Chapter 197: Eye Theft
Konoha Village, Hyuga clan compound, the clan leader's residence.
Hinata's small body knelt in the center of the spacious seating area, surrounded by emptiness.
Across from her, the Main House members knelt in a row facing her, convening a clan meeting.
Hyuga Hishi sat among them at the center, his face twisted into an expression of grief as he spoke solemnly.
"Lady Hinata, we've just received word from the Land of Iron."
"The Five Kage Summit has concluded. Our Konoha Village has dishonored itself, signing a series of territorial concessions and reparations agreements with the other four nations."
"Ah!" Hinata's face went pale as she cried out in shock, though she quickly covered her mouth. "How could this happen?"
"Alas!" Hishi sighed deeply. "The village's military strength has been too severely depleted. Large numbers of shinobi were sacrificed in the recent upheavals."
"Our Hyuga clan's losses have also been catastrophic. The family has decided to hold a grand memorial ceremony tomorrow to mourn and pray for our fallen clan members."
"Ah, that's appropriate. I'll definitely attend on time." Hinata interjected.
But Hishi ignored her, continuing with his own agenda. "The current situation is this—even though we've signed a peace agreement, peace for Konoha may not actually arrive."
"Reports from the front indicate that the Uchiha traitor, Uchiha Yasushi, appeared again at the Five Kage Summit. He unleashed some kind of powerful jutsu in the Land of Iron that caused tremendous casualties among the civilian population."
"His hatred for Konoha runs deep as the ocean. He will surely return to cause us trouble in the future."
"When that time comes, Lady Hinata, the clan's safety will rest on your shoulders."
"Huh?" Hinata froze, her small face rapidly flushing red as she lowered her head and stammered, "But... such an important responsibility... how could it fall to me?"
"I... I can't do it..."
"What are you saying, Lady Hinata?" Hishi's eyes flashed with anger. "Right now, Lord Hiashi's whereabouts are unknown, and countless jonin from our clan have been killed or injured. The only one who can protect the family's safety is you with your Tenseigan!"
"But... but I don't know any jutsu, and my chakra reserves are so small. Even with the Tenseigan, I can't fully unleash its power!"
That's exactly what I was waiting for you to say!
Hishi's spirits lifted as he pretended to ponder. "You do have a point there!"
"Lady Hinata is still so young—at an age when she should be attending the Academy. Having her rush onto the battlefield would make our Hyuga clan appear far too incompetent."
"Moreover, Lady Hinata has virtually no combat experience. Even with a treasure like the Tenseigan, she probably wouldn't be able to use it effectively on the battlefield!"
"But the clan has invested so much effort and made such tremendous sacrifices to cultivate this Tenseigan for the family. We can't just leave it unused, can we?"
A Main House member immediately suggested, "Actually, if possible, perhaps we could transplant Lady Hinata's eyes into another Main House member, allowing them to fight in her place."
"What?" Hinata looked up in alarm, only to hear the various elders murmuring their agreement.
"That's not a bad idea."
"Though Main House members don't usually go to the battlefield, for the sake of the clan, some sacrifices must be made!"
"Um... that..."
Hinata certainly didn't want to give up her eyes, but she was too young and inexperienced. Their words left her dizzy and confused.
She finally gathered the courage to say something, but when she raised her head and saw a group of people staring at her with burning gazes, her courage evaporated and she lowered her head again.
Hishi still wouldn't let her off, staring at her intently as he asked, "So what does Lady Hinata think?"
"I... I..." Hinata's gaze unconsciously wandered, searching for someone to rely on, but there was only emptiness around her.
No father. No blonde-haired boy either.
Hinata felt cold all over. A sense of helplessness washed over her heart, and she could only meekly surrender.
She lowered her head, burying it deeply against her chest, her voice barely above a whisper. "I understand. Let's proceed according to Elder Hishi's wishes."
"Ah, I knew Lady Hinata was a reasonable person! When she grows up, she'll surely lead our Hyuga clan to glory."
Having achieved his goal, Hishi's face broke into a beaming smile as he began lavishing praise on Hinata.
The other Main House members had already received Hishi's promise that after tomorrow's memorial ceremony ended, they would begin cultivating Tenseigan for all Main House members. The goal was to make the Hyuga clan Konoha's true strongest noble house in the shortest time possible—perhaps even the number one clan in the entire shinobi world!
So now they enthusiastically joined Hishi in heaping praise upon Hinata.
Their flattery quickly left Hinata dizzy and disoriented, and even her sadness about losing her eyes gradually faded away.
After settling the matter, Hishi left and went to find Kabuto Yakushi.
"Yakushi-jonin, the transplant is definitely feasible, correct?"
"Please rest assured, Elder Hishi. The compatibility is perfect. After all, you and Lady Hinata are close relatives, so organ rejection will be extremely low. It will definitely succeed."
Kabuto smiled as he adjusted his glasses, patting his chest in assurance.
With the medical ninja's confirmation, Hishi finally relaxed and began arranging the transplant surgery.
This time they used a proper medical facility—a clean, sterile operating room with the smell of disinfectant permeating the air.
Two medical beds sat side by side, surrounded by various medical instruments. IV bags, blood bags, and other equipment hung on racks nearby. The preparations were thorough.
Following Kabuto's instructions, Hishi changed into a patient gown and lay down on one medical bed. Beside him, Hinata wore the same attire.
Kabuto first connected monitoring equipment to both of them, recording their vitals. Then he picked up a syringe, gently pushing the plunger to expel air bubbles, his face full of smiles.
"To ensure the surgery's safety and success rate, I'll now administer anesthesia to both of you."
Hishi waved at the guards nearby, signaling them to watch carefully, then nodded with a smile. "I'll leave everything in your capable hands, Yakushi-jonin."
"It's all part of my duty."
With Hishi's consent, Kabuto injected the anesthetic into both patients. Moments later, they slipped into unconsciousness.
Under the guards' vigilant gazes, Kabuto smiled as he approached, gently removing Hinata's Tenseigan first. He placed them in a solution-filled case and handed it to his assistant behind him.
Then he turned with the same smile to remove Hiashi's Byakugan.
As Kabuto approached Hishi and raised his surgical knife, Hishi's two guards reacted. One stepped forward two paces, craning his neck to watch Kabuto's surgery closely. The other walked over to the assistant, reaching out to receive the case containing the Tenseigan.
Kabuto's assistant suddenly smiled. His mouth opened wide, and an enormous white snake burst forth from within. With a single "snap," it bit clean through the guard's head.