A Change in Identity

The records in the Yozuki clan's history ended there.

Before meeting Neji, Yozuki A had thought this was an absurd, outlandish story recorded by his ancestors. He hadn't taken it seriously at all.

But when Neji mentioned the "Tenseigan" and "Hyuga Tenin," Yozuki A suddenly realized that the clan's secret history was probably true.

Hyuga Tenin had left the Shinobi World through a mysterious space passage.

Where had he gone? And why had he suddenly died?

These were all unsolved mysteries.

Still, Yozuki A guessed that the "eye" Hyuga Tenin had taken with him was most likely the Tenseigan Neji had mentioned.

Neji had awakened his Byakugan at the age of three, and he was more mature, composed, and confident than children his age.

Yozuki A was convinced that if anyone in the Hyuga clan still qualified to awaken the Tenseigan, Neji was sure to be one of them.

Once he'd thought it through, Yozuki A decided to take a gamble.

If he won, Kumogakure could fulfill the ambition of generations of Raikage and dominate the Shinobi World.

If he lost, all they'd do was lose some training resources.

The potential gains far outweighed the risks. There was no reason not to gamble.

"I never knew there was a piece of history like this."

Dodai murmured, his eyes narrowed.

By now, he completely believed the grand vision Neji had laid out.

Neji couldn't have read the Yozuki clan's history, and the two accounts corroborated each other. It was safe to say that everything Neji had said was true.

But...

After a moment's hesitation, Dodai said, "Lord Raikage, there's something I'm not sure I should say."

"Huh?"

Yozuki A laughed heartily. "Dodai, since when did you start beating around the bush? Say whatever's on your mind."

Dodai took a deep breath and voiced his concerns.

"Lord Raikage, when you think about it, our Kumogakure also bears some responsibility for Hizashi Hyuga's death."

"We killed his father and now we're using his son. People are bound to criticize us."

"Who can say whether Neji holds a grudge against Kumogakure?"

"He's still a fledgling. All he can do for now is endure in secret and build up his strength."

"But what happens when he's grown his wings? What if he settles this old score then?"

Dodai was a high-ranking strategist in Kumogakure, skilled in schemes and underhanded tactics. He had devised the entire plan to steal the Byakugan Cub and drive Hyuga Hiashi to his death under the guise of signing a peace treaty.

He had never hesitated to assume the worst of people, then devise a series of measures to prevent trouble before it arose.

It was precisely this cautious nature that had helped Kumogakure thrive over the decades Dodai had served two Raikage.

"Dodai, so that's what you're worried about!"

"My ancestors once said that you first make your enemies submit through force, then bind everyone together through bonds. That way, nothing can stand in your way."

"My father beat the Eight-Tails into submission by force. Killer B filled the Eight-Tails' heart with bonds, reconciled with it, and trained to become a Perfect Jinchuriki."

"The Hyuga clan took away Neji's freedom. Kumogakure will not only give him his freedom, but also a much wider stage."

"If Kumogakure can even tame the Eight-Tails, which is vicious beyond measure, surely we can win over Neji Hyuga!"

"Even if Neji truly can't let go of his hatred for Kumogakure, as long as he's capable of leading the village to dominate the Shinobi World, I can put my life in his hands."

"He could kill me, and he'd still be Neji Hyuga of Kumogakure!"

Late that night, after walking around most of Kumogakure with Samui, Neji was exhausted. He lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

His change in status—from a young branch-family member to one of Kumogakure's core leaders—felt almost too absurd to be real.

Everything had gone so smoothly that it all seemed like a dream.

But Neji didn't dwell on it. Instead, he began thinking about his training from here on out.

The Scroll of Seals in Konoha recorded a whole host of secret techniques.

By comparison, Kumogakure had only one secret technique worth mentioning: "Lightning Release Chakra Mode."

It was no exaggeration to say that Konoha's foundations were richer than those of the other four great ninja villages combined.

That was exactly why Konoha had remained the foremost ninja village, even after being attacked by the other villages in all three of the past Shinobi World Wars.

"Kumogakure's Lightning Release Chakra Mode and Nintaijutsu are famous throughout the Shinobi World. With these two signature techniques, the Third Raikage was undoubtedly the closest among his generation's 'Kage' to the Shinobi World's two great heroes.

"However, Kumogakure's Nintaijutsu is highly individualistic. Even the Nintaijutsu mastered by the Third Raikage and his son are completely different.

"No, I'm looking at this the wrong way.

"What makes it strong isn't the Nintaijutsu, but the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

"As long as you learn Lightning Release Chakra Mode, even ordinary punches and kicks can unleash tremendous power.

"But... I don't have Lightning Release chakra, so I'm destined to have no chance of learning Lightning Release Chakra Mode!

"If I rule out Lightning Release Chakra Mode, then all I can do is develop my Byakugan to its fullest. I wonder if the Hyuga clan's bloodline can evolve into the Tenseigan..."

Neji curled up beneath the covers, quietly mapping out his path to greatness. Before he knew it, he'd fallen asleep.

Before dawn the next day, Samui dragged Neji out of bed.

Samui stood with her arms crossed over her chest, looking down at Neji. Her voice was cool and crisp.

"Lord Raikage instructed me to be your first teacher."

"Huh? You're my teacher, Sis..."

Neji scratched his head.

His status was special, so he couldn't attend the Ninja Academy and train like an ordinary child.

Neji himself also had a strong aversion to the Ninja Academy.

Having a private teacher to guide him one-on-one was naturally a good thing.

He just hadn't expected Samui to be his first teacher.

Thump!

Samui reached out and tapped Neji on the head with a finger, her expression stern. "What, you think I can't teach you?"

Samui was one of Kumogakure's rising stars. She had become a Special Jonin at only sixteen.

For an ordinary ninja without a bloodline, it was something to be proud of for the rest of her life.

She was more than qualified to be Neji's first teacher.

Only...

As Neji looked at her ample, quivering assets, he asked, puzzled, "So should I call you Sis or Teacher?"

A faint fragrance wafted over him.

Samui leaned forward slightly.

"Good question. Outside, call me Teacher. At home, call me Sis."

"Okay!"

Neji's eyes lit up. That's a great idea.

Two identities, twice the fun.

"Let's go!"

Samui led Neji out of the estate.

It was four in the morning, and the world outside was pitch-black.

"Get up at four every morning and run ten laps around Tianyun Mountain. Taijutsu and ninja theory in the morning, Taijutsu and ninjutsu training in the afternoon, and practical combat in the evening. Training continues until nine at night."

Even Yozuki clan members with the purest bloodlines might not be able to handle such intense training.

Neji came from the Hyuga clan, and his physique was nothing special.

A rare, mischievous smile crossed Samui's usually icy face. She wanted to see Neji make a fool of himself.

Neji furrowed his brow, lost in thought.

From four in the morning until nine at night, all that time was being spent on basic training.

How am I supposed to get stronger like this?!