Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 34: What Are You Hesitating For?

But resurrection techniques in the shinobi world almost always came with a cost—usually life for life. None of them were universally applicable.

The Division jutsu, however, was different...

It had its own prerequisites, but it was a technique anyone could theoretically learn. And if executed properly, it could even double the number of Byakugan users.

For Fuji's ongoing research into the Tenseigan, the potential was immeasurable.

The Hyuga branch family had about seven hundred members, while the main family had around thirty.

At first glance, the numbers seemed significant, but the reality was that not all Hyuga possessed the Byakugan. The dojutsu required specific conditions to manifest—not as stringent as the Sharingan, but still dependent on constant training and development.

Coupled with the two back-to-back Shinobi World Wars within a decade, many branch members who had awakened their Byakugan had died on the battlefield. Currently, the Hyuga clan had roughly four hundred pairs of Byakugan remaining.

This was fundamentally different from the Otsutsuki on the moon, who were born with the Byakugan and didn't require any training to awaken it.

If the branch family of the moon's Otsutsuki clan had been similar in size to the Hyuga branch family…

Then Fuji would only have one chance to evolve the Tenseigan!

The amount of Byakugan required to trigger a qualitative transformation remained uncertain. Whether the evolution to the Tenseigan required only accumulated Byakugan chakra or other unknown factors was also a mystery.

To ensure room for error and increase the available Byakugan supply, expanding their numbers was essential!

The safest approach might even be to first recreate the giant Tenseigan—an already proven success—before heading to the moon to capture Toneri Otsutsuki for further research.

After all, Toneri had managed to evolve the Tenseigan using just a single pair of Hyuga Byakugan—a unique case that deserved thorough study.

As these thoughts churned in Fuji's mind, he turned his gaze toward Tsunade. Had all her research yielded only a human-performable version of the Division jutsu?

With the Slug Sage assisting her fully, there was no way that was the only result.

But as Fuji looked at her, he noticed something unusual in Tsunade's expression—a mixture of pity and sadness.

"Your ancestors really didn't leave you any way out of the Caged Bird Seal," she said finally, her tone laced with bitterness.

"That thing connects to your optic nerves, brain, and chakra network. Unless you simultaneously sever every nerve link and halt all chakra flow, trying to remove it with medical ninjutsu will only result in death."

"From the start, your ancestors didn't leave you a path of retreat. They left you a dead end."

Tsunade let out a bitter laugh, as if mocking the cruelty of it all.

"But they probably never imagined that after hundreds of years, the shinobi world would develop so many strange jutsu and forbidden techniques—some of which just so happen to work against it."

She paused, her thoughts drifting momentarily. "If you're willing to accept it, the Second Hokage's Edo Tensei could technically work too."

She chuckled lightly, though the humor was grim.

"Do you feel despair? Resentment toward your ancestors or the seal they created? Because Division isn't something just anyone can master."

The Second Tsuchikage had classified it as an A-rank technique, yet even now, no one in Iwagakure had managed to replicate it.

Even with the assistance of the Slug Sage's cells, Tsunade's specially developed serum couldn't guarantee success…

"No," Fuji replied, his calm voice cutting through Tsunade's musings.

"Thank you for explaining, Lady Tsunade. But isn't the only reason you're willing to share this information with me the fact that I have the Caged Bird Seal? And besides, the Caged Bird Seal has indeed helped me on the battlefield."

Tsunade froze for a moment, then glanced at him with dissatisfaction. "Kids these days—none of you are cute at all."

She wasn't wrong. The main reason she was willing to reveal this to Fuji was because of the seal on him.

After winning her bet with Hiashi, Tsunade had begun to suspect that the Hyuga main family might be plotting something behind the scenes. After all, her completion of the Division jutsu and the serum was bound to provoke resistance from the main family.

As for the branch family… with the ability to activate their seals at will, Tsunade wasn't concerned about them causing any trouble.

After all, only she knew the Division jutsu—she hadn't even shared it with the Third Hokage. The branch family had no way of learning it, so why worry?

"You've ruined my mood," Tsunade said, shaking her head. "Fine. Just one round, and then you can leave."

Before Fuji could respond, Tsunade had already picked up the dice. Her hand moved in a blur before slamming the cup down onto the table.

"Big or small?"

Fuji narrowed his eyes slightly, studying her for a moment before softly answering, "Big."

---

Tsunade left the tavern feeling conflicted.

Another loss.

Should she feel relieved? Or frustrated?

No misfortune had struck her, so she supposed she should feel happy.

But still… maybe it was best to stop gambling for a while.

After all, what did the current affairs of Konoha have to do with her anymore?

If there was anything to worry about, it was the frontlines where Jiraiya and Orochimaru were stationed.

The information the Third Hokage had shared with her painted a terrifying picture—Kirigakure's mobilized forces were astonishing.

How had she never noticed before that this isolated village on the sea had war potential that rivaled Konoha's?

She could only hope Jiraiya and Orochimaru would be okay.

---

Fuji remained seated at the tavern until the owner politely asked him to leave. Rising to his feet, he walked through the village in no particular hurry.

"Look at those weird eyes—like a monster's."

"White-Eyed Monster?"

"She just sits there staring into nothing. Must be blind. I've seen her at the hospital before—her eyes don't work."

In a park, three children pointed at a young Hyuga girl, whispering and giggling to one another.

"Isn't her brother one of those white-eyed monsters too? Is he blind as well?"

"Probably."

"So if we do something to her, he won't notice, right? Like throwing sand in her eyes?"

"That's too much…" one boy muttered, but even as he spoke, he was already grabbing a handful of sand, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Come on. She's already blind. It won't make a difference."

"Besides," another boy added, "our academy instructor told us to study human weaknesses. This is a good chance!"

The ringleader took the lead, striding toward the girl with a malicious grin. As she turned her head in alarm, he shoved her to the ground.

"Hey, what are you doing?" the girl cried, her voice trembling.

She had only been waiting for her brother, not bothering anyone. Why were they targeting her?

"She can see?" one boy asked, glancing at the ringleader in confusion.

"White eyes can see too?"

"Who knows? Let's find out."

The ringleader knelt, his hand full of sand moving toward the girl's face. She instinctively began gathering chakra in her hands but stopped abruptly.

If she fought back and hurt them, her brother would be punished by the main family elders…

Closing her eyes in fear, she braced herself.

"Closing your eyes won't help," the boy sneered, leaning closer.

But just as his hand was about to reach her, a shadow loomed over him, blocking out the light.

The other two boys gasped and stumbled backward, falling to the ground in fright.

"J-Jonin…"

The ringleader turned slowly, his blood running cold as he saw Fuji standing behind him, clad in his jonin vest. The sight of Fuji's identical white eyes left him trembling.

He… he's her brother, isn't he?

The other two boys scrambled to their feet and bolted, leaving the ringleader frozen in place.

"I'm sorry!" he stammered. "I didn't mean to—I was just…"

His words trailed off, unable to form a coherent excuse.

Fuji didn't respond, his gaze shifting instead to the young girl, who looked up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes.

"Fuji-nii!" she cried, relief washing over her.

Fuji nodded slightly. "Stay close to your brother from now on. Don't wander off alone."

The girl nodded timidly. "Thank you, Fuji-nii…"

The ringleader, seeing Fuji ignore him, took a hesitant step back. When Fuji still didn't react, he turned and fled.

But as he ran, he nearly collided with another figure—a man with the same white eyes and a Konoha headband. The resemblance between him and the girl was unmistakable.

The boy's face went pale. Her real

brother?!

The boy's legs wobbled, and before he could even attempt to run, his fear overwhelmed him. He collapsed to the ground in a dead faint.

The newly arrived Hyuga, none other than Hyuga Yuki, didn't spare the boy a glance. Instead, he knelt down to check on his sister.

"Are you alright?" Yuki asked, his voice laced with concern as he helped her to her feet.

"I'm fine, Onii-san," the girl replied softly, clutching his sleeve. "Fuji-nii protected me…"

Yuki turned his gaze to Fuji, who was already walking away without another word.

"Wait, Fuji-senpai," Yuki called out, standing upright and bowing deeply. "Thank you. I owe you for this."

Fuji paused for a moment, his back still turned, before continuing on his way.

"You don't owe me anything," he said quietly as he passed. Then, as if speaking to himself, he added, "What are you hesitating for, Yuki? The truth is right in front of you. Konoha doesn't welcome us."

Yuki froze, Fuji's parting words cutting deep.

He clenched his fists as he watched Fuji disappear into the distance. What am I hesitating for…?

The truth was something he had always known but tried to ignore. The way the village treated the Hyuga branch family—viewing them with a mix of fear, disdain, and indifference—was undeniable.

Even their children were targeted for something as simple as their eyes. And yet, the branch family endured, bound by their duty to serve the main family and protect the village.

But Fuji's words lingered in his mind, echoing louder with each passing moment.

"What am I hesitating for…?" Yuki whispered to himself again, his grip tightening on his sister's hand.

His sister tugged at his sleeve gently, breaking his train of thought.

"Onii-san, can we go home now?" she asked, her voice small but steady.

"Yes," Yuki said, forcing a smile for her sake. "Let's go home."

But as they walked, his mind continued to race.

Fuji's calm, unyielding demeanor stood in stark contrast to the doubts swirling in Yuki's heart. The branch family's reality was clear—but the path forward remained shrouded in uncertainty.

Am I ready to make that choice? To follow Fuji-senpai's example? To fight for something more than just survival under the main family's rule?

He didn't have an answer yet.

But as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the village in hues of orange and gold, Yuki knew one thing for certain:

Change was inevitable.

(End of Chapter)