Gluttony: Devourer.
Just as the name of this ability implies, it's a combination of "symbiosis" and "devouring." Ordinary people have an extremely low energy conversion rate from food. A piece of roasted meat only provides a small amount of heat and nutrients, with most of it going to waste.
However, Gluttony can not only devour any form of matter and energy—food, water, chakra, etc.—but also possesses an incredible, nearly 100% conversion efficiency. It can convert the devoured matter with almost no loss into the energy and nutrients the host needs, which it then feeds back to the host to repair and adaptively transform their body.
"This is so convenient." After introducing Gluttony's ability, Might Guy couldn't help but exclaim, "After training, I won't have to eat or rest to recover my stamina. I can just keep training!"
"..."
The entire plaza fell into a dead silence again. But this time, it wasn't out of fear, but out of shock and disbelief.
Might Guy had no idea what Gluttony's ability truly meant. This didn't just mean that his body would have an inexhaustible supply of resources, that as long as Gluttony had something to eat, he would receive a continuous stream of energy. It also meant that even if he were at the bottom of the ocean, Gluttony could evolve a corresponding form to decompose seawater into the oxygen he needed, allowing him to survive.
This meant that he could survive in any extreme environment. This was a powerful, terrifying ability to adapt! In other words, if he were to stay in the Opened Gates state for a long time, keeping his body under high strain, Gluttony could help him gradually adapt to that state! Once he adapted, even without using the Eight Inner Gates, his normal strength, speed, stamina, and recovery speed could reach the level he would have while using the Gates!
Jiraiya and Kakashi had each already thought of a few uses for it.
"If Might Guy can go to Mount Myōboku and have Lord Fukasaku use toad oil to help him sense natural energy, and then interrupt the process right before he completely transforms into a frog, and then repeat this process..."
Thinking of this possibility, Jiraiya's throat bobbed up and down. Could he also learn Sage Mode after he adapts? After all, the two major difficulties in learning Sage Mode were sensing natural energy at the beginning and perfectly blending natural energy, spiritual energy, and physical energy in the correct ratio. Most cultivators couldn't even pass the first step—the frog statues at Mount Myōboku were all failures. But as long as one could sense and absorb natural energy, they already had the basic aptitude for cultivation.
But Guy's talent in chakra control and refinement is very weak. I feel like even if he learned Sage Mode, it would be difficult for him to maintain it...
Compared to Jiraiya, Kakashi was thinking if he could "adapt" to having a Sharingan transplanted to him.
"This..." Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, suppressing the storm in his heart. He looked at Might Guy with a burning gaze and said in a deep voice, "Guy, this is simply a power that was tailor-made for you!"
The reason the Eight Inner Gates was a forbidden jutsu was that it was based on the user's base physical stats. For most ninjas, it was just a liability. Only a madman like Might Guy, who trained and pushed his body to a self-abusive extent, could bring out some of the Eight Inner Gates' power. But Might Guy was a human. Humans have limits. Pushing your body is one thing, but over-exerting it is harmful. So he had to rest.
But now that he had Gluttony, as long as Might Guy kept his body at its limit, Gluttony could use its "Devourer" ability to make him gradually adapt to that state.
"Hungry..." Just then, the small mouth on Might Guy's palm opened again and let out a grumbling sound. Although the sound was much softer than before, it still interrupted Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others' thoughts.
"Huh? You're hungry again so soon?" Might Guy scratched his head, looking at the mouth. "Is this guy's appetite too big?"
"Eat! Eat as much as you can!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said without hesitation. "As long as the village can afford it, let it eat as much as it wants!"
"From now on, your food expenses will be directly covered by the village's finances."
Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't at all worried that Might Guy would eat up all the village's money. If that were to happen, he would be overjoyed. Are you kidding me? If he could eat up all the money of Konoha, the richest hidden village, what level could he push the Eight Inner Gates to? He couldn't even imagine it.
Perhaps his base stats would infinitely approach the Eight Inner Gates: Gate of Death?
Unfortunately, based on how Gluttony feeds back energy and nutrients, this adaptive transformation seems to be a gradual process. It will only feed back the amount that the host can currently handle. The rest is either kept or stored. It's impossible for Might Guy to open the Gate of Death and then be fine. At least, that's what it looks like for now...
"Congratulations, Guy," Hyūga Kawa said, smiling at Might Guy. "It seems 'Gluttony' is a perfect match for you."
Hearing this, Might Guy grinned, his signature sparkling teeth showing. "I will use this power to make my youth burn even hotter. Don't let me catch up to you."
"By the way, Kawa, that book you mentioned before..."
Hearing Hyūga Kawa's voice, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to remember something and turned to look at him. "Can you still find that book about religion?"
Although they now understood the nature of the 'Seven Deadly Sins' as an offense and rebellion against 'gods' and 'divine authority,' they still didn't know which divine authorities 'Pride,' 'Wrath,' and 'Lust' specifically violated. They also didn't know which divine authorities existed.
If they had a religious book to reference and analyze, they might be able to find the best candidates in Konoha.
"I can find it. It's an ancient book I found while sorting through my father's belongings," Hyūga Kawa nodded, explaining. "The title is The Holy Bible. The content is cryptic and records some ancient proverbs and allegorical stories about humans and gods."
Of course, The Holy Bible didn't exist in the ninja world. However, Buddhism and other religions did exist, so they had some understanding of religion and could understand most of the meanings. Hyūga Kawa planned to use points to localize The Holy Bible, changing "God" to the image of Ōtsutsuki Shibai, the "Ōtsutsuki God." After all, Ōtsutsuki Unshiki's character was that of a clan member who was dissatisfied with the current state and customs of the Ōtsutsuki clan, making him an undisputed "rebel."
Forging the 'Seven Deadly Sins' to strip that "Ōtsutsuki God" of their divine authority and even to kill that "Ōtsutsuki God" made perfect sense. Not only could he give it to Hiruzen Sarutobi and scam him out of some points, but he could also give it to the fanatic Hidan for his missionary work.
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't know what Hyūga Kawa was thinking. His eyes just flickered with anticipation. He immediately nodded. "Good, then please find it as soon as possible."
"Yes, Lord Third," Hyūga Kawa said with a smile. "Then I'll take my leave and go look for it carefully."
"Mm," Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction and reminded him, "Don't forget what I told you in the hospital room before."
What was that?
Of course, that the Main and Branch Families could no longer have conflicts.
"I understand." Hyūga Kawa said no more and turned to walk toward the edge of the plaza. The members of the Hyūga Branch Family were gathered there. Most of them had their heads down, their faces showing an unconcealable sense of dejection and shame, like eggplants in the frost. Other ninja clans and even commoner ninjas had people who resonated with the 'Seven Deadly Sins,' but out of all of them, the Hyūga didn't even have one person who could trigger a reaction from the 'Seven Deadly Sins.'
"Have you all tried?" Hyūga Kawa walked toward them and said, "Then, let's head back with me. Before I leave the village, there are some things I need to make clear to you all."
"Yes, Lord Kawa," the Branch Family members responded in a low voice.
Hyūga Kawa walked toward the Hyūga compound, and the Branch Family members followed him obediently. They walked through the edge of the plaza and onto the familiar street leading to the Hyūga compound. The afternoon sun filtered through the lush trees on both sides of the road, casting dappled light on the ground. Occasionally, villagers passed by. When they saw this silent group, especially the leader, Hyūga Kawa, they instinctively slowed down and looked at them with a mix of awe and curiosity.
Hyūga Kawa walked at the front, seemingly unaware of the low spirits behind him. However, just as they were about to turn onto the main road to the compound, Hyūga Kawa slowed down. Without turning his head, his clear voice entered the ears of every Branch Family member behind him.
"Raise your heads."
They subconsciously looked up at the back of the person in front of them.
"Why are all of you making that face?" Hyūga Kawa stopped and turned to look at them. "If others see you, they'll think something happened to the Hyūga clan again."
Hearing this, the group opened their mouths. Someone spoke up.
"Lord Kawa..."
"We're sorry, we..."
"We disappointed you..."
Hyūga Kawa walked up to them, his gaze calmly sweeping over each face. He didn't blame them, but just shook his head. "There's no need to be dejected or blame yourselves. The 'Seven Deadly Sins' do not choose based on strength or talent, but on a certain trait deep within the soul. The fact that you couldn't pull them out doesn't mean you lack ability."
He paused, then continued, "Besides, the future of the Branch Family is not dependent on a few weapons."
"Kō." Hyūga Kawa's gaze fell on Hyūga Kō. "You have good talent, you're just young. Remember, cultivation is like sailing against the current. You all are the future of the Hyūga clan."
Then he looked at Hyūga Iroha. "Iroha, you are experienced and have a steady mind. While I'm away, I'll need you to take care of the Branch Family's affairs."
"And Naoya, Takuto, Tomohiro, Yuzuki..."
Finally, his gaze swept over everyone. "Every single one of you is an indispensable part of the Hyūga clan."
"The Main Family's Byakugan and the Branch Family's Byakugan are no different in essence. The only difference is how you see yourselves and how you use this power. I hope you don't stay in the same place as the Main Family and limit yourselves to the Gentle Fist. I hope you can find your own paths."
His words flowed like a clear spring, washing away some of the gloom in their hearts. Although the feeling of loss from not acquiring the 'Seven Deadly Sins' was still there, the feeling of being understood, acknowledged, and having high hopes placed on them made their bowed heads slowly rise.
Hyūga Kawa had already turned around and continued walking toward the Hyūga clan compound. The atmosphere of the Branch Family members behind him seemed to have lightened a bit. The silence remained, but it was no longer a suffocating quiet.
However, just as they were about to step through the compound's gates, a cold, unmistakable voice came from a distance. Hyūga Higo and a few other Main Family elders were standing there. The one who had spoken was undoubtedly Hyūga Higo.
But surprisingly, the Branch Family members seemed to have not heard the command at all. Their footsteps didn't stop, their gazes didn't even shift, and they followed Hyūga Kawa into the compound. Hyūga Higo, who had only intended to ask Hyūga Kawa for The Holy Bible, saw this and his face instantly darkened. He shouted, "I told you all to stop!"
His voice echoed in the empty gateway, but the only response he received was a deathly silence and the sound of footsteps.
That is, until Hyūga Kawa, who was walking at the front, stopped.
"Didn't you hear him?" He didn't turn back, but his calm voice carried a hint of appropriate rebuke. "Elder Higo told you to stop."
"So, stop."
The moment Hyūga Kawa's voice fell, a sound of footsteps moving in unison was heard. Every Branch Family member stopped in their tracks. Only then did Hyūga Kawa slowly turn around and look at Hyūga Higo and the others in the distance.
A gentle smile appeared on his face. He slightly bowed his head. "Elder Higo, if you have something to say, you can say it now."
"..."
Inside the compound, the sunlight was cut off by the high walls and eaves, casting a deeper shadow. It was as if the inside and outside of the walls were two different worlds, and the Main and Branch Families were people from different worlds.
Hyūga Higo's face gradually turned ashen. It was as if something was stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word. But the coldness and murderous intent in his heart only deepened. Such a cohesive and powerful collective will...
These damned Branch Family members are now completely beyond my command.
Sure enough, no matter the cost, I must set things right!
"It seems Elder Higo has nothing urgent to say," Hyūga Kawa said nonchalantly. "Then, please excuse us."
With that, he led the Branch Family members deeper into the compound.
Hyūga Higo stood there speechless for a long time. It wasn't until Hyūga Kawa and the rest of the Branch Family completely disappeared from his sight that he turned to look at the other elders behind him.
"Come to my residence to discuss tonight," he said coldly. "Just you and me. Don't notify Hiashi for now."
The other elders, whose faces were also grim, looked at each other. They knew he intended to discuss the future of the Main and Branch Families, and they also wanted to know how to solve the current predicament. After a moment of thought, the elders nodded.