The darkness attempted to block Hyūga Yoshikata's Gentle Fist.
But—
"Even like this..."
It wasn't enough to stop his strikes.
Waves of chakra erupted from behind the darkness, and the final palm strike landed squarely on Kin's body.
Kin, shrouded in darkness, remained unmoved.
After completing his Gentle Fist sequence, Hyūga Yoshikata swiftly retreated.
Clenching his fists, he frowned. That sensation just now... something was off.
"Now it's my turn."
Darkness surged from Kin's body, instantly swallowing Hyūga Yoshikata whole.
In a confined space like this, Kin held an overwhelming advantage.
Hyūga Yoshikata had no time to dodge.
Against the increasingly faster shinobi of this era, the darkness couldn't always catch them immediately.
Kin glanced down at the wood fragments hidden in the darkness.
The power of that Gentle Fist was startling.
His Wood Release was exceptionally strong—ordinary attacks couldn't achieve this level of damage.
Even with Wood Release as a buffer, he'd still been hit. Fortunately, the Hyūga's Gentle Fist was only truly dangerous when it struck chakra pathways.
Six Treasuries Immortal Thief quickly restored his condition.
Within the darkness.
Hyūga Yoshikata stood frozen in place.
His body was completely immobilized, as if bound by the Shadow Imitation Technique—yet he could sense the differences. The Shadow Imitation Technique restricted even the caster, and its advanced forms could materialize shadows for attacks.
Though similar, the distinctions were clear.
If it were truly identical, the Nara clan wouldn't have remained silent.
At the very least, the Shadow Imitation Technique allowed some struggle. Here, it felt like his body had been nailed in place—only his head remained functional; the rest might as well not exist.
I'm finished.
In this moment, Hyūga Yoshikata regretted confronting Uchiha Kin. This man's strength was beyond reason.
And this Kekkei Genkai...
Even after hearing rumors, witnessing it firsthand was still unbelievable.
First the Sharingan, now this Dark Release?
Not even Uchiha Madara was this outrageous.
Suddenly, crimson light pierced the darkness. One by one, scarlet eyes opened, their black tomoe spinning as they locked onto him.
"I think it's time to teach the Hyūga clan head a lesson," Kin's voice echoed from all directions.
"Touch my people, and you answer to me."
"Genjutsu: False Tsukuyomi!"
The dark world was dyed crimson until it became a sea of blood.
Hyūga Yoshikata found himself nailed to a cross.
Countless versions of Kin appeared around him.
The one directly in front smiled, a long blade materializing in his hand.
"We have plenty of time. Let's play."
"AAAAAHHHH!!!"
Hyūga Yoshikata collapsed to the ground with a scream as the darkness dissipated.
Instantly, Hyūga clansmen surrounded their leader, glaring warily at Kin.
After all, this was their clan head—they couldn't let anything happen to him.
Hyūga Yoshikata's screams gradually subsided. Gasping for breath, he knelt on one knee.
The lingering agony was unbearable—had it not been for his iron will, he would have broken instantly.
That genjutsu wasn't something anyone could endure lightly.
"ALL OF YOU, STAND DOWN!!"
Hyūga Yoshikata roared hoarsely.
Only by shouting could he slightly alleviate the residual pain.
"Anything else to say?" Kin asked coolly.
Hyūga Yoshikata looked up at Kin, his eyes filled with terror—a far cry from his earlier confidence.
Yet for the sake of the Hyūga clan, he had no choice but to face this man.
"You... can take Hyūga Kiyoshi."
"But leave the jutsu behind!"
That technique—the one that could nullify the Caged Bird Seal—would destroy the Hyūga clan.
Kin's lips curled into an amused smirk.
"Are you really in a position to bargain?"
Hyūga Yoshikata took a deep breath. This man... is too dangerous.
"From today onward, Hyūga Kiyoshi is no longer a member of the Hyūga clan! No Hyūga shall have any contact with her!"
The branch family members instinctively lowered their heads.
Hyūga Yoshikata couldn't control Kin—but he could control the Hyūga.
"Foolish."
That was Kin's only evaluation.
"Let's go, Kiyoshi."
"Yes!"
Hyūga Kiyoshi cast one last glance at her former clansmen before following Kin without hesitation.
A bird that yearned for freedom would charge desperately toward an open sky.
Just as Lord Kin had said.
Hyūga Yoshikata's choice was nothing short of idiocy.
Land of Rain.
After days of travel, the Hyūga group finally arrived.
"So this is the Land of Rain?"
The five of them stared in awe at the gradually reconstructed city—it seemed even more prosperous than Konoha.
And hadn't the Land of Rain been reduced to ruins?
As they approached the gates, figures emerged to block their path.
"Members of Konoha's Hyūga clan—state your business."
The leader bore no village insignia, though their uniforms carried the emblem of the former Hidden Rain.
Hyūga Hoe stepped forward. "We come under Lord An's orders."
This was the arrangement Hyūga Kiyoshi had made for them—using Lord An's name would guarantee their acceptance.
None of them knew how Lord Kin had connections to a daimyo, but in the vast shinobi world, traveling as Hyūga was risky.
The Rain Army ninja exchanged glances.
"Please, follow us."
The leader gestured for them to enter.
Nodding, the group proceeded under escort.
The streets were lively, filled with smiling, well-fed citizens—a far cry from the war-torn nation of the past.
Over time, the people of the Land of Rain had escaped poverty, now living in relative comfort.
Kin, disguised as the daimyo, enjoyed their unwavering admiration.
The ninja led the Hyūga to the newly constructed daimyo's estate.
In the reception hall, they saw the ruler of the Land of Rain.
Clad in ornate black robes, his face hidden behind a demonic mask.
"Leave us."
Kin waved his hand.
The ninja vanished instantly.
Removing his mask, Kin smiled at the group.
"You've had a long journey."
The five Hyūga gasped, immediately dropping to one knee.
"Lord Kin!"
They never imagined the daimyo of the Land of Rain was Uchiha Kin. But he's in Konoha!
If this is a shadow clone, how has it lasted so long?
"Do you have what I asked for?" Kin's gaze was piercing.
"Here."
They hurriedly presented the sealed scrolls.
As Kin took the scrolls containing the Hyūga's Byakugan, he couldn't help but laugh.
The experimental materials are mine.
(End of Chapter)