The commotion at Konoha's academy had barely settled, and everyone had only just shifted their attention away from Hinata, who had fainted from embarrassment, when the images on the Sky Screen high above quietly changed again.
Night lay heavy and ink-black, and all of Konoha had sunk into the hush of deep sleep.
High above Konoha in the dead of night, all was silent. Even the wind had grown exceedingly gentle.
Above the clouds, where no one noticed them, two strange figures floated silently in the air.
One was an adult, the other a child. Both wore peculiar clothing unlike anything in the current shinobi world. The ancient, mysterious patterns woven into the fabric gave them an unfamiliar air, as though they stood apart from the shinobi world entirely.
Most startling of all, both possessed pure, flawless Byakugan!
The night wind whistled high overhead. The grown man lowered his gaze toward the sleeping village of Konoha, pinpointing the Hyuga Clan's estate, and quietly addressed the little boy beside him.
"Do you see her, Toneri?"
The boy called Toneri was still very young, with delicate features and a cool demeanor. Despite his tender age, he carried an innate air of arrogance.
Following the man's gaze, he looked down at the sleeping Hinata Hyuga. As he watched her small, sweet, well-behaved form slumbering peacefully, he nodded firmly, his childish voice filled with earnest certainty.
"Yes. She's so cute."
"When I grow up, I want her to be my wife."
A satisfied smile crossed the man's face. His eyes held the certainty of someone who already considered his prize secured, and he slowly explained.
"This girl is named Hinata Hyuga. Her Byakugan is far purer than that of any other living member of the Hyuga Clan."
"In today's shinobi world, she is worthy