The air on the third underground level was as thick as congealed blood.
The sealing array's white light locked down every inch of space like a cage. Chains wrapped around Hyuga Xiao's limbs, suppressing his chakra until it was nearly depleted. Four Main House elders stood in the four directions, veins bulging around their Byakugan as they maintained this ancient array designed specifically to restrain the Tenseigan's higher-order power.
Hyuga Hiashi stood at the edge of the altar, looking down at the bound Xiao.
His expression was calm, but his eyes concealed greed and a desire for control that had been suppressed for years.
"It's over, Xiao." Hiashi's voice echoed through the sealed chamber. "The power of the Tenseigan never should have belonged to the Branch House. You stole the forbidden power the Main House has guarded for a thousand years. Today, it is time to return it to its rightful owner."
Xiao lowered his head, his black hair hanging down and concealing his eyes.
The chains tightened, cutting into his flesh with faint scraping sounds.
Yet he did not struggle.
"Lord Hiashi." Xiao suddenly spoke, his voice unnaturally calm. "Do you know about Covenant Stone Fragments?"
Hiashi's expression froze for an instant.
Though it was only the slightest change—his pupils contracted and his breathing slowed by half a beat—everyone present was among the Hyuga Clan's finest shinobi. None of them missed it.
"Nonsense." Hiashi said coldly. "You're at death's door and still trying to stall for time?"
"Stall for time?" Xiao slowly raised his head.
The corners of his lips actually curved upward.
There was no fear or anger in that smile, only a mocking pity.
"I was merely wondering what exactly the secret guarded by the Main House for generations really is." Xiao's voice was soft, yet it