The moon was at its peak.
Haruki's wood clone sneaked into Hiruko's tent.
"Who is it?"
Hiruko noticed Haruki in front of him and instinctively spoke out.
"It's me."
"What is it?"
"The plan has changed. Hatake Sakumo wants to distribute the Hyuga clan's ninjas among different teams. After consulting Lord Danzo, he suggested we act now."
"Alright, how do we proceed?" Hiruko agreed readily, eager for the plan to move quickly.
"According to the information from Lord Danzo, they are stationed near Shinmeigawa."
Haruki summoned a storage scroll and took out the attire and forehead protectors of the Cloud Ninjas.
"Let's move out now." Hiruko immediately changed his clothes.
"Be careful not to be detected by the Anbu." Haruki reminded.
"I've lived in Konoha for nearly thirty years and am familiar with your Root. The Anbu won't notice my presence," Hiruko said, looking at Haruki with disdain.
"If that's the case, all the better."
Haruki made a swift departure from the tent.
Hiruko's eyes showed a flash of murderous intent.
Hmph, one day, I'll get my hands on Wood Release.
In his eyes, the Wood Release of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, was one of the best and strongest Kekkei Genkai.
Meanwhile.
Haruki's true self was drinking tea with Hatake Sakumo.
"You're in a hurry."
Haruki sipped his tea slowly and placed the cup down gently.
Hatake Sakumo gulped his tea down in one go.
"Maybe you're overthinking it. There's been no report from the Anbu so far. Maybe there's no traitor in our camp."
"You're being too optimistic. Even comrades can betray you." Haruki casually commented while stroking the teacup.
"But that's rare." Hatake Sakumo disagreed. "As a commander, I have to trust my subordinates and cherish my comrades."
"Seems like you're really not fit to be a commander." Haruki said bluntly.
"I never wanted to be a commander in the first place." Hatake Sakumo sighed. "I'm more suited to completing missions."
"And what about being Hokage?" Haruki pointed to his half-sleeved Hokage attire. "Your current reputation surpasses the Sannin. If nothing goes wrong, you'll be the next Hokage."
"I know myself well enough to know I'm not Hokage material." Hatake Sakumo shook his head.
"You're quite carefree."
Haruki had known him for a while and agreed that his personality wasn't suited for being Hokage.
But unfortunately, the position of Hokage was too tempting.
Anyone who posed a threat would inevitably fall victim to Danzo Shimura's schemes.
"Lord Hatake, Lord Haruki."
An Anbu ninja appeared.
As a direct unit of the Hokage, they specialized in intelligence gathering.
Even during war, it was no exception.
"We just spotted two Cloud Ninjas leaving our camp."
"Cloud Ninjas?" Hatake Sakumo's face darkened. "Did you see who they were?"
"No. These two were very familiar with our Anbu. We were lucky to notice their tracks at the checkpoint Lord Haruki mentioned. To avoid alerting them, we didn't get closer."
"Damn it!" Hatake Sakumo slammed the table. He hated those who betrayed their comrades the most.
"Where did they head?" Haruki took over the questioning from Hatake Sakumo.
"Shinmeigawa, the Hyuga clan's camp."
"Haruki, you were right." Hatake Sakumo stood up. "We need to go rescue them now."
"Wait, Sakumo."
Haruki stopped him and turned to the Anbu ninja, asking, "Any movement from the Sand Ninjas?"
"None."
"We need to leave a large force here to prevent the Sand Ninjas from noticing anything unusual."
Haruki suggested, "The Cloud Ninjas shouldn't be many in number. After all, the two who attacked you might be A and Bee, the heirs of the Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, whose strength is extraordinary."
Hatake Sakumo frowned.
The Anbu's information was speculative, but having fought them himself, he knew they were formidable. Even if they weren't A and Bee, dealing with forty Hyuga ninjas wouldn't be a problem for them.
"Take twenty Jonin."
"I'll go with you." Haruki said.
"You're a medical ninja. It's too dangerous for you." Hatake Sakumo refused.
"I'm here to save people."
Haruki rubbed his forehead, revealing a diamond-shaped mark, the Yin Seal.
"You should recognize this technique. Even if you all die, I won't necessarily perish."
Hatake Sakumo hesitated but eventually agreed to Haruki's request.
With a high-level medical ninja like Haruki, their safety would greatly improve.
...
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Haruki and Hiruko simultaneously performed the jutsu, creating six clones.
The Hyuga's Byakugan could see through clones.
But the Shadow Clone Jutsu, developed by the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, had physical forms and could use chakra.
At a glance, they were indistinguishable from the real thing.
"Can you use Lightning Release?" Haruki asked.
"No."
"Then I'll attack. We retreat while fighting, leading them into the forest."
After saying this, Haruki put on a mask, as did his clones.
He leaped forward.
Purple lightning surrounded him, forming armor.
Although he didn't know the Raikage's Lightning Release Armor, he could use Lightning Release ninjutsu to achieve a similar visual effect.
His speed was incredibly fast.
He appeared on the banks of Shinmeigawa in an instant, forming hand signs.
Lightning Release: Ground Walk!
A large amount of lightning surged from his hands into the river, and screams echoed immediately.
Haruki gazed at the distant camp.
At this moment, it was ablaze with light.
A large number of ninjas rushed towards him.
A light sound.
The night sky was filled with colorful ninjutsu.
Although the Hyuga clan was known for the Byakugan and Taijutsu, it didn't mean they didn't use ninjutsu.
At this distance, Gentle Fist couldn't be used.
Naturally, Haruki wouldn't let them get close.
He and his clones shot out lightning balls while walking and kiting, maintaining a considerable distance.
To prevent them from giving up the chase, Hiruko launched a powerful attack, injuring several.
"I'll prepare the jutsu."
Haruki turned in mid-air and disappeared into the forest.
In no time, Hiruko and the Hyuga ninjas followed.
Haruki quickly formed hand signs.
A massive amount of chakra surged like a dragon, sweeping across the forest at an incredible speed.
"What?!"
The pursuing Hyuga ninjas suddenly looked up.
An unimaginable sense of oppression, like the Grim Reaper approaching, shook the ground.
"That guy!"
Hiruko couldn't help but feel immense fear and desire.
He had heard of the power of Wood Release, but witnessing it firsthand far exceeded his imagination.
Wood Release: Nativity of a World of Trees!
The ground cracked, and trees grew wildly wherever it touched.
Spaces filled up, leaving only destructive force, creating ripples.
"Damn it! What are you doing?"
Hiruko was horrified, his face full of disbelief.
Like the other Hyuga ninjas, he was bound by the branches, unable to move.