A line from the Book :
"Like a moth to a flame, how can one begrudge the burning of one's own body?"
Someone once pointed at a moth and said, "Look, how foolish the moth is! Fire burns, yet the moth insists on throwing itself into the flames regardless of life or death, only to end up like this!"
Others might chuckle and explain it from a scientific perspective:
"It isn't that complicated. Moths fly into flames because of the phototaxis of nocturnal animals. 'Optical compass orientation' traps the moth in a spiral vortex..."
But there is also a type of person who remains silent and does not argue, yet, like that moth, they often perform all sorts of baffling actions.
Hyuga Hizashi was likely that kind of person.
After stepping into the shinobi world, he felt the deep powerlessness of the Hyūga Clan. He wanted to do something, but until the day he died, he was like a moth constantly beating against a lamp, unable to find a way to break through.
"That's not it."
Seven hours after Hyuga Natsu's surgery.
Inside the tent assigned to Hyuga Yu, Natsu—who had woken from the anesthesia and was lying weakly on the sickbed—listened carefully as Yu, guarding her bedside, recounted everything that had happened since they were separated.
After hearing Yu's perspective on Hyuga Hizashi, she shook her head at him, frowning slightly.
"What Hyuga Hizashi wanted was likely to restart the legacy of 'Hyuga Tennin.'"
"Hyuga Tennin?"
Hearing this, Yu paused, feeling curious. "Does our clan actually have someone like that?"
The concept of "Hyuga Tennin" originated during the Chūnin Exams in the original story, when Hyuga Hiashi was shocked by Hyuga Neji's talent and lamented:
"What terrifying talent... Could it be that the blood of Hyuga Tennin flows through the veins of a Branch House child who can never become the successor?"
Due to differences in Japanese, Chinese, and English translations, this sentence had created ambiguity. In the original context, the phrase meant that Neji was a genius despite being from the Branch House; the "Tennin" in the English translation often referred to a "Heavenly Ninja" or simply a "Genius Ninja."
However, because the Japanese phrasing linked "The Hyūga's Genius Ninja" together as Hyūga no Tennin, it led to theories that the Hyūga Clan might actually have a powerful ancestor named "Hyuga Tennin."
Previously, Yu—knowing this was likely just a translation issue—believed that "Hyuga Tennin" didn't exist at all.
But now, Natsu corrected him quite seriously:
"No, Yu-kun, your history studies are terrible. Besides, you never attend the clan meetings or rituals. Honestly, many things are hidden right on the surface; they aren't that complicated."
Yu was puzzled but reflexively handed Natsu a cup of water. "Hidden on the surface?"
Natsu nodded earnestly, taking a small sip from the cup. "The clan's sacrificial rituals mention that name."
"A long, long time ago..."
"Stop. Please just get to the point—"
Natsu pouted and gave Yu a playful glare before continuing:
"The Warring States Period before the founding of Konohagakure was incredibly chaotic. In that era, the system of the Hyūga Head Family and Branch Family wasn't like it is now. The reason the Head Family became the Head Family was that they were the strongest shinobi in the clan."
"To ensure the clan's survival through those hardships, every head of the family discarded their name, their past, and their family. They took the name 'Hyuga Tennin,' abandoned their personal desires, and devoted themselves entirely to the pursuit of shinobi power to lead the clan through one crisis after another."
"Furthermore, according to the scriptures read during the rituals, the several current branches of the Head Family all seem to be bloodlines where a 'Tennin' once appeared."
Yu blinked, thinking to himself that such a person actually existed.
He followed up curiously, "Then why was 'Hyuga Tennin' the strongest? How did they fight?"
"I don't know," Natsu said, shaking her head.
"We only know the name exists. But the past of the individual shinobi behind that name has never appeared in any scriptures or clan records."
"It's as if... the person never existed at all."
As she spoke, Natsu suddenly gave Yu a mischievous grin.
"But, Yu-kun, if 'Tennin' really exists..."
"I think he must be just like you."
Yu raised an eyebrow and reached out to feel Natsu's forehead. "You don't have a fever. Why are you talking nonsense?"
Natsu swatted Yu's hand away and stared at him intently with her pale Byakugan eyes. "I'm serious."
"Didn't you join Root, Yu-kun?"
Natsu giggled, her finger playfully tracing Yu's silhouette.
"No name, no feelings; no past, no future. Add to that your underhanded, shameless style, and that ruthlessness where you'd rather kill a thousand innocents than let one culprit go! Hoho!"
"That kind of character profile fits the setting of the 'Hyuga Tennin' from that chaotic era perfectly!"
Yu glared at Natsu. "Are you insulting me or complimenting me?!"
"Haha."
Natsu burst out laughing.
But as she laughed, she suddenly couldn't keep the smile on her face.
"Hyuga Tennin" might just be a legend, but Yu had truly joined the dangerous Root.
Moreover, she was the one who had personally pushed him into such a hell.
Natsu didn't know exactly what Root was like, but seeing Yu's brow, which remained furrowed even while she teased him, she gradually realized—
Yu's situation was not good.
Natsu pulled back her smile and suddenly whispered, "Yu-kun."
"Hmm? I'm right here."
"I'm sorry."
Yu froze for a moment. Soon, realizing what she was apologizing for, he laughed it off and tapped her forehead.
"Just saying sorry isn't going to cut it."
Yu looked at her with a smile, though his tone turned a bit dark. "I remember clearly that you said you wanted to become the Hokage's wife—"
"Eh!"
"Forget that right now!"
"I can't, Natsu." Yu suddenly looked at her, a flash of struggle appearing in his eyes as he gave a stiff smile. "Now, I can only do whatever it takes."
Hearing this, Natsu's expression quickly turned calm. She asked, "What happened?"
Yu raised his hand, and a swirl of azure-colored chakra emerged from his palm.
He knitted his brows and said in a low voice, "By relying on the Caged Bird Seal, Hyuga Hizashi helped me temporarily cover up the fact that I killed Hyuga Genko and took a Head Family Byakugan."
"But the Head Family will definitely start an investigation into this matter again."
"Because they cannot possibly trust Hyuga Hizashi."
"Originally, this wouldn't have been an issue, but now, this chakra has become my most fatal weakness."
Natsu asked calmly, "What do you want to do?"
Yu stared at the azure chakra in his hand and pondered for a moment before deciding. "I need time. For at least three months, I need no one interfering with my cultivation."
"What about Hyuga Hizashi's side? Do you really believe his story?"
Yu shook his head. "I don't. But I have no choice."
"Since you said he wants to restart the legacy of 'Hyuga Tennin,' I think I have a rough understanding of what's going on."
Yu narrowed his eyes.
"The Head Family didn't exist from the very beginning."
"The reason the rift appeared between the Head and Branch families is perhaps because, after the village was founded, something went wrong with this 'Hyuga Tennin' system."
Natsu thought about it and asked, "Do you need me to help you delay the time for the Head Family to dispatch the next group of Branch House members?"
"No, those Branch House members won't even get to see me."
"They will vanish into thin air halfway here."
"Of course, the blame for that will likely fall on my head in the end. But right now, I don't have the time to deal with that."
A cold glint flashed in Yu's eyes as he spoke slowly:
"After the surgery, you have three months to recover. During this time, I need you to do something for me—"
"What is it?"
"Find Tsunade."
"Lady Tsunade? Didn't she leave the village with Shizune?"
"No." Yu shook his head.
"At this point in time, the village couldn't possibly let her leave."
"And once I find her?"
"Tell her everything about my situation."
Natsu was surprised and asked in disbelief, "Would Lady Tsunade really be willing to help you?"
"As long as she doesn't want to be nagged by those old men and women at the Konoha Hospital for the rest of her life."
In the dark tent, Yu looked at her and revealed a row of white teeth.
"Don't worry. My connections are very solid!"
————
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