Before visiting Arashi, Hiashi had already expected him to request personnel.
Hiruzen had also assured him that anyone sent over would only serve as a temporary spy.
Once Arashi fell, they would immediately return to the Hyuga clan.
Even so, Hiashi pretended to consider the matter for a long time before slowly speaking.
“Kaeda-san may not know this, but because the Byakugan is so unique, the Hyuga are divided into a Main House and a Branch House.”
“The children of the Main House carry our clan’s central bloodline.
They can never be allowed to serve outside the clan.”
“I’ll provide several children from the Branch House for you to command.”
Hiashi did not mention secrets such as the Caged Bird Seal.
However, the division between the Main and Branch Houses was already common knowledge in Konoha.
If he happily offered children from the Main House, Arashi would only become suspicious.
‘Children?’
The corner of Arashi’s mouth rose slightly.
Hiashi—or rather, Hiruzen—apparently mistook him for Danzo.
Most members of Root were raised from childhood.
Yamanaka Fu and Aburame Torune, who later served as Danzo’s guards during his brief tenure as Sixth Hokage candidate, were examples.
Sai and Yamato were the same.
Raising them from childhood allowed Danzo to brainwash them continuously, producing extreme loyalty.
They would even sacrifice their lives without hesitation.
Arashi had no intention of doing that.
He was not a filthy old monster like Danzo.
Even if child labor arrived willingly at his door, he had no interest unless the child possessed talent on Itachi’s level.
Besides, Itachi merely organized documents and occasionally ran with Duy.
His life was hardly different from attending school and was far better than suffering abuse inside Root’s lightless underground base.
“No, no.”
Arashi waved a finger.
“Children are too young.”
“The Fourth Hokage and I need capable young men who can be deployed immediately.”
“I heard Hiashi-san has a younger brother named Hyuga Hizashi.”
“Send him to me.”
“Only one person?”
Hiashi froze slightly.
“One is enough.”
Arashi smiled mysteriously.
“The Hyuga and the Byakugan are strategic weapons.”
“If deployed once at the critical moment, that alone can be fatal.”
Hiashi was secretly delighted.
Arashi knew it as well.
According to what Hiashi later told Neji, Hizashi deeply respected and perhaps even worshiped his elder brother.
He willingly abandoned his wife and young son to die in Hiashi’s place.
Such devotion was comparable to the unwavering loyalty of a trusted companion who stands by through every trial.
With someone he trusted absolutely spying beside Arashi, combined with the Byakugan’s exceptional perception, how could Hiashi fail to uncover Arashi’s weaknesses?
“Please rest assured, Kaeda-san.”
Hiashi cupped his hands respectfully.
“I will give you a pleasant surprise tomorrow morning.”
After seeing his guest out, Arashi used his sensory abilities to confirm that Hiashi had gone far away.
Only then did his narrow-eyed smile disappear, replaced by an icy expression.
“A surprise?”
“I have an enormous surprise prepared for all of you as well.”
The Main House and Branch House?
The Caged Bird Seal?
The Hokage’s son becomes Hokage, while the scapegoat’s son continues serving as a scapegoat?
Sorry, but Arashi did not believe in that Japanese nonsense.
He believed that kings, nobles, generals, and ministers were not born superior to others.
…
Early the next morning, Hyuga Hizashi was already waiting outside Arashi’s home.
He had even arrived before Uchiha Itachi.
As for Tekka and the recently discharged Inabi, they no longer needed to report here.
They could go directly to train with Duy.
“Kaeda-san.”
When Arashi stepped outside, Hizashi bowed respectfully.
“There’s no need for such formality, Hizashi-san.”
Arashi used the opportunity to examine him carefully.
Hizashi looked almost identical to his elder brother and did not appear any younger, which made sense since he had been born only minutes later.
The only difference should have been the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead.
However, it was hidden beneath his forehead protector and could not be seen easily.
“What exceptional eyes.”
Arashi smiled and reached out to help him straighten.
“I’ve dealt with both the Uchiha and your brother, Hiashi.”
“Judging purely by ocular power, Hizashi-san appears far superior to either of them.”
The statement was complete nonsense.
However, Arashi’s shamelessness lay in how difficult his lies were to verify.
The Uchiha were notoriously insular.
At present, Arashi was almost the only outsider capable of interacting with them peacefully.
That gave his praise considerable weight.
Mentioning Hiashi as well naturally carried an element of provocation.
Hizashi knew that, yet he still found the compliment gratifying.
At the same time, bitterness quietly rose in his heart.
‘What use is possessing stronger eyes?’
‘I’ll still spend my entire life as a caged bird.’
‘I can accept my fate, but even my newborn son will…’
Arashi was deliberately trying to drive a wedge between the brothers.
Hiashi and Neji later claimed Hizashi willingly died for his brother, and Hizashi appeared at peace after being reincarnated.
That did not mean he had never felt resentment.
According to Neji’s memories, Hizashi had once lost control while watching Hinata and Hanabi train despite being far less talented than his son.
The Main House forcibly activated his Caged Bird Seal to restrain him.
That memory was deeply engraved within Neji’s mind.
As long as resentment existed, it could be amplified.
Even if Hizashi truly respected his brother, Arashi could create enough pressure to force him to choose eventually.
A journey of a thousand miles began with a single step.
For now, Arashi merely needed to enlarge the darkness within Hizashi’s heart little by little.
Itachi arrived soon afterward.
Seeing the well-protected child who appeared to possess Arashi’s complete trust, Hizashi felt another trace of bitterness.
Despite the Uchiha facing so much hostility, their relatives and clansmen could at least remain united.
What about the Hyuga?
Had Arashi heard his thoughts, he might have burst out laughing.
United?
Without a troublesome transmigrator changing events, this little boy would soon slaughter the entire Uchiha clan.
“Hizashi-san, I’m honored to receive your assistance.”
“However, as a strategist, I must understand the abilities of the shinobi under my command.”
“Wouldn’t you agree?”
Arashi began carrying out his plan.
“That is only reasonable.”
Hizashi nodded.
“I’ll demonstrate my abilities immediately—”
“No, no.”
“Information gained through a simple demonstration is not sufficiently accurate.”
“I prepared an opponent for you.”
Arashi led Hizashi and Itachi toward the training ground.
There they found Duy, Guy, Inabi, and Tekka warming up.
“Duy-san, forgive me if this request seems discourteous, but…”
Arashi gestured toward Hizashi.
“Hyuga Hizashi-san will likely train alongside you from now on.”
“Would you please spar with him?”
“Preferably at full strength.”
Duy had to win this battle for Arashi’s plan to succeed.
Therefore, he placed particular emphasis on the words “full strength.”
“I-Is that really a good idea?”
Duy scratched his head nervously.
“What if I accidentally kill him…?”
Hizashi was a member of a prestigious clan and naturally possessed his own pride.
Everyone knew Might Duy as the eternal genin.
Yet this man was claiming he might kill Hizashi?
The bitterness Arashi had just stirred rapidly expanded into nameless anger.
Hizashi stepped forward and spoke solemnly.
“Duy-san, please grant me the honor of learning from you.”
“Duy-san, I’m counting on you.”
Arashi emphasized the words once more, making Duy realize how important victory was.
“All right!”
Duy inhaled deeply, removed his leg weights, and tossed them aside.
Everyone else immediately retreated to clear space for the battle.
“Forgive me!”
Hizashi assumed the Gentle Fist stance.
One palm rested forward and the other behind him, both facing upward.
Veins bulged around his Byakugan.
Although the Branch House’s Byakugan was incomplete, its visual perception alone still surpassed the Sharingan.
Hizashi did not rush to attack.
The Gentle Fist excelled at defense more than offense.
Furthermore, his pride would not allow him to strike first against an eternal genin.
“Then…
be careful!”
Duy roared and launched himself forward.
He shot across the field like an arrow released from its bow, resembling a streak of green lightning.
‘So fast!’
Hizashi was startled, but the Byakugan could still follow him.
His reactions were also far superior to Inabi’s and Tekka’s.
He shifted aside, dodged Duy’s flying kick, and struck toward his lower leg with the Gentle Fist.
If the palm landed, the Gentle Fist’s unique ability to close chakra points would activate.
It would obstruct his chakra circulation and drastically weaken his combat power.
“Hiya!”
Duy recognized the danger.
While still airborne, he twisted his body, planted one hand on the ground, and performed a spinning flare.
He avoided Hizashi’s palm and swept his leg toward the man’s head.
“Leaf Great Whirlwind!”
The Byakugan once again captured Duy’s movements.
However, Hizashi no longer had time to counterattack and could only raise an arm before his face.
Bang!
Duy’s shin collided with Hizashi’s wrist.
Both men were forced backward simultaneously.
“Excellent technique.”
Hizashi shook his numb wrist.
All traces of his earlier arrogance had vanished, and his expression became completely serious.
‘This won’t be an easy fight.’
Duy also recognized his opponent’s strength and inhaled deeply again.
This time, he resembled a primordial beast drawing breath.
The inhalation lasted so long that Hizashi almost felt as though the surrounding air had vanished, leaving him unable to breathe.
“First Gate, the Gate of Opening—open!”
“Second Gate, the Gate of Healing—open!”
“What incredible power…”
Hizashi was not the only one observing with the Byakugan.
The Uchiha spectators activated their Sharingan as well and watched Duy’s chakra surge violently.
Guy excitedly waved his arms.
“Go, Dad!
Let your youth burn!”
“And then…”
Duy roared.
“Third Gate, the Gate of Life—open!”
The moment the words left his mouth, he vanished from sight.
He charged forward, leaving behind a shrieking wave of displaced air.
This time, Duy did not attack in a straight line.
The moment he reached Hizashi and forced him to strike, he leaped away and changed direction.
In this state, Duy could almost step upon the air itself.
He attacked from every direction and every possible blind angle.
‘This is bad…’
Hizashi immediately recognized the danger.
His Byakugan could still barely capture Duy’s movements, and his body could temporarily keep pace.
However, Duy’s speed continued increasing.
Worse still, the Branch House’s Byakugan was incomplete.
Because of the Caged Bird Seal, it possessed a blind spot.
With Duy attacking at high speed from countless angles, he would inevitably discover that weakness.
Sure enough, after only several exchanges, Duy charged again.
Hizashi instinctively struck with his palm but hit nothing but air.
Duy had already appeared behind him in midair, sweeping his leg toward Hizashi’s body.
That position happened to be the exact blind spot of the Branch House’s Byakugan.
“Leaf Strong Whirlwind!”
Fortunately, Duy habitually shouted the name of his attack.
That prevented Hizashi from taking the full blow.
Even so, he could not respond as accurately as he could against something he saw.
He threw himself forward and narrowly avoided the kick carrying a violent gust of wind.
‘Damn it!’
Cold sweat immediately appeared on his forehead.
Duy gave him no chance to recover.
His figure vanished again and approached from behind once more.
He had clearly identified the blind spot.
“You won’t!”
Hizashi’s Byakugan widened sharply.
His body began spinning at astonishing speed as chakra erupted from every point around him, forming a blue hemispherical barrier.
“Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven!”
Duy’s seemingly unstoppable punch struck the Revolving Heaven.
A soft force redirected the blow and sent him flying backward.
However, he did not crash onto the grass.
He flipped gracefully in midair and landed firmly on his feet.
Duy looked down and saw blood covering his knuckles.
Instead of discouraging him, the wound only ignited his fighting spirit.
“Wonderful!
Again!”
The chakra around him continued surging.
Only Arashi’s earlier request remained in Duy’s mind.
“Duy-san, I’m counting on you.”
A warrior would die for someone who understood him.
In Duy’s eyes, Arashi had saved both him and his son, recognized the eternal genin’s worth, and even admired his dark-green training suit.
Arashi was unquestionably someone who understood him.
Besides, Duy did not need to die.
He only needed to defeat the opponent before him with everything he had.
“Fourth Gate, the Gate of Pain—open!”
“Fifth Gate, the Gate of Limit—open!”
“His chakra can still rise?!”
“That means his speed and destructive power will increase even further!”
At that moment, Hizashi was not the only one shocked.
The Uchiha youths watching the battle straightened unconsciously.
They had already realized they had underestimated Duy.
They never imagined he could become this powerful.
‘I can’t let his strength keep rising.’
‘Otherwise, I will undoubtedly lose!’
Hizashi immediately understood the severity of the situation.
‘I need to close his chakra points and stop his chakra from flowing!’
He entered a forward stance and bent his upper body.
One hand rested low in front of him, while the other was raised high behind him.
After gathering his power for a moment, Hizashi locked onto Duy with the Byakugan.
“Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!”
Even Arashi’s heart rose into his throat.
If Duy was struck by that technique, the battle would effectively be over.
Duy instead laughed loudly three times.
“Excellent!”
“Sixth Gate, the Gate of View—open!”
His skin turned crimson from the rushing blood, while the whites of his eyes became increasingly visible.
The strain was clearly tremendous.
Before Hizashi’s palms could reach him, Duy leaped high into the air.
His fists rubbed against the atmosphere with such force that they erupted into blazing flames.
He drove them downward with all his strength.
“Morning Peacock!”
…