The process by which Hyuga Neji was then developed into an Anbu subordinate network naturally needs no further explanation.
With such talent, even if it meant taking some risks, Hiruzen Sarutobi would likely deem it worthwhile.
From the very beginning, Hyuga Hizashi had never questioned this step.
It was just... he looked at the figure standing in the center of the quiet laboratory, experimenting in front of that special clone with various instruments whose names he didn't know, a look of wanting to speak but hesitating.
As if noticing his change in expression, or perhaps because this stage of research was complete, Aizen Sōsuke turned off the nearby instruments, removed his gloves, and walked towards the other end of the hall.
As he passed Hyuga Hizashi, he suddenly asked:
"Hizashi-kun, is there something you wish to say?"
"You've seemed quite troubled these past few days."
Aizen-sama's voice was as warm and gentle as ever, yet it always seemed so precise, as if he could directly read one's inner thoughts.
Hyuga Hizashi's expression paused, and he followed Aizen's footsteps, walking together to one side of the hall, and said:
"This subordinate is only worried that when you transferred me from the Hyuga Compound that day, it was out of concern that my father-son affection would delay the infiltration mission."
These words had been cooped up in his heart for some time.
It was naturally a good thing for Neji to grow under this lord's guidance. Through so many years of interaction, Hyuga Hizashi had already clearly understood what incredible power this young man before him possessed.
But after that, no matter how Hyuga Hizashi thought about it, he felt that after Neji grew stronger, he seemed to have only taken over the original work of 'Hyuga Shinma'.
That child was so young, he shouldn't have to take these risks.
However, Hyuga Hizashi truly didn't know how to bring these words up to Aizen-sama.
So, he subconsciously changed his approach:
"If you need it, this subordinate has already prepared another identity and can be deployed at any time to sow discord between the Main Family and the Branch Family."
"Neji is inexperienced, perhaps..."
Before Hyuga Hizashi could finish speaking, he saw Aizen Sōsuke in front of him had already stopped and turned towards him.
Hyuga Hiashi's words immediately ceased, and his expression instinctively became restrained.
But what met his eyes was Aizen-sama's comforting smile:
"Don't worry, I won't let Neji do anything beyond his capabilities."
"The reason I had you return is simply... it's no longer necessary."
No longer necessary?
Does he mean sowing discord between the Main Family and the Branch Family?
Hyuga Hizashi was stunned, looking at him in astonishment.
Before he could speak, he saw Aizen had already sat down in front of the dedicated large screen.
Yakushi Kabuto, who was also by his side, gave Hizashi a precise, mask-like smile and explained:
"These past few days, Aizen-sama has thoroughly analyzed the Chakra reaction of that white substance."
"He can detect their frequency of appearance throughout the Village."
"Recently, their main observation point happens to be the Hyuga Compound."
Upon hearing this explanation, even if Hyuga Hizashi's thought process was on a completely different level from these geniuses, he suddenly realized.
White substance? Hyuga Compound?
The last time they appeared, they were circling the Uchiha Clan Compound, and then Aizen-sama caught them red-handed.
It seems their plan is to incite internal strife in Konoha.
So this time, did Aizen-sama simply detect their presence and proactively withdraw his chess piece?
After explaining this, Yakushi Kabuto also turned his head to look at the large screen.
Compared to Hyuga Hizashi, who was always on missions, he knew even more information.
He was well aware that behind that strange white life form stood an Uchiha Clan member with a Mangekyo Sharingan.
And judging by the person's various behaviors, he didn't seem very intelligent.
With these pieces of information constantly stacking up, even he could guess the person's overly obvious intentions seven or eight times out of ten, let alone Aizen-sama.
Given this, why should this heavy burden of inciting internal strife between the Main Family and Branch Family be placed on their own people?
Yakushi Kabuto thought silently, his peripheral vision secretly lingering on Aizen Sōsuke.
The only thing he hadn't quite figured out yet was one point.
'What does he plan to do this time?'
Just as these thoughts flashed through his mind, a figure already appeared on the screen... "Whoosh."
At the boundary of light and shadow, a phantom-like figure walked slowly, its entire form appearing somewhat hazy and translucent.
On the streets inside the Hyuga Compound, night patrols, holding electric lamps, walked in formation.
The bright light fell upon this figure, but cast no shadow.
Everyone passed right through his body, as if completely unaware, gradually disappearing into the distance at the end of the street.
"Heh."
"Foolish Hyuga Clan."
Catching sight of the Ninja headbands that completely covered the foreheads of the patrol members, Uchiha Obito couldn't help but reveal a sarcastic smile.
"A family that is already weak doesn't know how to unite, but instead artificially divides itself into different ranks, becoming slaves from the moment of birth."
"Such a family can live peacefully in the Village."
"Yet the Uchiha, who longed to resist, have ended up in their current state."
"This world is truly unfair."
The more such disparities he witnessed, the stronger Uchiha Obito's sense of mission became.
This Ninja World was utterly rotten.
Indeed, only with the success of his Eye of the Moon Plan could a world satisfactory to everyone be created.
"Obito?"
"What are you mumbling about?"
White Zetsu, who was beside him, looked at him in confusion, appearing somewhat bewildered: "Also, isn't the current state of the Uchiha Clan your doing?"
"How did it become their own accomplishment?"
"Shut up!"
Uchiha Obito, immersed in his own world, snapped impatiently, not answering the question: "Is that Hyuga Hiashi's residence ahead?"
"Yes, but..."
Before White Zetsu could continue, he saw Uchiha Obito's figure had already vanished, directly entering the mansion ahead... Although it was the middle of the night, Hyuga Hiashi, whose hair had turned white with worry over various clan and external matters these past few days, was still awake, quietly sitting at his desk, writing something.
Then, as if sensing a subtle rustle of wind, his pen suddenly paused, and he turned his head towards the window.
The next moment.
A figure cloaked in a dark mantle and wearing a mask appeared in his vision.
"Hyuga Hiashi?"
Hiashi, whose name was called, was first startled. His mind quickly scanned for any recent dignitaries in the Village, confirming that no such delegation from the Land of Lightning had arrived. Only then did he sternly and coldly demand:
"Who dares to be so presumptuous in the Hyuga Clan?"
Almost at the instant the words left his mouth, he had already stepped out within the room.
His Gentle Fist, imbued with surging power ready to strike, suddenly lunged directly at the figure in front, showing no regard for martial ethics.
The person in front seemed to have completely failed to react, just standing there, motionless.
Idiot.
At this moment, this thought arose in both their minds simultaneously.
Even out of fear of killing the opponent with one blow and causing further incidents, Hyuga Hiashi even held back some of his strength in this strike.
However, at the moment their bodies intersected, the empty sensation caused his brows to furrow involuntarily.
Illusion?!
Just as this thought flashed through his mind, he suddenly felt a tremendous force violently yank his collar from behind, swinging him in a wide arc through the air, and slamming him to the ground with a resounding thud. The stone pavement beneath him immediately exploded into a large depression, with ripple-like waves spreading outwards.
For a taijutsu-type Ninja like the Hyuga Clan, the spatial Kamui was completely an unsolvable BUG.
In just one encounter, two chains extending from the wide sleeves of the person opposite had already wrapped around his neck.
However, this instantaneous exchange also allowed Hyuga Hiashi to immediately grasp the key point.
He stared in astonishment at the single eye, and let out an incredulous low cry:
"Mangekyo Sharingan?!"
Uchiha Obito smiled faintly, the crimson pupil in his eye socket rotating rapidly:
"From today onwards, live as my puppet."
"Hyuga Hiashi."
Hyuga Hiashi's eyes suddenly widened, the grotesque, swollen veins on either side of his temples enough to show his silent resistance at that moment.
However, all this resistance was so powerless before the terrifying ocular power of the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Gradually, the center of his pure white pupils became stained with crimson and black tomoe patterns.