Naruto: Starting from the Reincarnation of the Otsutsuki

"So this is the clan's secret vault... It's truly magnificent..."

Hyuga Gakuto quietly activated his Byakugan, silently praising it in his heart.

Inside the secret vault, shelves upon shelves were piled high with ancient books and scrolls, and weapons passed down through generations of the Hyuga clan were also on display.

Even the scrolls that record the secrets of Baguazhang are just randomly piled up in a corner here.

"Observe carefully, don't miss any trace."

Hyuga Hizashi stood in the center of the secret vault and spoke at the right moment, pulling the branch family members back from their wandering thoughts.

However, when his gaze inadvertently swept over the exquisitely packaged white eye at the very top of the secret vault, and then fell upon the white eye at the very bottom, which was simply held in a crude petri dish, a hint of bewilderment flashed in his eyes.

But he quickly regained his composure and dutifully directed the search.

In the Hyuga clan, the destination of each pair of Byakugan is of paramount importance.

The white eye of a member of the main family is removed after death and carefully stored in the family's secret vault, so that an eye transplant can be performed at any time in case the member suffers from an eye disease or injury.

As for the members who split up, it depends on where they died.

If it dies on the battlefield, the Caged Bird will automatically activate and destroy the Byakugan.

If someone dies within the clan, the main family will remove their eyes and store them in a secret vault for future use by branch family members in case of eye ailments or other unforeseen circumstances.

As the saying goes,

Even in the underworld, the emperor remains the emperor.

Even in the underworld, a slave remains a slave.

In the rigidly hierarchical Hyuga clan, even a pair of Byakugan eyes that have lost their master bear the distinct marks of rank and status.

"The elder brother's attitude is of utmost importance..."

"I hope my brother can do the same in the future, then there will be fewer complaints about dividing the family property."

Hyuga Hizashi stood still, his thoughts churning within him.

He knew that Hiashi Hyuga's attitude towards the branch family had softened, and if he led the team to catch the murderer...

Perhaps the rifts within the clan will one day be healed.

"Lord Hizashi, apart from a few winding marks found in the area where the scrolls are stored and the branch family's Byakugan storage area, no other abnormalities were found."

Winding marks?

A hint of doubt flashed through Hyuga Hizashi's mind, and he immediately activated his Byakugan to look at the mark.

Several thin, snake-like scratches of varying depths were quietly etched on the floor and the edge of the bookshelf.

He pondered for a long time, searching through all the possibilities in his mind, but still couldn't come up with any clues.

"How is Elder Tianyun's body?"

"Hizashi-sama."

Hyuga Gakuto stepped forward and respectfully handed over a report sealed by the clan's physician.

The officer glanced at the report and, seeing that he hadn't opened it without permission, nodded slightly, took the report, and unfolded it before his eyes.

However, when the contents of the report came into view, his pupils suddenly contracted.

"The corpse was torn to pieces... killed instantly by Wind Release..."

"And it happened in an instant..."

Hyuga Hizashi murmured silently to himself.

"But Elder Tianyun's strength is clearly greater than mine..."

Hyuga Hizashi was always confident in his own strength, but precisely because of this, he was even more aware of Hyuga Tenun's importance.

"If a Wind Release technique could kill Elder Tianyun in an instant... just how powerful would that be?"

The past dynasties of Sunagakure unconsciously surfaced in his mind.

Even for the Kazekage, it's almost impossible to instantly kill Hyuga Tengu in a head-on confrontation. At the very least, he needs to hold out for a while to leave a message.

"No...maybe I'm overcomplicating things."

Hyuga Hizashi's eyes flashed, and another hypothesis surfaced in his mind.

If Elder Tianyun recognized this intruder...

Did you even talk to him?

Hyuga Hizashi was stunned by his own idea and couldn't help but look around.

Inside the secret vault, the guards of the branch family were still engrossed in their search, unaware of the turmoil he was unleashing.

That's right...

Only in this way can it make sense.

Elder Hyuga Ten'un's strength was undeniable; even an opponent far stronger than him couldn't possibly kill him before he could even react.

Unless... he wasn't on guard at all.

What could make an elder of the Hyuga clan lower his guard, what was needed to have a conversation with him...

Those must be people from the village.

And the most powerful wind-style technique in the village...

The answer is obvious.

"Shimura Danzo?!"

The moment this thought crossed his mind, Hyuga Hizashi felt a chill creep up his spine, and cold sweat instantly soaked through his inner shirt.

He could no longer concern himself with the current search; he only wished he could immediately present this deduction to his brother.

The higher-ups in Konoha... something's fishy!

-

"I never expected Orochimaru-sensei to be interested in Captain Aoyama."

Mitarashi Anko crossed her arms and looked at Hinata Seiran with a beaming smile.

"Yeah?"

Hinata Seiran opened her eyes wide, then raised an eyebrow in feigned surprise: "That would be an immense honor."

"Hehehe..."

Red Bean sidled up to Hinata Seiran and patted him on the shoulder without any hesitation, speaking with the air of someone who'd been there for a long time, "Orochimaru-sensei has definitely taken a liking to your talent."

She led Hinata Aoran through the streets of Konoha, her steps light and quick, chatting away as she went.

"I was a little surprised when Orochimaru-sensei suddenly mentioned you."

"They even asked me about your personality and your performance on the battlefield..."

"And Orochimaru's expression at that time must have been something like this, right?"

As Hongdou recalled the scene, she put on a thoughtful expression and even licked the corner of her mouth.

"However... I've already guessed why Orochimaru-sensei is looking for you." She suddenly turned her head and looked at Hyuga Seiran meaningfully.

"¿"

Hinata Seiran paused for a moment, then tentatively asked, without showing any emotion, "For example...?"

"That must be..."

"Orochimaru-sensei wants to take you as his disciple!"

Hongdou suddenly chuckled, looking at Hinata Seiran with a smug grin that she couldn't hide.

"If Orochimaru-sensei really takes you as his disciple, then Captain Qinglan will have to call me Senior Sister Anko~"

She put her hands behind her head and skipped ahead, leading the way, radiating the liveliness and innocence unique to young girls.

"..."

Hinata Seiran twitched the corner of his mouth and followed Anko's steps.

Orochimaru's house is located on a secluded street near the Forest of Death.

It is a detached two-story house with gray and white walls covered with unknown vines and a spacious backyard.

The courtyard walls were tall, completely obscuring the view inside.

Mitarashi Anko led Hinata Seiran into the courtyard, through rooms filled with various scrolls and experimental equipment, and all the way to the backyard.

In a meticulously manicured garden, they finally met Orochimaru.

He was dressed in a light-colored robe, his long hair casually hanging down his shoulders, and he looked lazy and composed.

Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned around. His effeminate face now showed a gentle expression, a stark contrast to the cold and stern image of one of the legendary "Three Ninjas".

"Orochimaru-sensei, I've brought Captain Aoyama with me!"

Mitarashi Anko ran up to Orochimaru with small steps, looking at him with bright, sparkling eyes, like a child waiting for praise.

Orochimaru looked down at her, reached out and patted Anko's head, and said gently, "Well done."

He then took out five hundred taels of silver from his pocket and handed it to Hongdou: "Go buy some snacks and treat your former captain well."

Mitarashi Anko took the money, gave Orochimaru a sweet smile, then went to Hyuga Aoran, made a face at him, and finally gave him a thumbs-up, saying in a low voice, "Good luck!"

They disappeared in a flash, their footsteps fading into the distance.

In the vast backyard, only the two of them remained, silently gazing at each other.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves.

"Hiss..."

Several small, venomous snakes slithered out of the grass and finally stopped at Orochimaru's feet.

"Qinglan-jun...you...no, I should say the person behind you..."

"What kind of deal do you want to make with me?"