"He is going to assassinate Kaguya Rakuba, the vanguard of Kirigakure's forces. I will have someone send you the detailed intelligence on him later," Danzo said quickly. "With Haruto Saito's strength, the chances of successfully assassinating Kaguya Rakuba are very low. However, with Tsunade and the others assisting him, it shouldn't be a big problem. I suggest that you act after he succeeds in his assassination."
"Hmm…" Hyuga Leiyang pondered.
"Additionally, I will arrange for a continuous flow of intelligence to you, so you don't have to worry about losing track of that kid." Danzo continued, glancing at Hyuga Leiyang. **"Whatever you decide to do with him, I won't interfere. How you extract the secret technique from him is your business. Afterward, I will arrange for Haruto Saito's 'accidental death' to be blamed on Kirigakure. I guarantee that the Anbu won't trace it back to you. I have only one request—Haruto Saito must never return to Konoha alive!"
"Of course. I will make sure he dies in the Land of Whirlpools." Hyuga Leiyang said in a deep voice.
There was no way he would allow Haruto Saito to return to Konoha alive. He needed to capture Haruto, extract the secret technique from him, and then kill him! Otherwise, if Haruto made it back to Konoha and reported this to Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hyuga clan would be in serious trouble.
Danzo carefully observed Hyuga Leiyang's expression and felt reassured.
Danzo had a deep understanding of Hyuga Leiyang's capabilities and the resources he could mobilize. As the leader of the Hyuga clan—one of Konoha's two most powerful clans—Hyuga Leiyang would stop at nothing to eliminate Haruto Saito if he truly wanted to.
The Hyuga clan wasn't just a top-tier clan in Konoha; it was one of the most powerful across the entire ninja world.
Their overall strength was terrifying! Within Konoha, only the Uchiha clan could compare to them.
If not for this, Hiruzen Sarutobi would not be wary of these two great clans.
Furthermore, in the joint operation that Sarutobi had recently planned, the Hyuga clan was already expected to send a significant number of their strongest warriors to the Land of Whirlpools. Hyuga Leiyang didn't even need to make any special arrangements—he just needed to issue secret orders to a select few elite Hyuga members, and the plan to eliminate Haruto Saito would be set in motion.
Danzo and Hyuga Leiyang discussed more details of the plan before Danzo finally took his leave.
Now, in the quiet courtyard, only Hyuga Leiyang remained.
"Come forth." Hyuga Leiyang said calmly under the glow of a lantern.
A shadowy figure appeared out of thin air behind him, kneeling with utmost respect. "Clan Leader!"
"Summon Leitai." Hyuga Leiyang ordered.
"Yes!" The figure acknowledged and vanished as suddenly as he had appeared.
Hyuga Leiyang stood silently, gazing at the cherry blossom tree in the courtyard. The night wind gently rustled its branches, scattering delicate petals through the air.
Not long after—
"Elder Brother, you called for me?" Hyuga Leitai, the head of the branch family, arrived in the courtyard and greeted Hyuga Leiyang with deep respect.
"Come closer." Hyuga Leiyang gestured.
Hyuga Leitai quickly stepped forward and stood beside him, head slightly lowered.
"Tomorrow, our clan will send a team to the Land of Whirlpools. You will personally lead them." Hyuga Leiyang announced.
"Me?" Hyuga Leitai's eyes widened in surprise. "Wasn't Domon supposed to lead the team? This mission in the Land of Whirlpools is just a support operation. We won't be engaging in direct combat, so why…?"
Hyuga Domon had been assigned to lead the mission based on Hyuga Leiyang's direct orders.
Hyuga Domon was one of the strongest warriors in the Hyuga clan, holding a senior advisory role in the Intelligence Division. He was older than Hyuga Leiyang by several years and served as one of the Four Elders of the Hyuga clan—the youngest elder in the clan's history.
Ordinarily, for such a mission, sending an elder like Domon as the leader should have sufficed.
After all, this wasn't a direct battle, and the Hyuga clan wasn't the main force of the operation.
Something must have changed for Hyuga Leiyang to alter his decision and even send his own brother to personally oversee the mission.
"Brother, did Lord Hokage issue new orders?" Hyuga Leitai asked.
"No." Hyuga Leiyang shook his head, then fixed his gaze on his brother with a dark expression. "It's because of Haruto Saito. He has already departed for the Land of Whirlpools on a mission…"
"Him?" Hyuga Leitai's face darkened before his eyes gleamed with vicious intent. "Brother, have you finally decided to eliminate him?"
At the mention of Haruto Saito, Hyuga Leitai's reaction was even stronger than Hyuga Leiyang's. Haruto had openly humiliated him before, and his hatred for Haruto was absolute. While Hyuga Leiyang merely harbored general hostility toward Haruto, Hyuga Leitai held a deep, personal grudge.
"Yes. It's time to act!" Hyuga Leiyang nodded firmly. "I have already discussed this with Danzo."
"Danzo? Him?" Hyuga Leitai was momentarily surprised. "What does Danzo have to do with this?"
"Danzo came to see me just now and…" Hyuga Leiyang briefly explained the situation—Danzo's dissatisfaction and fear of Haruto Saito, his willingness to help the Hyuga clan reclaim the lost secret technique, and his plan to suppress the Uchiha clan.
"I see." Hyuga Leitai nodded in understanding.
"That's why," Hyuga Leiyang continued, "since this matter involves Danzo, we cannot let other clan members know about it. The Land of Whirlpools is far from Konoha, and communication is difficult. I cannot oversee everything personally, so you must go yourself!"
"You have full command over the forces in the Land of Whirlpools. There is no need for you to act personally—Haruto Saito is a mere child. You only need to coordinate the plan and have others execute it. Danzo's men will provide you with intelligence."
"Understood! I will not fail you, Brother!" Hyuga Leitai bowed deeply, pledging his loyalty.
"Good! Remember this!" Hyuga Leiyang raised a finger. "Haruto Saito is not a major threat on his own, but he is Hiruzen Sarutobi's direct disciple. If word of this leaks, it would be disastrous for the Hyuga clan. Therefore, I have three demands!"
"First! Recover the lost secret technique!"
"Second! Haruto Saito must die in the Land of Whirlpools!"
"Third! Not a single trace of this operation must be leaked! This is absolutely crucial!"
"Rest assured, Brother!" Hyuga Leitai immediately knelt on one knee and swore, "The mission will be completed. Haruto Saito will not escape. If I fail, I will pay with my own head—I will not bring disgrace upon you or the Hyuga clan!"
"Excellent!" Hyuga Leiyang nodded approvingly and helped him up.
He had great confidence in his brother's abilities. The Hyuga clan was filled with elite warriors—if they couldn't eliminate a single young ninja, they would no longer be worthy of their reputation as one of Konoha's top clans!
Three Days Later – Southeastern Border of the Land of Fire, White Vine Mountain
… (The story continues as Haruto Saito arrives at the Land of Whirlpools with Tsunade and others.)