Hizashi nodded silently, though his tone held some worry: "Why is Orochimaru willing to research the Caged Bird Seal?"
People in any world are driven by profit, and Orochimaru certainly wouldn't do something without benefit.
Aoran added some firewood to the stove and organized his thoughts:
"Orochimaru said that the potential of the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan is no less than that of the Sharingan; you simply haven't learned how to develop it."
Hizashi was slightly stunned, because the Uchiha's Sharingan gradually unlocked abilities, and there was even the legendary Mangekyo Sharingan.
However, the Byakugan, from the day it awakens, is merely an improvement in visible time and distance.
As for development, the Hyuga have tried numerous times over the course of a thousand years, spending vast amounts of manpower and resources, but ultimately achieving nothing.
They had accepted that the Byakugan was a highly supportive functional eye, unlike the combat-focused Sharingan which integrated observation, copying, and Genjutsu.
Aoran naturally knew what Hizashi was thinking. If he hadn't transmigrated, he wouldn't believe the Byakugan could be developed either.
But he didn't want to explain too much right now; a drawn-out promise wouldn't satisfy anyone.
"These are all matters for the future. Uncle, settle down first and follow Orochimaru's arrangements."
Orochimaru is currently short on both personnel and funds. Although Hizashi is one of the experimental subjects, he is also a leader managing the Branch Family, possessing decent strength and administrative ability.
Sending him over to Orochimaru now would make Orochimaru ecstatic.
Hizashi nodded slightly. At least the Main Family members thought he was dead.
"I'm just a little worried about Hayato and Neji's situation."
Aoran took out soldier pills from his Ninja Tool Pouch and handed them to Hizashi:
"For the Branch Family to awaken, taking some risks is normal. Since Hayato is willing, we just need to support him. Success depends on human effort."
"As for Neji, although he is young, he is exceptionally intelligent. A little setback won't defeat him."
Hizashi swallowed the soldier pills, and a warm current rose from his stomach.
"Neji is a good child. He has suffered."
Aoran didn't reply. It was more than just suffering.
Your death was the dampness of his entire life.
Neji never managed to escape the prison of the Caged Bird Seal in his lifetime.
And he was the person who died the most tragically and meaninglessly later on.
Aoran opened his Template; the mission was complete.
"Uncle Hizashi, I'll leave the supplies here, and the map is yours. I won't escort you the rest of the way."
Aoran wasn't planning on checking his rewards in front of Hizashi, so he put the Backpack aside as he spoke.
Inside, there was a Sleeping Bag, Medicine, soldier pills, and all necessary Travel Gear.
Hizashi had only suffered melted skin; an elite Jonin like him faced little danger outside.
Furthermore, with the Medicine applied, he only needed to rely on soldier pills for a few days.
Aoran naturally didn't need to escort him all the way to Orochimaru's base.
"Alright then, I leave Neji to you. Be careful on your journey."
Hizashi now treated Aoran as an adult, only offering a word of caution upon hearing this.
Aoran smiled and nodded, then leaped out of the tree hollow, sprinting towards Konoha Village... *Ding*. Congratulations, host, for significantly changing Hyuga Hizashi's life trajectory. You have received the Hyuga Hizashi Trait Badge: Byakugan Master. enhancement points +3.
Byakugan Master: Reduces Chakra consumption by 1/3 when using the Byakugan.
Mission: Hizashi, You Died So Miserably. (Completed)
Mission Description: The Substitution Death Incident is approaching. Please find a way to keep Hizashi alive.
Rewards are being drawn. Congratulations, host, on receiving:
1: enhancement points +10.
2: Ultra-Long-Range Archery.
3: Select any non-Original Character to extract a Trait Badge.
4: Weapon Level +2 (Level 4↓, 72-hour limit)
Aoran clicked 'Claim,' and his remaining enhancement points immediately became 13.
As the range of Aoran's Bow increased, the required archery skill naturally rose as well.
He was originally worried about how to improve his archery skills later, but unexpectedly, someone delivered a pillow just as he felt sleepy.
He glanced at his current Template: Bloodline Limit +5 levels, Weapon +3 levels (cannot be upgraded), and immediately clicked the plus sign next to Bloodline Limit.
Bloodline Limit +5 levels → Bloodline Limit +6 levels
Consumed 10 enhancement points. Remaining enhancement points: 3.
The consumption of enhancement points doubled starting at Level 5.
This made Aoran, who originally wanted to jump two levels, stop.
He tapped the Ultra-Long-Range Archery option.
Instantly, a large amount of archery knowledge flooded his mind, making his previous judgment of wind direction, wind speed, air humidity, temperature, and heartbeat more accurate.
In addition, it further enhanced Aoran's Arrow Sense for ultra-long-range targets, increasing his hit rate once again.
However, Aoran temporarily left rewards 3 and 4 untouched, planning to select a person after returning... Less than a day after Hizashi's tragic death, the intelligence spread throughout Konoha Village like a whirlwind.
This included revelations from indignant Branch Family members and self-aggrandizement from Kumogakure after their scheme succeeded.
Seeing this situation, Konoha had no intention of letting Kumogakure stay any longer, practically driving them out of the village.
Since Kumogakure had achieved a complete victory this time, they naturally knew that if they stayed longer, Konoha might lash out in desperation, so they took the opportunity to leave willingly.
The road beneath them gradually became sparse. The Kumogakure Ninja occasionally looked back; Konoha Village had already shrunk to a small dot.
Tokijin spoke up, laughing: "Don't worry, we have already left Konoha's Barrier range."
The serious expressions on the faces of the Cloud Village Delegation instantly melted away, replaced by an irrepressible look of extreme relaxation and smugness.
The sunlight shining on them seemed to carry the radiance of victors.
"It's over, everyone."
Tokijin stood at the front, his refined appearance belying his loud voice: "Our trip to Konoha was a great success!"
"Hahaha!"
"That's fantastic!"
All the Kumogakure Ninja burst into laughter, their voices filled with the lightness of utter complacency.
Totsui patted the bulging satchel at his waist vigorously. Inside it was the Alliance Agreement signed by Konoha, complete with humiliating terms.
"More than just a success! It's perfect! Those Konoha weaklings actually thought we were going to coexist peacefully with them!"
Kai Gai also had an excited look: "Tokijin, Lord Dodai's strategy was truly brilliant."
"On that last day, the looks on the faces of the Hyuga Branch Family members, haha, they wanted to swallow us whole, but they couldn't do anything to us!"
Worui shook his head and said, "That Hizashi was quite a figure, what a pity he was born in Konoha."
Tokijin gave a satisfied hum: "We also have Hyuga Hizashi to thank. If he hadn't died so miserably, the rift between Konoha and the Hyuga wouldn't be this deep."
"Although he was from the Branch Family and we didn't get the Byakugan, after this incident, will the Hyuga still be completely loyal to Konoha? Hmph, I'm afraid they'll start having internal chaos first!"
The delegation team became scattered, no longer maintaining a defensive formation.
They gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing, as if they hadn't just returned from negotiations with an enemy state, but had completed a relaxing outing.
Someone pulled out a personal Flask and took a blatant swig. The spicy liquid fueled their arrogance even further.
"Tell me, is the Third Hokage worrying in his office right now?"
A Ninja imitated Hiruzen Sarutobi smoking and pondering, drawing a burst of laughter from his companions.
"And that Hyuga Clan Head! His brother died, and he still had to escort us out. He must be feeling so aggrieved he's about to spit blood! Hahaha!"
Tokijin gazed at the road leading toward the Land of Lightning, his eyes filled with ambition for the future...