In the shadows of the attic, Hyuga Xiao's lips curved into a cold smile.
The faint divine aura of the Ōtsutsuki Clan leaking from the crack beneath the Ancestral Shrine was like a drop of ink falling into clear water, instantly tainting the surrounding energy field.
It was neither chakra nor natural energy.
It was a higher, purer, and more arrogant form of energy. It carried the deathly silence of the stars and an innate disregard for lesser life.
"An out-of-control prey always makes unnecessary noise."
Hyuga Xiao murmured indifferently to himself.
Hiashi Hyuga and those Main House elders had originally been livestock he kept to activate the coordinates. Now, before being slaughtered, those livestock had made too much noise and spread the scent of blood too far.
Ordinary ninja might find this divine aura difficult to detect, but to those specialized in perception, or certain rats among Leaf Village's upper ranks, it was no different from a beacon in the night.
He did not care who discovered the Hyuga Clan, nor did he care how Leaf Village's higher-ups reacted.
What he cared about was anything that might interfere with his plan to welcome the lunar visitor.
"Hong."
Without turning around or even speaking aloud, a cold command traveled directly through the anchor deep within their souls and entered the mind of the figure concealed in the darkness behind him.
Kurenai Yuhi, who had maintained a kneeling posture on one knee, shuddered slightly and slowly raised her head.
Her face was still pale, a lingering aftereffect of forcibly catalyzing her bloodline and merging with the power of time. Yet her eyes were astonishingly bright. Those Eye of Time, fused with golden star trails and eerie silver radiance, flowed with a chilling light in the darkness.
"Master." Her voice was hoarse,