After the Toneri incident, under Sakura's skilled hands, Hanabi once again opened her eyes.
From that point on, Hanabi would likely be taken more seriously since her eyes had once awakened the Tenseigan.
Even though they had later regressed into ordinary Byakugan, no one could say for certain whether some mysterious change had occurred within them.
Still, some people were willing to take that gamble. And even if they lost, it didn't matter, Hanabi had already been chosen by Hiashi as the heir to the Hyūga clan.
Speaking of which, not long after Neji had left on his mission, Hiashi had staggered back to Konoha alone, heavily injured.
It had all been caused by his Byakugan. As the clan head, Hiashi hadn't been branded with the Caged Bird Seal, which made him wary of accepting help from strangers with unknown intentions.
Even now, many still coveted the Byakugan as a bloodline limit.
After all, it had high compatibility and versatility, and unlike the Sharingan, didn't carry severe side effects when transplanted into outsiders.
You could imagine what someone with ill intent might do upon discovering a wounded, isolated member of the Hyūga main family.
Fortunately, Hiashi had decent luck. Despite hiding and dodging along the way, he managed to return to Konoha alive and alone.
And so, all was well in the end.
As time passed, it wasn't long before wedding season arrived.
Many couples were set to marry on the same day.
The well-known Seventh Hokage's assistant, Sasuke, was marrying Sakura. The Seventh Hokage himself, Naruto, would marry Hinata, daughter of the Hyūga clan head.
Then there was Choji Akimichi, heir to the "butterfly" of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, marrying Karui, a former ninja from the Cloud Village.
Shikamaru Nara, the "deer" of the trio, would marry Temari, elder sister of the Fifth Kazekage from the Sand Village.
Neji Hyūga, the Hyūga branch family prodigy, would marry Tenten, daughter of a wealthy weapons merchant.
In fact, almost all of the original "Konoha 12" were getting married on the same day. Those who weren't yet married already had partners, it was only a matter of time.
Since the Konoha 12 were so close, it all started with one person mentioning their wedding date. Eventually, they all agreed to marry on the same day.
Unfortunately, Natsuro had already married Ino beforehand. Otherwise, he probably would've delayed the wedding just to join the group celebration.
Three of the Five Great Nations would be represented at this mass wedding.
It was a shame, really, no one had made a move on the "older single lady" Fourth Mizukage Mei Terumī, nor on Kurotsuchi, the "leggy" kunoichi from the Stone Village…
Yes, Kurotsuchi had already succeeded her father, Kitsuchi, as Tsuchikage. The reason for this early promotion was simple, Ōnoki had completely lost interest in ruling. Though the role of Tsuchikage had become more ceremonial and less burdensome than before, Ōnoki now devoted himself solely to training in Sage Mode, and any interruption to his cultivation was unacceptable.
He was getting on in years, after all. If he didn't master it soon, time would simply run out.
Still, nothing was impossible. Since everyone now worked under one unified administration, maybe someday sparks of love would fly.
That day, all of Konoha was submerged in celebration.
However, at the wedding banquet, the mood was… a little tense.
Not for any major reason, just that Natsuro was also in attendance.
As the highest-ranking figure of authority, his presence—even at such a joyous event—left most people too nervous to fully enjoy themselves.
After all, not everyone could be as carefree as Naruto.
So, after giving his blessings and gifts, Natsuro politely excused himself. That was one of the drawbacks of being at the top.
Once he left, the festive atmosphere finally took hold.
Kakashi, who was officiating the ceremony, let out a sigh of relief. A celebration like this couldn't afford to fall flat.
And so, the grand wedding went off without a hitch.
A few days later, Natsuro looked at Neji and teased him, "Just got married, aren't you going to spend more time enjoying newlywed life with Tenten?"
Neji blushed but responded firmly, "It was enough. What I need to do now is very important. I've already discussed it with Tenten."
Natsuro nodded, pleased by the response. At least Neji hadn't lost himself to love and forgotten his lifelong goals.
"You've figured out why I sent you on that mission to the Moon, haven't you?" Natsuro asked.
"Yes. It was for the Tenseigan, right?" Neji replied.
"Exactly. With your talent, following the path of Sage Mode would make reaching Kage level fairly easy. And given enough time, even Super Kage wouldn't be out of the question," Natsuro said, observing him.
Besides Naruto and Sasuke, the two walking cheat codes, Neji was undoubtedly the most naturally gifted of his generation. His growth curve was steady and impressive, fitting of a genius. But geniuses rarely surpassed cheaters.
Neji looked a little surprised. He hadn't expected Natsuro to think so highly of him. He'd only ever aimed for Kage level himself, but he clearly believed he could go further.
Still, Neji answered with unwavering eyes, "But reaching Super Kage through normal means would take too long."
He paused, then added,"I also worry that time might wear down my resolve… that I might eventually be absorbed into the very system I want to change."
Natsuro nodded and handed him a scroll.
"What's this?" Neji asked, puzzled. Since it came from him, he knew it had to be safe, so he opened it immediately.
His eyes widened. He looked at Natsuro in disbelief.
The scroll contained a sealing technique very similar to the Caged Bird Seal, but without its visual-limiting drawbacks. It was essentially an improved version.
"Knew you'd be coming, so I prepared this in advance," Natsuro said casually.For him, this kind of thing was easy. Once the idea formed in his mind, modifying existing techniques was almost trivial. He'd only thought of it a few days ago and then immediately whipped it up.
Neji was speechless. He stared at Natsuro, overwhelmed with gratitude and a strange, indescribable feeling.
To Natsuro, it may have been nothing. But to Neji, this was a gift from the heavens. He had dreamed of this moment.
Seeing Neji's expression, Natsuro smiled. He understood, starting today, he had gained another powerful blade that would never turn against him.
"Are you ready?" Natsuro asked again.
"I am," Neji said solemnly, carefully storing away the scroll.
"Good. Take Toneri to this location." Natsuro handed him a prison extraction permit and a secret address, "...One more thing, don't be too shocked when you get there."
"Yes," Neji nodded and left.
As Natsuro watched Neji's back disappear, he nodded with a quiet hope... Please don't disappoint me.
Neji had already left the palace and was now alone, escorting the bound Toneri to the secret location he'd been assigned.
After confirming that no one was around, he opened a hidden passage according to the instructions and led Toneri inside.
As he progressed through the underground corridor, Neji grew increasingly astonished, the passage alone was filled with technology that could only be described as the most advanced of this era.
"So… what is this place exactly?" Neji had never imagined there was such a secret facility hidden away.
"Tsk tsk tsk… You finally brought the last surviving member of the Ōtsutsuki clan. I've been asking His Majesty for a long time, but he kept telling me to wait…"
A sinister-sounding voice echoed in Neji's ears. Even though he knew the speaker likely wasn't an enemy, Neji instinctively went on high alert.
"Who's there!?" Neji shouted, already feeling that the voice sounded oddly familiar.
"Heh… Don't recognize my voice, Hyūga prodigy?" From the shadows emerged a figure with pale white skin, it was Orochimaru, smiling with that eerily familiar grin.
Neji stood frozen, eyes wide with shock.
"I've been waiting for you," Orochimaru said softly.
"Orochimaru! Weren't you dead?!" Neji's pupils contracted as he blurted out the question.
"Heh… Jiraiya never had the power to kill me. I used him to fake my death," Orochimaru said, pausing briefly before continuing, "...In fact, you could say the old Orochimaru is dead. The one standing here now is a new Orochimaru."
Neji didn't know what to say. Then he thought back to Natsuro's mysterious smile earlier... Now, he understood.
If news of Orochimaru's survival got out, it would cause massive upheaval. Neji silently buried this revelation deep within his heart. He decided, not even his wife Tenten could know.
Orochimaru noticed the change in Neji's expression and nodded inwardly. Natsuro's judgment was indeed impressive. Despite the shock, Neji hadn't reacted with suspicion or rejection.
"Truly impressive… Natsuro-kun," Orochimaru thought to himself.
"Come with me," Orochimaru said, leading the still-stunned Neji through a series of sleek, high-tech doors, eventually arriving at the facility's core area.
There were quite a few people there besides Orochimaru.
Among them, Neji recognized several... Kabuto Yakushi, Kisame Hoshigaki, Zabuza Momochi, and others...
Seeing them did startle Neji, but not nearly as much as Orochimaru had.
"Yo! Brought back our new recruit, huh?" Kisame waved. "Nice to meet you, Hyūga kid."
"My name is Neji Hyūga," Neji replied, frowning slightly.
"Heh, same difference," Kisame chuckled.
Orochimaru didn't bother greeting the others and continued leading Neji into another room, this one filled with numerous experimental subjects.
"You're still doing human experimentation?!" Neji's eyes narrowed once more.
Orochimaru glanced at him, then at the test subjects, "They're all death-row inmates," he replied calmly.
Neji was silent for a moment before nodding. Though it made his skin crawl, it was at least somewhat acceptable.
"Besides, human testing is usually only for the final stage. His Majesty doesn't allow me to use live humans directly for early-stage research, even though it would greatly speed up progress." Orochimaru added, with a tinge of complaint.
"Of course. If you were given free rein, even death-row prisoners probably wouldn't be enough, right?" Neji asked.
"Heh." Orochimaru chuckled without answering, but the implication was clear.
"We're not just doing inhumane experiments. Some of this work could lead to cures, to healing. It's not all evil," Orochimaru explained. "I don't like that kind of research either, but when His Majesty gives an order, I have no choice but to follow it."
"Is that so…" Neji mused.
Orochimaru sighed and muttered, "Research has gotten so much harder… I have to test everything on small animals first, then move to primates like apes, and only when there are no adverse effects can I even think about testing on humans."
"I think that's the right approach," Neji said.
"Heh." Orochimaru let out a mocking laugh. He had no desire to argue with someone who didn't understand scientific research. Back when he could use human subjects directly, his results came fast. Now, with all these steps, progress had been painfully slow.
Still, it was all worth it. After all, he had finally achieved immortality.
Orochimaru licked his lips with his long tongue, eyes glowing with excitement as he stared at the figure behind Neji, Toneri.
Toneri was currently in a state where he could neither see nor hear anything. Yet even so, he suddenly shivered, as if a malicious predator had locked onto him.
In the past, Orochimaru could never have dreamed of obtaining a living Ōtsutsuki for experimentation. But now… he had one.
And just like that, all his previous dissatisfaction vanished. As long as the resources kept coming, he'd stay cooperative. And if they didn't… well, even Orochimaru wouldn't dare defy Natsuro.
"I know why you've joined us," Orochimaru said. "But you should understand, it won't be easy, even for me, to achieve what you want."
"It's fine. I can wait," Neji nodded.
He wouldn't stop training during this phase either. He couldn't pin all his hopes on the Tenseigan.
His own effort was just as important.
"Heh. In that case, welcome aboard." Orochimaru extended his hand.
Neji hesitated slightly, but eventually reached out and shook it.
"By the way, what's our group's name?" Neji asked.
"It's not a group. It's a research institute," Orochimaru replied.
"Then what's the name of our institute?"
"…Akatsuki."
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