Naruto: After Seclusion Becoming Naruto Grandfather

As Uzumaki Chito pondered his next move, Lee suddenly dashed in, his urgency evident.

"Lord Chito! Neji has returned!"

Chito's expression stiffened momentarily.

Neji?

Wasn't he supposed to be with Orochimaru? What could have brought him back so soon?

A flicker of suspicion crossed his mind. Could something have happened on Orochimaru's side? Chito had always been wary of the snake-like shinobi's penchant for treachery.

Though Orochimaru had shown deference on the surface, Chito had never been naive enough to trust him completely. Orochimaru was the kind to bite the hand that fed him if it suited his ambitions.

Perhaps… this is another one of his schemes, Chito mused coldly.

Moments later, Neji entered the room, walking with a calm demeanor, his white eyes glinting faintly. Chito's sharp gaze instantly caught something unusual—a faint black dot at the center of Neji's otherwise pristine Byakugan.

Chito's brows furrowed in surprise.

"Neji," he said, his voice measured. "Has Orochimaru progressed on his experiments with the Byakugan? Is he attempting to create the Tenseigan?"

Neji shook his head, his voice steady but tinged with restraint.

"Not yet, Lord Chito. Orochimaru has made some progress—he's discovered a method to merge three Byakugan into one to enhance its power. But it's still far from reaching the level of the Tenseigan."

Chito nodded thoughtfully, his expression softening ever so slightly.

"That's to be expected. The Tenseigan rivals the Rinnegan, a power born of the Six Paths. For Orochimaru to have uncovered even the initial steps is remarkable."

He paused, his gaze narrowing.

"But if his experiments are still incomplete, why have you returned so abruptly? Did something happen?"

Neji bowed his head slightly, his demeanor exuding respect and calm despite the weight of his words.

"Yes, Lord Chito," Neji replied. "I believe Orochimaru has betrayed us."

Chito's eyes sharpened instantly.

"I saw Jiraiya at Orochimaru's base this morning," Neji continued. "The two spoke at length, though I could not discern all of what was said. I fear Orochimaru may have been swayed to side with Konoha."

"If that's true, he holds extensive knowledge about Shin-Konoha. If he defects, it could place us in grave danger."

Chito listened silently, his face unreadable, before letting out a quiet laugh.

"I see," he said, his tone laced with intrigue. "Orochimaru's cunning knows no bounds. He clearly allowed you to discover this interaction with Jiraiya. It's no accident you returned unscathed, bearing this news."

Both Neji and Lee stiffened, their instincts alert.

Chito's expression softened into an amused smirk as he turned to Neji.

"Come closer, Neji," Chito instructed.

Though Neji hesitated briefly, he trusted Chito deeply. He stepped forward, and Chito extended a hand, dark blue chakra coiling around his fingers like living tendrils.

With precision, the chakra infiltrated Neji's Byakugan, probing deeper until it forced a hidden object to the surface.

A small, black magatama emerged from Neji's eye, suspended in midair. As Chito increased the chakra flow, the magatama expanded rapidly, growing to half the size of a person.

With a deafening bang, the magatama exploded, releasing a massive cyan scroll that unfurled before them.

"What is this?" Neji exclaimed, his stance instinctively shifting to a defensive posture.

Lee, already on high alert, opened the Fourth Gate, ready to counter any threat.

Chito, however, raised a hand, his calm demeanor diffusing the tension.

"Relax," he said, his tone light. "Orochimaru isn't foolish enough to set traps for me. This scroll isn't a danger—it's his bargain for survival."

Chito unrolled the scroll with ease, scanning its contents. A faint smile tugged at his lips.

"Hah… clever snake," he murmured.

He tossed the scroll to Neji, who caught it with both hands.

"This contains Orochimaru's plans and methods for developing the Tenseigan," Chito explained. "He's offering you this knowledge as a token to buy his life."

Neji's grip on the scroll tightened, his expression unreadable.

"Lord Chito," Neji said after a long silence, his voice steady but firm. "The Byakugan is more than sufficient for me. I don't need the Tenseigan to prove my strength.

"Allow me to pursue Orochimaru. If we leave him unchecked, he will inevitably become a threat to Shin-Konoha."