Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

(Translating a new fic Naruto: Troublesome Ninja Haruta. You can support me by reading.)

Chapter 180: Kitsuchi: The Advantage Is Mine… Wait, Against Four Edo Tensei?!

Standing at the edge of the Rōran Ruins, Kitsuchi frowned.

The hidden base here was exceptionally well-concealed.

With that thought, he used Earth Release to burrow underground, eventually finding the entrance to a staircase leading further down.

Step by step, he descended the slippery stairs, the light around him gradually fading until he was completely engulfed by darkness.

Switching on his flashlight, the beam cut through the gloom, illuminating the damp tunnel walls lined with moss and the debris floating on stagnant water.

This was once an oasis in the desert, a part of Rōran's territory. Though now abandoned, the presence of water was likely why Uchiya Shinji had chosen this place.

Pondering this, Kitsuchi moved cautiously through the narrow passageway.

As he ventured deeper, the air ducts above crisscrossed into a maze-like structure, the layout becoming increasingly complex. Around him were puppets, freshly constructed and clearly well-maintained.

"A puppet factory?" Kitsuchi squinted.

Just as he was considering his next move, the shadows around him shifted, and several figures emerged.

"Who's there?!"

Kitsuchi turned calmly, entirely unsurprised.

He had noticed a sensory barrier upon entering the underground area. However, since his presence here wasn't inherently suspicious—he had credentials from Uchiya Shinji—he didn't bother masking his movements.

Dropping his transformation jutsu, Kitsuchi revealed his Iwagakure headband and recognizable ninja attire. The patrol ninja's wary expressions turned to shock.

"Iwagakure?"

What was an Iwagakure shinobi doing here?

"I am Kitsuchi, sent by the Tsuchikage to support the Land of Wind."

Kitsuchi presented the credential scroll given to him by Uchiya Shinji and handed it to the patrol team.

"This is an authorization from Elder Shinji. I encountered complications during my mission and became separated from my team. Before we split, we agreed to regroup here. I came ahead to avoid any misunderstandings."

The patrol team exchanged brief, cryptic glances. One of them hesitated before nodding. "Understood. Please wait here."

With that, one ninja headed deeper into the tunnels, while the others stayed to "keep an eye" on Kitsuchi.

Kitsuchi frowned slightly but didn't press the issue. Instead, he broke the silence with a question:

"Elder Shinji mentioned this place as Sunagakure's hope for revival."

The patrol team leader regarded him with a guarded expression. "That's correct."

"If Elder Shinji shared this information with me, it must mean he hopes Iwagakure will assist in defending this place. Since that's the case, could you perhaps disclose a bit more about its significance? It would help us gauge how much support we should provide to prevent the Land of Fire from gaining the upper hand."

"I apologize, Kitsuchi-dono. I don't have the authority to share such details. You'll need to speak with my superior."

The patrol leader shook his head firmly. "Additionally, we need to verify your identity. I hope you understand."

"…Of course." Kitsuchi nodded, masking his irritation.

He shifted his attention deeper into the underground tunnels, his expression growing serious.

Though he was still some distance from the source, he could faintly sense an immense chakra emanating from further within.

The oppressive presence was no less suffocating than a tailed beast's.

If the Land of Fire takes Moonlight Castle, this base will become an isolated island in the desert. It's only a matter of time before it's discovered and overrun. If the chakra source here falls into their hands, it would spell disaster. But this location is too close to the border—sending reinforcements from Iwagakure would be unwise. If necessary, this place might need to be destroyed.

As Kitsuchi mulled over his options, the patrol team exchanged knowing glances.

Did he just walk into a trap on his own?

This is going to be interesting.

Suppressing their smirks, they maintained their composure, waiting for the next act to unfold.

Amid the tense silence, a voice rang out—a voice that felt unsettlingly familiar to Kitsuchi.

"Long time no see, Kitsuchi."

"Shu?!"

Kitsuchi froze as a figure appeared in a blur of motion. His expression stiffened as he took in the man's coal-black eyes.

Then it clicked. The intelligence reports on Sunagakure's recent assault: a combination of a scorch-release user, a Uchiha, and Edo Tensei operatives…

This was Hyuga Fuji's doing.

The realization hit like a thunderclap. Panic surged through Kitsuchi's mind, and he didn't waste a second acknowledging Shu's greeting. Without hesitation, he activated the Body Flicker Technique, retreating toward the surface.

He had no time to assess how many guards were stationed here—if the Uchiha and scorch-release user were present, this was a hornet's nest.

He had to report back to Moonlight Castle…

No, wait.

Uchiya Shinji is in on this betrayal, isn't he?

The way supplies from Rōran had been flowing freely to Moonlight Castle—it had to be deliberate. Uchiya Shinji had known all along.

And possibly Moonlight Castle's commander, Yukihira, as well.

In other words, Moonlight Castle had already fallen into Hyuga Fuji's hands.

Within seconds, Kitsuchi's world flipped upside down.

He could scarcely believe the predicament he was in. A supposed ally, now revealed to be the most dangerous enemy, luring him here under false pretenses.

And like a fool, he had walked right into the trap.

Bitterly cursing his own naivety, Kitsuchi pressed on, retreating as quickly as possible. Glancing over his shoulder, he noticed that Shu hadn't moved to pursue him.

Why wasn't he attacking?

Could Shu be the strongest here?

If that were the case, then Kitsuchi might still hold the advantage.

But he hesitated, ultimately deciding against turning back to confront Shu. The Leaf's intel on Edo Tensei was clear—the best countermeasure was a sealing technique, which Kitsuchi didn't possess.

Even if he could win the fight, without a way to permanently neutralize the enemy, there was no point.

With mixed emotions, Kitsuchi emerged from the underground tunnels, stepping back into the sunlight.

However, the sight that greeted him froze him in his tracks.

A scorch-release kunoichi surrounded by orbs of flame, a white-haired swordsman wielding a chakra blade, and a hooded Aburame clan shinobi awaited him.

He recognized them all.

And in that moment, Kitsuchi wished he didn't recognize a single one of them.

"Man, you should've fought me instead," Shu said leisurely, emerging from the tunnel with a crooked grin. "At least that would've been less demoralizing than this."

Kitsuchi turned to glance at Shu, forcing a grim smile. "Any chance you'll let me go, for old times' sake?"

"Nope." Shu stepped over to stand beside Pakura and Hatake Sakumo, his grin widening. "They're the ones in charge here."

Kitsuchi's face remained stiff.

The advantage was his?

This had to be the worst joke of his life.

(End of Chapter)

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