The Darkness of This Era, Named Shimura

Deep within the foundations of Konoha lies the Root base, where narrow, winding corridors crisscross to weave an airtight web of passages throughout the village.

Candle lamps embedded in the walls emit a dim, flickering glow, stretching the shadows of every passing Root ninja to great lengths.

In the hollowed-out training ground, over a dozen Root candidates are undergoing brutal, near-lethal training.

An Anbu ninja wearing a Root mask flashes through the shadows, leaving behind only a fleeting black streak.

"Lord Danzō!"

Mukai Hyuga, wearing a monkey mask, uses the Body Flicker Technique to appear outside the room, dropping to one knee.

"An anomaly has occurred in the Hyuga Clan compound! A mysterious figure in a black robe has infiltrated the grounds and engaged in a fierce battle with the Main Branch elders, causing a massive commotion!"

The words enter the room, causing Danzō, who is currently immersed in the agony of fusing with Hashirama Cells, to freeze.

He is shirtless, and the skin tissue on his right upper arm is squirming uncontrollably; the surface color is gradually turning pale, and the vague outline of a human face is flickering in and out of existence on his shoulder.

Excruciating pain, like thousands of steel needles piercing his bone marrow, surges as the Hashirama Cells rampage through his meridians.

Yet, he forcibly suppresses the trembling of his body and asks in a deep voice, "What about Hyuga Qinglan?"

"Reporting to Lord Danzō," Mukai Hyuga says, his head bowed and his speech rapid.

"This subordinate originally intended to bring Hyuga Qinglan to the Root to see you, so that you could summon him personally. But before I could take him away, members of the Hyuga Main Branch appeared."

"This subordinate did not dare to alert the enemy, so I could only hide in the shadows to observe."

"But not long after, another mysterious figure in a black robe suddenly appeared. That person used only a single, signless golden energy sphere to completely knock Hyuga Qinglan unconscious."

"Furthermore... that black-robed figure mentioned the Ninshu of the Sage of Six Paths during the exchange!"

A mysterious black-robed figure? A signless golden energy sphere?!

Defeating a Branch Family genius with the strength of a Jonin in one move?

And it even involves the legendary Sage of Six Paths?

Swish!

Danzō stands up abruptly, not even bothering to suppress the Hashirama face struggling to emerge on his right arm, and asks urgently, "What is the current situation on the battlefield?!"

"The aftermath of the battle is immense; many parts of the Hyuga estate have been destroyed! The intruder's chakra fluctuations are extremely bizarre, unlike anything I have ever seen!"

Another Yamanaka clan member responsible for reconnaissance also drops down via the Body Flicker Technique and adds, "In addition, advisors Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu have already sent word, inquiring about your status, Lord Danzō..."

"..."

Danzō remains silent for a few seconds, his gaze shifting uncertainly toward the bottle of emerald-green special medicine on the table.

In the end, he downs the special medicine concocted by Orochimaru in one gulp.

Although he harbors some resistance toward this medicine, he cannot afford to care about that now. This sudden turn of events instantly makes him think of the recent anomalies within the Hyuga Clan and the small, supposedly secret maneuvers they have been making.

"Hmph, Hyuga Hiashi... I didn't expect that before I could even find the time to deal with you, you would stir up more trouble?"

"The Hyuga Clan, indeed..."

Despite his words, Danzō prepares for battle; after all, the Hyuga Clan still holds significant utility on the battlefield.

Even if the Hyuga Clan must be dealt with, it can only be handled by him, Shimura Danzō.

He pushes open the heavy door, his bandaged face appearing in the dim light of the corridor, shifting between light and shadow like a demon crawling out of hell.

"All Root members, assemble!"

"Target—the Hyuga Clan compound!"

His gaze pierces through the dark tunnel, as if he has already seen the raging fires of war burning above the surface.

"Although Hiruzen is still on his way back, the credit for quelling this crisis will inevitably fall to me."

"Not only can I take this opportunity to completely suppress the Hyuga Clan's arrogance in challenging the high-level leadership, but I can also establish my absolute prestige during this time of turmoil..."

Danzō strides at the forefront, the fire of ambition dancing in his eyes.

As for that black-robed figure?

Heh, since the founding of Konoha, no one has ever been able to run wild in this village.

Even Madara Uchiha died at the hands of the First Hokage...

Let alone this nameless stray dog.

Even if he truly has a connection to the Sage of Six Paths, he must be made to understand one thing.

The darkness of this era bears the name Shimura!

Meanwhile, on the other side.

The once elegant and tranquil Hyuga estate has now descended into a living hell.

The scorching flames are miraculously burning bright despite the steady drizzle, and the pungent scent of blood sweeps through the entire district on the night wind.

Golden energy spheres have smashed massive craters into the ground, and among the broken walls and ruins, Hyuga clansmen can be seen hanging from the debris everywhere.

And the most miserable of all are the few Main Branch ninjas and guards who arrived to provide support after hearing the commotion.

Some were dead, others were crippled.

Without exception, their eyes had been brutally gouged out, leaving behind nothing but blood-soaked sockets.

"Hyuga Clan... Heh..."

The man in the black robe spoke in a deep, hollow tone, sounding as if he were mocking them, or perhaps lamenting.

"You can't even answer the most basic questions I ask..."

He grabbed the Great Elder by the throat with one hand and hoisted him into the air.

The Great Elder's aged face had already turned a deep, bruised purple. Through the shadows cast by the hood, his clouded Byakugan finally caught a glimpse of the other man's face.

It was a face as pale as snow, with a cascade of silver hair.

And those eyes—mysterious orbs that shone like brilliant stars, swirling with dreamlike light.

The Great Elder's breathing stopped abruptly; he used his final ounce of strength to pat the man's arm. The pressure on his throat loosened for a split second, and the Great Elder managed to squeeze a few words out of his constricted throat.

"Your... eyes... are those... the Tenseigan?!"

When he noticed the man in the black robe pause for a moment.

In an instant, the fear in the Great Elder's heart miraculously receded, replaced by a surging, frantic excitement!

As expected!

He hadn't guessed wrong!

This man was indeed the owner of that scroll!

And these eyes were the Tenseigan, the ultimate evolution of the Byakugan!

He completely cast aside the losses of the Hyuga Clan members around him, his heart filled only with curiosity and fanaticism for the evolved form of the Byakugan.

If...

If the Hyuga Clan could master this power...

If every pair of Byakugan could evolve into the Tenseigan...

The Hyuga would no longer be the Hyuga of Konoha.

The Hyuga would be the true gods of the ninja world!

"That... scroll..."

His lips trembled as he moved them, just about to reveal that the scroll was in the hands of Shimura Danzō. He wanted to use this as a bargaining chip to obtain the method for evolving the Tenseigan, or perhaps simply kneel at the man's feet and follow him.

However—

Before his words could escape, the hand gripping his lifeline suddenly tightened with explosive force!

"Ugh, ugh, ugh..."

His lips moved, but the words he intended to speak turned into vague, breathy sounds under the ever-increasing pressure.

"Answer my question, where is the scroll?!"

The Great Elder's eyes bulged until they nearly split their sockets.

Let go already!

How am I supposed to speak when you're choking my throat?!

He screamed frantically in his heart. But with his throat clamped shut, he couldn't produce anything other than vague, rattling gasps.

Due to extreme asphyxiation, his legs kicked wildly in the air, struggling violently like a dying old fish tossed onto dry land.

But just at this life-or-death moment.

A thunderous roar exploded from the edge of the ruins.

"Stop! What kind of madman dares to run wild in Konoha!"

Boom—!

Accompanied by the sound of rushing wind, Shimura Danzō arrived with two Hokage advisors, leading a dark, murderous swarm of Root elites.

They had finally descended upon these ruins.