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Tenka did not know the reason for this.

Was there a limit on the number, or could he not unlock a new inheritance because he had yet to master the ones he had opened before?

He did not dwell on it. Aside from gambling techniques, either of the other two was already more than enough!

As long as he could completely master them, clearing the stage and dominating the Shinobi World would be no problem at all!

Even the longest road had an end. Tenka looked at the Hyuga Estate before him, his gaze filled with nostalgia.

"L-Lord Tenka, is that you? Have you returned?"

"It's me."

The gatekeeper was a branch family member. After receiving Tenka's confirmation, he became wildly excited!

"Wonderful! My lord, please come in!"

He hurriedly stepped aside and bowed, inviting Tenka inside.

"Mm. You've worked hard."

Tenka stepped through the gates and headed toward his home.

The gatekeeper watched his retreating figure, his eyes full of worship and fervor.

Within the Hyuga Clan, Tenka was undoubtedly the person most respected by the branch family.

At such a young age, he had not only broken through his own Caged Bird, but had nearly slaughtered every elder of the main family!

Since that incident, those main family elders had become far gentler in their treatment of the branch family!

They no longer dared use the Caged Bird to punish branch family members at every turn, because they were afraid!

They feared Tenka's return would displease him. He truly dared to kill, and did not care in the slightest what status they held!

At that moment, every major force in Konoha received the news: that person had returned.

Root was dark all year round, devoid of even a trace of sunlight. A Root ninja hurriedly shoved open the door to an office.

"Why are you panicking? Have you no decorum?"

A low, sinister rebuke rang out. It was Danzō!

"My lord, Hyuga Tenka has returned!"

"What did you say?"

Danzō abruptly rose from his chair and stared at the ninja below him, his eyes brimming with killing intent!

"R-Reporting, my lord, Hyuga Tenka... he... he's returned!"

"Hyuga Tenka..."

Danzō's gaze turned icy, his killing intent soaring into the heavens. As he looked in the direction of the Hyuga Clan, his eyes seemed to pierce through layer upon layer of walls and stab straight into the Hyuga Estate!

After a moment, he raised his hand and looked at the three missing fingers.

"I will make you... pay the price!"

Ever since three of his fingers had been cut off, his strength had plummeted. He could no longer form many hand seals!

Afterward, he had sought out Orochimaru and asked him to reattach his fingers.

However, it had not helped much. They were extremely inflexible!

In a fit of rage, Danzō broke them off again. He had also considered attaching another arm!

But Wood Release's devouring power was too strong. He had already attached one arm; if he attached another, he might be assimilated directly!

He hated Tenka, yet there was nothing he could do to him!

First, Tenka was too powerful. Danzō still remembered the helplessness he had felt when Tenka had tried to cut him down.

Second, Hiruzen Sarutobi would not agree, and Tsunade had also opposed him. They had all stopped him.

Danzō had never considered that if not for the Third Hokage and Tsunade, losing three fingers might have been the least of his problems!

Compared to Danzō, Koharu Utatane, who had lost an arm, was much calmer!

She knew there was nothing she could do to Hyuga Tenka, nor did she dare provoke that fiend again!

Upon receiving the news, she merely nodded calmly and said nothing. She had no intention of doing anything either!

She knew that a few years ago, the Third Hokage might still have been able to restrain that man, but now that he had returned after several years...

If she went looking for death again, the Third Hokage might not be able to stop him. His strength could not possibly have failed to improve at all over the years!

And as the Third Hokage grew older, his strength had continued to decline. He could not stop him.

Everyone in the other major forces who heard the news wore grave expressions!

They all made the same decision: issue strict orders that no one was to provoke that person!

Tenka, the one responsible for all this, arrived alone at the entrance to his home!

Creak!

As he pushed open the door and looked at everything familiar in the courtyard, the face that had remained cold all this time finally curved into a faint smile!

"You're back."

"Father!"

"Mm. You've grown taller, and more mature."

Hizashi Hyuga heard the movement and came out, only to see Tenka standing in the courtyard.

He appeared calm, but the hands clasped behind his back trembled slightly.

"It's good that you're back. It's good that you're back!"

He studied Tenka carefully, wanting to see every change in his son!

His eldest son, who had made him proud at the age of nine, who had been able to protect both him and Neji at the age of nine!

"Father, have you and Neji been well these past few years?"

"Has Konoha or the clan given you any trouble?"

When Tenka asked this, the sharp killing intent that flashed through his eyes startled Hizashi.

This child's killing intent was still so strong!

Hizashi was somewhat worried, afraid that something might be wrong with Tenka's state of mind.

"It's fine. We've been doing well. They haven't made things difficult for us."

"Have you eaten?"

"When Neji comes back, we'll eat. I'll cook myself and make your favorite dishes."

"Mm, I'm not hungry. I'll wait for Neji."

"Good. Come inside quickly and tell me about your years outside!"

With a broad smile on his face, Hizashi stepped forward, took Tenka by the hand, and led him into the house.

Tenka obediently followed. Looking at the man before him and the cloth wrapped around his forehead—

Scenes of his childhood surfaced in his mind, of this man acting as both father and mother while caring for the two brothers.

Just wait, Father. Very soon, I'll completely remove the Caged Bird from your forehead.

This damned Curse Mark, this cage—I will make it disappear with my own hands, never to appear again!

The father and son talked until evening, with Tenka doing most of the talking about his experiences over the years.

Hizashi occasionally asked a few questions. The scene was warm and harmonious!

"It's about time. I'll go cook!"

Hizashi went to prepare dinner, while Tenka came alone to the courtyard and reminisced over every little memory from the past.

"Father, I'm back!"

Neji pushed open the door and entered. When he saw Tenka in the courtyard, he froze at once.

He rubbed his eyes, his face filled with disbelief!

"B-Brother?"

"Heh..."

"What, you don't recognize me anymore?"

"Brother, is this real? You've really come back?"

At that moment, Neji had none of his usual calm composure left. He ran several steps to Tenka's side and threw his arms around him!

If anyone who knew him saw this scene, their jaws would definitely drop.

"Mm. It's been so long. It was time to come back."

"How about it? You haven't let your training slip these past few years, have you?"

Tenka gently ruffled Neji's hair, then held his shoulders and asked.

"No, I've always worked very hard!"

"I definitely can't compare to you, Brother, but I've become stronger too!"

Neji answered earnestly. He also knew that the man before him, his brother—

Was someone he could never catch up to. He had been four years old during that incident, and his memories of it were deeply etched in his mind!

Over the years, he had kept Tenka as his goal and worked tirelessly without pause.