On December 27th, the Cloud Village delegation arrived in Konoha. The main streets were crowded with villagers welcoming them, while banners and streamers stretched down both sides of the avenue.
The envoy leading the delegation was no small figure, his rank was equal to that of a frontline commander. Yet his appearance left much to be desired. A Kumo forehead protector covered his right eye, his hair was thinning, and a coarse beard framed his jaw, giving off an impression of slyness and ill intent.
In an ancient dynasty, such a man would never have been chosen as envoy. His very face inspired mistrust.
Still, he and the other Hidden Cloud shinobi wore practiced smiles, waving grandly to the people as they passed, heading straight for the Hokage Building plaza where the reception would take place.
A raised platform had been prepared beneath the Hokage Tower. On it sat the Konoha 'F4,' the heads of departments, and the leaders of major clans. Around the plaza, the Konoha Military Police and Anbu maintained order. The plaza itself was packed with villagers and shinobi, their voices buzzing in an endless chorus of chatter.
On the high platform, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was grave. He leaned slightly toward his Anbu Captain and daughter-in-law, Sarutobi Kyoko.
"Have the Hyuga still not arrived?" His voice was cold.
"Today is the third birthday of the Hyuga Main Family's eldest daughter," Kyoko replied softly. "All Hyuga members have gone to the banquet." Though beautiful, her face carried a frown of displeasure.
"…Understood."
But as the Cloud delegation drew near, the Hokage's sternness melted into a mask of warmth and geniality. His smile was practiced, his tone light, yet the chill beneath it was obvious.
Kyoko's eyes narrowed. The Old Man is furious. The Hyuga will pay for this…
The Hyuga Clan's absence was impossible to hide. They were one of Konoha's pillars, second only to the Uchiha, and known across the shinobi world. For them to publicly boycott such an important ceremony sent a message that could not be ignored.
Uchiha Gen, standing nearby, understood immediately. Having lived this moment once before, he knew the reason.
This was no mere birthday celebration. This was Hiashi Hyuga's way of spitting in Sarutobi's face.
Why? Because the Third had reclaimed the Hokage's seat, yet the Fifth's successor had not been named.
Hiashi likely believed he was the most fitting candidate. With Minato dead, the Sannin gone, and Fugaku assassinated, who remained but him? Gen was powerful, yes, but too young, too new to fame, and without the depth of foundation needed to ascend.
In the original timeline, Hiashi had surely thought the same way. With the Uchiha weakened by the Nine-Tails incident, Fugaku sidelined, and no Sannin or Minato, the Hyuga patriarch saw himself as the natural choice.
Thus, his order: no Hyuga was to attend the peace celebration. Every member was instead to gather for Hinata's birthday.
But such defiance bordered on madness. Even if Hiashi himself couldn't attend, he could have sent an elder, a branch head, or even a single branch member as token presence.
Instead—no one.
He can't be so blind, Gen thought. Unless ambition has clouded his reason.
And Hiashi truly had failed to consider two fatal points.
First, the Caged Bird seal. It wasn't merely a safeguard for the Byakugan; it was a tool of control. A Hokage wielding such a curse would terrify every ninja outside the clan. Who would accept a leader capable of turning comrades into shackled slaves? Even a thousand promises from Hiashi would not dispel that fear.
Second, the unspoken laws of Hokage succession. Without overwhelming strength, influence, and support, one could not simply claim the seat. The title was as much politics as it was power.
Hiashi ignored both truths. His gamble would only invite disaster.
Still, these thoughts didn't distract Gen. He moved with the other clan heads, performing the formalities with perfect composure. His multitasking mind weighed every angle while his outward presence betrayed nothing.
The ceremony ended smoothly. As the villagers dispersed, special escorts led the Cloud delegation to Konoha's most luxurious hotel.
Night soon fell. The village was alive with celebration, lanterns and laughter spilling across the streets in honor of peace.
Inside the delegation's hotel, a shadow slipped past guards without effort and entered the envoy's private room.
"Who's there?" the Cloud leader barked, kunai flashing to his hand.
A low voice answered. "It's me."
The intruder removed his mask, revealing a stern, bandaged face.
"…Lord Danzo."
The envoy's lips curved in a sly smile. "What business brings you here in such secrecy?"
"I've come to make a deal."
"Oh? What kind of deal?"
Danzo's single visible eye was cold. "You came for the Byakugan, didn't you?"
The envoy's face twitched, then hardened into feigned outrage. "We came with sincerity, Lord Danzo! Do not slander us. Such baseless accusations could shatter the peace our nations have fought so hard to achieve. Do you intend to bear that responsibility?"
Danzo sneered. "Heh… enough pretending. You're dying, are you not? A terminal illness. Kumogakure sends a man with one foot in the grave as envoy, do you think Konoha doesn't know?"
The envoy's stomach lurched. Damn Konoha spies…
"Don't be nervous. The deal concerns the Byakugan," Danzo continued evenly. "But not just any Byakugan. I can give you the eyes of the Hyuga Clan Head himself. Far purer than any ordinary Main Family heir's."
The envoy's voice lowered. "Why would you… do this?"
"Did you see any Hyuga at today's ceremony? Hiashi Hyuga covets what he should not. He needs to be punished."
Understanding flashed in the envoy's eyes. "I see… Then how do you propose we cooperate?"
"Not we," Danzo corrected coldly. "You and I. This has nothing to do with anyone else."
The envoy chuckled darkly. "Hah! As expected of the Darkness of Konoha. I admire you."
"And I, you," Danzo replied smoothly. "Even dying, you serve your village with courage. Such men are rare."
The envoy laughed, booming and bold enough to mask the treachery in his nature. "Then let us drink! Perhaps my last."
Danzo agreed. Food and wine were quickly fetched by hotel staff. The two men sat across from each other, cups clinking as they began their negotiation.
Danzo laid it out plainly: "You will infiltrate Hiashi's home and steal his daughter, Hinata. You'll be discovered and slain by Hiashi himself. Your subordinates, enraged, will demand his life in compensation. A life for a life."
The envoy listened, then raised two concerns.
"First, how can you guarantee we obtain the Byakugan?"
Danzo's tone was measured. "You can never guarantee. But the Hyuga will kill to prevent their dōjutsu from leaking. That desperation is our best chance. Even if you fail, Kumogakure will not abandon your sacrifice. I've already secured payment for your family through the black market."
He slid a paper across the table. The envoy read it, nodded slowly, and smirked. "Your sincerity is strong."
"Second," the envoy said, "how do I get past the Hyuga's all-seeing eyes?"
Danzo's confidence did not waver. "Anbu around this hotel will be replaced by Root in half an hour. They'll handle the Police Force as well. I'll provide patrol routes, and more.." He unfurled three scrolls.
The envoy examined them. The first was a partial map of Konoha marked with patrols. The second, a residence layout. The third—an intricate defense grid.
"This is..."
"The Hyuga clan grounds patrol map," Danzo confirmed.
The envoy was stunned. "You even have this?"
Danzo's eye narrowed. "Hiashi has made enemies among his own elders. Fear, ambition... they've given me what I need. Follow the red lines on that map, and not even the Byakugan will catch you."
The envoy exhaled deeply, then raised his cup. "Then, to our cooperation."
Danzo clinked his cup. "Successful cooperation."
They drained their drinks. Soon after, Danzo masked himself again and slipped from the hotel with practiced ease.
The envoy lingered. He ordered hangover food, then stood by the window, gazing at the moon while savoring what might be his final meal. The festive noise of Konoha washed faintly through the glass.
At precisely 9:30 PM, the envoy left his room.