Hizashi Hyuga fell silent for a long time after hearing Qingyun's words. He understood Qingyun's reasoning, but the thought of his son embarking on a path of boundless suffering left him unable to make up his mind.
After a long while, Hizashi Hyuga looked at Qingyun and asked hoarsely, "Is this really the only way?"
"Yes. This is the only way I can think of to evolve the Byakugan."
Qingyun nodded as he answered.
Although Otsutsuki Toneri had successfully evolved the Byakugan into the tenseigan using Hanabi Hyuga's eyes in the original story, a tenseigan obtained through a transplant that went against one's bloodline would inevitably place an enormous burden on the body.
Besides, even when Neji grew up, he would not choose to fulfill his own ambitions that way.
Throughout the original story, Neji had always been deeply proud. That pride, ingrained in his very bones, would never allow him to gain power by sacrificing his younger cousin's sight. This was also the main reason Qingyun had not mentioned that method.
"Qingyun, I need to think about this!"
Though Hizashi Hyuga had already prepared himself for Qingyun's answer, he still could not help feeling disappointed.
Yet given Qingyun's character, he had no reason to deceive him. It was precisely because of that, however, that Hizashi could not make up his mind.
On the one hand, he did not want his son to follow in his footsteps. That day, when Neji had watched the Caged Bird Seal torment him beyond endurance, the helplessness, confusion, and fear on his son's young face had made his heart wrench.
On the other hand, if he made this decision for Neji and his son later proved unable to endure the pain, leading to other problems, he would find it even harder to forgive himself.