A few days later.
When Kabuto Yakushi returned to Konoha, the sky happened to be clear and blue, dotted with white clouds.
"The Land of Fire really is better than the Land of Rice Fields," Kabuto thought.
He tightened his collar and quickly headed for the Hokage Building.
"I need to report to Lord Hokage as soon as possible."
Behind Kabuto trailed several small children.
These were the children with excellent potential he had found according to Kiyohara's orders.
Identifying that kind of talent required sharp observational ability.
One had to know which children were worth testing. Otherwise, the screening process alone would waste a huge amount of time.
Fortunately, Kabuto had not disappointed Kiyohara and had brought back quite a few people.
"Lord Hokage."
After Kabuto knocked and heard a voice inside say "Come in," he stepped into the Hokage's office.
"Kabuto."
Kiyohara looked at Kabuto, then at the timid children standing behind him.
In an instant, he activated his Sharingan.
The Sharingan saw through the chakra flowing inside those children.
It seemed their chakra reserves were not small.
To become a ninja, the most important condition was meeting the minimum chakra requirement.
Otherwise, one could not even become a taijutsu ninja.
Even Rock Lee only lacked talent in controlling chakra to use ninjutsu and genjutsu.
Basic chakra control methods, such as walking on walls and water, were things he could do.
Judging from the databooks, his chakra reserves were even slightly higher than Nara Shikamaru's.
"They really are good seedlings, Kabuto."
Kiyohara spoke.
There were five children in total, all only a few years old.
There were boys and girls, dressed differently, clearly from different places.
The one who drew Kiyohara's attention most was a red-haired girl.
Her hair color resembled the Uzumaki clan's, and her small face was full of nervousness.
A scattered member of the Uzumaki clan?
No, she was not.
Kiyohara shook his head inwardly.
This girl's chakra reserves were not especially large, and she did not possess the Uzumaki clan's abnormal vitality.
Considering that Kabuto had brought her back from the Land of Rice Fields, Kiyohara thought of one person.
Tayuya.
"What are your names?"
Kiyohara asked directly.
The children glanced at Kabuto. After seeing Kabuto nod, they began giving their names one after another.
"Tayuya."
"Kidōmaru."
"Kōroda."
…
Listening to their names, Kiyohara confirmed that it really was Tayuya.
Tayuya was one of the Sound Four in the original story. She specialized in genjutsu and summoning techniques, and could use flute sounds to control three huge summoned demons.
She was one of the five ninja under Orochimaru who could skillfully use cursed seals, barrier techniques, and sealing techniques. She could be considered someone personally selected by Orochimaru.
Unfortunately, after the Konoha Crush plan, the Sound Four were wiped out all at once, like flower buds that had withered before they had time to bloom.
If they had been given enough time to grow, their future achievements would definitely not have stopped there.
Later, Kabuto had even specifically absorbed the Sound Four's cells into his own body and used their kekkei genkai and ninjutsu on the battlefield, which showed just how high their talent was.
"Lord Hokage."
Kabuto stopped in front of the desk, knelt on one knee, and lowered his head.
The children behind him looked at each other. A few of them did not know whether they should kneel too, so their movements were uneven and rather clumsy.
"Get up."
Kiyohara said.
Kabuto stood and stepped slightly aside, giving Kiyohara a clear view of the children behind him.
"These children are ones I found in the Land of Rice Fields and the surrounding regions. They are all orphans who lost their families because of war or poverty. More or less, each of them has some special kekkei genkai or talent.
"As you instructed, I brought them back."
Kabuto raised his hand and pointed toward the children.
"The most outstanding one is Tayuya. Her chakra nature is very special and has a natural affinity with genjutsu. She also seems able to control certain things through sound.
"I tested her. With an ordinary bamboo flute, she was able to put a stray cat into a deep sleep."
Hearing Kabuto introduce her, Tayuya lifted her chin slightly, a hint of pride flashing in her red eyes.
But the moment her gaze met Kiyohara's, that pride quickly shrank back.
Tayuya felt Kiyohara was frightening.
"I don't eat people."
Kiyohara smiled.
It seemed Tayuya's sense for danger was also very sharp.
In the original story, she was even more sharp-tongued than young Kakashi, with a foul mouth.
She constantly threw around words like "bastard," "fatass," "damn it," and "idiot." Even her own companions would be viciously cursed by her.
But in front of Kiyohara, Tayuya did not dare act like that at all and suppressed her reckless side.
"This boy is called Kidōmaru."
Kabuto pointed to a tall, thin boy behind Tayuya.
The boy had dark skin, silver-white hair, and hair that stuck out in every direction.
The most eye-catching thing was his forehead. Between the hair hanging over his brow, several tiny holes could faintly be seen.
"He has six arms."
Kabuto said.
"He can secrete spider silk tougher than steel wire. It's the secret technique of his clan."
"The Tsuchigumo clan, then."
Kiyohara nodded.
Aside from Tayuya, the only other one Kiyohara recognized was the distinctive-looking Kidōmaru.
Among these five, two were characters he "knew."
He did not recognize the others, but they did not seem much worse.
"My lord."
Kidōmaru was clearly much smarter and took the initiative to address Kiyohara.
Having once belonged to the Tsuchigumo clan, he understood the rules of the ninja world better.
"Since you've come to Konoha, I won't care what your previous identities were."
Kiyohara shook his head.
He had once fought ninja from the Tsuchigumo clan. Their abilities were indeed good. They could freely secrete spider silk and control spiders.
Kabuto then began introducing the last three children.
One boy and two girls. They did not have distinctive traits like Tayuya and the others.
All three were orphans who had lost their families in war and ended up living on the streets.
Kiyohara looked them over one by one, then withdrew his gaze and looked back at Kabuto.
"Kabuto, you did very well."
The corners of Kabuto's mouth lifted slightly, and joy appeared in his eyes behind his lenses.
He pushed up his glasses and lowered his head.
"It was only my duty."
"Any other information?"
Kiyohara asked.
Kabuto's expression became serious.
He took half a step forward and glanced at the children.
After Kiyohara signaled for him to continue, Kabuto lowered his voice and said,
"I found traces of Orochimaru in the Land of Rice Fields."
Kiyohara's brow moved slightly.
"Orochimaru has established a temporary base deep in the mountains of the Land of Rice Fields. I infiltrated nearby and investigated. He is conducting some kind of experiment there. I did not get too close to the details.
"But judging from what I observed from the perimeter, he seems to have collected cell samples from a special clan."
Kabuto paused.
"The people of that clan seem to naturally possess the ability to absorb natural energy. They do not need training or study. From birth, they can enter a state similar to Sage Mode.
"But this ability also comes with a price. Their emotions are extremely unstable. Once they lose control, they turn into monsters that know only destruction."
Jūgo's clan.
That name appeared in Kiyohara's mind.
Orochimaru's earliest research into cursed seals began after discovering Jūgo and his clan.
"The one in the Land of Rice Fields should be Jūgo of the Scale, right?"
Kiyohara stroked his chin.
Jūgo was called Jūgo, but he actually had a complete clan.
Their clan lived near Ryūchi Cave. Because they absorbed Ryūchi Cave's natural energy, they were prone to rampaging.
Later, Orochimaru discovered Jūgo, and his early cursed seals were based on research into Jūgo's cells.
He understood how to automatically integrate natural energy from the air and earth into cursed seals, allowing them to undergo "curse seal transformation."
That was actually "sage transformation."
The cost of this kind of transplant was simply too great. The success rate was extremely low, and it caused irreversible physical corrosion to the host.
Only Kiyohara's later improved version had reduced these side effects.
"Orochimaru is using that clan's cells to perfect his cursed seal technology."
Kabuto continued.
"I saw a large number of culture dishes on the outside of his laboratory. All of them were cursed seal samples. Some had already taken shape, while some were still in the testing stage. His progress is much faster than I expected."
Kiyohara fell into brief thought.
He had actually anticipated this information.
After Orochimaru defected, he would inevitably seek out Jūgo's clan.
Once outside the village, he would naturally conduct experiments and research even more aggressively.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Kiyohara said.
"The information you brought back is very valuable."
He took several scrolls from the drawer, placed them on the desk, and pushed them toward Kabuto.
They were the Mystical Palm Technique and several Water Release medical ninjutsu.
"This is your reward."
Kabuto accepted them and looked them over.
The scrolls were densely filled with text and chakra pathway diagrams. Each page was extremely detailed, from methods of chakra condensation to the corresponding positions of chakra pathway nodes, from basic healing methods to advanced Water Release medical ninjutsu. Everything was included.
With his talent, he would eventually come into contact with these ninjutsu.
But at his current age, and with it not being wartime, opportunities to earn merit were few. He could only slowly accumulate seniority.
Who knew how many years he would have had to wait to access medical ninjutsu at this level?
And now, this scroll was in his hands.
Kabuto rolled the scroll back up, held it in both hands, and thanked him solemnly.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
"This is what you deserve."
Kiyohara said.
His gaze fell on Kabuto.
"However, I'll have to trouble you to make another trip."
Kabuto raised his head.
"Please give your orders, Lord Hokage."
"Return to the Land of Rice Fields and continue lurking there. Find a way to bring back a few members of Jūgo's clan from Orochimaru's side."
Kabuto's eyes widened slightly, then he understood Kiyohara's intention.
The "sage transformation" constitution of Jūgo's clan was unique in the entire shinobi world.
If they could be brought back to Konoha, not only would Konoha's kekkei genkai repository grow richer, it would also provide more material for Kiyohara's cursed seal research.
More importantly, if Kiyohara could crack the secret of "sage transformation," he might be able to develop safer and more efficient cursed seal technology.
On the basis of reduced side effects, he might truly be able to develop a harmless cursed seal and use it as a basic secret technique.
"I understand."
Kabuto nodded and put the scroll into his clothes.
"I will find an opportunity as soon as possible and bring back members of Jūgo's clan."
Kiyohara nodded slightly, then raised his hand and clapped lightly.
A figure emerged from the shadows.
Uzuki Yūgao wore an Anbu uniform, her mask covering her entire face. Purple hair fell from the edge of the mask.
"Yūgao, take these children to the Ninja Academy and handle their transfer procedures. From today onward, they are Konoha ninja trainees."
Uzuki Yūgao bowed slightly, then turned and beckoned to the children.
Tayuya was the first to move. The red-haired girl held her head high, trying hard to act like she was not scared at all.
Kidōmaru followed behind her. With six arms, he was silent like the remaining children.
Click.
The door closed.
The sound of footsteps gradually faded.
Kiyohara leaned back in the Hokage's chair.
Kabuto really was good at infiltration.
He had grown up beside Yakushi Nono, learning through constant exposure.
Now that Yakushi Nono had half returned to the ninja world, she had also taught Kabuto many real skills.
What he learned was not only medical ninjutsu, but also the intelligence gathering, disguise, and infiltration techniques Nono had accumulated when she was known as the "Walking Shrine Maiden."
Combined with his calm personality and meticulous mind, sending him to investigate around Orochimaru was more suitable than sending anyone else.
After finishing this matter, Kiyohara set off for the Forest of Death.
Recently, Kiyohara rarely went to the Third Training Ground, preferring the Forest of Death instead.
Ordinary villagers did not dare approach this place. Genin regarded it as the ultimate trial grounds for graduation exams. But for Kiyohara, it was just a training ground where he would not be disturbed.
Sunlight filtered through layers of tree crowns and scattered onto the ground covered in decaying leaves.
Kiyohara stood in a relatively open space. Around him were trees that had regrown after being destroyed during his last practice of Sage Art: True Several Thousand Hands.
The newly grown trunks were thinner than the surrounding ancient trees, and the bark still carried a faint green color.
Kiyohara raised his right hand, palm facing up.
A stream of water surged from his palm, wrapping around his wrist and slowly rotating.
That water had a special texture somewhere between liquid and solid. Its surface flowed with a pale-blue luster.
This was the Water Release he possessed after fusing with the Three-Tails' chakra. It was thicker than ordinary Water Release and contained tailed beast-level chakra density.
He clenched his hand in reverse.
The water instantly condensed, becoming a crystal-clear water blade.
The blade was long and slender, its edge sharp. Under sunlight filtering through gaps in the leaves, it refracted rainbow light.
Kiyohara held that water blade and swept it horizontally through the air.
The moment the blade cut through the air, a pale-white wind-nature chakra suddenly surged from its surface.
Wind wrapped around water. Water enveloped wind. The two chakras intertwined along the blade.
A sharp hum sounded in the air, like something had been torn apart in that instant.
Fine ice crystals drifted from the blade.
Kiyohara stopped and looked down at the water blade in his palm, which had already changed.
A thin layer of frost covered its edge.
This was… the fusion of Wind Release and Water Release.
The embryonic form of Ice Release.
Kiyohara's heart stirred slightly.
It was not that he had never tried synthesizing kekkei genkai before.
Water Release and Wind Release combined into Ice Release. Fire Release and Earth Release combined into Lava Release.
He had memorized these combination formulas between basic chakra natures years ago.
But the results of his attempts had not been ideal.
Only Wood Release had been smoothly developed after he obtained Asura's chakra.
As for the other kekkei genkai, no matter how precisely he controlled chakra ratios, no matter how repeatedly he adjusted the timing and method of fusion, the two different chakra natures would always reject each other at the final moment, like magnets with opposing poles.
Over time, Kiyohara stopped focusing heavily on this path.
There were so many powerful kekkei genkai in the shinobi world. There was no need to stubbornly cling to developing them himself.
He could also slowly wait for the "last letters" and inherit new futures.
However, after adapting to the Three-Tails' chakra, Kiyohara discovered that the Three-Tails' chakra was changing his affinity for Water Release.
It was not merely an increase in chakra amount, but a cellular-level change.
Just as fish did not need to learn how to swim, and birds did not need to learn how to fly.
When Kiyohara used Water Release ninjutsu, it was smooth and natural, like a fish in water or a tiger with wings.
As a result, he had more spare capacity to control another stream of Wind Release chakra.
Kiyohara raised his right hand again.
This time, he formed hand seals and simultaneously mobilized Water Release chakra and Wind Release chakra within his body.
The two streams of chakra flowed separately through his chakra pathways, converged at his chest, then surged together toward his right palm.
Water flowed from his palm, while wind poured in from his fingertips.
Under the wind's blowing, the water began rotating, forming a fist-sized vortex.
The vortex spun faster and tighter, and the chakra density at the center rose sharply.
Then the surface of the vortex began turning white. A thin layer of frost spread outward from the center, like the process of a lake freezing in midwinter compressed into just a few breaths.
Crack.
A cold wind sphere floated above Kiyohara's palm, slowly rotating.
Kiyohara looked at the cold wind sphere, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
So that was it.
His bloodline fusion, along with the enhancement from tailed beast chakra, had greatly lowered the difficulty of developing kekkei genkai.
If an ordinary ninja synthesizing kekkei genkai was like rubbing two sticks together to start a fire, then his current state was like using a lighter.
All he had to do was press the switch, and the flame ignited.
Of course, this was only the beginning.
Right now, he could only drive cold wind.
Once Kiyohara could condense it into ice crystals, it would mean he had mastered Ice Release.
Kiyohara waved his hand, and the cold wind sphere shattered in his palm, turning into countless strands of chilly wind.
"The remaining tailed beasts should be accelerated too."
Amegakure.
The rain was still falling.
This village, perpetually shrouded in rain, looked like a corner forgotten by the world.
Puddles that reached the ankles filled the streets. Occasionally, figures in black robes hurried past, splashing muddy water.
At the highest point of the village stood a strangely shaped tower.
The tower looked as if it had been piled from countless distorted faces, each wearing a different expression.
On the top floor of the tower, Orochimaru stood by the window, looking out at the gray curtain of rain.
Today, he wore a light-gray kimono, with a purple rope tied around his waist. His black hair fell over his shoulders, a few strands hanging in front of his chest.
He had defected from Konoha some time ago.
He had left that sunlit village, leaving behind the rules and morals that restrained his hands.
He was free.
But the price of freedom was the loss of Konoha's resources.
Laboratories, funds, equipment, manpower—everything had to start from scratch.
He was like a snake driven out of its nest, forced to seek a new place to reside in this cold land where rain fell year-round.
Some time ago, he had been hiding in the Land of Rice Fields, planning to establish his own ninja village.
Today, he had come to the Land of Rain.
Because Orochimaru had discovered that Akatsuki might be a good target.
This mercenary organization composed of S-rank rogue ninja possessed everything he needed: funds, intelligence, and protection.
He was also deeply interested in this organization.
He had contacted Akatsuki ninja before, and now he discovered many new faces had appeared.
Footsteps came from behind him.
The Deva Path Pain.
The public leader of Akatsuki, the man with the Rinnegan.
"Orochimaru."
The Deva Path Pain's voice was like that of a dead man, without much fluctuation.
"What are you looking at?"
The corners of Orochimaru's mouth curved slightly, revealing an ambiguous smile.
"The rain."
He turned, and his golden slit pupils glowed coldly in the dim light.
"This village is very interesting. Rain has fallen here for so many years and rarely stopped. I am wondering whether it is your technique maintaining this rain, or whether this rain itself is part of you."
Orochimaru had faintly sensed that this rain was not simple.
He had just arrived in the Land of Rain and had not alerted anyone along the way, yet his trail had been discovered.
The Deva Path Pain did not answer that question. His gaze passed through the rain outside the window and landed on the gray horizon in the distance.
"Are you here to join Akatsuki?"
The Deva Path Pain asked.
Orochimaru's golden slit pupils stared at Pain's purple eyes.
The Rinnegan.
The legendary first among the Three Great Dōjutsu, the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths.
Before coming here, Orochimaru had not known such a thing existed.
"If I join, what can you give me?"
Orochimaru asked.
A trace of greed appeared in his eyes as he looked at those eyes.
"What you want."
Pain's answer was brief.
"Akatsuki can provide many things. You are very short on money, aren't you, Orochimaru?"
The Deva Path Pain said calmly.
Nagato, who controlled him from behind, knew that someone like Orochimaru, who did research, was extremely short on money.
Orochimaru was silent for a moment, then laughed.
"That sounds good."
He licked his lips.
"Then I'll join."
Pain nodded, as if he had known the answer all along.
He turned and walked toward the door.
At the doorway, he stopped and said something without looking back.
"Someone wants to meet you."
As soon as the words fell, the space beside Orochimaru suddenly began to twist.
That distortion was not caused by ninjutsu, but by space itself folding.
Light bent, and everything flowed toward one direction.
A spiral appeared out of nowhere, and a black outline slowly emerged from the center.
Tiger-striped mask.
Crimson Sharingan.
Orochimaru's slit pupils shrank slightly.
It was the person who had attacked the village back then.
"How interesting."
Orochimaru's voice carried undisguised excitement.
"So it really is… 'Madara.'"
Although everyone in the village called this person the masked man, Orochimaru had keenly sensed some things.
Obito stood before him, the tiger-striped mask covering most of his face and revealing only that crimson Sharingan.
"Orochimaru."
Obito spoke directly, without any pleasantries.
"How much of the Impure World Reincarnation Technique have you mastered?"
Orochimaru's expression changed slightly.
Did the other party know he had infiltrated the forbidden technique archive?
It seemed Akatsuki's intelligence network was quite terrifying.
Orochimaru thought.
Obito's Sharingan caught the subtle change in Orochimaru's expression.
As expected.
Obito thought.
Black Zetsu's information was correct.
Originally, he had known nothing of this matter.
The Impure World Reincarnation Technique was a forbidden technique developed by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. It could summon the souls of the dead from the Pure Land back to the living world, binding them into sacrifices' bodies and turning them into immortal ninja.
The existence of this technique itself was one of Konoha's highest secrets. It had only briefly appeared in the shinobi world before disappearing.
But Kiyohara had placed too much pressure on Obito.
On the night of the Nine-Tails incident, Obito had personally watched Kiyohara suppress the Nine-Tails with Wood Release and unravel his ocular technique with those Mangekyō Sharingan.
The pressure he felt from Kiyohara was even greater than when he faced the Iwagakure army at Kannabi Bridge back then.
Kiyohara's power was increasing, and the speed of that increase far exceeded his imagination.
If this continued, he would never be able to achieve the Eye of the Moon Plan.
So he had to find a new way to break the deadlock.
He sent White Zetsu to infiltrate Konoha and gather intelligence from various channels.
The news of Orochimaru's defection had been brought back by one of those White Zetsu.
Black Zetsu had somehow gathered more detailed information.
He told Obito that during Orochimaru's time in Konoha, he had come into contact with forbidden technique scrolls left behind by the Second Hokage. And among those scrolls was the Impure World Reincarnation Technique.
A technique that could revive the dead.
If he could master this technique, he could summon those deceased powerhouses back into the world.
Uchiha Madara, Senju Hashirama, and other ninja who had left legendary names throughout shinobi history. They would form an immortal army and sweep away all obstacles for him.
Including Kiyohara.
Originally, reviving Uchiha Madara could only rely on Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, but now there was undoubtedly a new option.
"Where did you learn about that technique?"
The moment Orochimaru spoke, he felt he had asked a pointless question.
If the other party truly was Uchiha Madara, then of course he had interacted with Senju Tobirama.
Obito did not answer his question.
"You only need to answer mine. Have you mastered this technique?"
Orochimaru stared at him for a while.
Then, for the moment, he gave up on his plan to summon a snake.
"Yes."
Orochimaru licked his lips, a fanatical glint flashing in his golden slit pupils.
"But it requires conditions. The dead person's DNA and a living sacrifice. Neither can be missing."
"I'll handle the DNA."
Obito said calmly.
"The sacrifices are not a problem either."
Obito said.
"The quality of the sacrifice will affect the state of the reincarnated dead."
Orochimaru added.
"Is that so?"
Uchiha Obito nodded slightly.
Just then, a mass of black substance slowly rose from the shadow behind Obito.
That substance clung to half of a White Zetsu, forming a half-black, half-white two-faced person.
"Orochimaru."
Black Zetsu spoke.
"One of the famous Sannin has also come here."
"Heh."
Orochimaru smiled and moved his gaze between Black Zetsu and Obito.
"I'm merely a stray dog who just defected."
Orochimaru said.
"However, I am very curious. After going through so much trouble, who exactly are you trying to revive?"
What puzzled Orochimaru was why the other party needed this technique.
Black Zetsu and Obito looked at Orochimaru expressionlessly.
"It seems I asked a question I shouldn't have."
Orochimaru knew they would not answer him.
But some secrets were better not known too early.
Snakes were patient creatures. He could wait.
The Impure World Reincarnation Technique still needed refinement. He could tamper with many things within it.
At that time, who was the chess piece and who was the player would not be certain.
At this moment, another figure walked out from the room's corner.
Shinnō had also come here with Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru, your reputation really has spread far and wide."
Shinnō said calmly.
It looked like Akatsuki intended to accept Orochimaru.
When he said this, his tone carried a trace of self-mockery.
Coming from the Land of Rice Fields to the Land of Rain with Orochimaru was a decision he had made after careful thought.
In Konoha, he had infiltrated as an ordinary physician and secretly helped Orochimaru conduct human experiments.
But after Shimura Danzo's death, their funding source had been cut off. Konoha's surveillance had also become increasingly strict. Staying there no longer had any meaning.
Akatsuki was different.
This place gathered the top rogue ninja of the shinobi world. Each one had unique techniques and intelligence channels.
More importantly, this place's leader had the Rinnegan, that legendary dōjutsu. For the research he was conducting, that had immeasurable value.
"Do you also wish to join Akatsuki?"
Uchiha Obito asked.
Coming here was basically to join Akatsuki.
This was Akatsuki's core territory. Ordinary ninja could not enter at all.
"Of course."
Shinnō did not deny it.
"Then welcome to Akatsuki."
Uchiha Obito said.
Impure World Reincarnation.
This was one of the methods he had found most likely to fight Kiyohara.
He could not beat him for now, but he could call for help.
If Orochimaru could truly perfectly perform this technique and summon those legendary powerhouses back into the world, then…
Kiyohara.
Will you still be as calm as you were on the night of the Nine-Tails incident?
The strongest modern ninja versus the strongest ninja in history.
Who, in the end, was the winner?
Obito was very curious who the real challenger was.
Konoha, Hyūga clan main family dōjō.
The dōjō floor was covered with pale-yellow tatami. Sunlight shone through the windows and fell upon two figures crossing paths inside.
Hyūga Hiashi and Hyūga Hizashi stood facing each other, only three steps apart.
Both wore the Hyūga clan's traditional white training clothes, with the Hyūga family crest embroidered on the cuffs and lapels.
Their appearances were extremely similar, almost impossible to distinguish.
They had the same black hair, the same white eyes, and the same stern, old-fashioned expressions.
Only Hyūga Hiashi was slightly taller than his younger brother, and his shoulders and back were broader.
"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"
Hyūga Hizashi moved first.
He stepped half a pace forward with his right foot, lowered his center of gravity, and thrust his right palm toward the air ahead.
In that instant, the air before his palm was compressed to the limit, forming a visible semi-transparent air cannon.
This was a secret high-speed palm strike passed down by the Hyūga family.
Using the Byakugan as a sighting device, one could precisely see through the opponent, aim at vital points, and release an ultra-high-speed palm technique.
Hyūga Hiashi's Byakugan had already activated. The veins around his eyes bulged high, like a fine net covering his temples.
The moment the air cannon entered his vision, his body tilted several centimeters to the left.
The vacuum projectile brushed past his ear and struck the wall behind him.
A fist-sized depression appeared in the wall above the tatami, and cracks spread outward from it.
Borrowing the momentum of his sidestep, Hyūga Hiashi stepped forward with his right foot and thrust out his right palm at the same time.
Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm.
It was the same technique, but his vacuum projectile was faster than Hyūga Hizashi's.
Hyūga Hizashi had no time to dodge and could only raise both arms, taking the hit with his forearms.
Bang!
A muffled sound echoed through the dōjō. Hyūga Hizashi's body slid back several steps, leaving two shallow drag marks on the tatami.
He shook his numb arms.
"Elder Brother's Vacuum Palm is becoming more and more impressive."
"You are not bad either, Hizashi."
Hyūga Hiashi said.
Then he used Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms.
His palms struck out repeatedly at a speed difficult for the naked eye to catch. Each palm precisely aimed at the chakra points on Hyūga Hizashi's body.
From top to bottom, from outside to inside, palm after palm, unbroken and continuous.
Hyūga Hizashi's Byakugan captured the trajectory at the same time, seeing through Hyūga Hiashi's movements.
His body began reacting. Both palms met the attack with the same Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms.
Pa! Pa! Pa! Pa!
Their palms continuously collided in the air.
In just one or two seconds, both had completed thirty-two strikes.
Each stepped back, reopening the distance.
Hyūga Hizashi panted slightly, a thin layer of sweat appearing on his forehead.
Hyūga Hiashi's breathing remained steady, only the rise and fall of his chest slightly faster than before.
"Elder Brother's Thirty-Two Palms are still faster than mine."
Hyūga Hizashi straightened and wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.
Hyūga Hiashi looked at him. There was no pride or complacency in his white eyes.
"Your Vacuum Palm has improved a lot, but the continuity of your Gentle Fist is still lacking. From the fourteenth palm to the fifteenth, the transition was a little slow."
Hyūga Hizashi nodded silently.
He did not have the complete Gentle Fist, so his movements naturally could not be seamless.
All branch family members practiced a cut-down version.
Many powerful techniques could only be learned by the main family.
For example, the full version of Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms was actually Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.
"I will pay attention."
Hyūga Hiashi said nothing more.
He turned and walked to the edge of the dōjō, picked up a towel from the low table, and handed it to Hyūga Hizashi.
Hyūga Hizashi took the towel, wiped the sweat from his face, then raised his head and looked at his elder brother.
"I heard Neji's talent is quite good?"
Hyūga Hiashi said.
At the mention of his son's name, even Hyūga Hizashi's stern face unconsciously showed a smile.
"He does learn very quickly."
"I see."
Hyūga Hiashi nodded.
"When he is a little older, he can come to the main family dōjō and train with Hinata."
Hyūga Hizashi's body paused slightly.
He raised his head and looked at his elder brother. A complicated emotion flashed through his white eyes.
The main family dōjō was a place only main family members could enter.
Branch family children were bound by the Caged Bird Seal from birth and could only ever train in the branch family dōjō.
"Thank you, Elder Brother."
Hyūga Hizashi lowered his head.
Hyūga Hiashi did not reply.
His gaze passed through the dōjō window and landed on the distant sky.
For some reason, he had an uneasy feeling.
As if someone was watching this place.
The Hyūga main family residence, rear courtyard.
Several camellias were planted in the courtyard and were currently in bloom.
A gray cat lay under the veranda, its tail resting on the wooden floor, occasionally lazily flicking once.
A woman sat on a low stool beneath the eaves, holding Hyūga Hinata in her arms. She was cradling a small swaddle.
Wrapped inside the swaddle was an infant, only a pink little face showing. Her eyes were closed, and her long eyelashes cast faint shadows over her eyelids.
Several strands of dark-blue newborn hair peeked from the edge of the swaddle, softly clinging to her forehead.
Her breathing was very light. Her little mouth was slightly open, occasionally smacking twice, as if she had eaten something delicious in her dreams.
The woman lowered her head and looked at Hinata in her arms, a gentle smile appearing on her face. She reached out a finger and lightly poked Hinata's cheek. Hinata's brows furrowed and her little mouth drooped, but she did not wake.
"What a quiet child."
The woman said softly.
Just then, from the corner of her eye, she caught a flash of white.
She raised her head and looked toward the courtyard wall.
There was nothing.
The sunlight was still bright. The camellias still bloomed quietly. The gray cat still lay beneath the veranda, dozing.
Everything was the same as before.
The woman shook her head, thinking she had seen wrong.
She lowered her head again, looked at Hinata in her arms, and continued gently rocking the swaddle.
She did not know that on the other side of the courtyard wall, two white figures were standing silently.
Ōtsutsuki Toneri and his father.
Both wore pure white robes, the hems dragging long shadows across the ground.
"So these are the clansmen of the lower world?"
Toneri's voice was very low, carrying an innate indifference.
His sensory ability pierced through the courtyard wall and landed on the little swaddle inside the courtyard.
He could "see" that infant.
Her chakra flow was still very weak.
But the color of that chakra—in Toneri's sensory vision, chakra had colors. Ordinary people's chakra was pale blue.
Hinata's chakra, however, carried a purple hue.
This was proof of Hamura's bloodline.
Ōtsutsuki Toneri's heart throbbed.
"Father, I feel her bloodline is very pure."
Ōtsutsuki Toneri spoke.
Toneri's father nodded.
His sensory ability was stronger than his son's, so naturally he could clearly see the purity of chakra inside that infant.
That kind of purity had never appeared in the history of the moon branch family.
No, it should be said that since Ōtsutsuki Hamura's descendants split into the main family and branch family, there had never again appeared a Byakugan with such high purity.
"The Hyūga clan has indeed preserved the ancestor's bloodline."
Ōtsutsuki Toneri's father felt somewhat pleased.
He had not expected that coming here would bring an unexpected harvest.
~~~
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