Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 170: He Didn't Betray, He Just Faithfully Followed My Orders

The Land of Wind is mostly desert, lacking water sources, so its cities are built around desert oases.

In areas without water, there are barely any signs of human life.

The military fortress Chiyo and her companions were heading to was located just outside the border city Moonlight Castle, serving as its line of defense. It was also the southeastern border stronghold of the Land of Wind, positioned as the frontline against Konoha.

"I've never been to a desert before. Seeing it with my own eyes is quite the unique experience."

Hearing the Konoha ninja's comment behind her, Chiyo frowned slightly but said nothing as she made her way to the fortress ahead.

The Land of Wind had already received her message. After passing inspection, Chiyo and her companion were allowed inside.

They were escorted to a meeting room, where they sat and waited briefly. An elderly man with a weathered face entered, accompanied by a member of the Anbu.

"Lady Chiyo, it has been a long time."

"Shinji? You're still alive?"

Chiyo looked at the old man in astonishment. "Weren't you in the Kazekage Building at the time?"

Uchiya Shinji, one of Sunagakure's elders. According to previous reports, he should have been in the Kazekage Building, just like her brother, Ebizō...

"At the time, Elder Ebizō wanted to go out to stop Shukaku. We feared he might act impulsively, so after some deliberation, I and two other elders went to intervene instead. Though it didn't achieve much."

Shinji sighed bitterly. "Ironically, that decision ended up saving my life. If I hadn't left the Kazekage Building, I too would have died at the hands of Pakura. If we hadn't tried to stop Elder Ebizō, he might have survived."

Hearing this, Chiyo opened her mouth but found herself unable to say anything.

In his youth, Shinji's strength had been decent, but now he was barely on par with an average jōnin.

On the other hand, her brother, having been modified by her puppet techniques and being a skilled puppeteer himself, hadn't lost much of his power over the years.

Still, even a puppeteer wouldn't fare well against a jinchūriki. Without someone like Rasa, whose gold dust could counter Shukaku, it wasn't surprising that Shinji and the others had failed to restrain Ebizō.

"Elder Chiyo, I must apologize. We failed to protect Sunagakure."

Shinji lowered his head, his tone heavy.

"And because of a moment's hesitation, Elder Ebizō lost his life. I have no face left to meet you. Please, do with me as you see fit!"

"What's the point of saying this now?" Chiyo's expression turned cold as she scolded him. "Do you think dying will free you from guilt? Right now, the priority is to rebuild Sunagakure and find the culprits! You mentioned the enemy was Pakura?"

"Yes. Before I left the Kazekage Building, I overheard a report from a ninja. They mentioned that a Scorch Release user had infiltrated the village, bearing some resemblance to Pakura."

Shinji didn't lift his head, his gaze complicated. "It was the Scorch Release that destroyed the Kazekage Building in the end. It must have been Pakura. She's returned for revenge!"

Hearing this, Chiyo's expression grew dark and conflicted.

In her retirement, she typically stayed out of high-level conflicts and past grievances. She hadn't known the details of Pakura's betrayal and death. Otherwise, she would have intervened.

However, before Rasa had sent her as an envoy to Konoha, he had confided in her—Konoha possessed both Pakura's corpse and evidence of their betrayal against her.

It was only then that she learned the truth about the so-called hero's sacrifice.

By that point, it was too late to change anything. To ease Rasa's mind, she hadn't confronted him about it. But now, she couldn't help but ponder deeply.

When it came to Pakura, one couldn't avoid thinking of another person.

"Do you think this is connected to Hyuga Fuji?"

"Yes."

Shinji nodded, glancing at the silent Konoha ninja to Chiyo's left before speaking gravely. "According to intelligence discreetly shared by the Land of Fire, Hyuga Fuji has mastered the Edo Tensei. Additionally, his past identity would give him access to Pakura's personal information."

Thanks to Konoha's proactive disclosure, they were aware that Hyuga Fuji had mastered the Edo Tensei technique and understood the traits of the reanimated.

Pakura showed no signs of being an Edo Tensei subject, nor did she bear any of its characteristics. By all accounts, it shouldn't be rashly concluded that this was Hyuga Fuji's doing.

However, to avoid conflict with the Land of Fire, it was best not to implicate them in Sunagakure's attack.

Pakura's corpse had initially been with Kirigakure before being handed over to Konoha. This left only two plausible culprits: either the Land of Fire or Hyuga Fuji. Kirigakure was highly unlikely.

Given the circumstances, they couldn't accuse the Land of Fire. Naturally, the blame had to fall on Hyuga Fuji.

"If Pakura has been resurrected, the person behind it is most likely Hyuga Fuji! That Uchiha ninja who left with him should also be involved. Besides him, I can't think of anyone else…"

"And what about us in Konoha?"

The Konoha ninja beside Chiyo suddenly interrupted, his smile sharp and insincere. "Elder Shinji, you can speak plainly. No need to sugarcoat it. If we're talking about obtaining personal information or mastering the Edo Tensei, Konoha is just as capable."

Wasn't it a bit impolite to bring up Hyuga Fuji's name so openly in front of him?

Shinji and Chiyo exchanged a glance, their expressions unchanging. "We of Sunagakure trust Konoha, and we ask that you trust us in return. I am aware of the purpose behind your visit accompanying Elder Chiyo. The Sunagakure leadership is willing to cooperate fully. However, I must state clearly that the attack on your embassy staff has nothing to do with us!"

"When those members of the embassy were assaulted by rogue Suna-nin, their movements turned rigid. Despite being skilled shinobi, they didn't resist for long. I suspect they were under genjutsu cast by that Uchiha…"

"Whether or not their deaths were caused by genjutsu, we will investigate that ourselves." The Konoha ninja shook his head. "No need for your concern. And since the Land of Wind has already reached a decision, might I suggest allowing my comrades to enter? Leaving allies to endure the sandstorms outside is hardly a hospitable gesture."

"…"

Shinji sighed. "Very well. Please return to your quarters for now. I will issue orders to allow your companions inside."

The Konoha ninja raised an eyebrow, glancing briefly at Chiyo before leaving the room.

No matter how much you deliberate, the outcome won't change.

…

Once the outsider had left, Chiyo's expression darkened. "If you're alive, then why was my contact with Sunagakure cut off earlier?"

"That…"

Shinji smiled wryly. "The ninja responsible for communicating with you acted on his own. I've already disciplined him."

"Hmph. It had better be the truth."

After scrutinizing him for a moment, Chiyo averted her gaze. "Speak. What do you want to discuss with me in private?"

A cold glint appeared in Shinji's clouded eyes. "According to reports from our ninja, Pakura's appearance only resembles her past self by about forty percent. Furthermore, she shows none of the traits of an Edo Tensei subject. She looks like a real living person."

Chiyo's pupils constricted.

A real living person?

Those words forced Chiyo to consider a grim possibility… Could someone have developed a forbidden resurrection technique?

Something akin to her own Reincarnation Ninjutsu?

But why would Pakura's appearance only be forty percent similar to her former self?

After pondering for a while and coming up empty, Chiyo fixed her gaze on Shinji and asked coldly, "Are you suggesting that Konoha is withholding critical information?"

"Yes." Shinji nodded. "I suspect Hyuga Fuji has mastered a resurrection technique, and Konoha is keeping it a secret."

"How did you arrive at this conclusion? Why Hyuga Fuji?"

Shinji lowered his head. "Because…"

A flash of steel. A diagonal slash tore across Chiyo's body, blood spraying forth as she stared wide-eyed at the Anbu who had suddenly attacked her.

"…Someone told me so."

Shinji raised his head again, his expression shifting into a sinister smile as he looked at the severely injured and stunned Chiyo.

Clutching her chest, Chiyo stared at him in shock. "Why? Have you betrayed Sunagakure too?"

"He hasn't betrayed anyone… He's simply, faithfully followed my orders."

A calm voice echoed from the doorway.

(End of Chapter)

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