If you can become engaged to the Hyūga clan's legitimate daughter, then acquiring the Byakugan will be effortless."
"Moreover, our Uchiha clan is about to leave Konoha. At a time like this, forming an alliance with a Konoha clan is undeniably beneficial."
"Take the Hyūga, for example. They lack high-end combat power, and the Byakugan is largely auxiliary in nature. To the Hokage faction, they pose virtually no threat."
Arata hadn't expected the Great Elder to support his decision so thoroughly, having considered aspects Arata himself hadn't fully thought through. He nodded repeatedly in agreement.
However, what Arata didn't expect was the sudden shift in topic that followed.
After draining another cup of sake, the Great Elder smacked his lips in satisfaction. A faint flush had already crept onto his face as he spoke with a hint of drunkenness.
"Arata," he said, "I won't interfere with your engagement to the Hyūga.
But you must also find a girl from our own Uchiha clan."
"We're not old fossils....we're quite open-minded about these things.
Back before Konoha existed, when clans fought constantly, we openly supported one man having two or even three wives in order to expand our numbers as quickly as possible."
"So don't worry about our opinions."
"For the sake of the Uchiha clan's future, as someone with pure Uchiha blood—and a Mangekyō at that—you must take an Uchiha wife and pass on your lineage.
Only then can we produce more geniuses capable of awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan."
Arata rolled his eyes inwardly and complained silently:
I already have one. She's even pregnant.
If I told you that, you'd probably split me in half on the spot.
Outwardly, he brushed it off.
"Great Elder, you know my personality," Arata said helplessly.
"I'm not good at socializing. Within the clan, aside from you and Shisui, I'm not close to anyone else.
How am I supposed to find someone? Why don't you pick one for me?"
The Great Elder's eyes immediately lit up, as if he'd caught Arata in his own trap.
"You said it yourself," he said with a grin. "I didn't force you.
The girls in our clan are all exceptionally beautiful, and quite a few secretly admire you."
"When I find one for you, don't go looking for excuses. Treat her properly—and don't bully her."
Arata rolled his eyes again and replied perfunctorily,
"Yes, yes. When you find her, I'll definitely treat her well."
After chatting idly with the Great Elder for a while longer, Arata finally took his leave.
Next, Arata planned to accept a mission from the Third Hokage....specifically, one that would require Tsunade to return to the village.
After all, in less than three days, his ocular technique Kotoamatsukami would complete its cooldown.
Still, there was no rush.
Tsunade wasn't going anywhere. He could deal with that after finalizing his engagement to Hinata.
As Arata pondered whether to visit Mikoto or seek out Uzuki Yugao, something closely tied to him was happening far away.
In a vast, pitch-black cavern....
Uchiha Obito, who had been unconscious for several days, finally opened his eyes.
Because Obito's group lacked a medical ninja.....especially one capable of treating severe mental trauma.....Black Zetsu had no choice but to bring him before the Gedo Statue, hoping its power could repair the damage.
After Obito was connected to the Gedo Statue and subjected to several days of treatment, he was finally pulled back from the brink of unconsciousness.
Tsukuyomi inflicted tremendous damage to the mind.....especially when wielded by someone with Arata's terrifying mental strength.
In Arata's hands, Tsukuyomi was nothing short of a nightmare.
By forcibly pushing the technique to its absolute limit, he had unleashed devastating psychological damage far beyond normal expectations.
If not for the fact that Obito possessed his own Mangekyō Sharingan, which mitigated some of the mental impact.....and the presence of Hashirama's Wood Release cells, which nourished both his eyes and spirit—no one knew how long it would have taken for him to awaken.
Just as Black Zetsu was beginning to doubt whether the Gedo Statue had any effect at all, Obito finally stirred, clutching his head as he struggled upright.
At this moment, Obito had long since removed his mysterious mask.
Holding his throbbing head, he growled hoarsely:
"Damn that Uchiha Arata