Using the Byakugan as its foundation, combined with the Hyūga clan's unique Gentle Fist secret techniques, one can sever an opponent's chakra pathways.
The Byakugan's 359-degree vision allows its user to see the movement of their foe, but seeing doesn't mean one can react in time.
Having superior vision also requires equally sharp reflexes to dodge, counter, or strike back effectively.
The human body works as one unit; before any punch or kick, subtle shifts reveal where power is about to flow, and that is exactly what Yun plans to train Tokuma to notice next.
As for ninjutsu, Yun knew he couldn't compare to Kakashi in sheer quantity, so the second phase of training would indeed need Kakashi's assistance.
Besides, rumor had it that Kakashi had just sent another three students back to the Academy, meaning he should be free right now.
"Sensei, what about me?"
At the sound, Yun looked at Hana and scratched his head. "If I recall, your dream is to open a veterinary clinic, right? Every squad needs a medical-nin. Tokuma's Gentle Fist suits close combat and reconnaissance, so let me think…"
"All right. Once we return to the village, I'll ask the medical division to take you in for a while. You can see if you have any talent for medical ninjutsu."
"As for combat ability, the Inuzuka clan's secret techniques are more than enough for you to learn right now. Add some recon work to that later, and you'll be perfectly capable of leading your own team."
Hana nodded in understanding.
Being from a clan herself, she knew power wasn't the only standard for training. What mattered most was mastering your rhythm in battle and finding your role within the team.
Then Yun turned to Izumi, who was already eager for her turn.
During their last mission, she had taken down one enemy and assisted in defeating another with her Sharingan's genjutsu, her confidence in her abilities had grown immensely.
However…
Yun hadn't forgotten that during the evaluation mission, Izumi's eyes had awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan.
In the original story, Sasuke had awakened his Sharingan the night of the Uchiha massacre, yet despite all of Itachi's Tsukuyomi illusions afterward, he hadn't evolved it any further.
Using genjutsu alone might no longer be enough.
"Izumi, Tokuma will handle close combat and reconnaissance, Hana will take care of medical support and secondary scouting, so your specialty should be obvious."
"Long-range Fire Release ninjutsu, Sharingan genjutsu, and insight sharp enough to even take over Tokuma's role in close combat if needed. When we return, focus your training on expanding your ninjutsu and refining your Sharingan's genjutsu."
Izumi listened carefully, nodding to show she understood.
Then, after a pause, she looked at Yun curiously. "Bro, every time I use genjutsu with the Sharingan, it drains my chakra so fast. But you seem to use yours so easily. Why is that?"
Yun froze for a moment. While the real answer was tied to his Sage Body and Uzumaki bloodline, things he obviously couldn't mention, he needed a simple explanation.
After a few seconds of thought, he replied, "Chakra is formed from a mix of spiritual and physical energy. The total amount depends mostly on one's body constitution."
"But it's true that as people grow older, their chakra gradually increases and reaches a peak for a certain period."
Hearing that, Izumi sighed in disappointment, so she'd just have to wait a few more years.
She asked again, "But we're twins. Why are our bodies so different?"
Yun chuckled and scratched his head. "Twins don't share everything. Physical potential is more about individual talent. Still, judging by how early you awakened your Sharingan, you're hardly lacking in talent."
Izumi smirked proudly. "Of course! I'm the sister of the Phantom of Konoha's, after all."
At that, Hana frowned slightly. "You really shouldn't say that title out loud anymore."
"Huh? Why not?" Izumi asked in confusion.
Tokuma explained, "Other villages have clear orders, if they encounter the 'Phantom of Konoha,' they're to abandon the mission and retreat immediately. But there's no such rule about meeting the Phantom's sister."
"Strong shinobi who make their names known across the ninja world also make plenty of enemies. So, if we ever act alone, it's best not to mention our teacher's name."
Realization dawned on Izumi, and she looked a little downcast.
Yun smiled lightly. "Tomorrow, we'll slow down our pace on the way back. I'll start teaching you some basics on the road, consider it part of your training."
Land of Rice Fields, One of Orochimaru's Hidden Bases
Hissss…
The occasional sound of snakes echoed in the shadows. Orochimaru stood before the ashes of a failed experiment, carefully collecting the remains for analysis.
"Orochimaru-sama, it still didn't work?"
Behind him stood a researcher whose eyes gleamed with curiosity.
Orochimaru licked his lips with a serpent's tongue and replied, "Kabuto, improving a ninjutsu isn't something achieved overnight. And this technique was developed by none other than the Second Hokage himself."
"After the First Hokage's death, his brother, the Second, feared no one would be able to control the Tailed Beasts. So besides studying the First's cells, he developed a jutsu that could pull souls back from the Pure Land, something close to resurrection itself."
He glanced down at the newly sealed ashes. "But the jutsu was never perfected. The revived always return flawed, their power far from their prime."
Behind him, Kabuto adjusted his glasses and whispered, "Still, a technique that can revive the dead… it's art in its purest form."
Orochimaru smiled wickedly, saying nothing, but the image of the Sharingan flashed in his mind.
Not just the Sharingan, but the Rinnegan, the legendary eyes of the Sage of Six Paths.
The Rinnegan…
If only he had been more certain, he would've made his move the moment he joined Akatsuki.
Now, he thought of Konoha's Uchiha clan. If they had eyes strong enough to kill the Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure, then those eyes had to be the same as Uzumaki Ku's, the Mangekyō Sharingan!
Bound by its own rules, it would be far easier to handle an Uchiha from within Konoha than an unpredictable outsider like Sora.
Hiss…
A small snake slithered up to him and flicked its tongue, a message.
Orochimaru grinned. "We have a guest. Go bring him in, Kabuto. The seeds I planted are finally starting to sprout. That's the flaw of villages, they always grow their own poison."
Kabuto bowed and left without question. Obedience had long since become second nature to him. As long as he could touch the ultimate art of existence, nothing else mattered.
Moments later, a masked shinobi stood before Orochimaru.
Having worked closely with Danzō before the latter's death, Orochimaru instantly recognized this Root survivor.
"Hmm… seems Uzumaki Ku didn't completely wipe out Root. Even you're still being used to deliver messages," Orochimaru said as a snake climbed the visitor's arm, retrieving a scroll.
After reading it, Orochimaru asked lazily, "So this time, you need one of my labs, specifically the one that studies First Hokage cells?"
The masked man nodded. Orochimaru narrowed his golden, serpentine eyes. "I'm no longer a Konoha shinobi. If Mitokado Homura wants my cooperation… what do I get in return?"
The man produced another scroll, unsealed it, and revealed a glowing crystal orb.
Buzz.
Homura's image appeared within it.
Orochimaru chuckled. "Still as paranoid as ever, aren't you, old man? How long will the chakra in that orb last before it fades?"
Symbols of soil and dust lifted into the air, forming written words:
'Orochimaru, what do you want?'
Amused, Orochimaru glanced at the Root operative. "An interesting technique you have there."
Then, turning to the orb, he said with a sly smile, "When Uchiha Yun dies, I want his eyes."
'Impossible!'
The earth symbols reshaped rapidly:
'We can find other labs. Konoha has conducted many studies on the First's cells, even Danzō achieved some results with you. We don't need yours.'
Orochimaru sneered. "No, you can't replicate it. You need more than a fake lab. To make the public turn on Uchiha Yun, you'll need something that truly stirs outrage, like actual corpses of Konoha shinobi used in forbidden experiments."
"You and your Root remnants might have the means, but you lack the nerve. Neither you nor that other one will risk such a thing yourselves. You need me, the perfect scapegoat."
He leaned closer to the orb, his voice cold.
"Unlike Hiruzen, you two are the true cowards, greedy for life and afraid of death. You'll use my lab because, even if it's discovered, you can dump all the blame on me."
"After all, 'Orochimaru the mad scientist continues illegal experiments using Hashirama cells and kills Konoha ninja.' Who wouldn't believe that?"
"In that case, even if you fail, it'll just be a miscalculation, not treason. Convenient, isn't it?"
"So tell me, are Uchiha Yun's eyes payment enough now?"
Homura fell silent.
Cowardly and afraid to die…
The words stabbed deep. He remembered fleeing from Kumogakure years ago, when Tobirama had asked who would stay behind to cover the retreat.
Hiruzen had volunteered first, Danzō second, while Homura and the others stayed silent.
'Afraid to die? No…'
'The Uchiha are evil. If one of them becomes Hokage, Konoha will be destroyed. Everything I do… is for the village.'
After a long pause, Homura's words reformed in the air.
'You cannot have Uchiha Yun's eyes. Such power must never fall into your hands.'
Then another line appeared.
'But Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyō, that, we can give you.'
Orochimaru's pupils narrowed as his tongue flicked out, grinning like a snake.
"Heh… 'Not for me,' you say? Seems since Danzō's death, you've started lusting after power yourself."
"And if I'm not mistaken, Shisui is the current Uchiha clan head, isn't he?"
Orochimaru's grin widened into a grotesque laugh.
"Kehehehe… So it's not just Uchiha Yun you're targeting. You want to devour the whole clan, piece by piece!"
Homura's dirt-letters burned brightly with one last message.
'The Uchiha's power is evil. Hiruzen and I both know this. The Sharingan's darkness must never touch the Hokage's chair!'
'Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Yun are the same kind of men.'
Orochimaru sneered. "Ah… Konoha. Always so righteous on the surface."
'Enough!'
The words flared again.
'Give me your answer, Orochimaru! A traitor like you has no right to discuss Konoha's future!'
Orochimaru paused briefly, then gave a thin smile. "Very well… I agree."
He turned away, adding, "I still have one lab left in Konoha. Tomorrow, I'll tell you where. But I'll be assigning one of my own men to the mission."
He looked at Kabuto. "Tomorrow, go to Konoha and show our dear advisor exactly where his little trap will be set."
Kabuto bowed deeply. "Understood. I'll handle it."
Later, in a dark corner underground, Orochimaru handed him a sealed scroll.
"You know what to do. If Homura tries to double-cross us, and you get the chance to retrieve Uchiha Yun's eyes, take it."
Kabuto nodded calmly. "And if there's no chance?"
"Then plant these among the remaining Root agents… and wait," Orochimaru replied with a grin. "I'm starting to see, Kabuto, your true talent isn't just in ninjutsu research, but in understanding people."
"Remember, the Mangekyō Sharingan isn't simple. If the Uchiha make a different choice, you'll inform me immediately."
Kabuto bowed again. He knew what Orochimaru meant, if the Uchiha changed course, Konoha could easily spiral into chaos.
And when that happened, the resentful Hidden Cloud and Sand would surely seize the chance to strike, sparking the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Konoha Village, Hokage's Office
"Lately, the chatter in the village seems to have grown louder…"
Minato said as he gazed out the window, watching citizens gesturing toward the Hokage Monument, deep in discussion.
Behind him, Shikaku replied, "It seems a few of the older villagers have been reminiscing about the First Hokage and Konoha's founding."
Minato smiled faintly. "Well, the man who ended the Warring States Era by himself is certainly worth remembering."
Shikaku frowned. "Even so, I think someone's deliberately spreading these stories. Few people alive even know the extent of the First Hokage's power anymore."
"The way they talk about it, his Wood Release shaping the Valley of the End, the forests around Konoha, it's almost too detailed. I doubt most shinobi know half of what's being said."
"This feels… orchestrated."
Minato's relaxed gaze hardened. Shikaku was right, something about this didn't add up.
It almost seemed like someone wanted the people to remember just how terrifying the First Hokage's power had been. But why?
The first person that came to Minato's mind was the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He asked quietly, "Has there been any report from Koharu and Homura?"
Shikaku shook his head. "No movement from the previous generation, and nothing unusual among the two advisors who took over what's left of Root."
Minato fell silent, deep in thought.
After a long pause, he said softly, "Actually, the people who know the most about the First's power are exactly those three, Hiruzen and the two advisors. That's a fact."
So… what are they trying to do?
Shikaku had his own suspicions but stayed silent.
After all, the Nara clan had only recently regained Minato's trust after years under Hiruzen's shadow. It wouldn't be wise to speak too much about the previous leadership just yet.
Still…
The two advisors, inheritors of Tobirama's ideology, had suddenly begun to stir. And now, after the war with the Hidden Cloud, Uchiha Yun, who had slain the Fourth Raikage, was quickly becoming a national hero.
A hero, and a genius.
Shikaku glanced at Minato again and sighed inwardly.
It seemed… the Uchiha clan's fate was approaching yet another turning point.