Inside the Hyuga Compound,

Hiruzen is sitting in front of Hiashi, Hizashi, and their father Hirashi as he discusses the proposal of Kumo Head Ninja joining the birthday party of Hinata. ​​

"Hokage-sama… are you sure this is a good idea?"

Hiashi questions him.

"Hiashi… Konoha had signed a peace treaty with the Kumo. We have to show hospitality to their Head Ninja to strengthen the peace treaty…"

Hiruzen rubs his forehead.

"… Konoha suffered major losses during the war. We can't afford to start another war."

"Well… if you say so… Hokage-sama… then I trust your wisdom. Our Hyuga clan will entertain the Head Ninja of Kumogakure." Hiashi agrees with Hiruzen.

Sigh…

Hiruzen sighs and departs from the Hyuga clan.

Hiashi turns to Hirashi and asks him.

"Father… what do you think about this proposal?"

Hirashi rubs his chin as he ponders.

"There is something fishy about this proposal. During the previous war… Kumogakure tried to obtain our Byakugan multiple times.

The incident of the Second Shinobi War is a stain on our reputation. The Byakugan of one of the main family members fell in the hands of our enemy.

So… Keep your guard against the Kumo ninjas. I don't trust them at all."

Hirashi suggests to Hiashi.

"Very well… Father… I will keep a lookout for any suspicious activity from Kumo ninjas."

----------------

Later in the evening,

Hiashi and Hirashi stand near the entrance of the Hyuga compound as they welcome important guests.

Shibi Aburame carries a bouquet as he greets them.

"Aburame clan is pleased to get the opportunity to attend the birthday party of Hyuga Princess."

"No… the pleasure is all ours." Hiashi politely accepts the bouquet and greets him back.

The leaders of the Akimichi, Yamanaka, and Nara clan enter together and present their gifts to the Hyuga group as they enter inside the Hyuga compounds.

"What a drag!" Shikaku scratches his head as he looks at the tedious task of greeting guests.

"Oh! Is this the reason… Nara clan barely holds any celebration?"

Izuna walks beside him and greets the group.

"Oh!... It's you… Izuna-kun."

Choza nods his head and introduces Izuna to Inoichi and Shikaku.

"He needs no introduction… we all are aware of his talent."

The group chats for a while as Izuna notices the Kumo group at the entrance.

"I will excuse myself… I just remembered some urgent work." Izuna politely walks away from the group.

Shikaku stares at Izuna's back and mutters.

"Many elders in the council have termed him as 'The Second Coming of Madara Uchiha'."

"I think they are being paranoid… chomp… chomp…"

Choza chomps a large piece of meat as he replies.

Izuna meets with Yugao and signals her.

"The target has arrived. Monitor his every activity and relay them to me."

He passes a small communication device to her.

"I hope these new toys of the R&D department work as they are intended to."

Yugao takes the earpiece and hides it underneath her long hair. She makes some hand signs and disappears from her place.

'Hiding in the Shadow Technique'

At the Hyuga entrance,

Hiashi and Hirashi greet the Kumo Head Ninja with a polite smile.

"Our Hyuga clan is pleased to have the Head Ninja of Kumogakure celebrate this auspicious occasion with us."

Hiashi signals to one of the guards.

The guard walks towards them and politely asks them.

"Sorry for my rude behavior… but we would have to do a thorough search of your garments to ensure the safety of the guests."

"Well… that's fair." The Head Ninja raises his head and allows the guard to search for his clothes.

The guard then proceeds to search the clothes of the escort guards of the Head Ninja.

"Well… if everything is fine… then we would like to see the princess of Hyuga clan with our own eyes." He asks Hiashi.

"Very well… the celebration is about to start soon. Please take a seat inside."

Hiashi signals to a Hyuga Elder. The Elder escorts the group to the VIP seating area.

"Uchiha clan congratulates the Hyuga clan on this auspicious occasion."

Fugaku and the elders of the Uchiha clan arrive at the Hyuga clan. Fugaku passes a large bouquet to Hiashi.

"The pleasure is all ours." Hiashi accepts the present.

Soon, all the guests arrive in the celebration with the entourage of the Konoha elders and Hokage being the last.

Inside the celebration hall,

A beautiful lady carries a cute little girl in a purple Kimono. The little girl is holding the finger of her mother as she looks around.

The gaze of many strangers frightens her, and she hides behind her mother.

"Haha… haha…"

Indeed, the princess of the Hyuga clan is as beautiful as described by the villagers.

The Head Ninja laughs as he converses with the Hokage. Hiruzen nods his head in agreement.

'So… she is the Hyuga Princess. There is no cursed seal on her forehead.. which means it is an opportunity for Kumo.'

The Head Ninja cooks a devious scheme in his mind.

Izuna looks at the frightened expression of Hinata and thinks to himself.

"Hinata lacks confidence… even as a child."

After introducing Hinata, her mother carries her away from the crowd.

"I forgot to give her my present."

Izuna takes a small ice doll from his storage scroll. He walks towards Hinata and smiles at her.

"Happy Birthday Little Hinata!"

He presents the doll to Hinata.

"Oh! It's you… Izuna-kun." The lady recognizes him.

"Will Tsunade-sama attend the celebration?" She asks him.

"I think she will…" Izuna nods her head.

He had met with Hinata's mother multiple times in the Leaf Hospital, and Tsunade was the one who delivered Hinata.

Hinata accepts the doll and curiously stares at it.

"It… it is made of popsicle… I will have to freeze it or… it will melt."

Izuna pats her head.

"No… it is a special doll. It won't melt so… there is no need to freeze it."

Hinata cutely nods her head and runs towards Neji.

"Nii-san… Neji Nii-san… look at my new doll."

"Be careful… Lady Hinata, or you will hurt yourself." Neji chases after her.

'I hope Tsunade will bring Naruto with her.'

Izuna stares at the interaction of Neji and Hinata. He notices the cursed seal on Neji's head.

'Looks like… Some changes are needed.'

***Bzzzt… static noises….****

His earpiece crackles. Izuna receives the message as he creates a small illusion around himself.

"Captain! The escort guards of the Head Ninja just left his side. After separating from him… they used a secret technique to hide their presence. But… I can still sense their chakra."

"For now… monitor their every activity and inform me. I will keep an eye on the Head Ninja. Over and out!"

***Bzzt…***

Izuna silently flickers towards the Head Ninja.

'So… he has sent his goons to map the Hyuga compound. Thus making it easy for the kidnapping.'

Izuna hides his presence and continues to monitor the Head Ninja.

--------------

Later at Night,

The party is finally over and one by one all the guests depart from the Hyuga compound.

Hiashi and Hirashi bade farewell to them.

Outside the Hyuga compounds,

The Head Ninja listens to the report of his guards and nods.

"Good… we have mapped the entire Hyuga clan… it is time to put our plan in action. You two depart for the Land of Hot Water and inform Raikage-sama. I will kidnap the Hyuga princess."

"Yes… Sir."

The escort Ninjas bows their heads and flickers out.

The Head Ninja recalls the map of the Hyuga compound and scales the wall.

He infiltrates the compound and lurks behind a tree as he eavesdrops on the conversation of servants.

"Haah… it was such an exhausting event. There was so much work to be done for this celebration. My back is hurting from so much work." One of the servants rubs his back.

"Yes… I am also exhausted. Even Lady Hinata fall asleep… such a poor child… she has to face so many strange people for the first time."

The servant continues to do their chore.

'This is my chance… the elders of the Hyuga clan are busy with the guests. I won't get such an opportunity again."

The Head Ninja makes some hand signs.

'Hiding in the Water Jutsu'

His body turns into a puddle of water and disappears from the place.

The Head Ninja arrives in front of Hinata's room.

"So… this is the location."

He enters the room and notices a sleeping Hinata. There is a peculiar doll in her hand.

He makes some hand signs and taps on Hinata's forehead.

Fwoosh…

He hears a strange noise and a flash.

'What was that?'

The Head ninja looks around.

'It must be my imagination.'

He shakes his head and picks up Hinata.

"Now… she won't wake up for a while. I can't allow her to wake up and make any noise and ruin my plan."

Whoosh…

He jumps out of the window and flickers out from the Hyuga compound.

Hmm…

An uneasy feeling wells up in Hiashi's heart.

"Byakugan"

Hiashi activates his Byakugan and surveys his surroundings. He notices the Head Ninja of Kumo running away from the Hyuga compound with Hinata on her shoulders.

"This bastard!... How dare he? I knew it… his intentions were not good."

Hiashi dashes after the Head Ninja of Kumogakure.