Descendants of Otsutsuki Hagoromo

Without question, the strongest clans in the Land of Fire were the Uchiha and Senju.

Even five-year-old children knew that.

So among the second tier, which clan was the leader? Some would say the Sarutobi Clan, with its powerful Summoning Beasts. Others would point to those mid-sized clans that had mastered mysterious secret techniques.

However, one name would definitely rank among the strongest of the second tier.

It was the powerful Hyuga Clan, which resided in the eastern reaches of the Land of Fire.

The Hyuga Clan were descendants of Otsutsuki Hagoromo and one of the founding elder clans that had joined the Hidden Leaf Village in its infancy.

Its members inherited the Byakugan and possessed unique abilities found nowhere else in the ninja world, such as the Gentle Fist.

To preserve the purity of their bloodline, the Hyuga Clan was divided into the Main Family and the Branch Family. The Main Family inherited Otsutsuki's abilities generation after generation.

The Branch Family was responsible for expanding the clan and keeping its bloodline circulating. When necessary, they had to serve as tools for the Main Family to produce heirs.

If he wanted to find someone capable of matching Uzumaki Ashina, visiting the Hyuga Clan was definitely the right choice.

As for their relationship, the same old saying applied: before profit, there were no eternal enemies.

Mito believed he was trying to get something for nothing, but Kyosuke had long prepared a gift.

A lavish gift the Hyuga Clan would never be able to refuse.

As a guest arriving at their doorstep, Kyosuke naturally did not hide his presence.

Not long after entering the Hyuga Clan's territory, Branch Family guard ninjas appeared before him.

"Stop!" The newcomer assumed a Gentle Fist stance, showing no carelessness despite Kyosuke's age.

His build and appearance could fool people, but the surging Chakra within Kyosuke was like a gleaming light bulb in the dead of night.

It was impossible not to notice.

"I am Uchiha Kyosuke. I request an audience with Lord Tenjin."

Hyuga Tenjin was one of the most formidable superpowers of the Warring States period.

Why did later generations say that the Hyuga Clan was a powerful clan capable of standing alongside the Uchiha and Senju? Half the reason lay with this powerful ninja.

At his peak, Hyuga Tenjin could even suppress the Dual Gods when they used only their conventional powers—in other words, when they did not use Susanoo or the Wood Golem Technique.

That alone was enough to reveal how terrifying his strength was.

Before such a figure, Kyosuke did not attempt any clever tricks. Honesty was the first step toward establishing communication between the two sides.

"Uchiha Kyosuke." The man's expression shifted. Clearly, he had heard of Kyosuke's reputation.

Comparing him with the intelligence reports, the guard ninja quickly determined that the youth really was Kyosuke himself.

For now, the Hyuga Clan remained detached from the conflict and had never made its stance clear.

They would not agree to join the war, but neither would they refuse anyone a visit.

In the original story, despite being one of Konoha's powerful clans, the Hyuga Clan had repeatedly escaped danger and survived peacefully until their son-in-law Naruto became Hokage.

That unique wisdom was absolutely not to be underestimated.

The guard's reaction alone revealed quite a few things.

"So it is Legion Commander Kyosuke in person." The Hyuga Branch Family guard gave a slight, courteous bow and personally led the way. "Please follow me, sir. Clan Head Tenjin will surely be delighted to meet you."

The moment Kyosuke gave his name, someone in the shadows had already conveyed the exact information through coded gestures.

With the Byakugan, exchanging intelligence across vast distances was no problem at all.

By the time he reached the core area, a squad of ninjas was already waiting for him.

At the front stood a young woman in fitted white clothing. She was beautiful, but the cold severity between her brows marred her overall beauty.

"Greetings. I am Hyuga Yayoi. Clan Head Tenjin is waiting for you in the main hall."

"Lead the way." Kyosuke withdrew his gaze, faintly sensing someone watching him.

His Sharingan activated as he looked toward the grand estate ahead, but unfortunately, he found nothing unusual.

"Long-range observation through the Byakugan? What an irritating ability."

He deactivated his Sharingan and followed behind them as if nothing had happened.

Look all you want. It wasn't like he was some maiden afraid of being seen. Beside him, Uzumaki Mito said expressionlessly, "Are you sure you want me to come along?"

"What are you afraid of?" Kyosuke replied with a smile. "If we get to anything important, I'll make sure you can't hear it."

". Heh. You're really shamelessly forthright."

"Thanks. The Uchiha have always been like this. Better than certain clans that play both sides."

"You!"

At that moment, the young woman ahead suddenly turned around and looked at the girl with the bun hairstyle. "It seems this person is not your maid, sir?"

"Her?" Kyosuke waved dismissively. "Her name is Uzumaki Mito, princess of the Land of Whirlpools."

"..." The Hyuga girl stared at him for a long time, a strange glimmer appearing in her pale pupils. "If Yayoi remembers correctly, the Uchiha should currently be at war with the Land of Whirlpools."

"Yes, you remember correctly. That is indeed the case." Kyosuke nodded and added, "This princess is my prisoner."

"... I see." Hyuga Yayoi looked at the girl with the bun hairstyle again and nodded. "My apologies, Lady Mito."

"It's fine. Just pretend I don't exist." Mito pressed a hand to her forehead, desperately wishing she could vanish from this place immediately.

Yet she was also very interested in Kyosuke's plan and wanted to hear exactly how this damned bastard intended to fool the Hyuga Clan.

"It would be best if the negotiations fail and the Hyuga kill him outright." The girl muttered something she did not believe herself.

If they were truly so impulsive and hot-tempered, the Hyuga Clan could not have stayed out of things for so many years.

Soon, led by Hyuga Yayoi, the two arrived at a reception room filled with Japanese elegance.

There, they met a refined middle-aged man. He was none other than Hyuga Tenjin, one of the foremost superpowers of the Warring States period.

"Lord Tenjin." Both Kyosuke and Mito showed their respect.

"Welcome." Hyuga Tenjin closed his book and smiled at the two of them. "May I ask what the Hyuga can do for you?"

"It's like this." Kyosuke pointed at the girl beside him. "By taking a hostage, I forced Uzumaki Ashina to abandon the idea of taking the initiative and starting a war. However..."

Kyosuke then described in detail how he had captured Mito and how he had threatened the Uzumaki Clan.

He spoke enthusiastically, unaware that Hyuga Tenjin's smile had faded slightly.

The clan head realized that he seemed to have taken on a great deal of trouble.

The youth's tone was casual, but the more casual he sounded, the more Tenjin could sense his determination to get what he wanted.

"I should have had Yayoi stop him."

"But with that mysterious Space-Time Ninjutsu, others might not have been able to stop him anyway."

After the youth finished speaking, silence fell between them for a while before the Hyuga Clan Head slowly spoke. "Then, you want my Hyuga Clan to intervene in the war between you and the Uzumaki?"

"Yes." Kyosuke nodded, then suddenly glanced at the two people beside him.

"May I speak with you alone?"