'So… was it Hyūga Nobuhiko's eye that gets taken, or Hyūga Ginka's?'
Kiyohara mulled it over for a moment, then dropped the thought.
The original story never specified, only that a single Byakugan was stolen—and it came from a main branch member.
'Unless it was a full-on battle, there's no way the Hyūga would've left a Byakugan behind…'
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
With the addition of two main branch Hyūga, the squad's recon and anti-infiltration capabilities had gotten a serious upgrade. In terrain like forests and ravines, the Byakugan was arguably the best tool available.
Unless… something that could suppress it was involved.
That's when Kiyohara remembered a rare Kekkei Genkai from the original story—the Crimson Eye.
Only Ranmaru was ever shown to have it in the anime, but if it existed once… there could be others.
Mist Village did have a notably high rate of unique bloodlines. Being a chain of islands rather than a continental power meant their bloodline users were somewhat insulated from outside wars—until the brutal "Village of the Bloody Mist" purges.
Even so, their roster included:
-Lava Release
-Boil Release
-Shikotsumyaku
-Ice Release
And even odd ones like Storm or Swift.
"Why the sudden frown?"
Yūhi Kurenai noticed his thoughtful expression and walked over.
"Another mission. Most of us don't have the energy to fake a smile about it."
Kiyohara replied casually.
2800 ryō a month, and the tears fall quietly at night.
In wartime, shinobi were basically conscripted soldiers. Missions were orders. Refuse, and it wasn't a penalty—it was punishment. At least prisoners got sentence reductions.
"...Yeah. You're not wrong."
Kurenai gave a small nod.
"Let's move."
Kakashi's voice called them to depart.
The squad quickly finished prepping and melted into the trees, moving silently toward the border.
Meanwhile – Mist Village Forward Base.
Inside a shadowy command post deep in the forest, a young woman with thick brown hair and seductive features stared down at an intel scroll with bright green eyes.
Terumi Mei.
Mist's rising star. Wielder of Boil and Lava Release, and a true prodigy.
"Ao, you're saying this mission window is perfect?"
Her eyes turned to a sharp-eyed shinobi standing before her.
Ao—hawk-eyed and severe—stood with his arms folded, clad in standard Kirigakure gear.
"Aimaru's report confirms it. The Konoha scout team entered the designated zone. Two confirmed Hyūga main branch members. We won't get a better chance."
He glanced over his shoulder at a small boy with pale skin and short navy hair.
The child's eyes shimmered faintly—deep crimson, unnaturally colored.
This was Aimaru, wielder of the Crimson Eye—capable of distorting and even nullifying the Byakugan's perception.
"With his help, the Hyūga's biggest edge becomes a liability."
"Snatching a main family Byakugan wouldn't just be a tactical victory—it'd be a symbol. A blow to Konoha."
Ao's lone eye gleamed with ambition.
If this succeeded, he might be granted the right to implant it himself.
Terumi twirled a lock of her hair, intrigued.
"Well then… I'd like to see just how skilled these Leaf shinobi really are."
Elsewhere – Forested Border Zone.
The Konoha squad moved in formation, silent and precise.
Hyūga Nobuhiko and Hyūga Ginka led from the front, keeping their Byakugan ready for action.
Ginka, dressed in a standard Konoha flak vest, still had curves that stood out. Her fine features carried the proud air common to Hyūga elites.
Her pale eyes occasionally swept the group, lingering on Kiyohara for a second longer than the rest.
She'd heard from certain sources that he'd demonstrated remarkable sensory capabilities on previous missions—and that annoyed her.
A commoner? Outshining the Hyūga in perception?
Impossible.
She kept glancing his way, a subtle glint of challenge in her gaze.
Kiyohara, of course, noticed.
Ah. Another Clan heir with a superiority complex…
He'd seen it plenty—noble shinobi surrounded by yes-men, used to being obeyed. They were like those haughty masters in some trades who thought their words were law.
But now wasn't the time for pride games.
Just then, a spectral form floated silently back toward Kiyohara.
Future Kiyohara had been patrolling as a ghost scout on Kiyohara's orders. After all, shinobi were glass cannons—fragile but deadly. Even someone like Six Paths Madara had been sneak-attacked by Black Zetsu.
Kiyohara's expression hardened.
"Ten or more chakra signatures, hidden on both sides ahead."
He raised his hand immediately.
"Kakashi. Stop. There's an ambush ahead."
The squad halted.
Kurenai and the others instantly moved into a defensive formation.
"Where?"Kakashi scanned the surroundings with sharp eyes. His senses were above average, but he sensed nothing—no movement, no presence.
Beside them, Hyūga Ginka frowned. Clearly skeptical.
She activated her Byakugan without hesitation—veins bulging as her pale eyes swept the area Kiyohara had indicated.
"There's no one."
Her tone was clipped.
"My Byakugan sees no abnormal chakra signatures within 800 meters. Just wildlife and us."
'As I feared… the Byakugan's being jammed.'
Kiyohara's mind went cold.
He hadn't been sure before—but this confirmed it: Crimson Eye.
Only a handful of powers could interfere with the Byakugan like this.
Kakashi glanced between the two—Kiyohara with his proven track record and sharp instincts, and Ginka, backed by centuries of Hyūga prestige.
For now, tension held still.
Meanwhile – Mist Forces, Just Ahead.
Within a cloaked chakra barrier, Ao observed the halted Konoha unit.
When he saw Kiyohara raise his hand to stop them, his brow furrowed.
"Oh? They stopped?"
He narrowed his eye.
"That dark-haired kid… his sensory ability is sharper than expected."
He'd banked on Aimaru jamming the Byakugan being enough to guarantee surprise.
"Aimaru. Maintain Crimson Eye output. No slip-ups."
"Everyone else—prepare for the assault."
***
Just as Kakashi opened his mouth to make a decision—
BOOM!
Without warning, a distant forest creek exploded.
The river surged upward, swelling violently. Water twisted midair, forming three massive dragons of roaring water, crashing toward the squad.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!
They came fast, loud, and without mercy—aimed to drown and disorient before the real strike began.
The Mist's ambush had begun.