Power

He discovered that the mass of red energy was extremely unstable, swelling one moment and contracting the next, clearly affected by intense emotional fluctuations. This also explained why the Sharingan often awakened or evolved during moments of heightened emotion.

"Interesting. This is fascinating." Excitement gleamed in Toru Kujyo's eyes.

But an even more thrilling discovery awaited him. When he focused on his surroundings, he found countless tiny points of light floating in the air.

These are... Toru Kujyo's heart jolted. Natural energy?

Those energy particles, invisible to the naked eye, drifted through the air like fireflies, emitting a faint glow. Near the forest, the points of light were noticeably denser; around man-made structures, they were far more sparse.

"They say only ninja who have mastered Sage Mode can sense natural energy, yet I can actually see it!" Toru Kujyo could hardly describe his excitement.

If he could learn to absorb and use this natural energy, he would have a chance to master Sage Mode-one of the greatest powers in the Shinobi World.

A ninja who mastered Sage Mode would undergo a qualitative leap in strength. Their taijutsu, ninjutsu, and chakra reserves would all improve enormously. More importantly, Sage Mode could also greatly extend their lifespan.

"But now isn't the time." Toru Kujyo quickly calmed down. "Training in Sage Mode is extremely dangerous. One careless mistake, and natural energy could turn me to stone. I need to find a suitable teacher, or wait until I'm stronger before trying."

Even so, gaining the [Sage Eye] had brought a qualitative improvement to Toru Kujyo's strength. He now possessed the basic ability to protect himself in this dangerous world.

"Next, I just need to quietly build my strength and wait for an opportunity." Toru Kujyo gazed into the distance, working out his plans for the future.

The Chunin Ninja Exams were still a few years away. He could use that time to familiarize himself with the [Sage Eye]'s various abilities while looking for an opportunity to train in Sage Mode.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the village, Sasuke walked alone through the deserted Uchiha Clan Compound.

He was the only person in the enormous residence, and the silence was terrifying. Every footstep echoed, reminding him of how alone he was now.

"Today's fight taught me something." Sasuke stopped and clenched his fists. "If I want revenge, I have to become stronger. Strong enough to surpass everyone."

His fight with Toru Kujyo had made him painfully aware of his own weakness. If he couldn't even defeat someone his own age, how could he possibly challenge someone like Uchiha Itachi?

"If Toru Kujyo can do it, then so can I." An unyielding fire burned in Sasuke's eyes. "And I have the Uchiha Clan's bloodline. Once I awaken my Sharingan, my strength is bound to grow by leaps and bounds."

At that thought, Sasuke couldn't help touching his eyes. He knew that awakening the Sharingan required intense emotional stimulation, and the pain of losing his clan should have been enough.

Yet, for some reason, his Sharingan still showed no sign of awakening.

Maybe I need an even greater shock, Sasuke thought. One day, I'll awaken my own Sharingan. Then I'll take revenge on that man.

That night, two boys in Konoha drifted off to sleep, each carrying secrets of his own.

One possessed the legendary Sage Eye; the other bore the heavy burden of revenge.

The gears of fate were quietly turning, and a new era was about to begin.

Inside the dojo at the Hyuga Clan Compound.

"Hah!"

Hinata let out a sharp cry, her palm cutting through the air with a fierce whistle as it struck toward a vital point on Neji Hyuga's chest. Neji's gaze sharpened, and he countered with Gentle Fist. Their palms met with a dull thud.

They darted past each other, their movements swift and fluid, displaying the intricacies of Gentle Fist to the fullest. Striking pressure points, cutting off pathways, sealing chakra-every move targeted the other's weaknesses.

"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!" Spotting an opening, Neji thrust his right palm forward, sending an invisible chakra shock wave roaring through the air.

Hinata had anticipated it. She shifted slightly to the side, narrowly evading the attack, then closed in with both palms extended, striking toward the major pressure points across Neji's body like a butterfly weaving through flowers.

Thud, thud, thud!

After dozens of fierce exchanges, Neji gradually began to falter. Hinata's chakra control was becoming increasingly refined, every strike perfectly measured, leaving him struggling to keep up.

As their palms met once more, Hinata seized the instant when Neji's previous burst of strength had spent itself and the next had yet to come. A supple yet overpowering surge of chakra burst from her palm and invaded his body.

"Ugh!" Neji felt the flow of chakra inside him falter, and his movements instantly stiffened.

Hinata pressed her advantage, lightly tapping several pressure points on Neji's chest with her pale palm and completely sealing his chakra flow.

Neji's body went limp, and he nearly fell, but Hinata caught him in time.

"Thank you for the match, Neji." Hinata was breathing a little heavily, fine beads of sweat dotting her forehead, but her eyes were clear and her voice as gentle as ever.

Watching from the side of the dojo, Hyuga Hiashi wore the same stern, impassive expression as always, though a barely perceptible trace of satisfaction flickered deep in his eyes. "Neji, you were outmatched. Go to the Medical Corps."

"Yes, Lord Hiashi." Neji lowered his head, hiding the resentment and the traces of hatred that threatened to spill from his eyes. He clenched his fists, then silently turned and left.

Watching Neji's forlorn figure retreat, Hinata sighed softly.

"Father." Hinata turned to Hyuga Hiashi and bowed. "I'd like to take Hanabi out to play for a while and stop by Kujyo's place."

Hyuga Hiashi looked at his eldest daughter. In three years, Hinata had changed beyond recognition. The timid little girl she had once been had grown into a prodigy who could consistently defeat Neji, and her chakra control had reached a level that astonished even the Main Family. Within the Main Family, she was already regarded as the undisputed next heir.

"Go ahead," Hyuga Hiashi replied evenly, though his gaze drifted into the distance.

For the sake of his eldest daughter, he had withstood immense pressure from the clan elders, repeatedly delaying the application of the Caged Bird Seal to Hanabi on the grounds that she was still too young. He had even tacitly permitted Hinata's association with Toru Kujyo, harboring a plan that not even Hinata knew of-he hoped that neither of his daughters would have to endure the fate of the Caged Bird Seal.

Naturally, Toru Kujyo knew nothing of Hyuga Hiashi's private calculations. He only knew that one day, he would personally undo the Hyuga Clan's Caged Bird Seal. He had that much confidence.

Soon, Hinata arrived in Toru Kujyo's courtyard, holding the hand of an exquisitely delicate little girl.