"I don't, Grandfather."
Kiyo Hyuga remained silent for a moment before lifting her gaze to meet Soumi Hyuga's.
Seeing the sincerity in those pale, jade-like eyes, the weight Soumi had carried in his heart finally eased.
For a long time, he had worried about Kiyo's relentless training, fearing she was still holding on to the past. Today's events at the Hokage's office had only heightened his concerns—word had already reached him. He suspected that the deep-seated conflict between the Main and Branch Families had stirred her memories of Hyuga Mirai.
That name was a forbidden topic within the clan.
Yet Kiyo was the only one who still spoke of it.
Fortunately, under her leadership, the Branch Family had become more united than ever. On the battlefield, they fought at the vanguard. In peacetime, rewards and punishments were meted out fairly, ensuring that no one abused their Main Family status to oppress the Branch Family. Even Kiyo's personal guards were forbidden from mistreating those with more distant ties.
Soumi had observed her closely ever since passing down the position of Fourth Elder.
Kiyo had not relied on the fear of the Caged Bird seal to command loyalty—her authority was built on responsibility and respect. The Branch members under her guidance followed her willingly, bound not by force but by trust.
For the first time in a long while, Soumi saw something in his granddaughter—a sense of unity that had not existed in the Hyuga Clan for generations.
"Kiyo, I've always known you had this potential," he said, his tone heavy with regret. "Perhaps… I should have believed in you sooner. That was my mistake."
"Grandfather, this isn't your fault."
Kiyo's voice was firm.
She had never placed today's outcome on a single individual. Her grandfather may have made choices she didn't agree with, but the blame could never rest on him alone.
"It's the entire Hyuga Clan that is at fault, Grandfather. The Caged Bird should return to what it was originally meant for—protecting the Byakugan. It should never have become a means for the Main Family to control the Branch Family. The Main Family should be guiding the clan forward, not shackling it to the past."
"If this continues… the Hyuga won't fall to an outside enemy. We will destroy ourselves from within."
There was no hesitation in her voice—only certainty.
The division between the Main and Branch Families was a time bomb. If it was not resolved, it would end them all.
"…Kiyo," Soumi exhaled, his voice carrying the weight of his years. "I am old. But everything I have left, I place in you."
He reached into his sleeve, pulling out an aged book with yellowed pages. Placing it on the table, he slid it toward her.
"Do what you must," he said. "Follow your own path. No matter what happens… you will always have my support."
"Thank you, Grandfather. But this is…?"
Kiyo picked up the book, her brows furrowing slightly.
Judging by the condition of the pages, it had been around for centuries. Where had he even found something like this?
Soumi chuckled. "A method to make you stronger."
Kiyo wasted no time flipping through the book.
It was short.
She finished reading it in moments.
The text seemed to be the personal notes of an unknown Hyuga ancestor. The clan placed great emphasis on preserving history, which was likely why this record had survived at all. But due to the passage of time, only this single book remained.
The contents shocked her.
According to the notes, this ancestor had once sustained severe damage to his Byakugan in battle. Yet, after undergoing a procedure to replace his damaged eyes with new ones, his strength had surged dramatically.
Years later, he slaughtered the very enemy who had blinded him.
The record did not detail the eye replacement itself—most of it focused on his revenge.
To anyone else, it would have seemed like an exaggerated war story, the kind an ancestor might have boasted about. But Soumi had painstakingly searched for accounts like this for one reason only—to help his granddaughter.
Had it not been for the recent relocation of the clan, this book might have remained buried forever.
"This method is real, Kiyo."
Soumi's expression was serious.
"The Hyuga Clan has studied the Byakugan more than anyone. Even the Caged Bird seal was developed to protect it. After I discovered this record, I spent a great deal of time verifying its authenticity. I am certain this method works."
He smiled as he spoke—proud, even.
For the first time in a long while, he could finally do something for his granddaughter.
"The Hyuga draw strength from the Byakugan, but we are also limited by it. If we can push the Byakugan beyond its current boundaries, then our strength will evolve alongside it. The ancestor who rose to Heavenly Ninja status a century ago achieved his power this way."
"Kiyo, if you wish to surpass your limits—you must elevate your Byakugan."
"Grandfather… the Hyuga's Byakugan doesn't have…"
Kiyo started to protest.
Then, she realized what he was really suggesting.
Her face darkened.
"No. I refuse."
"Don't reject it so quickly, Kiyo."
Soumi's voice was steady, but there was an undeniable weight behind it.
"As you said yourself—without power, nothing can be changed."
"Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha did not end the Warring States era through ideals alone. Keep that in mind."
His tone left no room for debate.
"I am old," he continued. "I have no need for strength anymore. These eyes will serve a far greater purpose with you. I will remain here, helping you handle clan affairs. That is enough for me."
He had spent years collecting records, ensuring this method was feasible.
Kiyo had once been the perfect candidate to inherit the Main Family.
Now…
She was the one who would change the Hyuga forever.
And he was ready to give her his power.
—
Hyuga Hizashi's death was nothing more than a ripple in the ocean.
A fleeting disturbance that was swiftly swallowed and forgotten.
Aside from Neji Hyuga, no one else would carry this event in their heart.
—
To commemorate the peace agreement, Konoha hosted another grand festival.
Just like before, everyone participated—except for the Hyuga Clan.
Merchants took advantage of the occasion to showcase new inventions from the Uzumaki Trade Association—arcade machines, LCD televisions, handheld computers, and more.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo could do nothing about it.
After all, the ones selling these goods weren't the Uzumaki Association itself, but the nobility of the Land of Fire.
At the same time, the Hyakusa Trade Association launched a series of medicinal products with health-enhancing properties, quickly flooding the markets of both Konoha and the Land of Fire.
In a world where the average lifespan barely reached thirty, medicines that could extend life and improve health were instantly sought after.
Hyakusa's reputation was undeniable—their treatments had saved countless lives over the years, earning them immense trust.
As a result, their new medicines faced zero skepticism.
Many Konoha ninjas and families eagerly purchased them for their loved ones.
For some, it was wartime earnings.
For others, it was compensation for the lives lost.
Either way—money was not an issue.
—
Roran.
After a full day of memory infusion, Hyuga Mirai successfully activated his third scientist template.
As he opened his eyes, the first thing he did was check the time.
The process had taken exactly as long as before.
Then, he began to organize the new knowledge in his mind.
"Spatial Folding… Laser Weaponry… Artificial Humans…"
(End of Chapter)
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