Danzo asked.
"Yes." Upon hearing this, Duy's expression immediately turned serious: "It's to deal with the S-rank renegade ninja Hyuga Ayane. I am ready."
His mood was also very excited.
In Konoha, the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist is very famous, in direct contrast to the Strong Fist style he has learned.
He has long wanted to experience the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist firsthand, but unfortunately, he's never had the opportunity.
Duy and Danzo hurried towards the direction of the Land of Grass. Danzo looked ahead and said softly but firmly: "According to the intelligence received, the renegade ninja Hyuga Ayane's Gentle Fist surpasses the general understanding of the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist."
"What do you mean?"
"It's simple; her Gentle Fist surpasses our perception of Hyuga Clan ninja. She's a Byakugan ninja who surpasses even the Byakugan. If you approach Hyuga Ayane with the perception of a village Hyuga Clan member, the consequences will be dire."
Danzo's face was heavy.
Duy fell into contemplation, not fully understanding how, but he got the idea that the opponent was very strong, a straightforward logic.
With Danzo's statement, his inner blood pumped with excitement.
To face a Byakugan surpassing the Hyuga Byakugan, such an opponent was exciting.
"Don't worry, Lord Danzo. After the special training arranged by the Hokage, I am now completely different. Besides..."
At this, Duy's expression turned solemn as he glanced instinctively at his ninja tool bag, where a secret weapon provided by the village was stored.
"Is that so?"
Danzo's face remained emotionless, probably guessing what Duy had prepared in his ninja tool bag.
◎
Land of Grass, Hidden Rock Camp.
"Another bowl, please!"
Inside a single-person tent, bowls were stacked up high, creating an astonishing sight.
After consuming a bowl of plain noodles, Ayane asked the chef there to bring another bowl.
"...There, there's none left, the food from the canteen is gone."
The person in charge of distributing food was almost on the verge of tears.
This woman could eat so much.
Food that would feed forty or fifty people was devoured by her alone, and she hadn't even reached her limit.
Eating like this feels like there'd be no food left for anyone else.
Already, many people had complained about the sudden shortage of food recently.
And the culprit was naturally this female ninja with a surprisingly average appetite.
"Really? Don't try to deceive me; I have the Byakugan."
Ayane pointed to her eyes.
"..."
They had indeed forgotten this trick.
Feigning distress and deceiving didn't work against the Byakugan.
Just then, the tent door opened.
The tall Hidden Rock Jonin Kitsuchi and the explosion-haired Explosion Style Ninja Gari both walked in.
"Lord Kitsuchi, Lord Gari."
"Leave us."
"Yes."
Relieved, the person in charge quickly walked out.
"Really, don't disturb me while I'm eating. Didn't I say? I don't want to talk business when I'm eating. Shouldn't you be bringing me another bowl at this time?"
Ayane grumbled.
"Are you truly a ninja of the Hyuga Clan?"
Kitsuchi swept his eyes over the dozens of empty bowls on the table and began to massage his forehead in frustration.
This woman really treated this place like her own home.
"Look at these pure Byakugan eyes of mine, and you'll know I am genuinely from the Hyuga Clan."
Ayane said this.
"..."
Kitsuchi looked at Ayane's pure white eyes and then at the mountain of empty bowls in front of her, unable to find the words to critique.
"Besides, free meals and lodging; wasn't that your own rule? I'm merely playing by your rules."
"Seems like next time Lord Tsuchikage should add a 'bring your own food' clause on the job application."
Gari, the Explosion Style Ninja, showed a helpless smile from the side.
"As the ninja of the Five Great Nations, can you really be so stingy? Charging for just a bit of food?"
"Even the most generous person can't withstand your stomach."
Kitsuchi sighed.
Ayane didn't speak, obviously displeased with the food shortage.
"So, what business do you have with me?"
"A job with a deposit of thirty million ryo."
Kitsuchi signaled to Gari with a glance.
Understanding, Gari placed a black leather suitcase filled with cash in front of Ayane.
Inside was thirty million ryo in cash.
"A thirty million ryo deposit? Has Konoha made a move?"
Ayane was a bit surprised.
Generally speaking, the upfront deposit wouldn't be set at such a large amount.
If it is, it indicates the Hidden Rock is facing trouble.
And the level of this trouble, the difficulty may not be low.
"According to accurate information, Konoha's Root has joined the battlefield here."
"Danzo?"
"Not sure if Danzo himself is here, but our patrol squad was indeed attacked by Root ninja."
Kitsuchi crossed his arms, his face full of seriousness.
As the deeper agency of the Konoha Anbu, Root has always been a major threat to the great ninja villages.
And Root's leader is none other than the one known as the 'Dark Ninja,' the Shimura Clan Leader Shimura Danzo.
A disciple of the former Hokage, Senju Tobirama, the fastest man in the ninja realm, he shares the same mentor as the current Third Hokage and has survived both the First and Second Great Ninja Wars—a formidable ninja indeed.
He's one strong enemy that cannot be overlooked.
"Strange, Root's actions are known for their secrecy. If they were spotted, there shouldn't be any survivors to relay the message."
"Their target is you."
Kitsuchi said bluntly.