After a detailed inquiry, Hyuga Kagami finally learned that all four members of Anbu Squad Eleven had been placed under a bounty, each with a reward of twenty million ryo.
"This bounty... must be the work of the Hidden Cloud, right?"
Of all the factions that held grudges against Anbu Squad Eleven, Hyuga Kagami could only think of two: Hidden Cloud and Hidden Stone. Between the two, Hidden Cloud was clearly the more likely culprit.
"But how did they get such precise information about our squad? Could their spies have infiltrated the Anbu?"
This sudden thought startled Hyuga Kagami.
The Anbu, directly under the command of the Hokage, had its members personally selected by the Third Hokage from the most trusted and well-known shinobi in the village. If another village had managed to plant a spy within the Anbu, it meant that spy had been deeply embedded for a very long time—with no visible flaws in their background.
Next, Hyuga Kagami recalled the second bounty.
That second bounty was even more alarming, set at twenty-five million ryo—an amount usually reserved for elite jonin from the Five Great Ninja Villages.
What was most suspicious was that the second bounty targeted only him.
Clearly, whoever issued that bounty had a personal grudge against Hyuga Kagami, separate from anything to do with Anbu Squad Eleven.
"Who could it be...?"
Seeing the thoughtful expression on Hyuga Kagami's face, Hiashi assumed he was worrying about the bounties and offered some comfort: "You need not dwell on it too much. In the world of shinobi, bounties are a reflection of our accomplishments. Only powerful ninja garner such high prices."
Hyuga Kagami nodded.
He wasn't afraid—just curious about who would go to such lengths to target him.
Hiashi, sipping tea, asked with a half-smile, "Do you know how much my own bounty is in the black market?"
"How much?"
"One hundred million ryo."
Hyuga Kagami forced a laugh. "Heh, truly worthy of being our clan leader."
He understood well—this bounty wasn't just on Hiashi himself but on the Hyuga clan as a whole, and more precisely, the Byakugan.
Everyone knew that only members of the Hyuga main family could have their Byakugan stolen. And since the main family had relatively few members, killing Hiashi would net not just a pair of Byakugan but also disrupt the main-branch system at its core.
Leaving the Hyuga compound, Hyuga Kagami strolled leisurely toward his home. As he passed through a narrow alley, a figure emerged from the shadows, blocking his path.
Immediately, Kagami's expression sharpened. He drew his Grasscutter Blade and activated his Byakugan, assuming a fully alert stance.
The figure leaned on a cane, his gaze cold and unwavering. "Special Jonin Hyuga Kagami, you should recognize me."
Kagami promptly deactivated his Byakugan and bowed slightly. "Yes, Lord Danzo."
The man who had stepped out of the darkness was none other than Shimura Danzo—known as the "Darkness of the Shinobi" and a key advisor to the village as well as the leader of the Root division.
"You have talent. Staying in Anbu will only limit your potential. Join Root. There, you'll find everything you desire."
Danzo's tone was flat and emotionless. It didn't sound like persuasion at all—more like a command. Yet he spoke with the confidence of someone who assumed his offer couldn't be refused.
Hyuga Kagami replied without hesitation, "I'm directly under Lord Third Hokage. Any reassignment must come from him."
Danzo's eyes narrowed. "If I recall correctly, this is the second time you've turned me down."
Indeed, during the turmoil following Orochimaru's defection, Kagami had once rejected Root's invitation. At the time, he was merely a wartime chunin—a disposable tool in Danzo's eyes. But things had changed.
Now, Hyuga Kagami was a rising star—promoted to Special Jonin, he had bested several Uchiha challengers and completed a secret mission assigned by the Third Hokage. He was a name on everyone's lips. That's why Danzo had come personally.
Which made Kagami's second rejection all the more offensive.
Undeterred by Danzo's veiled threats, Kagami said, "I'm sorry. I have no interest in joining Root."
Danzo turned back into the shadows with a final warning: "Young man, every decision must be made carefully. Or you'll regret it."
As Danzo's figure disappeared into the gloom, Hyuga Kagami remained expressionless.
In truth, he had sensed Danzo's presence even before turning into the alley. His reaction—activating his Byakugan and drawing his sword—had all been an act.
His true goal had been to activate the Byakugan under a reasonable pretext and inspect Danzo's current condition.
His act hadn't been in vain. Through his Byakugan, Kagami discovered that Danzo had already implanted cells from the First Hokage—and that his right arm was covered in Sharingan eyes.
"No wonder he's been appearing in public less often."
Despite the unease, Kagami's mind raced with countermeasures.
He had never forgotten the old vendetta against the village—the purge that had nearly ended him. According to his investigations, and intel from Orochimaru, the man behind that operation was none other than Danzo.
So regardless of whether Danzo made the first move, Hyuga Kagami had no intention of letting him go.
Still, Kagami was surprised to learn Danzo had already gone this far—having implanted First Hokage cells and collected so many Sharingan.
This only confirmed that Danzo had never abandoned human experimentation. In fact, he might even have surpassed Orochimaru in researching the First's cells.
And clearly, Danzo had been collecting Sharingan for a long time—well before the Uchiha clan was annihilated.
Since the Uchiha didn't have a cursed seal like the Hyuga's Caged Bird Seal, collecting Sharingan was relatively easy for someone with Danzo's resources.
"Hmph, this has all been planned in advance," Kagami thought coldly as he walked home. "Even if the Uchiha never intended a coup, Danzo would've struck first. He's after their Sharingan."
As a Konoha advisor, Danzo likely had near-Kage-level strength. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dreamed of becoming Hokage.
Now with First Hokage cells and dozens of Sharingan, Danzo might even have surpassed the Third Hokage... perhaps.