Kaze remembered clearly.
The night Hinata was taken was the same night the Hidden Cloud delegation arrived in Konoha under the pretense of signing a peace treaty.
As the acting Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi personally hosted the welcoming ceremony. The entire village had been bustling since morning — patrol routes adjusted, guards posted, festival lights strung across the main avenues to display Konoha's goodwill.
But beneath the hospitality, danger had already taken root.
By observing the patrol shifts and messenger traffic, Kaze had pinpointed the precise hour when the Cloud delegation would make its move.
And as for their escape route—
After ten years in this world, there was no corner of Konoha unfamiliar to him. From the Hyuga compound to the outer forest line, only one path allowed a swift retreat to the village border while avoiding main patrol roads.
They would use it.
To intercept them, Kaze spent the remaining two days refining his control over the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. The training paid off — he could now convert his body into lightning with far greater speed and stability.
Combined with his three-tomoe Sharingan, handling a single Cloud delegation leader would not be difficult.
And even if things went wrong—
Hiashi Hyuga would personally pursue the kidnappers. Kaze only needed to stall until the Hyuga clan head arrived.
A gamble, yes.
But one with enormous payoff.
When everything was prepared, Kaze left the outskirts of the Uchiha district and took position along the forest corridor leading away from the Hyuga compound.
He arrived before dusk.
By the time night fell, Konoha lay quiet beneath a silver moon.
His Sharingan spun slowly, scanning every branch and shadow.
Three hours passed.
Then—
Footsteps.
Multiple. Controlled. Experienced.
At least five.
Kaze narrowed his eyes.
"So the Cloud didn't send only their leader… Just like in canon."
Through the darkness, the Sharingan revealed them clearly.
At the front walked a tall Cloud jōnin — head wrapped in white bandages, forehead protector worn diagonally to cover his right eye. A short beard lined his chin.
Under his arm lay Hinata Hyuga, five years old, unconscious.
Behind him followed four Cloud chunin escorts.
Their leader smirked.
"Once we cross this forest, we meet the extraction team at the border. Even if Konoha gives chase, they won't catch us in time."
One of the chunin laughed quietly.
"To think the Hokage himself welcomed us. These Leaf fools never suspected Lord Raikage's plan."
Another added, voice brimming with greed.
"Once we unlock the Byakugan's secrets, the Cloud will surpass every village."
Their excitement made them careless.
They did not notice the predator watching from the branches above.
Kaze's gaze turned cold.
"No time to waste. Hiashi will be here soon."
His fingers flicked.
Shuriken cut through the night.
Whoosh!
The Cloud jōnin sensed killing intent instantly, drawing his blade to deflect the projectiles.
"Ambush! Defensive formation!"
The chunin reacted fast — dodging, parrying, scattering.
But one was too slow.
A shuriken struck his neck.
Thunk.
Blood erupted. He collapsed within seconds.
Silence fell.
The remaining Cloud ninja immediately hurled kunai toward the treeline.
Kaze stepped forward.
Under the Sharingan's sight, the flying weapons moved like slow drifting leaves.
He caught the first kunai barehanded.
With swift, precise movements, he deflected the rest back into the dirt.
Moonlight broke through the clouds.
It illuminated half his face.
And the spinning crimson Sharingan.
The Cloud leader stiffened.
"…An Uchiha."
Instinctively, he turned his body to shield Hinata from direct view.
Then he sneered.
"Uchiha boy. Our villages signed a peace treaty today. You killed a Cloud shinobi on Leaf territory."
He glanced at the corpse.
"If your Hokage learns of this, your clan will pay dearly."
One of the chunin added nervously,
"Your Uchiha are already under suspicion in this village. Walk away while you still can."
They hoped politics would save them.
But Kaze only smiled.
Ten years ago, when these eyes awakened, he had made a vow:
These eyes were his survival.
No one would see them unless necessary.
And anyone who did—
Would never live to speak of them.