Sunlight filtered through the dense foliage of the towering trees, casting mottled shadows on the ground.
Between the trees and the shadows, three figures dashed across the branches, leaving behind a series of afterimages.
"Makoto, you look a bit nervous."
On the way forward, Tenzo seemed to notice that Hyuga Makoto's mood was off, and couldn't help but smile and comfort him.
"Don't worry, with Captain Kakashi here, there won't be any problems."
"I've read your mission reports and seen your strength; it's very outstanding."
Kakashi also spoke up at this time. Although his voice was somewhat cold, it was very firm.
"Furthermore, I will absolutely not let my comrades be killed."
"..."
Hyuga Makoto pursed his lips. He truly hoped Kakashi would stop talking.
Because Kakashi's situation was really somewhat outrageous.
Whoever he said he would protect basically ended up doomed!
Setting aside Uchiha Obito and Nohara Rin for now, he had also said similar words to Uchiha Itachi.
As a result, Uchiha Itachi wiped out his entire family, and in a sense, his death was already sealed!
"Although this was largely due to Uchiha Madara causing trouble, and Uchiha Itachi himself having something wrong with his head, but..."
Hyuga Makoto really didn't dare to gamble. Facing Kakashi, he could only force a smile.
"I understand. I will adjust my mindset."
However, despite saying so, he was even more vigilant now.
He didn't want to 'sortie in Gundam form', so he asked cautiously.
"Captain, Senior, which squad are we supporting this time?"
"A very powerful squad, and the captain is also very famous."
There was nothing to hide about this kind of thing. Tenzo smiled nonchalantly, and Kakashi also nodded.
"It's 'Shunshin no Shisui's' squad. They happen to be executing a long-term mission near the Land of Whirlpools, so there's no need to worry too much."
"Uchiha Shisui?"
Hyuga Makoto froze for a moment, and a strange feeling instantly arose in his heart.
"It seems I've seen this scene before?"
In his memory, there truly seemed to be a scene of Uchiha Shisui dealing with Kirigakure.
It was just that those Kirigakure ninjas didn't even have time to get close before Uchiha Shisui took down two of them with genjutsu from a long distance!
Ultimately, the squad leader had no choice but to retreat, and this squad leader...
"Was Ao with the Byakugan!"
Hyuga Makoto's eyes flickered slightly. If it really was this incident, then it would be too interesting.
"Let's speed up."
While he was thinking, Kakashi calmly spoke again.
"Although we are only providing support, we must also take it seriously."
"Yes!"
Hyuga Makoto snapped back to reality, and he and Tenzo loudly replied together.
At this moment, he was full of motivation. Whether it was Ao or Uchiha Shisui, perhaps both could bring him some benefits!
The trio's speed was very fast. A few days later, they crossed the border of the Land of Fire and entered the territory of the Land of Whirlpools.
"It really is convenient."
The moonlight was hazy. Inside a cave in the dense forest of the Land of Whirlpools.
Tenzo watched Hyuga Makoto, who was inspecting the surroundings, and couldn't help but smile.
"I had only heard about the effects of the Byakugan before, but now I finally know how useful it is."
"The power of the Byakugan has always been very reliable."
Kakashi nodded from the side, but Tenzo stroked his chin at this time.
"No wonder Kumogakure back then..."
"Hey, Tenzo!"
Before Tenzo could finish speaking, Kakashi interrupted him somewhat powerlessly.
This guy Tenzo was good in every way, except sometimes he seemed a bit scatterbrained.
He rubbed his temples and spoke helplessly.
"Don't talk about these things. We have more important missions."
"It's fine, Captain Kakashi."
Hyuga Makoto didn't mind. He deactivated his Byakugan and smiled.
"I once heard Uncle Hizashi say that a long time ago, Kumogakure even kidnapped the Fourth Hokage's wife. I wonder if it's true."
"..."
The corner of Kakashi's mouth twitched, while Tenzo smiled from the side.
"I've heard about it too. It seems there was such a thing. Those Kumogakure guys really are bandits."
"That's right, just a bunch of bandits."
Hyuga Makoto agreed immensely. He truly didn't like those guys from Kumogakure very much.
"Alright, you two..."
However, their echoing of each other made Kakashi somewhat helpless.
"Kumogakure are indeed undoubtedly bandits, but right now we have to deal with Kirigakure. We must focus our energy on the mission!"
"Oh..."
Hyuga Makoto felt that these words sounded a bit familiar, but he didn't think much about it.
"Uchiha Shisui's squad has already started setting up an ambush. As for the Kirigakure people, they haven't been spotted yet."
"Could it be that Kirigakure also received intelligence and changed their route?"
Tenzo thought for a moment and couldn't help but ask. Hyuga Makoto also nodded in agreement.
"We can get intelligence, so maybe they can too. Even if they don't, they might have other methods to evade us."
"Other methods?"
Kakashi paused for a moment, then looked at Hyuga Makoto thoughtfully.
"You mean, the Byakugan?"
"That guy Ao?"
Tenzo also reacted. They were very familiar with this ruthless guy who stole a Byakugan and was currently high up on Konoha's wanted list.
And thinking about it carefully, it didn't seem impossible for Ao to participate in this kind of mission.
After all, if they truly wanted to enter the Land of Fire, the Byakugan could help them avoid a lot of trouble!
"It's not impossible. If it really is him, then we need to be a bit more serious."
Kakashi pondered for a moment before speaking, and Tenzo also became serious.
"Indeed. This guy is someone on the wanted list. If it really is him, it's best not to let him get away."
"That's right."
Hyuga Makoto's expression was somewhat solemn, and he spoke in a low, faint voice.
"Moreover, he is very valuable."
"Hmm... Hmm?!"
Kakashi and Tenzo subconsciously nodded, but soon both of them froze.
What the heck?
Valuable?
"What's wrong, Captain Kakashi, Senior Tenzo?"
Hyuga Makoto blinked, his voice seemingly curious.
"Don't you guys know that this guy is worth fifty million ryo?"
"I know..."
Tenzo was somewhat dazed, but Kakashi was very clear about it. However, before he could finish speaking, Hyuga Makoto smilingly interrupted.
"Then isn't that great? We can't miss out on this sum of money!"
"If I remember correctly, the bulk of this money is put up by your Hyuga Clan."
The corner of Kakashi's eye twitched, but Hyuga Makoto looked as if it was a matter of course.
"Yeah, but I am from the Branch House."
"..."
"Also, if it really is that guy, after we deal with him, could you guys say you did it?"
"..."
"I'm afraid the Main House will pocket my share."
"..."
At this moment, Kakashi fell completely silent. He truly didn't know what to say.
Tenzo, on the other hand, looked at the two of them with some bewilderment. He didn't seem to have figured out what this meant yet.
"Alright, now is not the time to talk about this."
Finally, Kakashi couldn't hold back anymore. He decided to completely end this topic.
It was just that his head was faintly throbbing right now. He had read some of Hyuga Makoto's reports and knew that this youth from the Hyuga Branch House was a decent person.
He felt that Hyuga Makoto should be similar to Uchiha Itachi, as both were disciples from major clans.
Moreover, the Third Hokage handing this youth over to him was probably, just like with Uchiha Itachi, a kind of trust and protection.
After all, he also understood how huge of an impact a Hyuga Branch House member entering the Anbu would have on the Main House.
This was also one of the reasons why he immediately took his team out of the village on the first day Hyuga Makoto joined the Anbu.
But looking at it now, there was a huge difference between Hyuga Makoto and Uchiha Itachi...
Sighing inwardly, Kakashi spoke with slight helplessness.
"We still can't be sure if it's him or not. There's no point in talking about this. We need to focus our energy on the mission!"
"Oh, I understand, Captain Kakashi."
Hyuga Makoto honestly nodded, and then he pointed into the distance.
"However, our target seems to have appeared."
"?"
"Also, it seems I guessed correctly. It really is that Ao!"
"..."
.....