Genye Was Set Up

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. The village's reconstruction proceeded in an orderly fashion, but Genye, the great hero who had subdued the Nine-Tails, was being thoroughly "ignored."

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Hyuga Yuansheng seemed to have reached some kind of understanding. They didn't want Genye to gain too much prestige in the village and threaten Konoha's stability.

Genye didn't take it to heart. He took it easy every day, randomly picking two Hyuga clansmen to improve their Caged Bird Seals.

There was no denying that the Caged Bird Seal had some positive uses.

Genye retained its ability to destroy a recipient's Byakugan if their eyes were taken or they died, but removed the "back door" that let the Main Branch control the Branch House.

Although Genye had only opened the cages of a handful of people, this had undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the entire Hyuga Clan!

Every Hyuga clansman felt uneasy, yet eagerly anticipated the coming changes.

"We can't let that little brat keep doing this!"

In the Main Branch estate, Hyuga Yuansheng slapped the table angrily and said in exasperation.

"If this continues, the Hyuga Clan will lose the support of its people. Once we lose our cohesion, our clan won't be far from extinction!"

At his words, Hyuga Hiashi, kneeling before the table, looked troubled as well.

"But, Father, Hyuga Genya is so powerful, and he isn't bound by the Caged Bird Seal. How can we stop him?"

Hearing his son's words, Hyuga Yuansheng sneered.

"Hmph. So what if he's powerful? Even someone as strong as Konoha's White Fang died because of our scheme, didn't he? Everyone has a weakness."

Hyuga Hiashi's expression shifted. "Father, you mean...?!"

"That's right." Hyuga Yuansheng nodded and said coldly, "First, we'll find a way to drive that brat out of the village. Then we'll get someone to take care of him. Only then can we ensure our Main Branch remains unharmed."

Seeing the reluctance on his son's face, Hyuga Yuansheng patted his shoulder and said earnestly,

"Hiashi, one day, when you become clan head, you'll understand. Some sacrifices are necessary to ensure the clan's survival."

In a magnificent underground palace.

Uchiha Xia stared at Black Zetsu in astonishment and fired off three questions in a row.

"One person suppressed a Tailed Beast? Is that intel reliable? Are you sure it wasn't a smokescreen put out by Konoha?"

"The White Zetsu saw it with their own eyes, so it should be true," Black Zetsu hurriedly replied.

"Tsk." Uchiha Xia clicked her tongue, suddenly growing interested in this fellow named Hyuga Genya.

"When I get back from the Land of Rain, I want to see all the information you have on him," Kasumi ordered.

"Yes!" Black Zetsu bowed slightly and answered respectfully.

As he walked down a street in Konoha, Genye frowned.

Ever since he'd left home, he'd noticed people pointing at him and whispering wherever he went.

"What's going on?" Genye wondered.

As he passed a street corner, a gust of wind suddenly came at him. Genye turned slightly, and an egg smashed against the wall behind him, its contents splattering everywhere.

Smack! Smack! Smack!

Several more eggs came flying. Genye used the Body Flicker Technique to dodge them, then glared unhappily at the people who'd ambushed—or rather, openly attacked him.

They were a group of young boys, all holding rotten eggs and blocking his way.

(̿▀̿̿Ĺ̯̿̿▀̿ ̿)̄ "Are you guys sick? Do I know you?" Genye asked, his face dark.

"You may not know us, but we know you, Hyuga Genya!" the blond youth leading them shouted angrily.

"...Oh?" Genye raised an eyebrow. This looked like more than it seemed.

"Go on, tell me how I offended you. Who sent you?"

"We came on our own!" the boys all said, glaring at Genye.

"Hyuga Genya, answer me!" The blond youth raised his voice. "You were clearly so powerful. Why didn't you step in sooner on the Night of the Nine-Tails?!"

The other boys chimed in furiously.

"Yeah! You waited until so many people had died before you acted. Was it just so you could look like a great hero who turned the tide?!"

"If you hadn't deliberately dragged your feet, our parents wouldn't have died! Give us our parents back!"

Oh? This looked interesting.

Their anguished questions immediately drew a crowd of onlookers, who gathered nearby to watch.

"Hmm, looks like someone's trying to frame me." Genye rubbed his chin, looking thoughtful.

After considering whose interests he'd recently affected, he had a pretty good idea.

These brainless brats blame me instead of the Nine-Tails?

"Ah, there's something you don't know." Genye sighed as he looked at the boys in front of him. "I had my reasons for waiting to act."

Could it be... that he really had some terrible secret?

Seeing Genye's pained expression, the boys wavered slightly, but soon their resolve returned.

No! The murder of their parents could never be forgiven! They couldn't let this guy off!

Determined to make Genye pay, the blond youth said coldly, "Go on, then. I want to hear what excuse you can come up with!"

"That's because..." Genye paused, then flashed a mischievous grin. "I felt like it! What business is it of yours?"

Hyuga Yuansheng was hilarious. Did he think Genye was White Fang or Naruto?

Trying to use moral blackmail on him... What a joke. He didn't have any morals to begin with!

"You—you... You heartless bastard! Are you even human?!"

The boys had never imagined Genye would say something like that so brazenly. They pointed at him, grinding their teeth in fury, as if they wanted to tear him apart.

If they hadn't been so outmatched, they would've charged up and killed the bastard already!

"I don't like people pointing at me," Genye said coolly with a snort. "Put your hands down, or I'll break your fingers."

One of the boys shouted, trying to sound tough, "Who are you trying to scare? There are people everywhere! I don't believe you'd dare lay a hand on us!"

"Exactly," the blond youth chimed in. "A hypocrite like you, obsessed with fame, wouldn't dare do anything to us!"

"Yeah, stop trying to act tough. We'll make you pay in blood...!"

Thud! Thud! Thud!

In the blink of an eye, all the boys were sent flying and slammed into the wall, leaving cracks across its smooth surface.

"Whew, that felt good." Genye drew back his fist and let out a long breath.

Ever since he'd gotten stronger, he'd stopped holding grudges. He settled them on the spot.

"How can he act like that? He's way too arrogant..."

"Exactly. I saw the whole thing. He was clearly the one in the wrong, and now he's acting like he's right. He even dared to hurt people."

"A dangerous guy like that should be driven out of Konoha. No matter how strong he is, we can't let him stay. He'll only cause trouble sooner or later..."

Genye naturally heard the people around him talking.

"If anyone else dares badmouth me, I won't go easy on them!" Genye turned toward the people who'd been speaking ill of him and sneered.

"Even the Nine-Tails couldn't withstand one punch from me. I could kill you with one hit, and then we'll see if anyone dares speak up for you."

The moment Genye said this, their expressions changed. They lowered their heads one by one and scurried off.

"Hyuga Genya!"

At that moment, a boy lying on the ground spoke through the pain.

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river! Don't look down on a young...!"

"What river? The hell are you talking about!"

Genye had been about to leave, but when he heard that, he turned around and kicked the boy again.

"Do you have an old grandpa or some cheat ability? Why are you acting like the main character?!"

Genye pulled back his foot and ignored the contemptuous, fearful looks around him, swaggering away like a bully. Wherever he went, people automatically made way for him.

"You've been following me for a while. Is there something you need?"

When he was nearly home, Genye glanced back at the courtyard wall behind him. A figure slowly emerged from the shadows.

"Hyuga Genya, Lord Danzo asked me to pass along a message."

The man wore an Anbu combat uniform, but the colors on his mask were more elaborate than the Anbu's. He was clearly a member of Root.

"If you're willing, Lord Danzo can help you create a brand-new Hyuga Clan in Konoha."

"Oh?" Genye looked intrigued. Was Danzo trying to recruit him?

After a moment's thought, Genye didn't give him a definite answer. "Tell Lord Danzo I'll give his proposal serious consideration."

The Root member nodded slightly, then melted back into the darkness and went to report to Root.

Genye's brazen attack on the boys soon stirred up the anger of many members of Konoha's High Command—Hyuga Yuansheng, for instance.

The negative rumors about Genye grew worse by the day. Many villagers wouldn't even be able to hold a conversation over dinner without first cursing him.

More and more people petitioned the Hokage to drive Genye, this remnant of the old regime, out of the village—even though most of them barely knew who he was.

His friends were all in an uproar, but Genye himself remained calm. He even had the time to complete his daily lock-picking missions.

The conflict grew increasingly tense and could erupt at any moment. Then, one day, someone unexpected came looking for Genye.

"...Lord Jiraiya?"

(Brothers, being sick with COVID really is miserable. Everyone, be sure to take precautions!)