Chapter 25: This is Konoha!

"Is this Konohagakure?" As the caravan arrived at the gates of Konoha, Kado poked his head out of the palanquin with curiosity, carefully observing the entrance to this ninja village.

This was his first time visiting Konoha.

Recalling the mission assigned by 'that gentleman,' Kado did not dare to be negligent, urging his caravan to enter the village quickly.

The ninjas at the Konoha gates were not overly strict with inspections for ordinary travelers; they only required routine registration and simple questioning.

After all, the mysterious person who had previously infiltrated the village certainly could not have entered through the main gate.

Upon entering the village, Kado first followed protocol and went to the administrative area where the Hokage Building was located to register at the mission center, directly stating his intentions to Konoha.

Kado's company intended to open a branch in Konoha, primarily dealing in specialty goods from various countries.

The company's location was chosen to be the most prosperous commercial street in Konoha Village.

"Furthermore, I see that Konoha is a land of talent and spirit, so I wish to purchase a property here," Kado said to the Konoha Chunin who was receiving him.

"Oh~ You are most welcome!" The Chunin immediately and enthusiastically began introducing the village's real estate.

Although Konoha was primarily a village of ninjas, it was equally dependent on merchants and nobles.

This was because ninjas were not skilled in business or economics; even the ninja clans involved in commerce primarily made their living through ninja tools, ninja beasts, or industries related to shinobi.

Looking at the districts on the map of Konoha, Kado pointed to a block adjacent to the Hyuga clan compound and asked, "What are the property prices in this area?"

"As expected of a great merchant, you have a keen eye! This area is right next to the Hyuga compound, and the security in the surrounding area is famously good. It is very suitable for living, and the prices are not expensive..." the Konoha Chunin began to pitch.

He personally led Kado to view these houses.

After all, this was a major benefactor!

"Hmm, the environment here is indeed quite nice." Standing on the *engawa* under the eaves, Kado looked around the courtyard with satisfaction.

In the small pond in the courtyard, some rocks were piled up, and bamboo tubes tapped against the stones under the impact of flowing water; it would be very charming if some ornamental fish were raised there.

"This residence has a tranquil environment and a large courtyard. You and your wife will surely live very comfortably!" the Konoha ninja flattered with a smile.

"Actually..." Seeing that the atmosphere had settled, Kado's expression suddenly darkened, and he let out a soft sigh. "Due to certain reasons, I have never been able to have children of my own."

"Ah, this—" The Konoha ninja panicked slightly; how could he bring up someone's wound?

"Eh? If I were to adopt a Konoha orphan, would it be possible for him to attend your Ninja Academy?" Kado suddenly thought of something, clapped his hands together, and asked with great joy.

"An ordinary merchant like me lost my ninja talent long ago, but I still yearn for the life of a ninja. If I could adopt a child, even if he only becomes an ordinary ninja!"

Kado grew more enthusiastic as he spoke.

"Adopt a Konoha orphan?" The Konoha ninja was also somewhat dazed by this sudden request.

Such a wild idea would surely be met with suspicion in any other world.

But this was the Shinobi World!

This was Konoha!

The application for Kado, a great merchant of the Land of Fire, to adopt an orphan in Konoha as his foster son was quickly delivered to Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk.

"The great merchant Kado, is it..." Wisps of blue smoke rose from the pipe in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand as he looked at the application, then at the background check conducted by the Intelligence Division.

Although Kado was merely a merchant, he was backed by the nobility of the Land of Fire and might even have subtle connections with the Daimyo. Whether it was for settling down or the request for adoption, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no reason to refuse.

Moreover, it involved choosing a war orphan from Konoha to attend the Konoha Ninja Academy.

This meant that Kado's foster son would grow up in Konoha Village from a young age, receiving the education of the Will of Fire, and his playmates, classmates, and friends would all be Konoha ninjas.

After much deliberation, Hiruzen Sarutobi stamped the application with the seal of the Hokage's Office.

——————

The Hyuga Clan Compound.

Only four years old, Neji held a lunch box prepared by his mother and stood before a study. Beneath the green Caged Bird Seal on his forehead, his face was filled with worry.

After Hyuga Hizashi returned from the hospital yesterday, he had locked himself in the study for a day and a night, refusing to see anyone.

"Father..." he called out softly.

"Neji, don't mind me. Let me be alone for a while." Inside the study, Hizashi's voice sounded somewhat hoarse and weak.

"Please at least eat a little food!" Neji placed the food tray at the door, knelt before it, and said, "Mother is also very worried about you."

Silence filled the room.

Neji continued to kneel at the door.

Though only four years old, the precocious Neji was very sensitive to major events within the clan and the village.

A few days ago, when a mysterious person attacked the Hyuga compound, his father was severely injured and had been hospitalized for many days. Neji went to visit him every day with his mother.

Since then, Neji felt that something was unusual about his father.

But at such a young age, Neji did not understand the profound implications behind Hizashi's Byakugan; he simply thought his father's mental state had not recovered after being defeated by the mysterious person.

"Sigh, go back and rest first, Neji." From inside the room came Hizashi's sigh.

"I will eat in a little while."

Seeing his father say this, Neji, as a dutiful son, could only stand up and withdraw silently.

Inside the study, Hyuga Hizashi, dressed in loungewear, was frantically searching through the branch house chronicles and history books, his eyes bloodshot. Scattered all over the floor were scrolls that had been half-unrolled.

"Is it not there... how can it be... not even a trace..." After finishing the search through the study's chronicles, Hizashi shook his head, his Byakugan filled with despair.

The mysterious person who had found him that day, and the "truth of the birth of the Caged Bird" he had been shown, left no record whatsoever within the branch house.

As the head of the branch house, Hizashi had inherited many chronicles from the previous generation, including the Hyuga clan's Byakugan secret techniques, the Gentle Fist ultimate arts, and various historical books.

Hizashi had attempted to find historical records to refute the mysterious person.

But the more he failed to find any trace, the more terrified Hizashi became.

The more there was no evidence, the more real and credible that terrifying "truth" became.

A wave of loneliness washed over him, and Hizashi's trembling right hand instinctively reached for the back of his head.

The 24-hour "Caged Bird Seal" was very short, making Hizashi miss that feeling of freedom at every moment.

When the "Caged Bird Seal" had just ended, Hizashi felt the momentary disappearance of the Byakugan's vision, and it felt as if thousands of ants were crawling all over his body. That unbearable itchiness had nearly destroyed his sanity.

He had exerted every effort to restrain the impulse to go find the mysterious person.

*'Swear your loyalty to me!'* The mysterious person's words still echoed in his ears.

*'Do you want to be a coward for the rest of your life, or do you want to be a hero of the branch house? Even if it is only for a few minutes.'*

Hizashi shook his head in pain, attempting to dispel those demonic whispers.

He tried his best not to think about that clearly evil individual!

But the fate of the Hyuga branch house...

Neji's future...

*Creak—*

The study door finally opened, and Hizashi, who had been locked inside for a day and a night, walked out looking somewhat mentally exhausted.

Looking at the food tray placed on the ground by the door, he slowly sank to his knees.

"Neji—" Hizashi murmured softly, his brow furrowed with an irrepressible sorrow.