According to the original meticulous plan, Toneri was supposed to infiltrate Konoha immediately and quietly take Hanabi and Hinata.
Using their pure Byakugan as a catalyst, he would ignite the supreme power belonging to the Hamura bloodline—Tenseigan.
This would be a crucial step in fulfilling his ancestor's will and reshaping the world.
However, a small unexpected hitch occurred in the plan.
The Ōtsutsuki invasion had caused widespread panic throughout Konoha.
The leaders of the four villages were still in Konoha, and their respective Kage guards were wide-eyed, fearing any mishap.
The entire Konoha, from its outer barrier to its core area, had its alert level raised to the highest.
Under such an impenetrable and strict guard, Toneri had no choice but to abandon his initial simple and crude approach. Instead, he decided to seek like-minded allies, such as the Hyuga clan, who shared his origins.
"It is not out of fear." Toneri whispered to his seemingly present ancestor in the void, more as if convincing himself.
"Rather, it is about finding a more efficient path. These Hyuga clan members, our kin scattered on the surface, they rightfully deserve a chance at atonement, an opportunity to return to the correct path."
Hiashi watched the muttering Toneri, his Byakugan fully activated, vigilantly locking onto the other party.
Earlier in the letter, the other party had revealed an incredible identity: the younger brother of the Sage of Six Paths, Hamura's descendant.
And the Hyuga clan, surprisingly, also belonged to Hamura's lineage.
Toneri slowly turned around. "What my ancestor guarded was a failed, twisted world created by the Sage of Six Paths. Now, upholding my ancestor's true will, I will personally correct this mistake and destroy it."
Hiashi felt that this guy named Toneri was probably insane.
The war had just ended, and peace was hard-won.
Konoha, under the leadership of the Hokage, was displaying unprecedented strength and vitality. People had just seen the hope of rebuilding their homes and living in peace and prosperity.
This so-called kin actually wanted to destroy all of it?
Isn't that just pure madness?
Hiashi said, "For the sake of us both being descendants of Ancestor Hamura, I will not make things difficult for you."
"Return to the moon, otherwise, I will immediately report everything to Hokage-sama."
Toneri sneered, "Hokage-sama? Is that the madman who is straying further and further down the wrong path?"
Hiashi said, "How dare you! Hokage-sama is the hero who protected Konoha! How can you slander him here!"
Toneri merely shook his head slightly, as if lamenting the foolishness of mortals. "No one can resist the temptation of the God Tree's power. The essence of that power is consumption and destruction. Your Hokage's mind has long been corroded by that dark power, he just doesn't realize it."
He looked up slightly. "One day, the darkness lurking within him will devour his remaining humanity. By then, he will no longer be human, but a God Tree craving to devour everything."
"And you, all of Konoha, the entire Ninja World."
"You will all become nourishment for his power, everyone will die."
The more Toneri spoke, the more outlandish it became, and by the end, Hiashi was dumbfounded.
In Toneri's words, Satoshi was not only not a positive figure but rather more like the ultimate villain attempting to subvert the Ninja World, just like Orochimaru.
"Enough, if you continue to babble nonsense, even for the sake of our ancestor, I won't be able to guarantee your life."
Hiashi looked serious, regretting coming out in the middle of the night to meet this madman.
But Toneri still had that lifeless demeanor, still speaking in the tone of a savior.
To achieve his goal, he told a small lie.
"The Ninja World will eventually be destroyed, but the Hyuga clan, as the bloodline of Ancestor Hamura, still has a chance for atonement and rebirth. If you are willing to abandon evil and return to the right path, I can lead you to a new pure land."
"And there, I will guide you to awaken the true power of the Byakugan."
"Remember, your mission and mine is to uphold the absolute justice of this world. And not to rely on those insane Uchiha."
Upon hearing this, Hiashi paused. "The true power of the Byakugan?"
However, it was only a momentary pause.
You're very strong, but what's the point of being strong?
When you're out in the world, you need influence.
The three invading Ōtsutsuki were strong, right? One was diced, and one was flattened into a meat patty.
Not to mention you, Toneri, who looks utterly weak.
Just as the Hyuga clan is about to become part of the Hokage's faction, you, a madman, come out to stir up trouble.
Don't we know whether Hokage-sama is a hero or not?
"I'll give you one day to consider."
After saying that, Toneri was about to leave.
Hiashi subconsciously raised his hand, Chakra condensing at his fingertips, but then slowly lowered it.
If anyone else had uttered such rebellious and world-destroying words, he would have surely captured them with all his might and handed them over to the Anbu for disposal.
But the other party was kin. This connection from their bloodline plunged Hiashi into unprecedented indecision.
On one hand, Toneri and his people have been monitoring Kaguya on the moon for generations, so they should be considered meritorious, right?
On the other hand, if he told the Hokage about this, according to his personality, he would not only chop Toneri down but might even go to the moon and kill the rest of their clan members clean.
Hiashi thought, 'Maybe it's better to try and persuade him. Perhaps, it was just a misunderstanding'
If he mediated, maybe everything would be fine. But then again, not reporting what he knew, wouldn't that count as violating Konoha's rules?
With a mix of emotions, Hiashi returned home. He locked himself in his room, agonizing terribly.
"How foolish, I shouldn't have gone to see that guy."
His wife's voice sounded from outside the door. "What's wrong? Are you under a lot of stress lately?"
"Don't worry about it, I can handle it myself."
Hiashi tossed and turned, unable to sleep all night.
Early in the morning, before dawn, he casually put on his clothes and walked out.
Along the way, his head was heavy and groggy. He didn't know how long he had walked, or even how he had ended up at the pastry shop, or how he was carrying a few bags of sweet pastries back home.
It wasn't until he reached the main gate that Neji, a member of the branch family on guard duty today, reported in a low voice, "Hiashi-sama, you're back. Hokage-sama has been waiting in the living room for a long time."
"Mm, I know."
Hiashi subconsciously responded, his footsteps not stopping.
But the next second, his body suddenly stiffened, and a cold current instantly shot from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.
"Wait, who did you say came?"
"Hokage-sama, Satoshi-sama, arrived at dawn, saying he had an important matter to discuss with you, and has been waiting for you in the living room."
Hiashi's head buzzed. Oh no, did Hokage-sama find out something?
Hokage-sama personally came to accuse him?
He gulped, putting on a calm demeanor.
"It must be about the security arrangements after the Four Kage Summit, or other official business."
Hiashi said, "Go prepare some good tea and snacks."
Neji was somewhat puzzled. "Hiashi-sama, aren't you holding..."
"Why so much nonsense? Just go get them when I tell you to!"
"Yes, Hiashi-sama."
After saying that, Hiashi braced himself and walked home.
As he walked, he reassured himself.
It's fine, Hokage-sama doesn't know anything.
He stood at the door and took a long breath. Then he pushed the door open and said, "I'm home."