Chapter 148 – Toneri's Request for the Byakugan
"I… I surrender."
Shikamaru raised both hands in the air. His expression remained calm, but deep down, he couldn't hide the bitterness. Losing to someone his own age was one thing—but to an opponent who hadn't even looked serious for the entire fight? That stung.
"He's incredible… No wonder he's that man's student," Pakura murmured, her tone half in awe, half in disbelief. "Just like his teacher—monstrous."
"Sensei," Temari asked quietly, "do you think Gaara can beat him?"
Pakura's brows knitted together. "Without relying on the power of the thing sealed within him… it'll be difficult. That boy wields Hatake Kakashi's signature technique—it's not something one can easily defend against."
Even without Hatake Yusuke, Konoha still had his younger brother. While Kakashi's fame didn't quite match Yusuke's, anyone who truly understood the world of shinobi knew—his strength was just as terrifying.
"The next match: Aburame Shino versus Kankurō," Hayate Gekkō announced.
After a short but fierce battle of strategy and endurance, Shino emerged victorious.
"If Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke fail to appear for their matches, they will be disqualified by default," Hayate continued.
"Wait! We're here!"
A loud, overly dramatic voice echoed through the arena as Naruto and Yusuke appeared—striking exaggerated poses for no reason at all.
Sakumo Hatake sighed from the stands, rubbing his temple. "This kid's going to be the end of me."
"The next match: Hyūga Neji versus Uzumaki Naruto!"
The air grew tense as the two boys stepped onto the battlefield. Their gazes locked—determined, unwavering.
"You look like you've got something to say," Neji said, his voice calm, almost mocking.
Naruto clenched his fists, anger flashing in his eyes. "I already told you—I'm gonna win! No matter who I'm up against!"
Neji closed his eyes for a moment, then reopened them—his Byakugan veins bulging sharply around his temples.
"So confident… not because of arrogance, but because of him," Neji thought, glancing briefly at the stands where Yusuke stood watching, a faint, amused smile on his face.
"Interesting," Neji said aloud, his tone dropping cold. "I look forward to seeing that confidence crumble."
"Quit talking and fight already!" Naruto shouted, his chakra flaring with fiery intensity.
The pressure between the two was palpable. A gentle breeze swept across the arena, carrying their auras like invisible flames.
From the viewing platform, the Third Hokage smiled quietly, and the crowd fell silent—captivated by Naruto's sheer determination.
"Watch closely, Hanabi," said Hiashi Hyūga, his eyes fixed on the fight. "That boy… he's exceptional. A true heir to our clan's kekkei genkai—stronger than even your sister."
"Stronger… than Onee-sama?" Hanabi asked, surprised.
"Perhaps even stronger than you," another Hyūga elder added softly.
"That's not entirely true," a calm voice suddenly interjected.
Hiashi turned sharply. Without anyone noticing, Hatake Yusuke had appeared beside him—Toneri standing quietly at his side.
"Hatake Jōnin," Hiashi greeted politely, his tone unusually formal.
Hanabi blinked in confusion. Her father had never spoken so respectfully before—not even to the Hokage.
"No need to be so stiff, Clan Head," Yusuke said lightly. "Toneri, introduce yourself."
"Hello," Toneri said flatly, showing no hint of courtesy.
Yusuke sighed and knocked the boy lightly on the head with his knuckles. "What did I tell you about manners?"
Toneri rubbed his head with a small grimace but said nothing.
Hiashi, meanwhile, couldn't take his eyes off him. The moment Toneri had stepped closer, he'd felt it—an indescribable pressure. Something ancient, divine, and commanding lurked beneath the boy's calm expression.
"Have we met before, young man?" Hiashi asked, his tone cautious.
"Room."
A soft violet glow expanded outward, forming a translucent dome that sealed off the sound around them. Yusuke had activated the ability of his Silent-Silent Fruit.
"Relax, Clan Head," Yusuke said calmly. "You haven't met him before. But… there's a deeper connection between your bloodlines."
"Connection?" Hiashi frowned, searching his memory for any clue that could link the Hyūga Clan to this mysterious youth.
"Go on, Toneri. You can speak freely here," Yusuke instructed.
Though reluctant, Toneri finally nodded. "My full name is Ōtsutsuki Toneri."
Hiashi froze. "Ō… Ōtsutsuki?"
Most would've been confused by that name. But Hiashi knew better. As the head of the Hyūga Clan, he recognized it instantly.
Ōtsutsuki—the name of the Sage of Six Paths' own clan. The origin of all their bloodlines. A name found only in the oldest of the clan's sealed records, dismissed long ago as myth.
"My ancestor is Ōtsutsuki Hamura," Toneri continued evenly. "I come from above—"
Smack!
Yusuke's knuckles landed squarely on Toneri's head again.
"From where, you brat?!" Yusuke scolded. "It's called the moon! I told you to stop saying vague nonsense like that! Say it again and I'll hit harder next time!"
Toneri pouted slightly. "…Yes, Sensei."
Hiashi could only stare at the scene, unsure whether to laugh or be terrified.
"So… you're really from the Ōtsutsuki Clan?" he muttered. "Impossible…"
Hanabi tilted her head, completely lost. "Ōtsutsuki? What kind of clan is that? Why does Father look so serious?"
"Because," Yusuke said casually, "it's not just any clan. Toneri here is the direct descendant of Ōtsutsuki Hamura—one of the most gifted beings of his generation. Your Hyūga bloodline… is actually a branch of his."
Hiashi's breath caught in his throat.
He remembered now—the words written in the family's ancient records, accessible only to the clan head. A story of celestial beings whose eyes saw through all truth, from whom the Hyūga were said to descend.
If Yusuke knew of that… then Toneri's claim had to be real.
"…I see," Hiashi finally said. "I'll take your word for it, Hatake Jōnin. But even so, the Hyūga and the Ōtsutsuki have been separated for generations. I have no obligation to obey your requests."
"Of course," Yusuke said easily. "I'm not here to command you. I'm just here to ask for a favor."
Hiashi nodded warily. "What kind of favor?"
"I want a pair of Byakugan—with the highest purity your clan possesses."
Hiashi's eyes hardened immediately. "You must know, Hatake Jōnin—our Byakugan is a kekkei genkai tied to our bloodline. It cannot, and will not, be given to outsiders."
Yusuke chuckled softly. "You misunderstand me, Clan Head. I'm not asking for myself. I'm asking for him."
He gestured to Toneri. "A direct descendant of the Ōtsutsuki—your original lineage. Surely your main house has a few preserved eyes, doesn't it?"
Hiashi's jaw tightened. He didn't answer—but his silence said enough.
"Relax," Yusuke added, his smile faint but knowing. "I've got no interest in your clan's eyes. They're useless to me anyway."
He slowly pulled down the cloth covering one of his eyes.
The bright blue iris shifted—its color deepened into radiant gold, glowing faintly like molten light. Within it, a crystalline pattern resembling snowflakes spun gently, exuding divine, overwhelming power.
Hiashi and Hanabi could only stare, breathless.
That eye… wasn't something born of this world. It wasn't just a dōjutsu. It was something higher—something transcendent.
And in that quiet moment, Hiashi finally understood why even someone like Orochimaru dared not cross Hatake Yusuke.
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