"Are you joking with me?"
After listening to Haruki, Hiruko couldn't help but sneer, "The main branch of the Hyuga clan has always resided in Konoha and their numbers are limited. The branch members are protected by the Caged Bird Seal. How could you possibly obtain the Byakugan?"
"Under normal circumstances, it's naturally impossible," Haruki explained, "But Lord Danzo has arranged everything. As long as you follow the plan, you can achieve your goal."
"What arrangements?" Hiruko, sensing that Haruki wasn't joking, asked eagerly.
Hiruko's Chimera Technique fuses with stronger Kekkei Genkai, thus enhancing his own abilities. In the original story, he had to settle for some relatively common Kekkei Genkai, as obtaining top-tier ones like the Sharingan or Byakugan was beyond his reach. The risk involved was considerable—had the Chimera Technique been simple, Hiruko would have been invincible.
Nonetheless, Haruki was intrigued. Theoretically, the Chimera Technique could be used to create the ultimate Kekkei Genkai collection.
"Because of the two jonin from the Hidden Cloud Village, Sakumo Hatake will recall a unit from the Hyuga clan consisting of about forty members."
"But these people are all from the branch family. What's the use of that?" Hiruko interjected.
"Listen to me," Haruki said with a faint smile, continuing, "The plan is simple. Disguised as Sand or Cloud ninja, we kidnap these forty people and then relay the message to the Hyuga clan, demanding that they trade a member of the main family for their release."
"Are you seriously suggesting this? There's no way the Hyuga clan would agree to such a trade," Hiruko said with a dark tone.
"Why not?" Haruki shook his head, "These forty members are the elite of the branch family. If they're not rescued, the branch family will surely revolt."
"With the Caged Bird Seal, the branch family can't stir up any trouble," Hiruko thought for a moment. "And besides, the main family doesn't have many members to spare."
"But losing these forty members would severely weaken them, and morally, they'd be in the wrong. With a bit of maneuvering from Lord Danzo, the Hyuga clan would suffer a significant blow."
"So that's Lord Danzo's real objective," Hiruko finally understood. The Hyuga clan was staunch supporters of the Third Hokage and were considered one of Konoha's strongest families.
"If the Hyuga clan is weakened, acquiring the Byakugan would be much easier for you, wouldn't it?"
After some consideration, Hiruko realized the plan was highly beneficial for him.
"But how do you plan to kidnap forty Hyuga members, many of whom are jonin?" Hiruko asked.
Haruki did not answer directly. Instead, he extended his hand, and a piece of wood appeared from his palm.
"Wood Release?!" Hiruko's face changed, and he exclaimed, "Has Danzo succeeded?"
Of course, Danzo had not succeeded. Without Orochimaru's help, he could never succeed, despite possessing the cells of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
"Yes," Haruki nodded. "Wood Release can control even the Nine-Tails. Are these forty Hyuga members more troublesome than the Nine-Tails?"
"Definitely not," Hiruko breathed a sigh of relief, smiling. "If you need anything from me, just let me know."
"It's simple. The Hyuga members are being recalled to track the elusive Cloud ninja. We can disguise ourselves as Cloud ninja and lure them into a trap," Haruki said, pulling out a map. "How about this valley? It's perfect for using Wood Release. It'll be like catching turtles in a jar."
"Let's go with that," Hiruko agreed, his attitude significantly altered towards Haruki, who could use Wood Release.
Hiruko's previous arrogance had turned into respect, but Haruki noticed his lingering resentment. Considering Hiruko's background and personality, it wasn't surprising. Hiruko, originally a peer of the Three Sannin and a friend of Orochimaru, had turned to human experimentation out of jealousy over their fame.
Haruki was confident Hiruko coveted his Wood Release. But he never bothered with those destined to fail.
After leaving Hiruko, Haruki returned to his main task—acting as a medical ninja. Despite his altered appearance, using Haruki's name, he had unimpeded access.
Injured personnel kept arriving. Sakumo Hatake had returned to the battlefield. Haruki wiped the sweat off his brow and went back to his tent to rest. He formed a hand sign, connecting his vision to his summoning beast, the slug.
Thanks to his training in medical ninjutsu with Tsunade, he had earned a summoning beast. Unfortunately, he hadn't learned Sage Mode in the Shikkotsu Forest.
After a moment, a forest scene appeared before his eyes, along with the sound of voices.
"Mikoto, Kushina and I will take care of the Sand ninja squad ahead. Use your genjutsu to put them to sleep," Minato Namikaze instructed, eyes fixed on the three enemy ninja.
Shuriken flew swiftly, alerting the Sand ninja. They stood up, looking towards the direction of the shuriken. The middle one quickly formed hand signs and spat out a whirlwind, deflecting the shuriken and cutting through the trees.
Minato appeared.
"Konoha ninjas!"
The Sand ninja recognized his headband. "Be careful, there must be more of them."
The Sand ninja rushed forward, throwing several shuriken. His hands came together, unleashing a powerful wind. The shuriken, wrapped in the wind, accelerated rapidly, cutting through the air like sharp knives.
Minato, unable to dodge, was hit but revealed to be a substitution.
The Sand ninja's eyes scanned around until he saw his two comrades entangled in golden chains.
What kind of jutsu is this?
His thoughts were interrupted as he reached into his pouch for more shuriken. Infusing them with wind chakra, he made them sharper and more durable. But a fireball from above collided with his shuriken. He looked up, only to see a pair of red eyes.
He froze on the spot, under the control of the Sharingan. Minato quickly dealt with the other two and dragged the hypnotized Sand ninja away.
Haruki withdrew his perception. As expected, the trio's strength had surpassed ordinary chunin, and they were safe for now.
When Sakumo Hatake returned, Haruki visited his tent.
"Those two Cloud ninjas are really elusive," Sakumo said upon seeing him.
As the commander, Sakumo couldn't show weakness in front of his subordinates, but with Haruki, who was his peer, he could speak freely.
"If you want to find them, you can only rely on the Hyuga clan," Haruki said casually.
"I've already sent the message. They'll arrive tomorrow."
"How do you plan to arrange them?"
"Of course, I'll place one in each squad."
"Sakumo, have you ever wondered why those two Cloud ninjas knew your movements beforehand?" Haruki's tone grew serious.
Sakumo was taken aback. He had the same suspicion but was reluctant to believe it.
"If someone leaked your movements, then the Hyuga's movements could also be leaked."
Haruki calmly analyzed, "If I were the Cloud ninja, I'd eliminate the Hyuga ninja first."