Gene Mutation

"D-Dual Bloodline?"

Fujino Daikichi stood there with his mouth agape. In over twenty years of teaching, he had only heard of Dual Bloodline Ninja, never seen one.

Having even one Kekkei Genkai was enough to let someone stand above the crowd. Possessing two at once was simply terrifying!

But the moment the kunai's trajectory changed before hitting Hyuga Satoru had been far too clear. If so, there was only one possibility.

"Magnet Release..."

As a member of the Hyuga Clan, he already possessed the Byakugan Kekkei Genkai. Awakening Magnet Release as well undoubtedly made him a Dual Bloodline Ninja.

Fujino Daikichi's eyes flickered. "A Dual Bloodline is a matter of great importance. This must be reported to the Hokage immediately..."

The crowd erupted into restless murmurs.

"My God, what's a Dual Bloodline?"

"It probably means possessing two Kekkei Genkai. I never thought a ninja like that could exist."

Even Kakashi, who was usually composed, had a trace of shock in his eyes upon hearing those words. He stared straight at Hyuga Satoru in the training grounds. Having been taught by the White Fang, he understood better than most what a Dual Bloodline meant.

Iroha, whom Hyuga Satoru had injured earlier, clutched her chest as she looked at the figure standing before Uchiha Rin. The shock in her eyes was beyond comparison.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

"In the Hyuga Clan's nearly thousand-year history, there has never been a Dual Bloodline Ninja. The Byakugan is already one of the strongest ocular techniques. How could anyone awaken another Kekkei Genkai?"

He suddenly recalled the palm strike Hyuga Satoru had used to defeat him earlier. Could that have been a technique developed through Magnet Release as well?

But he had never heard of Magnet Release possessing such an ability.

"Wu... is that amazing?"

Anko glanced around at everyone's stunned expressions and could not help growing curious.

Hokage's Office.

A pile of documents lay scattered across the desk. Hiruzen Sarutobi held a pipe between his lips, his expression solemn as he bent over the paperwork.

Suddenly, a figure appeared out of thin air beside the Hokage's desk. He wore an animal mask, his body wrapped in black clothing.

"Speak."

Without looking up, Hiruzen Sarutobi uttered a single word.

"Lord Hokage." The Anbu bowed slightly. "Fujino Daikichi, instructor of Class A at the Ninja Academy, has reported that a student from the Hyuga Branch Family under his instruction has awakened Magnet Release and possesses two Kekkei Genkai."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand suddenly froze. A hint of surprise appeared in his eyes as he looked up at the Anbu.

"Is the information confirmed?"

"It is."

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.

He knew Fujino Daikichi. He had taught at the Ninja Academy for nearly twenty years and was among the most senior instructors. With his discernment, he should not have made a mistake concerning intelligence of this kind.

Then there was only one possibility.

Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes slightly. That Hyuga student really had awakened two Kekkei Genkai. It was just that...

He frowned. This still seemed rather unlikely.

Although Dual Bloodline Ninja were exceedingly rare in the Ninja World, they did exist. Mist Village had also produced Dual Bloodline Ninja in its history, but this was the first time he had ever heard of a member of the Hyuga Clan possessing two Kekkei Genkai!

The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan was already an exceptional Kekkei Genkai. Throughout history, it seemed no clan member had ever awakened another bloodline ability.

Magnet Release... wasn't that a Kekkei Genkai from Sand Village?

Could it be that the child's parents...

"Cough, cough..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi realized he had lost his composure. The Hyuga Clan never married outsiders, so there could only be one explanation.

Gene Mutation?

"Bring me all information on that Hyuga student. Also, notify the Hyuga Clan Head. Since he is a member of their clan, they should naturally conduct the investigation themselves."

"Yes!" The figure beside the Hokage's desk vanished.

Exhaling a long stream of white smoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair with his pipe between his teeth. A trace of weariness appeared on his face.

"A Dual Bloodline... barring any accidents, his future achievements will be limitless. What a pity he belongs to the Branch Family..."

Hyuga Compound.

As soon as that day's assessment ended and Hyuga Satoru returned home, a Branch Family guard immediately came to find him and summoned him to the clan's Main Hall.

Hyuga Satoru's expression did not change.

They had come quickly indeed.

Having revealed part of his abilities, he was bound to undergo the clan's scrutiny.

He could not avoid using the power of electromagnetic force. If he used it in the future and only tried to explain it then, it would become extremely troublesome. It was better to take advantage of this assessment to legitimize his electromagnetic abilities.

As for the consequences, Hyuga Satoru had already considered them. Because he belonged to the Branch Family, Hiruzen Sarutobi likely would not be able to interfere much and could only let the Main Family handle it themselves. As for Danzo...

What would that rotten old man want with a Branch Family member if he had nothing better to do?

The Caged Bird Seal took priority over the Tongue Curse Seal. Wouldn't that be the same as stripping naked before the Main Family?

So the familiar scene of "Hiruzen, you will regret this!" and "Danzo, I am the Hokage!" probably would not happen.

Following the Branch Family guard, Hyuga Satoru arrived at the Main Family ancestral hall. This was where the Hyuga Clan held its meetings, and only members of high status from the Main Family and Branch Family could enter.

After transmigrating for so long, this was Hyuga Satoru's first time coming here. He could not help looking around curiously.

Compared to the rest of the Hyuga Compound, the decorations here were far more austere and imposing. Several cushions were placed below the ancestral hall, where a few middle-aged men sat cross-legged. A young man stood nearby.

The Branch Family guard stepped forward and knelt, respectfully saying to the man in the center, "Clan Head, he has arrived."

The Clan Head?

Hyuga Satoru studied the man curiously. He wore White Robes, and though gray hairs had appeared at his temples, his Byakugan remained sharp and spirited as he stared at Hyuga Satoru.

This person should be the current Hyuga Clan Head. I heard his name is Hyuga Suigetsu. The young man beside him should be Hyuga Hizashi, though he has not yet become clan head in the current timeline.

Hyuga Satoru silently analyzed the situation.

Seeing that Hyuga Satoru showed no fear upon meeting him and instead looked him over from head to toe, Hyuga Suigetsu frowned and spoke first.

"Your name is Hyuga Satoru, correct? I heard that you awakened a second Kekkei Genkai?"

"Yes."

Hyuga Satoru nodded.

"Magnet Release?"

"Yes."

The Main Hall fell into brief silence.

After a moment of silence, Hyuga Suigetsu asked in a deep voice, "In our clan's nearly thousand-year history, there has never been a Dual Bloodline Ninja. How did you awaken it?"

The others also turned their gazes toward Hyuga Satoru, waiting for his answer.

Hyuga Satoru shook his head. "I don't know either."

"When did you awaken it?"

Hyuga Suigetsu pressed on.

"When news of my father's death reached me. At that time, I felt as though the sky had collapsed. It felt like something in my mind was about to explode. I lay in bed for several days, and when I woke up, I discovered that I seemed to be somewhat different."

"At the time, I didn't know that I had awakened Magnet Release. Only later did I gradually discover that I had gained some other abilities."

Hyuga Satoru spoke steadily. Hyuga Suigetsu and the others exchanged looks, their expressions continuously changing.

Before Hyuga Satoru arrived, all information concerning him had already been laid out before them. They naturally knew about his family circumstances. His mother had died in childbirth, while his father, a Branch Family guard, had died on a mission. The records seemed to mention that Hyuga Satoru had fallen ill after his father's death, though they lacked specifics.

So he had awakened it after the emotional turmoil caused by losing both parents?

Why had only he awakened it? Gene Mutation???

Hyuga Satoru's expression remained unchanged, but he sneered inwardly. Having inherited the original owner's memories, he naturally knew that he had been sick after his father died. It was the perfect excuse.

The Hyuga Clan did not intermarry with outsiders, so there was no doubt about his identity or bloodline. His parents had long since died, leaving no evidence behind. No matter what, Gene Mutation was the only explanation.

Furthermore, with the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead, he could never pose a threat to the Main Family. The outcome of this matter had already been decided.

Sure enough, after remaining silent for a long time, Hyuga Suigetsu nodded. He had clearly accepted Hyuga Satoru's explanation.

Just as Hyuga Satoru let out a sigh of relief, Hyuga Suigetsu suddenly raised his head and stared directly at him.

"Since you awakened a new Kekkei Genkai long ago, why have you never gone to the clan training grounds to practice, nor informed the clan?"