Naruto's disappearance was one thing.
Enraging Tsunade was another.
Hiashi Hyuga, shaped by decades of conservative clan tradition, never took unnecessary risks. The only time he had ever defied the Hyuga way was during the incident when his daughter was kidnapped. But after Sarutobi Hiruzen's persuasion, pressure from the main family elders, and his brother Hizashi's willing sacrifice, that spark of rebellion had been crushed.
Since then, Hiashi had become just like every Hyuga clan head before him—a rigid traditionalist.
That was clear from how he raised Hinata. It had been the same in the original timeline, and it remained true here.
So when Hinata acted on her own like this, Hiashi was genuinely furious.
Seeing her father this angry, Hinata's small frame trembled slightly.
"I'm very sorry, Father… but Naruto-kun really wanted to see Menma-kun. I just… I wanted to help him."
Her voice was soft and shaky, but the determination behind it was unmistakable—just like in the original story.
For Naruto, this Hyuga girl was willing to risk everything, even her life.
"You… Do you even understand how dangerous Menma Uzumaki is right now!? Even if he is Naruto's brother, he is an S-rank rogue ninja of the Leaf. He has killed many of our comrades! Did any of you children even consider how dangerous it would be to let Naruto meet him now!?"
Hiashi looked exhausted and disappointed—not just with his daughter, but with the children of several close allies as well.
That's right.
Naruto had only managed to slip past the ANBU because of help from others. Hinata's assistance had been the most critical—the Byakugan's scouting ability was simply too powerful.
It had allowed her to pinpoint every ANBU's exact location.
That had been the decisive factor in Naruto's escape plan.
When Hiashi received the news later, his face had gone deathly pale.
Hinata's close relationship with Naruto was something Hiashi had always approved of. In the original timeline he hadn't opposed it, and in this life Naruto carried the honored title of the Fourth Hokage's son.
But helping him escape like this? That was something else entirely.
"Enough. For the next while, you will remain confined to the compound. You are not to leave the clan grounds without my permission. Shinichi, Tengen—you two will watch her closely. Do you understand?"
Hiashi took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He waved his hand and spoke with absolute authority to his daughter and the two main-branch guards kneeling at the side.
"Yes, Lord Clan Head."
The two guards assigned to protect Hinata bowed in unison.
"Father, I…"
Hinata stood up quickly, wanting to say more, but Hiashi had already turned and strode out of the room without giving her the chance.
She tried to follow.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
The two guards immediately stepped in front of her, blocking the way.
"Lady Hinata, please don't make this difficult for us. For the time being, you must stay inside the compound."
The young man on the left—with a neat middle-part hairstyle and around twenty years old—smiled bitterly as he spoke.
As her guards, if they disobeyed Hiashi's orders and let Hinata go, they would face severe punishment. The Hyuga clan's hierarchy and rules were extremely strict.
Hinata understood this perfectly. If she caused trouble now, she would only hurt the two men in front of her.
Kind-hearted as she was, she couldn't bring herself to act selfishly. She could only sigh quietly in her heart and gaze toward the distant east, silently praying for Naruto.
'Naruto-kun… I hope everything goes well for you.'
Another unexpected development.
If it had been an ordinary shinobi acting on a whim, it wouldn't have mattered. But Naruto's identity was far too special. And more importantly, the Fifth Hokage Tsunade cared deeply about him.
The Hidden Leaf was mobilizing on a large scale once again.
This kind of movement could never be hidden.
News spread rapidly across the ninja world.
Meanwhile, deep inside an underground cave not far from the Leaf Village…
"Oh? They're sending more troops to the front lines again? Looks like Tsunade has truly made up her mind to deal with Menma-kun. But for him to be this strong already… heh. He keeps surprising me again and again."
A slightly hoarse voice echoed softly.
In the dim light, a tall, slender figure was faintly visible.
Under the weak illumination, his skin looked unnaturally pale—almost sickly.
It was Orochimaru.
He stared at the scroll in his hand, a glint of interest flickering in his snake-like eyes.
"Send more people to search. If nothing unexpected happens, the Leaf will definitely send more Hyuga members this time. Branch family shinobi won't do—I need a main branch member. If the opportunity isn't right, report back to me immediately. I'll handle it personally. The experiment has finally reached the final stage. What I need most right now is a real Byakugan… and the blood of a main branch Hyuga to test it."
Orochimaru licked his lips, his expression filled with naked greed as he looked at Kabuto Yakushi standing to the side.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru. Please rest assured. We have personnel stationed at every key location, and the agents we planted earlier have all received new orders. If the Hyuga clan sends any main branch members, we will definitely catch their trail."
Kabuto pushed up his glasses and smiled confidently.
A main branch Hyuga.
That was why Orochimaru had left his southern base and secretly returned to the area near the Hidden Leaf Village.
Earlier, when Menma had made a deal with Orochimaru, he had used special intelligence about the Hyuga clan's Byakugan as part of the exchange.