Heavenly Ninja! The Unknown Past

Neji looked at Hiruzen with eyes full of fervent, persistent intensity.

Hiruzen was not one to be intimidated by such a small scene, yet he found himself staring at this pure youth, struck by the complex and resolute gaze currently fixed upon him.

The sheer impact of it moved even a hero in his twilight years; the boy was using such vital intelligence to bargain for matters concerning his own clan.

"I do know something about what you speak of, but..."

Hiruzen took a deep breath, removed his pipe from his hand, and set it on the rack beside him.

He was no longer in the mood to smoke.

"Konoha is in a very passive position right now, as you should know if you have learned of this. Even so, you still choose to prioritize the Hyuga Clan?"

Hiruzen's gaze turned somber, boring straight into Neji.

That look seemed capable of suppressing any inner demon.

"That is not it. This is merely my own selfishness. I am certain you are devoted to the safety of the village, but I am not certain you would be honest with me. To you, I am just a Genin."

Hiruzen pondered for a long time after hearing this.

A child so young, yet so meticulous—he was nothing like a mere thirteen-year-old boy!

"Hiashi is the same. Why are you people of the Hyuga Clan so infuriating? Do you always prioritize your clan matters above everything else?"

Hiruzen's anger was on the verge of erupting; his tone carried the warning of a volcano about to blow.

But Neji forced himself to remain calm.

Regardless, Konoha truly needed the intelligence he had to offer right now.

Neji did not answer, only guessing that Hiashi and the Third Hokage had negotiated before, though he did not know the specifics of what was said.

"Very well."

After a long while, Hiruzen let out a long sigh.

He asked, "Why did you say you witnessed the death of Hayate, yet claimed you did not know who the true culprit was?"

"I said that only to gain your trust and initiate this trade. Hayate was indeed severely wounded by Sand Ninja, and the wounds on his body were caused by them. However, he had already escaped with me, and we were ambushed in the distance between the barrier near the Hokage building and our location. I do not know exactly who it was."

Neji honestly told the truth.

"Then, the Anbu youth who fought five people that night, and the Anbu youth in the Forest of Death—were they both you?"

"Yes, but I hope you will keep this confidential."

Neji appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was still pounding.

Although Hiruzen was a good Hokage, he was, at the end of the day, a cunning old fox; one only had to look at how he watched the tragedy of the Uchiha Clan unfold to see that.

However, Neji was fully prepared. At a time when Konoha was being plotted against, Neji's position was one of perfect timing and advantage.

"Fine. What is it you want to know? I will answer your questions, and once finished, you must tell me the absolute truth about the enemy's plans as you know them. I will keep your identity a secret. I... will make this trade with you."

Hiruzen was indeed a straightforward man, and Neji let out a breath of relief.

"In the era of Hyuga Tenin, what exactly was the scroll passed down through the generations?"

"The scroll?"

Hiruzen tilted his head back, lost in memory.

"The Hyuga Clan was once called the descendants of gods, but there was no evidence for this until the appearance of that man, Hyuga Tenin."

Neji did not interrupt, continuing to listen as Hiruzen spoke of the past.

"During the reign of the Second Hokage, the Hyuga Clan produced many geniuses. Come to think of it, if not for the Uchiha Clan being at the forefront, the influence of the Hyuga might have become one of the great glories of history. Especially with Hyuga Tenin at the lead; his talent surpassed every other ninja of his time."

"However, it was then that the Hyuga Clan began their isolationist management. They seemed to see more clearly than anyone else the Second Hokage's policies targeting the Uchiha Clan. They seemed to avoid such matters, focusing only on their own clan affairs. But it is said that a change occurred later; just before Hyuga Tenin was to be given a position of great importance by the village, he disappeared."

"Disappeared?" Neji was surprised to hear this.

"Yes. A genius ninja, seen once in a century, just vanished without a trace. There were many theories as to why, and since the Hyuga Clan was already closed off, the Second Hokage spoke personally with the then-head of the Hyuga. It is said it involved the so-called scroll—the one you call the scroll passed down through your family."

Neji gasped upon hearing this.

No wonder Hyuga Tenin left behind only a legend of immense talent but no heroic deeds; the genius had been strangled in the cradle...

"It is said that the scroll contained the treasure left behind by the ancestors of the Hyuga, containing the true power of the clan. The Main Branch and the Branch Family were not originally formed to guard the Byakugan, but to preserve the power of that scroll. For thousands of years, no one could unlock the mysteries within, so the claim that the Hyuga were descendants of immortals eventually faded away."

"But the appearance of one man broke this stalemate. That was Hyuga Kamizuki."

"Who?"

Another name that was completely unfamiliar.

"The master of Hyuga Tenin, a legendary ninja from the same era as the First Hokage, and the peak figure in the history of the Hyuga Clan. It was he who studied the mysteries of the scroll, and his strength skyrocketed overnight. As his disciple, Tenin naturally benefited from the scroll as well."

"Therefore, the most common rumor back then was that Tenin had gained the resentment of the Main Branch for obtaining the scroll. After Kamizuki passed away from illness, the Main Branch immediately found a way to dispose of Tenin to reclaim the scroll. But Kamizuki once said that the immortal bloodline of the Hyuga is passed down in a single lineage; clearly, the Main Branch had already lost that bloodline. The genius bloodline of the Hyuga seemed to end with Hyuga Tenin. Since then, the Hyuga have never produced a truly brilliant ninja."

"So, the scroll naturally vanished along with Tenin. The Second Hokage handled the matter, silenced everyone who knew, and forbade anyone in the village from discussing it again. That is why people today generally do not know these things, Neji—including your uncle, Hyuga Hiashi, and your father, Hyuga Hizashi."

Hiruzen finished speaking and stared at Neji.

Neji froze, his heart tightening at the mention of that name.

These words were difficult to digest, even after a long time.

It was unexpected, yet within the realm of possibility.

The matter of the scroll was clearly entangled with deeper secrets, and Neji immediately resolved within himself that he must find this so-called scroll.

Uncovering the unknown past of the Hyuga Clan might just unravel the fundamental grievances between the Main Branch and the Branch Family. Furthermore, the mysterious records within that scroll might be the very power Neji needed most right now.

"The affairs of the Hyuga Clan are complex and ancient; it would be difficult for someone of your current standing to infiltrate them. However, the village faces an imminent crisis. With your exceptional skills, would you be willing to lend this old man a hand?" Hiruzen let out a long sigh, looking Neji straight in the eye with profound respect.

The corners of Neji's mouth curled slightly, a smile appearing on his face.

"Of course."

"That is precisely why I came."

Hiruzen was slightly taken aback, a flicker of emotion appearing in his eyes.