For Isshiki, Jigen had never been a good vessel.
This man had merely been a helpless choice made in the face of death—the only living being he could find at that time.
But this man's frail body could not withstand the transformation of the Ōtsutsuki.
Once his full power descended, it was destined that this body's life would come to an end.
That was the reason he could never fully awaken—and over the years, he had been searching for a new vessel.
"I sensed it before—someone has descended. A true Ōtsutsuki. As for now…"
He raised his head toward the sky, his dark gaze seeming to pierce through and glimpse the chakra falling like moonlight.
"The power is similar, yet vastly inferior. And for someone to withstand that power… they're no ordinary being. Perhaps even a descendant of those two offspring of Kaguya."
Having lingered in this world for so many years, he understood much.
He hadn't dared to act because he wasn't certain of the current situation.
But now, things seemed different.
"That fellow of unknown origin acts so wantonly, and no one comes to stop him… doesn't that mean it's safe now?"
He had heard that Kaguya's two descendants were already dead, but death, to the Ōtsutsuki, held a very different meaning.
Regardless, he planned to give it a try—after all, he truly could no longer bear this body of Jigen.
As Jigen began heading this way, the Second Elder took a deep breath and turned to Toneri.
"Toneri, wait here. Don't wander off."
"Grandfather… you—"
Though Toneri could not see, he could feel what was happening.
His grandfather… was secretly drawing upon the power of the massive Tenseigan on the moon!
"Toneri, don't worry. I know the consequences of doing this."
The Second Elder shook his head, a faint smile appearing on his pale face.
"The one who occupied our homeland will sense it, but that's not a problem. I know my time is nearly over."
"Grandfather…"
"Don't be sad. This was destined. The rest will depend on you."
Saying that, the Second Elder took another deep breath.
"It will take time to descend from the moon. I'll seize the Byakugan as quickly as possible—then you must leave immediately."
"But…"
"I'll confront that being directly. After my death, he won't be able to trace you. That way, you'll finally be free of the darkness."
As he spoke, the Second Elder heavily patted Toneri's shoulder, his tone earnest and solemn.
"You're our only hope. From here on, everything depends on you, Toneri."
Hearing this, Toneri fell silent, lowering his head and clenching his hands tightly.
That feeling—weakness is a sin—filled him with unbearable pain.
Yet the Second Elder said nothing more. After one last glance at Toneri, he turned and left.
After all, for him… his time was truly running out.
...
"What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Inside the ANBU base, everyone's faces darkened because of Kitagawa Gen.
They never expected that the very man they'd praised so highly moments ago could, with just a few words, leave them all speechless.
That, too, was a kind of terrifying skill.
Yet just as everyone fell into collective silence, Kakashi noticed the strange look on Kitagawa Gen's face and couldn't help but ask curiously.
"I get the feeling… something might have happened."
Kitagawa Gen's expression was somewhat odd, but he still answered truthfully—though he kept certain details to himself.
Just moments ago, he had clearly sensed the power of the Tenseigan on the moon being activated!
'Those two who escaped?'
Kitagawa Gen instantly realized what it meant, and his gaze sharpened slightly.
In the shinobi world, the only ones capable of mobilizing the Tenseigan's power were the Ōtsutsuki on the moon.
And he remembered there had been a few who escaped the purge. Over the years, he had occasionally searched for them through the Tenseigan—but they had hidden themselves extremely well.
Now, suddenly revealing themselves—and even acting together with members of the Akatsuki—could hardly be a good sign!
'Although they probably didn't see my face, still…'
Kitagawa Gen hadn't forgotten how reckless he'd been on the moon.
Even though the two of them had fled quickly and there'd been little direct contact, he still felt it wise to be cautious.
'In that case, I'll have to approach him under another identity—especially since he's using my power.'
That giant Tenseigan was his. For them to steal its power like this—unforgivable.
They'd gotten away once before, but this time, no matter what, he would annihilate them completely!
"Something's happened?"
Jiraiya looked puzzled—but the next second, the door to the underground chamber was suddenly knocked upon, causing everyone's expression to turn strange.
"No way… you jinxed it already?"
"Hokage-sama!"
From outside came Yamato's voice, sounding urgent.
"Something's happened!"
"What happened?"
Hiruzen snapped back to attention and asked, and Yamato's tone grew even more anxious.
"Hokage-sama, the Hyūga Clan has been attacked! The suspects… appear to be members of the Akatsuki!"
"Attacked?"
"The Hyūga?"
"Akatsuki?"
"Are they insane?"
Hearing that the Hyūga Clan had been attacked left everyone in utter disbelief.
And upon hearing that the attackers were Akatsuki, they found it even harder to believe.
Akatsuki had just been crushed by them in the Land of Waterfalls—yet now they dared to strike again?
What they couldn't understand was why the Akatsuki would target the Hyūga Clan of all people.
Kitagawa Gen's eyes narrowed slightly. Could it be…
These two groups had joined forces?
"In that case, we'll have to strike hard."
"But then again… it'll be nice to see the whole family reunited."
...
Inside the Hyūga compound, Hyūga Hiashi was walking toward his room, several guards following at his side.
"Have Hinata and Hanabi gone to rest?"
"Not yet. They're both training diligently," one guard replied softly, then, after a moment's thought, added, "Neji hasn't rested either—he seems even more determined."
"Hard work is good."
Hyūga Hiashi nodded. Thinking of his two daughters, for a moment he didn't quite know what to say.
At first, he had placed great hopes on Hinata, wishing for her to become a worthy heir of the main family.
But after Hinata lost to her younger sister Hanabi, who was five years her junior, his disappointment in Hinata grew, and he gradually abandoned her training in favor of Hanabi.
Perhaps because he thought of his younger brother, he had never placed the Caged Bird Seal on Hinata—he only wished for her to live a peaceful life.
What he hadn't expected was that Konohagakure would produce such an anomaly—Kitagawa Gen!
That boy was Kakashi's disciple. At first, nothing seemed remarkable, but as time passed, Hyūga Hiashi was astonished to find this boy becoming ever more extraordinary.
As the head of the Hyūga Clan, he naturally knew that the future Fifth Hokage was certain to be this boy—far more stable than Orochimaru ever was!
"And this future Fifth Hokage is the same age as Hinata, and they get along quite well. Whenever there's an event, he always invites her…"
Not just Hinata—Neji as well.
And with that connection through Guy, combined with Neji's own thoughts, Neji's attitude toward Kitagawa Gen was even more respectful.
Kitagawa Gen, too, had a good relationship with his peers; they all got along well—which, to Hiashi, was both pleasing and troublesome.
Of course, he hoped that the future head of the Hyūga Clan could maintain a good relationship with the future Hokage.
After all, with the Uchiha as a cautionary example, he would never be so foolish.
"It's just that Hanabi is too young…"
Hiashi felt a headache coming on. He had high hopes for Hanabi, yet she was too young to interact much with Kitagawa Gen.
Hinata and Neji were fine, but one lacked talent in his eyes, and the other belonged to the branch family—truly troublesome.
"Forget it, no point overthinking. I'll just observe for now."
Hiashi shook his head and continued toward his residence.
But as he walked, he suddenly sensed something wrong—and the next moment, loud explosions erupted throughout the Hyūga compound.
Immediately after came screams, shouts, and the sounds of fierce combat echoing across the entire clan grounds!
"This is… damn it, someone's attacking the Hyūga Clan?"
Hiashi instantly understood what was happening, yet he truly hadn't expected anyone would dare strike at the Hyūga!
"Send up the signal flare immediately! Notify the ANBU—and take Hinata and Hanabi away!"
Anxious beyond measure, Hiashi barked the orders to his guards, then accelerated straight toward the source of the fighting.
He still knew exactly what had to be done—but just as he moved, a shadow suddenly lunged toward him.
"You are—"
And the moment he saw that figure, his face changed drastically.
"Hizashi? Akatsuki?"
"Brother?"
The attacker's eyes flickered with confusion as he muttered unconsciously—but his body had already launched into the assault, and in an instant, the two brothers clashed fiercely!
Such battles broke out one after another across the Hyūga compound, and flames quietly rose into the night sky.
"They've fired the signal flare. Kitagawa Gen and the others will probably be here soon."
On a small hill overlooking the Hyūga compound, Obito, Black Zetsu, and Orochimaru were watching everything unfold below.
At that moment, Obito couldn't help but glance toward Orochimaru and speak.
"You've really prepared quite the surprise for Konoha."
"Shimura Danzō's corpse was already in our hands—and Hyūga Hizashi was in the hands of the Hidden Cloud."
Orochimaru smiled carelessly, licking his lips as he spoke slowly.
"They're all familiar with Konoha, even with the Hyūga Clan itself. It would be a waste not to make use of that, wouldn't it?"
"Hmph. Aren't you worried the Hidden Cloud's involvement will be exposed?"
Obito snorted coldly, but Black Zetsu interjected before the tension rose further.
"The Hidden Cloud has been tightly restrained—no need to worry. Besides, White Zetsu has already located them, and Kitagawa Gen's team has started moving."
"Oh?"
Hearing that, Obito paused briefly, then stopped pressing Orochimaru about his schemes.
"Since they've been drawn out, I'll make my move as well."
"Be careful. Don't forget—the Edo Tensei of the First and Second Hokage are in their hands."
Black Zetsu couldn't help but remind him, but Obito had already entered Kamui, disappearing silently into thin air.
"How impatient… But I'm curious to see what kind of relics the Senju left behind—and the Uchiha's as well."
Orochimaru licked his tongue again, his gaze drifting toward the distance.
"Besides, coming to Konoha this time is an opportunity. I have no intention of leaving empty-handed."
"You mean to…"
Following Orochimaru's gaze, Black Zetsu instantly understood his intention.
"The Uchiha?"
"Of course. They're a clan born for battle—and if Uchiha Madara once existed, how could he not have had followers?"
Orochimaru's smile didn't fade. But as his eyes swept across the battlefield again, his expression suddenly stiffened.
Black Zetsu sensed it too and turned toward the direction of the battle—both fell silent.
For a long moment, they could only sigh inwardly in unison.
"As expected of Senju Tobirama—he's truly lowered Konoha's moral bottom line."
And within the Hyūga battlefield, Uchiha Itachi was rampaging wildly.
Though he had no desire to take part in this, right now, he truly couldn't control himself!
"Was I wrong back then… to choose death?"
Frowning deeply, Uchiha Itachi fought on relentlessly. Yet at that very moment, he suddenly sensed something.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
He leapt high, dodging the incoming fireball in an instant, then quickly turned to look.
But when he saw who had attacked him, his eyes widened in disbelief.
"Sasuke…"
"And…"
"Father… Mother?"
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