Chapter 91

"You… what are you trying to do? You'd better release me, or else… ugh."

Hyuga Xingshi tried to struggle, but his body refused to obey him. Shinki tightened his grip, cutting off any attempt to activate a jutsu.

"Pathetic."

The word echoed in Xingshi's mind like thunder. His pale eyes widened, and he dangled from Shinki's hand, lifeless as a broken puppet.

"Shinki, let him go! Let him go, now!" The branch family members who had come to protect Xingshi were stunned. They couldn't comprehend how this situation had escalated so rapidly. They felt an overwhelming sense of dread, as if they were in the presence of a wild beast, and their bodies wouldn't respond.

A branch family member daring to strangle someone from the main family?

Unthinkable.

In any other context, they would have laughed it off as a joke. Now, they couldn't find any humor in it. Did Hyuga Xingshi not even know how to activate the Caged Bird Seal?

Ignoring their pleas, Shinki let go of Xingshi, who crumpled to the floor. As he knelt there, Shinki placed a hand on his head, and a soft, blue chakra sphere seeped into Xingshi's body.

"Who sent you?"

"It was… the clan leader…" Xingshi's voice was flat, like a puppet pulled by invisible strings.

"The clan leader…?"

Xingshi's voice came out haltingly, and Shinki's brows knitted together.

"Never mind. I'll find out myself. This might sting a bit. Bear with it."

The blue chakra enveloped Xingshi, causing his body to shudder. Shinki closed his eyes, letting the scenes flash before him: the clan leader issuing top-secret orders to pressure Shinki into handing over the puppets and their secrets, the instructions to teach him a lesson, and the clandestine approach to the medical room.

So, they snuck in quietly, did they?

"Maybe I should take a little interest first," Shinki thought, recalling the mistreatment he'd faced in the family. A smirk played on his lips as he pressed his fingers into Xingshi's head, leaning in close.

"Remember to be more careful in your next life."

A surge of chakra shot through Xingshi's brain, and with a groan, he collapsed, lifeless.

"Your turn."

Shinki turned to the branch family guards, eyes cold and unyielding.

Despite his disdain for the Hyuga clan's internal politics, Shinki hadn't actively sought conflict. But the clan leader, Hyuga Tennin, had pushed too far, conspiring with the Third Hokage to exert pressure on him. And to do what—teach him a lesson?

Well, Shinki decided he'd return the favor. The death of a main family member would undoubtedly send a powerful message to the old man.

Cowardice hiding behind the main family's name deserved no respect. If the illustrious Hyuga ancestors knew their successor was such a coward, they'd roll in their graves.

With quick precision, Shinki collected the bodies and sealed them in a scroll. He erased any signs of their presence and resumed reading his book as if nothing had happened.

At the command center, Nara Shikako, after handling the arrival of reinforcements, suddenly remembered the Hyuga team that had come with them. They had disappeared shortly after reaching the camp.

He had been too occupied to think about it at the time, but now that the chaos had settled, concern bubbled up.

Worried, Shikako hurried to the medical room, only to find Shinki lounging in his chair, reading casually.

"Senior, looking for me?" Shinki set the book aside and stood up, stretching nonchalantly.

"Did someone come to see you?" Shikako asked, eyes narrowing.

Shinki tilted his head in confusion. "Does the pretty nurse count?"

"....."

Forget the nurse—I'm worried you've stirred up trouble!

Shikako sighed, rubbing a thumb against his lips. "Stop bothering the medical staff. If Tsunade finds out, she'll have your head."

"Understood," Shinki said with a playful grin.

"Good. Take care of yourself. I have plenty of work waiting at the command center."

Back at the headquarters, Shikako massaged his temples. The Third Hokage had stirred the pot, and Shinki wasn't one to back down. Shikako was caught in between, unable to align with either side.

Well, I never saw any Hyuga clan members, so why dwell on it? 

The camp was busy enough, and Shikako decided not to waste energy worrying about things beyond his control.

Don't ask; I know nothing.

A few days passed without any word from the Hyuga team, leaving the Third Hokage anxious. He ordered the intelligence unit to contact Shikako for information.

When the inquiry reached the camp, Shikako braced himself. I knew this would happen.

He had no choice but to maintain the facade. He was too far along on this path, especially with Tsunade's influence overshadowing him.

The Third Hokage, under the guise of showing concern for the Hyuga clan, had put Shikako in a difficult position. But Shikako responded truthfully:

"The Hyuga team? I haven't seen them."

That was his story, and he'd stick to it.

When this message reached the Third Hokage, he was stunned.

They haven't been seen?

A chill ran down his spine. The situation was more severe than he'd anticipated. If only branch members were missing, the Hyuga clan might overlook it. But a main family member had vanished without a trace!

"Investigate! We need to find out what happened!"

No one could overlook the disappearance of the Hyuga team, especially considering their secretive mission to the front lines. The Third Hokage had to provide an explanation.

If they're alive, I want to see them. If they're dead, I want their bodies.

In his rush, the Third Hokage dispatched Anbu to investigate, forgetting one crucial detail: the Anbu now served under Tsunade's command, and things had changed.