready to take your team under control. We have uninvited guests!" he mentally ordered looking at his eldest son.
"Kenshin—what happened?!" Kasumi asked worriedly but before answering Kenshin instantly activated formations on her suit—her face instantly hidden behind a thin but sturdy mask.
"Don't know how they bypassed detection formations but bloodhounds approached five kilometers and collision is unavoidable. They'll definitely notice if we try leaving," he replied—again "listening" trying to determine enemy positions by residual thought impulses.