The streets of Konoha glowed under lantern light, filled with laughter and color.
The welcoming ceremony for Kumogakure's envoy had turned the village into a festival ground. Villagers clapped, children waved miniature flags, and merchants shouted blessings of peace.
From above the rooftops, Uchiha Yun watched in silence.
To the ordinary people, peace meant everything. As long as no new war began, the world felt bright again. But Yun knew peace was the most fragile illusion of all.
He stood atop a high water tower, his senses spread wide, scanning the endless flow of chakra signatures in the crowd.
On the main street below, three Kumogakure ninja walked in formation, waving cheerfully to the people. The one in front wore a single eye bandaged shut.
'There he is.'
Yun's gaze sharpened. The envoy's posture was calm, his smile polite—but behind that facade was something off.
'A dead man walking.'
He remembered how the story was supposed to unfold. That man would later sneak into the Hyuga Clan Estate under cover of night, attempt to kidnap the heiress, and die by Hyuga Hiashi's Gentle Fist.
But it wasn't just a foolish mission. It was a calculated death.
A political trap disguised as diplomacy.
Yun frowned. 'A man sent to die, just to ignite a war… the same method Root used countless times.'
Swish!
Kakashi appeared beside him in a flicker of movement. "Everything's going smoothly." he said. "Did you notice anything unusual?"
Yun shook his head. "No direct signs. But… not a single Hyuga has shown up today. Doesn't that strike you as strange?"
Kakashi's visible eye narrowed. "I heard they're busy with internal matters at the estate. No one from the clan was given guard assignments."
Below them, cheers rose to a crescendo.
At the end of the long street, Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato accepted the treaty scroll from the Kumogakure envoy and pressed the Hokage's seal onto it. The symbol of alliance gleamed under the torchlight.
The crowd erupted.
Yun exhaled quietly. 'A peace signed on the blood of a pawn will never last.'
His eyes stayed fixed on the envoy, whose faint smile carried the serenity of someone who had already accepted death.
Kumogakure's plan was simple and cruel. Whoever struck down the envoy would become the spark that ended peace.
And they had already chosen their scapegoat.
…
Inside the Hyuga Clan Estate.
Neji sat on his knees, his small body trembling slightly as the mark burned into his forehead glowed faintly—the newly branded Caged Bird Cursed Seal.
Before him, the three-year-old Hyuga Hinata stood timidly beside her father.
"She's so cute, father." Neji said softly, smiling with childish innocence.
Beside him, Hyuga Hizashi stared down at the mark on his son's head. His hands clenched on his knees until the veins bulged.
"That is… the one you must protect." Hizashi murmured, his voice heavy. "Protect her with your life. This is your destiny, Neji."
The boy didn't understand the sorrow beneath his father's words. He only nodded earnestly. "Yes! I'll protect Hinata-sama with my life."
Hizashi looked away, heart twisting.
If Neji had been born into the main family, his fate would have been different. That single accident of birth had locked him into servitude.
Guilt and bitterness welled inside him. The curse mark symbolized everything he despised—the cage around the branch family's wings.
…
Later that day, after the clan's rituals ended, Hyuga Hiashi called Hizashi and Neji to stay behind.
In the training hall, Hiashi observed his young daughter's lesson.
"Focus your chakra." Hiashi instructed.
Hinata tried. The result was pitiful—a weak burst of chakra barely flickered from her palms.
Hiashi sighed. His disappointment was palpable.
Watching from the side, Hizashi's jaw tightened.
'She's the heiress? She can't even form a proper stance!'
The injustice burned within him. 'Because of a few minutes' difference at birth, my son bears a curse, and she inherits the clan?'
The veins at the corner of his eyes pulsed as chakra surged uncontrollably.
Hiashi's head snapped up instantly. "Hizashi!"
Fwoosh!
In an instant, Hiashi stepped in front of Hinata and formed a seal.
Ahhh!!!
A scream tore through the room as the curse mark ignited. Hizashi dropped to the floor, writhing in agony.
"Father!" Neji cried, helpless, frozen in place.
Hiashi lowered his hand after a moment, watching his brother's trembling body. "Take your son and leave. No one must speak of this."
Hizashi struggled to his feet, his face expressionless. He took Neji's hand and left silently.
Bang.
The door closed behind him. Hiashi stood there alone, the faint sobs of Hinata echoing in the quiet hall.
He exhaled slowly.
Deliberately keeping Hizashi behind. Deliberately showcasing Hinata's weakness. It was all calculated.
Rumors of a genius from the branch family had begun spreading months ago. The old traditions of the Hyuga would never allow a branch family to rise above the main line.
Only by showing him the futility of rebellion could Hiashi ensure Hizashi's obedience.
The curse mark on Neji's forehead was more than a symbol—it was a reminder.
The destiny of the branch house was unchangeable.
…
Two nights later.
Swish!
A dark figure slipped over the Hyuga Estate wall and landed silently on the tiled roof, heading straight for Hinata's room.
From the shadows above, Kakashi adjusted his forehead protector, revealing the spinning Sharingan beneath.
'He's finally moving… just like Yun said.'
The envoy's real mission had begun.
Before Kakashi could move, a hand landed on his shoulder.
"It's useless." a calm voice said. "If you step in, you'll drag Yondaime-sama into it too."
Kakashi turned sharply. Yun stood behind him, cloak fluttering in the wind.
"I need to know why." Kakashi whispered.
Yun nodded toward the shadows below. "Look closely with your eye. The chakra in that man's body has been fractured for two days—he's already dying. He came to Konoha knowing he wouldn't leave alive."
Kakashi's eye widened.
"He'll use a sealing technique to simulate the internal damage inflicted by Gentle Fist. No matter who kills him, the evidence will point to Hyuga."
Below them, the masked figure slipped through the corridor window, reemerging moments later with a small, unconscious Hinata in his arms.
But before he could leap away—
A pebble rolled across the courtyard.
Swish!
Hiashi appeared, eyes blazing. "Who are you? How dare you trespass in the Hyuga Estate of Konoha!"
The dark figure said nothing. His chakra flared violently. His intent was clear—he was ready to die.
"Then die!"
Hiashi's palm thrust forward.
Boom!
A blast of air exploded outward. The intruder coughed blood, his body slamming into the wall before crumpling to the ground.
Hiashi frowned. The man was far too weak.
He bent down, lifted Hinata into his arms, and reached to pull away the mask.
Thwack!
His hand froze. The envoy's face stared back at him.
'Kumogakure's official representative.'
Hiashi's eyes widened in horror. His breath caught in his throat as realization dawned.
A trap.
*****
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✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
✓ Naruto: Senmei Asahi
✓ Naruto: Uchiha's Intelligence Dealer
✓ Naruto: The Fifth Hokage Is Naruto's Uncle
✓ Naruto: Who Made Him a Ninja?
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✓ To Love-Ru: Spoiler Route [R-18]
✓ Naruto: The Accidental Incubus [R-18]