When Boruto's eyes darted about and he struggled to answer, the middle-aged ninja's expression darkened. His suspicions deepened.
"So he's an impostor."
He snorted and waved a hand. "Seize them! Search them thoroughly. See if this is an Uchiha trick or if they're Senju spies!"
Five or six Hyuga Branch Family ninja sprang from the shadows of nearby houses and behind the trees. Each had activated the Byakugan and bore a Caged Bird Seal on their forehead. They swiftly surrounded Boruto and the others, already poised to strike with Gentle Fist.
Iron Sand rose around Shinki with a hum, while Shikadai's fingers quietly reached for the weapon pouch at his waist. The air turned icy. A fight could break out at any moment!
"Wait!" Boruto shouted, his mind racing.
Proof? The Byakugan! Right, the Byakugan should be the best proof!
"If I can activate the Byakugan, will that prove I'm a Hyuga?" he asked, clinging to his last shred of hope.
The middle-aged ninja paused and narrowed his eyes. "Naturally."
"Hyuga blood is proven by the Byakugan. If you can activate it, we can talk."
But his eyes plainly said, Can you?
Boruto took a deep breath and closed his eyes, shutting out the hostility around him and his friends' worried gazes.
He prayed desperately in his heart. Mom, please! Lend me your strength!
If Himawari can do it, there's no reason I can't! I'm her big brother! I have Hyuga blood too! Byakugan, activate!!!
Boruto's eyes flew open, wide as they could go. He could almost feel Chakra surging and gathering around his eyes.
But nothing happened.
His eyes remained clear blue. No veins bulged around them, and his vision didn't change. Nothing.
The silence was painfully awkward.
Shikadai and Shinki quietly looked away, unable to watch.
The Hyuga