Ever since witnessing the battle between Uchiha Sasuke and the unknown Byakugan powerhouse, Hiashi Hyuga and the others had been poring over ancient texts. They discovered something extremely terrifying: their Byakugan and their ancestors' Byakugan might not be the same. Whether it was a degeneration of their bloodline or something else, they couldn't find the reason for now. But this also led them to find strong evidence that the Byakugan could be further evolved.
To return the Byakugan to its "most primitive state," the first and most feasible method they thought of was to stimulate the Byakugan with powerful Yang Release energy.
However, after searching the entire Hyuga clan, they couldn't find such an individual. As a ninja clan with a history spanning thousands of years, they naturally had a collection of books on Yang Release knowledge, and a considerable one at that. They even organized advanced studies in Yang Release for clan ninja after they became Jonin. But if Yang Release masters could be cultivated through ordinary training, it wouldn't be considered advanced ninjutsu knowledge. It could only be said that this kind of thing required talent more than effort. Those who could become Yang Release masters would succeed even without those texts; those who couldn't, wouldn't, even if they sat amidst a mountain of books.
It was during this dilemma that Uzumaki Naruto appeared in their sights. Blind in one eye; a powerful Yang Release master; and coincidentally, he had a not-so-shallow connection with the Hyuga clan. No one was more suitable.
"What was his reason for refusing?" a clan elder asked.
"Perhaps... because he felt embarrassed," Hiashi Hyuga said, somewhat uncertainly, recalling Uzumaki Naruto's explanation.
"Embarrassed?" The clan elders looked at each other, finding it absurd yet somehow reasonable. Those who could become strong were all stubborn. Perhaps it was precisely because of this perseverance, incomprehensible to ordinary people, that they could maintain their original intentions, forge ahead, and become powerhouses renowned in the shinobi world.
"We must find a way to make him not embarrassed!" Hiashi Hyuga and the clan elders exchanged glances, their eyes glinting. There was only one ninja who met the experimental conditions. If they couldn't seize this opportunity, then the Hyuga clan deserved to be suppressed by the Uchiha clan.
...
"So this is the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan?" Gazing at the much more complex pattern in Present Sasuke's eye sockets, Naruto couldn't help but stroke his chin. This was his assessment from a visual standpoint. In terms of power, the dōjutsu strength hadn't increased much compared to an ordinary Mangekyo Sharingan. Perhaps this was because its main enhancement was focused on the Mangekyo's sustainability.
"You two brothers, one with Eternal Eyes, one with Mangekyo... potential terrorists, you are," he looked at the two brothers and couldn't help but smile. Two of the Sannin, Hatake Kakashi of the Flying Thunder God, two Mangekyo Uchiha, plus a host of elite Jonin... Tsk, tsk, tsk, with such a luxurious lineup, Konoha could casually crush any other shinobi village one-on-one. To put it bluntly, Sunagakure and Kirigakure combined probably wouldn't be enough for Konoha to handle.
Uchiha Sasuke rolled his eyes irritably. "Compared to us, you're the terrorist. If I recall correctly, at the Five Kage Summit, Dragon Heritage and the Akatsuki were designated as terrorist organizations."
The Five Kage Summit had convened three days ago, and last night, it was announced that the meeting had concluded perfectly. Some of the meeting's contents had also begun to circulate widely in the shinobi world. The most eye-catching among them were the Five Great Shinobi Villages' designation of Dragon Heritage and the Akatsuki, and the announcement that the Five Great Shinobi Villages would jointly establish a special operations force. Especially the latter. Since their founding, the Five Great Shinobi Villages had undergone several generations of change, and different villages had cooperated to varying degrees during that time. But for all five villages to cooperate on one matter was an unprecedented event.
"Good thing," Naruto had no dissatisfaction with this. After all, the purpose of establishing Dragon Heritage was to maintain peace in the shinobi world. Where there's a first, there will be a second. He believed that among the shinobi in various villages, the vast majority who had experienced war had developed an aversion to it. This cooperation might be an attempt by the Five Kage. If the joint task force could be successfully implemented, perhaps the cooperation between the Five Great Shinobi Villages would expand to other areas.
"As long as the Five Great Shinobi Villages don't go to war, and the Akatsuki doesn't touch my people, the Dragon Heritage organization can remain dormant indefinitely. Besides, the Akatsuki hasn't shown its face for quite some time. The Five Kages' designation doesn't have much impact on us," Naruto said with a shrug.
Hearing this, those around him shook their heads and smiled. This open-minded attitude was perhaps the source of his charisma. After all, even the current Fifth Kazekage, Gaara, had once been a member of the Dragon Heritage organization. Although Gaara claimed to have left Dragon Heritage, who knew if he had truly left or not, besides Dragon Heritage itself.
Listening to this, Boruto's eyes sparkled. He decided that in the future, he too would become someone like this world's Old Man. So cool! Bearing the darkness, misunderstood by most, but anyone who truly understood him would feel admiration.
Uchiha Sasuke secretly observed everyone's attitude and, combining it with his own ideals, further planned the path he would take.
"Oh, right, there's this too." Naruto took out the space-time nin-tool Karasuki and handed it to Future Sasuke. Ever since Present Sasuke began fusing Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan, this guy (Future Sasuke) had stayed by their side, almost never leaving. So, Boruto had been in his care during this time. "I've already fully charged its energy." Perhaps it was because they were both Otsutsuki creations, but Kurama's energy was highly compatible with the energy Karasuki required. It was only by using Kurama's chakra as a "big jujube" (incentive) that this little pink turtle had agreed to let him study it.
Future Sasuke took it and offered his thanks.
"When are you planning to go back?" Present Sasuke asked.
Future Sasuke pondered for a moment. "Let's go now. The matter with Otsutsuki Urashiki, and your and Itachi's issues, have all been resolved. There's no point in us staying any longer."
The room suddenly fell silent. When they met, everyone understood that parting would eventually come, but when that moment truly arrived, a sense of sadness was unavoidable. Especially for Present Sasuke and Uchiha Itachi. Future Sasuke's arrival had helped them the most and had the greatest impact. The reason they could avoid the tragedy of fratricide was entirely because of him. His comprehensive guidance had even made Present Sasuke regard him as another older brother on more than one occasion.
"Come back and visit often when you have time!" Naruto patted Boruto's shoulder and said with a smile.
Instantly, the supposedly sad farewell atmosphere became rather awkward. Especially Present Sasuke; he blinked subtly, quietly wiping away the moisture in his eyes.
"Huh? What's with those expressions?" Naruto looked at them, puzzled. "The space-time nin-tool isn't a one-time use item. Although its chakra consumption is a bit high, I can just ask the me from the other world to recharge it."
"Oh, right!" Boruto exclaimed, hitting his fist against his palm in a moment of realization. "Why didn't I think of that?"
"Because you don't read enough books, so your brain doesn't work fast enough!" Naruto said irritably.
"We'll be going then." Future Sasuke coughed lightly. The mood was all set!
Seeing the two return to their original world via the space-time nin-tool, Naruto also bid farewell to the two brothers. "Sasuke, Uchiha Itachi, I look forward to your future actions."
After spending this time together, he knew Uchiha Itachi hadn't captured him out of his own volition. But after learning about this guy's past—he disliked him even more. To be so easily duped by Danzo into killing his own blood relatives. Completely thoughtless, idiotic behavior. Moreover, as far as he knew... the Uchiha's situation at the time didn't warrant the annihilation of the entire clan.