The records in the Yotsuki Clan's history ended abruptly, but the tale they left behind was both strange and fantastical.
Before his meeting with Neji, the Fourth Raikage Ay had always dismissed this story as nothing more than an old clan legend. Something meant to inspire pride, not truth. But the moment Neji spoke of the "Tenseigan" and "Hyuga Ichizoku," Ay's expression changed. He realized with a jolt that the secret preserved by his clan's ancestors might, in fact, be real.
Hyuga Ichizoku—known in history as Hyuga Takumi—had not simply vanished. He had left the ninja world through a mysterious spatial rift. Where had he gone? Why had his life ended in such violent fashion? These remained unsolved mysteries.
But Ay was convinced of one thing: the eye Hyuga Ichizoku wielded before disappearing must have been the Tenseigan. And if that was true, then Neji, who carried the Byakugan within him, might hold the same potential.
At three years old, Neji had awakened the Byakugan early. Even then, he had shown a precocious maturity, carrying himself with calm confidence that put him above his peers. To the Raikage, this was the very proof that, if anyone from the Hyuga clan could awaken the Tenseigan, it would be this boy standing before him.
Realizing this, Ay made a decision. It was a gamble, yes—but one with incredible stakes. If he won, Kumogakure would gain a weapon that could realize the ambition of successive Raikage: to lead the Hidden Cloud to supremacy and dominate the ninja world. If he lost, the only price would be a few wasted resources. The risk was negligible compared to the potential reward.
The Raikage's eyes gleamed as he muttered to himself, "A gamble worth taking."
Tsuchida, who stood beside him, had listened in silence until now. His single eye narrowed, doubt flickering within. Finally, he spoke.
"I didn't expect this part of history to line up so neatly."
For years, he had suspected the Hyuga Ichizoku story was embellished. But now, after hearing Neji and remembering the records of the Yotsuki clan, he no longer doubted. Neji could not possibly have known the Yotsuki clan's hidden history, yet his claims matched it perfectly. This mutual confirmation was too precise to be coincidence.
Still, after a moment's hesitation, Tsuchida drew in a breath.
"Raikage-sama, there is something I am not sure if I should say."
Ay barked a laugh, folding his thick arms.
"Since when did you learn to hesitate? Speak your mind."
The elder's tone grew grave.
"Raikage-sama, in truth, our village bears responsibility for the death of Hyuga Hizashi. To kill the father and then raise the son… will that not invite criticism? Can we truly say for certain that Neji does not harbor hatred toward the Hidden Cloud? He is a child now. He can only endure quietly and bide his time. But what happens when he matures and decides to avenge his father? What then?"
Those words carried weight. After all, Tsuchida knew the truth more than anyone. He had been the architect of that plan—the plot to abduct a young Hyuga, to use Hizashi's life as a bargaining chip, and to force Hiashi into sacrifice. It had been his scheme that set these events into motion.
It was his nature to anticipate betrayal, to assume the worst of human hearts. That paranoia had been his strength, enabling him to steer Kumogakure through decades of conflict. His worries now were not born of guilt, but of cold pragmatism.
Ay only grinned fiercely, his deep voice rumbling.
"So that's your concern? Listen well, Tsuchida. My ancestors once said: 'First use force to subdue your enemies, then use bonds to tie them together. Only then will you be unstoppable.'"
The Raikage's eyes burned as he gestured.
"My father defeated the Eight-Tails by force. Killer B, my brother, then forged bonds with the beast, reconciling with it and becoming a perfect jinchūriki. That is the way of the Cloud. Hyuga Hizashi's death may have stolen Neji's freedom—but here, we will give him freedom, and more. We will give him a stage far grander than anything he could have had in Konoha."
His fists clenched with conviction.
"If we could tame the Eight-Tails, one of the most ferocious creatures in existence, then what is one Hyuga child compared to that? Even if Neji's hatred for Kumogakure remains forever, as long as he has the strength to lead this village to the top, I would gladly give my life for him. Even if one day he kills me, he will still be Hyuga Neji—of the Hidden Cloud!"
Tsuchida lowered his head, silenced.
---
That night, after being shown around much of the Hidden Cloud by Samui, Neji lay in bed, unable to sleep. His young mind turned restlessly, thoughts racing.
The shift in identity was overwhelming. Just days ago, he had been a branch family youth of the Hyuga, marked by the cursed seal, his destiny shackled. Now, he was being treated as a core figure in Kumogakure, showered with resources and respect. It all felt almost laughable, like some surreal dream.
But Neji was not one to dwell long on fortune or misfortune. Shaking the thought away, he turned his mind to what truly mattered—training.
What path should I walk now?
He compared the two villages in his mind. Konoha's Scroll of Seals contained a vast number of secret jutsu, techniques piled one upon another. By contrast, the Hidden Cloud's pride lay in only one supreme art: the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
And yet, that single art had elevated their shinobi to terrifying heights.
It was no exaggeration to say that Konoha's foundation surpassed the other four Great Villages combined. That was why, despite being surrounded by enemies in all three Great Ninja Wars, Konoha had always maintained its position as the number one village. But… the Hidden Cloud had produced the Third Raikage, whose might was said to rival the gods of battle themselves.
Neji's thoughts sharpened.
"Lightning Release Chakra Mode and taijutsu—that is the Cloud's greatest pride. With these techniques, the Third Raikage came closer to the level of Hashirama and Madara than anyone else in his generation. But… it wasn't taijutsu itself that made him so strong. It was Lightning Release Chakra Mode."
He frowned, frustration flickering in his young eyes.
"But I don't have Lightning Release affinity. Without it, I cannot learn that technique. Then where does that leave me?"
For a moment, he clenched his blanket in his small fists. Then his mind shifted again.
"If I cannot rely on Lightning Release Chakra Mode, then I must go all in on my Byakugan. The bloodline of the Hyuga… can it evolve? Can I reach the Tenseigan?"
His heart stirred with determination. He would carve a path no one else had walked.
Before he knew it, sleep claimed him.
---
At dawn, Samui entered his room and tugged the blanket off him. Her cold, commanding voice filled the air.
"Get up. Raikage-sama has ordered me to be your entry instructor."
Neji blinked groggily, rubbing his eyes.
"Huh? You're my teacher, sis?"
Because of his special status, Neji could not attend the Ninja Academy like ordinary children. That suited him just fine—he disliked the idea of sitting in a classroom anyway. But he had not expected to receive personal instruction, much less from someone like Samui.
Samui stood with her arms crossed, her gaze stern. With a sudden motion, she flicked her finger against his forehead.
"What? You think I'm not qualified to teach you?"
Neji winced, rubbing his head. He studied her carefully. Samui was only sixteen, but she had already risen to the rank of Special Jōnin—an achievement most shinobi would never reach in their lifetime. As one of the Hidden Cloud's brightest talents, she was indeed more than qualified.
Still, Neji's mischievous side peeked through. His eyes drifted, curious.
"So… should I call you 'teacher' or 'big sister'?"
A faint, pleasant fragrance surrounded her as she leaned forward slightly, her lips curving with the hint of a smirk.
"Good question. When we're outside, call me 'teacher.' At home, call me 'big sister.'"
Neji's face lit up, his pale eyes sparkling.
"Perfect! Two identities, double the fun."
Samui rolled her eyes and grabbed his hand.
"Enough nonsense. Let's go."
Outside, the village was still cloaked in darkness. It was four in the morning, the air sharp and cool.
Samui laid out the training schedule without hesitation.
"From now on, you'll wake up at this hour every day. Ten laps around Mount Amagumo before sunrise. Morning sessions are for taijutsu basics and ninjutsu theory. Afternoons, we move to practical taijutsu and ninjutsu training. Evenings, you'll spar until nine o'clock. That is your routine."
Neji's mouth opened slightly. The regimen was brutal. Even pure-blooded Yotsuki heirs, with their powerful physiques, would collapse under such relentless pressure. For a Hyuga child with no special body constitution, it seemed impossible.
Samui's cold expression cracked into a rare mischievous smile. She was curious to see how long he would last before breaking.
But Neji only furrowed his brow, thoughtful.
"From four in the morning until nine at night… so much time spent on conventional training. How did the Cloud grow so strong this way?"
His question hung in the air as the two of them disappeared into the predawn mist.