Chapter 47: The Hokage's Gambit
The crisp morning air of a small town in the Land of Bears was a stark contrast to the cloying, metallic scent of chakra that had hung over Hoshigakure. Ren, fully rested and his chakra reserves replenished after a night's sleep, felt the weight of his new, monumental goal settle on his shoulders. The "Clone Tailed Beast" plan was not just a mission; it was a paradigm shift. Before embarking on such an impossible journey, however, he needed direction. He purchased a detailed map from the innkeeper, spreading it on a worn wooden table to study the intricate web of nations and hidden villages. His finger traced a path south, then west, skirting the border of the Land of Fire. He wasn't ready to return to the heart of that nation, not yet. There were smaller, less conspicuous countries to explore, places where a lone Uchiha could observe the world's turning without drawing the immediate attention of a Major Village's ANBU.
Meanwhile, several days' journey away, within the heart of the Land of Fire, a palpable tension had settled over the Hokage's office. The Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, sat behind her massive desk, her famously powerful hands steepled under her chin. Her brow was furrowed in a deep frown as she stared at a single, unassuming letter held in her hand. The morning sun streamed through the window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air, but it did little to lighten the room's heavy atmosphere.
Seeing her troubled expression, Shizune, her ever-present assistant, paused in her task of organizing a stack of mission reports. The small pig, Tonton, oinked softly at her feet, sensing the shift in mood.
"Lady Tsunade," Shizune began, her voice laced with concern. "Whose letter is that? You've been staring at it for ten minutes. Did something happen?"
Tsunade didn't answer immediately. Instead, she let out a slow, weary breath and finally handed the parchment to Shizune. "See for yourself."
Shizune quickly took it, her eyes scanning the elegant, yet precise script. As she read, her own expression shifted from curiosity to surprise, then to grim understanding. "Lady Tsunade... is this a secret missive from Hoshigakure? From the Fourth Hoshikage herself?"
"It is," Tsunade confirmed, her voice low. She stood up and walked to the window, looking out over her vibrant village, a stark contrast to the devastation described in the letter.
"Hoshigakure? Wait a moment..." Shizune wasn't intimately familiar with the minor village. She hurried to a large bookshelf stacked with files and intelligence reports, her fingers quickly tracing the spines. "Ah, here it is." She pulled a folder out, dust floating in the sunbeam she disturbed. "Hoshigakure, the Village Hidden Among Stars, located in the Land of Bears. The village is named for a meteorite that fell there two centuries ago. Their ninja train near it, as its unique radiation is said to react with and amplify chakra." Latest content published on NoveI-Fire.ɴet
She scanned the document further, summarizing for her Hokage. "They are known for their Peacock Method technique, which allows them to shape chakra into various forms and even achieve flight. The first leader of the village titled themselves 'Hoshikage.'" She paused, frowning. "The file notes that training with the Star was banned by the Third Hoshikage about a decade ago due to... severe side effects. The rumors suggest it causes catastrophic physical degeneration. But it seems the practice resumed after his death a year ago."
Tsunade turned from the window, her face serious. "And now they've paid the price for that ambition. The letter states that a single shinobi infiltrated their village, slaughtered a significant portion of their ninja force—including their acting Hoshikage—and made off with their precious 'Star.'"
Shizune's eyes widened. "A single shinobi? That level of destruction..."
"The most critical piece of information," Tsunade interrupted, her gaze hardening, "is that during the confrontation, this attacker revealed his kekkei genkai. The Fourth Hoshikage saw it with her own eyes: the crimson pupils, the three swirling tomoe. The Sharingan."
The word hung in the air between them, heavy with implication.
"The Sharingan..." Shizune breathed out, the pieces falling into place. "That's why they're writing to us. They believe Konoha is responsible."
"Exactly," Tsunade said, striding back to her desk and slamming a fist down, making the wood groan. "In the entire world, there are only a handful of people who possess that dōjutsu. Kakashi, but he would never commit such an atrocity. Uchiha Itachi... but his patterns are different; he works from the shadows, not with such blatant, destructive force. And then there's..."
"Sasuke Uchiha," Shizune finished the thought, her voice barely a whisper.
Tsunade nodded grimly. "Whether it's a rogue Konoha shinobi or a missing-nin we're already tracking, this reflects poorly on us. We cannot ignore this. We must investigate and, if possible, apprehend the perpetrator. It is our duty, both to justice and to our village's reputation."
"Then what should we do? Who will you send?" Shizune asked.
Tsunade thought for a moment, her strategic mind weighing the options. She needed a team capable of handling a potential confrontation with a Sharingan user, one with excellent tracking and analytical skills. "Go and summon Team Guy," she instructed finally. "Have Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee report to me immediately."
"Understood, my lady." Shizune bowed slightly and hurried out of the office.
It didn't take long for the three members of Team Guy to arrive, standing at attention before the Hokage's desk. Their sensei, Might Guy, was presumably on another mission.
"I have a B-Rank investigation mission for you," Tsunade began without preamble, handing the letter to Neji. "You are to travel to Hoshigakure in the Land of Bears. A severe incident has occurred there, and the perpetrator is suspected to be a user of the Sharingan. Hyūga Neji, your Byakugan will be essential for gathering intelligence and detecting any deception. You will act as team captain."
Neji accepted the letter, his white eyes scanning the contents with focused intensity. "We understand, Lady Hokage."
Just as Tsunade was about to dismiss them, the office door burst open. "Hey! Granny Tsunade! I heard from Shikamaru that Neji's team is going on a cool mission! Can I go? Please?"
Naruto Uzumaki stood there, a brilliant, expectant grin on his face. The mere mention of a mission outside the village was enough to ignite his enthusiasm.
Tsunade massaged her temples. "Naruto, this is a delicate investigation, not a joyride."
"Come on! I'll be good! I'll listen to Neji, I promise! I can be a big help!" he pleaded, his energy filling the room. Seeing her resolve waver, he played his ultimate card, pulling a box of high-quality yōkan from behind his back. "I even brought you a present!"
Tsunade's eyes locked onto the sweet bean jelly. A silent battle waged behind her eyes between duty and desire. With a sigh of defeat, she snatched the box. "Fine! But you follow Neji's orders without question, you hear me, knucklehead? One step out of line and I'll have you cleaning the academy latrines for a month!"
"Yes! Thank you, Granny Tsunade! You're the best!" Naruto cheered, already pumping his fist in the air.
Neji simply closed his eyes for a brief moment, accepting the inevitable chaos Naruto brought. "Very well. Naruto, we leave within the hour. Do not be late."
The journey to the Land of Bears was spent with Naruto's endless chatter and Rock Lee's enthusiastic proclamations about youth, while Neji and Tenten maintained a more watchful silence. After a long trek, they found themselves at the edge of a dense forest that marked the border of Hoshigakure's territory.
"We are close," Neji stated, his Byakugan already active, veins pulsing around his eyes. "There is a natural chasm ahead that serves as a barrier. I will take the vanguard to—"
"Yosh! We're almost there! Let's go!" Naruto, too excited to listen, blasted past Neji and charged ahead towards the ominous, yellow-tinged mist that filled the gorge.
"Naruto, wait! It's dangerous!" Neji shouted, but it was too late.
As Naruto neared the mist, several crossbow bolts whizzed through the air, thudding into the ground just in front of his feet, forcing him to skid to a halt. Startled, he jumped back to the safety of the cliff edge where his team stood.
"Are you alright?" Tenten asked, her hands already reaching for her weapon scroll.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" Naruto yelled, brandishing a kunai.
A figure emerged from the mist on the opposite side of the chasm, wearing a gas mask and holding a crossbow. Without a word, the figure fired another bolt, this one trailing a rope, which embedded itself deep into a tree trunk beside them. The masked shinobi then expertly zipped across the rope, landing gracefully before them.
"Hey! Was that you who shot at me?" Naruto demanded, ready to fight.
"Stop, Naruto!" Neji commanded, his Byakugan seeing what others could not. "He's not the enemy."
The figure slowly removed his gas mask, revealing the stern, unfriendly face of a young man—Ang. His eyes held a deep-seated resentment as they scanned the Konoha headbands.
"Tch. Konoha ninja," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "I am Ang, a shinobi of Hoshigakure. I'm here to... escort you." The word 'escort' sounded more like 'prisoner' the way he said it.
"Saving me? By shooting at me?" Naruto retorted, still angry.
"He was," Neji interjected calmly. He pointed into the chasm, where a small bird, curious about the commotion, had flown too close to the yellow haze. The moment its wings touched the mist, it seized up and plummeted from the sky. "That poisonous gas is a natural barrier. You were about to run headlong into a lethal trap."
Naruto paled, finally understanding. "Oh..."
"Looks like I was nosy for nothing," Ang scoffed, turning his back on them. "Don't even expect a thank you. Whatever. The Star— Lord Hoshikage has been waiting. Try to keep up." Without another word, he stepped onto the rope and began crossing back to the other side, expecting them to follow.
"That guy... what's his problem?!" Naruto muttered, scowling at Ang's retreating back.
"That 'problem' is likely the reason we were summoned here," Neji replied, his voice quiet and serious. "Everyone, be on your guard. Follow me."
One by one, the Konoha shinobi balanced their way across the rope bridge, leaving the safety of the forest behind and stepping into the heart of a tragedy waiting to be unveiled.
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