The Byakugan Kekkei Genkai and the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan were renowned as two of the three great Dōjutsu of the Ninja World. Aside from the legendary Rinnegan, which only appeared in myths, the Byakugan and Sharingan were often compared against each other. Just like in Konoha, the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans frequently clashed over the title of "number one Dōjutsu family."
Of course, most of the time, the Hyuga ended up on the losing side. Compared to the Byakugan, which specialized in battlefield support, the Sharingan's combat ability was overwhelming. Dynamic vision, the ability to copy Ninjutsu, and the terrifying Sharingan Genjutsu made the Uchiha Clan nearly unbeatable in direct confrontations.
When an Uchiha awakened his eyes, his Chakra surged, granting him an almost insurmountable advantage over ninja of the same rank. Furthermore, the Sharingan could "evolve," with each new stage representing a massive leap in power. A one-Tomoe Sharingan could elevate a ninja to Genin-level combat ability, two Tomoe equated to Chunin-level strength, and a three-Tomoe Sharingan matched the prowess of a Jonin. With the addition of Genjutsu, even high-level opponents struggled to match an Uchiha in a one-on-one fight.
Although few Uchiha awakened their eyes, each one was a true elite. After the Senju Clan fully integrated into Konoha, the Uchiha Clan stood as the strongest ninja family in the village. For the Hyuga to compete was almost wishful thinking. Many believed this to be the truth, yet the Hyuga Clan had not suffered catastrophic losses at the hands of the Uchiha.
Why? Because the Hyuga were masters at navigating political currents. Loyal supporters of the Hokage, the clan received protection from leaders like Hiruzen Sarutobi, ensuring they were never truly crushed by the Uchiha. Thanks to this careful oversight, both clans retained their prestige, and debates over which was "number one" were left unresolved.
Nevertheless, the Hyuga Clan was objectively weaker than the Uchiha in combat terms. This didn't mean the Byakugan lacked potential. Both the Byakugan and Sharingan were derived from the Six Paths Sage, and the Byakugan was arguably more legitimate in origin. Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, the progenitor of Chakra, had a pair of Byakugan. Unlike the Hyuga's Byakugan, which primarily functioned as a telescope or X-ray vision, Kaguya's Byakugan possessed vast and unique abilities, suggesting that the Hyuga Kekkei Genkai still had untapped potential comparable to the Sharingan.
That night, Riku had a strange dream. He found himself beneath a vast, star-strewn sky, where every star shone like a polished diamond, mesmerizing and serene. But this beauty soon turned terrifying. A group of otherworldly beings descended upon the stars, their aura exuding unimaginable pressure. Even in a dream, Riku felt his body recoil under it.
These beings landed on planets that teemed with life, scattering strange seeds that took root and grew into massive trees. As the trees matured, the stars around them dimmed, their brilliance consumed by the seedlings. When the trees bore fruit, the stars' energy was completely drained, leaving them dead and lifeless. Witnessing this cosmic devastation filled Riku with a deep, unexplainable sorrow.
Without thinking, Riku mustered his courage and shouted, "Stop!"
The beings turned their gaze toward him. Towering and imposing, their eyes were filled with an indifferent curiosity. In that instant, Riku realized that these were not mere monsters—they resembled humans. Each of them possessed Byakugan, and some even wielded variations of the Rinnegan. Small horns protruded from their foreheads, an unsettling detail that Riku couldn't ignore.
Memories from his previous life surged within him. Riku suddenly understood the identity of these celestial visitors—they were likely members of the Ōtsutsuki Clan. Before he could ponder further, the pressure intensified. His dream body was crushed, and the dream shattered violently.
In the real world, Riku lay on Orochimaru's experimental table. Implanted with high-concentration Hashirama cells, his body convulsed violently. The pressure he radiated was so immense that even a Kage-level expert like Orochimaru instinctively fell to the ground. The laboratory descended into chaos as Riku's aura pressed upon every observer.
Even Orochimaru's golden eyes widened in awe and fear. "Power… the power of a shinobi god!" he muttered. His fascination was laced with greed. "No matter what, I must obtain this power!"
The oppressive energy from Riku's body was temporary, dissipating as suddenly as it had appeared. Riku opened his eyes, still trembling from the residual force. Around him, the experimental team lay sprawled like fallen soldiers. Orochimaru, though still on his feet, maintained a comical posture, his buttocks raised as if in mid-fall. Riku allowed himself a brief, bitter smile, though the humor was lost on him.
He reflected on the dream—the stars, the seeds, the immense Ōtsutsuki power. "Was that merely a dream, or an echo of history etched into the bloodline?" he wondered. Perhaps the vision had been stored in the genetic memory of the Ōtsutsuki Clan. The Byakugan, the Rinnegan… those who possessed such eyes were bound to wield world-altering power. If new Ōtsutsuki ever arrived in the Ninja World, could it truly resist them?
Riku's heart filled with a quiet anxiety. Yet, he shook his head and forced a wry smile. "I'm just a Hyuga Branch Family member, still restrained by the Caged Bird Seal. Why am I worrying about the fate of the Ninja World? These are concerns for top-tier experts—the Six Paths Sage in the Pure Land, or even Ōtsutsuki Kaguya sealed on the moon."
He exhaled deeply. "With my small physique and limited power, it's better to focus on my own life. Worrying about the world… that's not my burden."
With that self-reflection, Riku's spirit steadied. He became acutely aware of the changes coursing through his body. The Hashirama cells, the awakening power, and the latent potential within his Byakugan… all of it hinted at a future far beyond a normal ninja's reach.
The Hyuga's Byakugan, though appearing modest, carried secrets waiting to be unearthed. With patience, training, and courage, Riku might someday bridge the gap between the Hyuga and Uchiha, or perhaps even surpass them. The dream, terrifying as it had been, was a glimpse of the cosmic scale of power he might one day face.
For now, however, Riku chose to ground himself in the present. The future of the world was a puzzle for gods and legends. He was a Hyuga, yes, but he was also Riku—a ninja of flesh and blood, still bound by human limits. The path ahead was his to walk, step by step.
He closed his eyes once more, not to drift into another dream, but to embrace the awakening storm within him.
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