The Second Elder felt as though he'd seen a ghost!
He had anticipated that Ōtsutsuki Minamoto from the moon might come after him, especially since he had dared to use the power of the Tenseigan. But what he hadn't expected was how quickly this man would arrive!
"Could it be that he's been in the Shinobi World all along?"
There was no time for further thought; his Byakugan had already detected the man's gaze fixed upon him. That gaze was calm, yet it gave him the chilling sensation of falling into an icy abyss. In that instant, he felt as though he could no longer breathe.
"I can't stay here. Those two Byakugan Princesses have likely been chosen by him. Remaining here will only lead to death!"
Although he couldn't understand why an Ōtsutsuki, one of the "Celestial Beings," would target these two "inferior creatures," he knew that if he didn't make a decision now, not only would he die, but he would also implicate Toneri.
BOOM!
Chakra erupted violently around him. Despite being near exhaustion, he pushed himself to flee with all his might, his body becoming a blur amidst the roaring energy.
"Running so fast?" Kitagawa Minamoto hadn't expected the man to flee with just a single glance. But this was part of his plan; to eliminate threats completely, he needed the elder to leave and reunite with Toneri. Especially since he was now certain of one thing—this man had recognized him!
"He ran quickly on the moon, so he probably didn't see me clearly back then. Could he have recognized my chakra instead?"
"Minamoto-senpai, thank you," Neji and Hinata said almost simultaneously.
"If it weren't for you, we might have..."
"Enough of that," Kitagawa Minamoto shook his head, glancing at the three Hyūga before speaking. "Now, I'm giving you a mission: evacuate the women and children from the compound and ensure their safety as much as possible. Also, coordinate with the village's other shinobi to eliminate the invaders and support battles in other areas. Understood?"
"Yes, Senpai!" Neji nodded immediately, while Hinata pursed her lips, her gaze firming with determination.
"Senpai, we will do our best. We won't let you down."
"It's not about letting me down," Minamoto replied with a slight shake of his head. "You are all qualified shinobi; you shouldn't let yourselves down." His gaze shifted to the distance, and for a moment, his lips twitched slightly. After a brief silence, he spoke softly. "Also, if you get the chance, go and support your clan leader. You might find a surprise."
"Huh?"
"Father?"
Both Neji and Hinata were taken aback, but Kitagawa Minamoto simply waved dismissively. "Alright, enough talk. I'll be on my way now."
With those words, he vanished before their eyes.
"Senpai is truly incredible..." Neji murmured, staring at the spot where Minamoto had disappeared. "Who was that old man? Why did he have the Byakugan, and why was his power so terrifying? But..."
But Minamoto had defeated this overwhelming presence with a single move, saving all three of them while simultaneously repelling the elder. The sheer magnitude of his power was unimaginable!
"Senpai is truly amazing," Hinata nodded beside him, while Hanabi murmured softly from her arms.
"So that's the legendary Kitagawa Minamoto-senpai? Why does he feel so familiar and comforting?"
"Senpai has always been like that; it's not surprising," Neji responded, and Hinata nodded in agreement. Clearly, they both felt a sense of familiarity and warmth emanating from Kitagawa Minamoto. It was a peculiar feeling, one they couldn't quite explain.
"Alright, enough talk. Let's follow Senpai's instructions," Neji said, his tone becoming serious. "You two assist and guide the evacuation. I'll go support the clan leader... Wait, what?"
As Neji's gaze shifted toward Hiashi Hyūga, he froze in place. He saw Hiashi locked in a fierce battle with someone, while his guards stood stunned, unable to intervene. And the person fighting Hiashi was...
"Father?!"
"Uncle?!"
Meanwhile, Toneri was anxiously waiting, a deep sense of unease gnawing at him. When the barrier opened and a staggering figure rushed in, the metallic scent of blood immediately filled the air.
"Toneri, there's no time," the Second Elder gasped, his voice labored as he grabbed Toneri and hurriedly pulled him outside. Simultaneously, he retrieved a pair of Byakugan from his robe.
"Endure this—it will feel uncomfortable," he instructed, carefully placing the eyes into Toneri's empty sockets. "These Byakugan aren't 'pure,' but they haven't been tainted by the Caged Bird Seal. They'll suffice for now."
"Second Elder..."
"Listen to me, Toneri. That man arrived faster than we anticipated; he might have been in the Shinobi World all along!"
"That man?" Toneri immediately understood—the one who had taken over their lunar kin, the "Celestial Being." But he was already in the Shinobi World and had encountered the Second Elder? Realizing this, Toneri felt a wave of terror wash over him.
"Toneri, once your eyes are replaced, I'll hold him off while you escape with all your might. You must leave here." The Second Elder watched as Toneri's vision began to clear, finally regaining sight. Only then did he continue speaking.
"Within Konohagakure, there are two 'Byakugan Princesses.' Their eyes will enable you to fully unlock the power of the Tenseigan, and they will ensure the continuation of our lunar lineage."
"Second Elder..." Toneri's newly restored vision allowed him to see the world clearly for the first time, including the Second Elder's face. But his gaze quickly shifted, and his expression turned to one of horror—he saw someone approaching them!
"The rest is up to you, Toneri," the Second Elder said, sensing the approaching figure as well. A resigned smile appeared on his pale face. "Farewell, Toneri."
With those words, he shoved Toneri away and unleashed his chakra. His entire body became enveloped in brilliant light, clearly entering the Tenseigan Chakra Mode!
Turning abruptly, he charged toward the approaching figure, his power roaring like thunder as he let out a battle cry.
"You're using my power against me?" The approaching figure's voice remained unnervingly calm, showing no concern in the face of the attack.
Hum...
As gentle chakra rippled through the air, a black sphere materialized before the Second Elder. The sphere transformed into a sleek ninja blade, which was then swung with casual grace, its overwhelming force enveloping everything in an instant!
"This..." As the blade moved, the Second Elder felt his chakra slipping beyond his control. He stared in shock as the blade sliced through his body, shattering his "Chakra Cloak" instantly. Not only that, his connection to the moon was severed completely in that moment!
BOOM!
The next instant, the figure kicked him squarely in the chest. The immense force felt as though it would shatter his ribcage entirely, sending him flying backward like a meteor. When he crashed heavily to the ground, he felt as though every bone in his body had been broken. But this wasn't his greatest concern, because he saw with horror that Toneri was standing right beside him!
"Did you think I let you leave earlier without reason?" The calm voice rang out again as the figure approached leisurely. Amid the surging chakra, the figure underwent a transformation.
The black robes vanished, replaced by flowing white garments that seemed woven from moonlight itself. Radiant chakra surrounded him like a divine aura, making him appear almost godlike. His brilliant blue eyes shimmered with otherworldly power, leaving no doubt about his identity.
"Ōtsutsuki Minamoto!" The Second Elder gritted his teeth, feeling utterly paralyzed. He couldn't move, and even breathing felt impossibly difficult. The invisible pressure from the bloodline itself made him feel as though death was imminent.
"It seems you do remember me, and you recognize me as well." Minamoto nodded, his gaze shifting to Toneri. "The reason I let you leave earlier was so that you could lead me to him. Otherwise, why do you think you were able to use the Tenseigan's power? Why do you think you've survived until now?"
Minamoto's questions left the Second Elder gasping for air, while Toneri trembled uncontrollably. They both understood his intentions—he was here to eradicate them entirely!
"In that case..." Not wanting to waste more words on the lunar descendants, Minamoto raised the Truth-Seeking Ball blade once more. Radiant light gathered along its edge as he spoke softly. "Farewell, then."
As his blade descended, he suddenly raised an eyebrow in surprise.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion shook the earth, creating a deep fissure in the ground beneath his power. But Minamoto's expression remained unchanged as his gaze shifted to the side, where three figures now stood.
"Spatial ninjutsu?" he murmured, just as a dimensional portal appeared, absorbing the two lunar descendants at the last possible moment.
"I didn't expect to meet you under these circumstances, my fellow clansman," a monk-like figure spoke from across the battlefield.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ōtsutsuki Isshiki!"
"Your name—I already know it."
"Greetings, Ōtsutsuki Minamoto."
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