Hyūga Yuto's face turned ashen the moment he heard the report.
"What nonsense is this? If the Uchiha came personally, fine—but only one person?"
He muttered in disbelief, as though he had just heard the most absurd joke in existence.
At that moment, the tent flap lifted gently.
A young man dressed in Uchiha clan attire stepped inside, his eyes deep and composed. It was Uchiha Genkyo, his presence radiating quiet confidence.
"Captain Hyūga," Genkyo said calmly, "the Hidden Cloud reinforcements have been completely eliminated by Lord Shuoye and us. You may rest assured. The Eight-Tails jinchūriki has also been successfully captured. There is no longer any cause for concern."
His tone was steady, as if he were discussing something trivial.
Hyūga Yuto's eyes widened.
"What?! That's impossible!"
He nearly leapt to his feet.
They understood the Hidden Cloud's combat strength better than anyone—Lightning Release combined with their signature taijutsu made them terrifying killing machines on the battlefield.
Even if every Uchiha had activated their Sharingan, achieving such a result would have been no small feat—
Let alone capturing the Eight-Tails.
The surrounding shinobi erupted into murmurs.
Shock. Doubt. Disbelief.
"Uchiha Genkyo… are you serious? Just the few of you… defeated the Hidden Cloud reinforcements—and captured the Eight-Tails?"
One bold shinobi finally voiced the question, his voice trembling.
Genkyo smiled faintly.
"It is simply the truth."
"Lord Shuoye's strength far exceeds your imagination."
His words were brief—but they struck like thunder.
Just then, another shinobi burst into the tent, nearly shouting:
"Captain! The Hidden Cloud forces really have collapsed! We—we've won!"
Hyūga Yuto shot to his feet.
Disbelief flashed in his eyes—
Then overwhelming exhilaration.
So it was true.
Shuoye had fought the Eight-Tails—
And won.
Incredible.
Genkyo coughed lightly, drawing everyone's attention.
"Captain Hyūga, you have likely already guessed. That earth-shattering battle just now… was Lord Shuoye's doing."
He paused briefly.
"The Uchiha clan does not act arbitrarily. Lord Shuoye asked me to pass along a message."
"If the Hyūga clan ever encounters difficulty in the future, you may seek assistance from the Uchiha."
The tent fell silent once more.
Hyūga Yuto's expression turned complicated.
He understood what that offer meant.
The Uchiha's strength and influence were undeniable.
Such a promise was no small gesture.
Then—
Genkyo's figure blurred.
And dissipated into a wisp of smoke.
Hyūga Yuto's face darkened.
A Shadow Clone.
The one who had just spoken to him had been nothing more than a clone.
He let out a helpless laugh.
The Uchiha's methods were becoming increasingly unfathomable.
Alliance…
The thought stirred within him.
With allies like this, the Hyūga clan's position would be immeasurably strengthened.
But then—
He remembered the final statement.
"The Eight-Tails jinchūriki has been captured."
"…Captured?"
He murmured under his breath.
The surrounding shinobi exchanged stunned glances.
They all understood the implications.
The Hidden Leaf Village's power had risen once more.
The Hidden Cloud Village had suffered an unprecedented blow.
The battlefield's cruelty—and volatility—had never felt clearer.
Hyūga Yuto inhaled deeply.
This information had to be reported to the Main House immediately.
"Something truly has changed within the Uchiha clan…"
He began contemplating the future relationship between the Hyūga and Uchiha—
And how the Hidden Leaf Village should position itself in the turbulent era ahead.
—
The heavy wooden doors of the Hokage's office swung open with a thunderous sound.
A tense atmosphere filled the room instantly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was grave.
He exchanged a deep look with Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
All three felt as though a mountain weighed upon their hearts.
The latest report from the front lines had struck like lightning.
The Hidden Cloud's reinforcements—
Were led by the Eight-Tails jinchūriki.
Killer B.
"The power of the Eight-Tails is no trivial matter."
Hiruzen's voice was low and steady, though concern was evident.
"Even Shuoye would struggle against its full tailed beast transformation."
From the side, Danzō Shimura let out a faint cold laugh.
A subtle curve tugged at his lips.
As if he had foreseen this.
Or perhaps—
As if he were anticipating the spectacle to come.
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