The Restless Byakugan

Even if there was only a sliver of a chance, he decided to give it a try.

However, activating new genetic sequences was an extremely dangerous endeavor. To ensure sufficient safety, Hyuga Lan devised a clever workaround.

That was to develop a bio-armor, using it to supplement the effects of the unactivated sequences and thereby guide the evolution of his eyes.

The inspiration for the bio-armor actually came from that specially modified White Zetsu Tobi. In the original plot, Yamato, once wrapped and controlled by Tobi, saw his Wood Release powers increase drastically, even managing to hold off the Five Kage and the Allied Shinobi Forces single-handedly.

The method Hyuga Lan conceived was to use his own cells as the core, filling them with the cells of other Hyuga clan members to create a bio-armor, achieving the goal of completing the genetic sequence through external cell fusion.

Because it was in the form of armor, this could achieve the purpose of fully activating the genetic sequences while keeping the risks manageable.

Of course, this "manageable risk" was only much safer than activating all sequences directly; it remained extremely dangerous.

Therefore, when he first began researching the bio-armor, Hyuga Lan did not start by creating a full-sequence armor, but only supplemented a small portion.

This was not only cost-effective but also carried lower risks during use. Hyuga Lan named this first bio-armor the Type-1 Bio-Armor.

When the Type-1 Bio-Armor was successfully crafted and implanted into his body, Hyuga Lan felt a distinct change in himself.

Both his chakra reserves and the growth rate of his ocular power exceeded anything he had experienced before. Such physical changes made him increasingly convinced that he was on the right path.

While adapting to the Type-1 Bio-Armor, he further developed the Type-2 Bio-Armor, which supplemented even more genetic sequences.

Once he had fully adapted to the Type-1 Bio-Armor and found it no longer provided any further utility, he began to switch to the Type-2 Bio-Armor.

However, an accident nearly occurred this time. During the implantation of the Type-2 Bio-Armor, his body suffered a violent rejection reaction, leaving him in agonizing pain for a long time before he finally pulled through.

It was truly fortunate that he had adapted to the Type-1 Bio-Armor first, as his physical constitution had significantly improved.

Otherwise, if he had recklessly attempted to use the full-sequence bio-armor from the start, he would likely be dead and buried by now.

It was precisely this incident with the Type-2 Bio-Armor that made him realize that while bio-armor was a clever shortcut, it was not absolutely safe.

Moreover, this reduction in risk came at a price: he had to spend more time adapting to the physical changes brought about by the armor. In other words, this was a slow, grinding process that could not be rushed.

Fortunately, in recent times, he had sensed that the growth of his ocular power had reached a certain bottleneck, indicating that the Type-2 Bio-Armor's effect on him had become negligible. He could now attempt the final Type-3 Bio-Armor.

Once he successfully mastered the Type-3 Bio-Armor, he would, to a certain extent, be equivalent to someone who had activated all hidden genetic sequences. At that point, his Byakugan might break through its limitations and evolve.

And once the Byakugan evolved, it might become the Tenseigan. It could be said that he was only one step away from the Tenseigan.

However, implanting and adapting to the Type-3 Bio-Armor would take time, and he was currently in a state of being implicated by Orochimaru; time was exactly what he needed most.

Could he pull through?

Honestly, he had no confidence.

But the arrow was already on the string and had to be fired; he had to begin accommodating the Type-3 Bio-Armor as soon as possible.

If he succeeded, he might possess the Tenseigan, and with such formidable power, he would be able to weather this crisis.

Failure would mean nothing more than death. Given his current predicament, without awakening the Tenseigan, he had absolutely no hope of turning the tables. So, he would gamble—perhaps he could trade his bicycle for a motorcycle. He hoped fate would favor him this time.

A few days later, Hyuga Lan still had not received any summons from the village for an investigation. Just as he thought he might have luckily escaped disaster, the arrival of one person shattered his illusions.

"Hizashi, why are you here?"

Seeing Hizashi arrive alone, Lan felt very surprised. Why wasn't it the Anbu? Could it be that the clan head had truly protected him?

"Lan, come with me to see the clan head."

After saying this, as if remembering something, he turned back and cautioned, "No matter what the clan head says to you or what demands he makes, you must agree to them immediately. This is the only chance to save you, do you understand?"

Hizashi's words made Lan's heart tighten. It seemed his crisis had not passed; it had merely taken a different turn.

However, Hizashi revealing this information to him was clearly out of concern. As the head of the branch family, Hizashi valued Hyuga Lan, a genius of the branch family, and naturally, he would spare no effort to save him if given the chance.

At the residence of the Hyuga clan head, Hiashi.

The moment Hyuga Lan saw Hiashi, a restless sensation surged from his eyes. This anomaly forced him to lower his head quickly to avoid looking directly at the other man, while simultaneously exerting all his strength to suppress his eyes.

To Hiashi, however, Lan's act of lowering his head and walking over appeared to be a sign of humility, showing that he did not let his talent go to his head in the presence of the main family head. This pleased Hiashi.

At this moment, Lan was extremely nervous, not understanding why his eyes were producing such an anomaly in the presence of the clan head today.

His eyes were actually harboring a sense of covetousness toward the clan head, Hiashi. No, that wasn't right—the target of this emotion wasn't Hiashi himself, but the pair of pure Byakugan the man possessed.

He was certain that such a situation had never happened with anyone else, so the problem must lie within himself.

Undoubtedly, his Byakugan had undergone unique changes under the influence of the Type-2 Bio-Armor; perhaps it was now just one final push away from evolution.

This realization made Lan both nervous and excited.

He was nervous because he absolutely could not let Hiashi notice anything amiss; otherwise, the man who held the Caged Bird Seal could easily take his life.

He was excited because he was now certain that his ocular power had reached a critical threshold. As long as he successfully implanted the Type-3 Bio-Armor, he could achieve the evolution of his eyes. The Tenseigan was within reach, and he had to survive this hurdle no matter what.

Fortunately, through his efforts, the restlessness in his eyes was temporarily suppressed. Because he acted quickly enough, no outsider noticed anything unusual.

Seeing Lan arrive before him, Hiashi scrutinized him carefully. Watching this "Hyuga genius" whom others spoke of act so timid and sincere in his presence, Hiashi felt his mood lift, thinking to himself that the boy still understood the order of status.

A genius of the branch family should be even more dedicated to serving the main family.

"Truly a hero among the youth. No wonder Hizashi was so concerned about pleading your case."

"Do you know? Because of your association with Orochimaru, you were supposed to be taken in by Root for interrogation as his subordinate.

At that point, you would have only had two choices: either die, or be controlled and turned into a heartless killing machine, living a life worse than death.

Before you arrived, I had already sent the people from Root away."

Hearing this, Hyuga Lan felt a surge of relief; as long as he didn't fall into the hands of Root, the situation wasn't beyond saving.

However, he knew that for the clan head to turn away Root, he must have paid a heavy price, so it was now time for him to make his own sacrifice.

"What do you need me to do?"

Seeing that Lan was sensible, Hiashi didn't play games and stated his request directly.

"I recently learned that the Mist Village and the Sand Village intend to hold peace talks. Your mission is to do everything in your power to prevent that from happening..."