Chapter 318: Surrender
After returning to Konoha, Tonari locked up Ōtsutsuki Ryoto in the deepest part of the Root base. Using Wood Release, he sealed him tightly while continuously transmitting chakra to him to ensure that the evolution of the Tenseigan would not halt due to chakra depletion.
Next, Tonari made his way to the arena and released all the captured people.
Although the foreign ninjas harbored resentment over their captivity, they dared not voice their complaints. They obediently returned to their designated inns, where they remained under the strict surveillance and unified management of the Anbu.
This incident had made it clear that the influx of foreign ninjas had given Ōtsutsuki Ryoto, the descendant of the moon-dwelling Ōtsutsuki Hamura, an opportunity to act. If it weren't for Tonari's overwhelming power that managed to suppress the evolving Tenseigan, the world's future would have been thrown into uncertainty.
Tonari also decided to refocus his attention on Black Zetsu, as this cunning and elusive figure had orchestrated too many chaotic events. He would now allocate more resources to track and counter Black Zetsu's potential moves.
Although the Hyuga clan's main compound had been nearly destroyed, most key members remained unharmed, with only a few weaker branch members suffering injuries or fatalities. However, the clan's former patriarch, the old master, had lost his pure Byakugan.
After handling various affairs, as night fell, Tonari made his way to the Hyuga clan's temporary residence. Since the main house had been destroyed, Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi had moved their father to a branch family's undamaged house.
"Lord Hokage!"
Seeing Tonari's arrival, both Hiashi and Hizashi immediately greeted him. However, upon seeing his solemn expression, their hearts sank.
"Sorry." Tonari sighed gently, shaking his head.
Understanding his implication, both brothers' eyes dimmed, but as the current clan leader, Hiashi maintained his composure.
"No matter what, we still owe Lord Hokage our deepest gratitude. The Hyuga clan will never forget this kindness."
Tonari waved his hand dismissively.
"How is the old master doing?"
Hiashi replied, "Father's health is stable, but without his Byakugan, his combat ability has plummeted. Perhaps it is for the best, allowing him to rest in the clan."
A weak cough sounded from the bed. The old clan leader slowly regained consciousness.
"Father!"
Hiashi and Hizashi hurried to his bedside.
"Hiashi... Hizashi..."
Tonari also approached. "Old master, how are you feeling?"
The old man replied in a weak but steady voice,
"Lord Fourth, apart from some fatigue, I'm surprisingly fine. Yet, a doubt lingers in my mind."
Tonari raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead."
The old patriarch hesitated for a moment before asking,
"Our Hyuga clan's Byakugan... does it really have a higher form of evolution?"
His question caught both Hiashi and Hizashi off guard. They looked at their father with wide eyes, their expressions full of disbelief.
"Father, do you mean... our Byakugan..."
Tonari's gaze grew sharper. "Why would you ask that?"
The old master sighed, his voice filled with melancholy.
"As the former head of the Hyuga clan, I bear the responsibility of guiding our lineage to prosperity. However, our clan has always been overshadowed by the Uchiha, mainly because their Sharingan can evolve into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
I have pondered many times whether our Byakugan might also possess a higher evolutionary form, akin to their Mangekyō. But despite searching countless records and investigating our history, I found nothing. Just as I was about to give up, a man claiming to be a descendant of Ōtsutsuki Hamura appeared before me.
He told me... that if I handed over my eyes to him, he would reveal the true form of the Byakugan, the 'Tenseigan'—the ultimate evolution."
The brothers were stunned.
"Father... you... gave your eyes away?"
The old master lowered his head in guilt.
"I broke the ancient vow of our ancestors—to never let the Byakugan fall into the hands of outsiders. I felt compelled to know the truth. However, after losing my eyes, I fell unconscious and never saw the supposed Tenseigan.
Now that Lord Hokage has fought him, I beg you to tell me—did that man truly possess the Tenseigan? Is it real?"
The room fell silent as all eyes fixed on Tonari.
After a long pause, Tonari finally spoke.
"Sigh... it's hard to say. That man, Ōtsutsuki Ryoto, is indeed a descendant of Ōtsutsuki Hamura from the moon. His eyes were different from normal Byakugan, emitting a unique blue light. I suspect that is the Tenseigan he spoke of."
Hiashi and Hizashi exchanged glances, still stunned.
"But let me be clear," Tonari continued, "you Hyuga lack the chakra of the Ōtsutsuki clan. Without it, achieving the Tenseigan is impossible."
Hiashi's eyes widened. "So... it's not attainable for us?"
Tonari nodded. "Exactly. The Tenseigan requires pure Ōtsutsuki chakra, something your clan no longer possesses. To attempt it would only lead to ruin."
The old patriarch sighed in realization.
"Indeed... we were once the Ōtsutsuki clan, but those days are long gone."
Tonari then turned to leave but paused at the doorway.
"One more thing... don't underestimate the Caged Bird Seal. It may not just be a means of controlling the branch family. Think about it—it could also serve as a form of protection."
With that, Tonari left, leaving the Hyuga brothers deep in thought.
After a long silence, Hiashi murmured,
"The Caged Bird Seal... a protection?"
The old patriarch's eyes dimmed as he spoke to his sons,
"From this day forward, the Hyuga clan will pledge absolute loyalty to Lord Hokage. Record it in the clan rules. Our loyalty will not waver."
Hiashi hesitated, but his father's resolve was unwavering.
"Understood, father."
As Tonari left the compound, a faint smile crept onto his face.
"That old man has some insight after all."
Meanwhile, news of the Hyuga clan's ordeal spread among the foreign ninjas, who grew increasingly curious. However, Tonari kept the details under wraps, leaving the truth of the Tenseigan known only to a select few.
The Chunin Exam continued as planned, and after a few days of rest, the final rounds commenced. Unsurprisingly, Uchiha Shisui emerged victorious, his remarkable speed and unmatched genjutsu earning him the title "Shunshin no Shisui"—"Shisui of the Body Flicker."
Even the skilled Mist ninja, Zabuza Momochi, fell before his incredible abilities. The title spread rapidly, cementing Shisui's place as one of Konoha's most promising young talents.
Tonari, content with the outcome, watched from the shadows, already contemplating his next steps.