— — — — — — —
"Oh, right! I wonder if I can study the Byakugan next. Honestly, I'm really interested in it.
"I feel like the Byakugan's potential value for my research is even greater than the Sharingan!
"It's such a shame that I can't obtain this kind of Kekkei Genkai!"
Vegapunk suddenly turned to Kaito and said.
He had considered studying the Byakugan before, but Kaito had temporarily put that plan on hold, instructing him to focus first on the Uchiha, Senju, and Uzumaki bloodlines.
Now that those studies had been successfully completed, he was growing more impatient.
"Hmm..."
Kaito pondered for a moment before nodding. "It's about time. Let's begin the research immediately. I'll have my Shadow Clone provide you with some Hyuga clan blood samples for study.
"Try to develop the Hyuga bloodline formula as soon as possible.
"Also, don't forget that the Otsutsuki Clan also possesses the Byakugan—one that's even more refined and advanced than the Hyuga's.
"I think we should also focus on researching Otsutsuki Isshiki's Byakugan.
"In fact, we can compare the Hyuga's Byakugan with the Otsutsuki's. I'm sure we'll gain a lot from it."
Hearing this, Vegapunk nodded excitedly. "You don't even need to say it—I already realized that. I'll draft a research plan as soon as possible."
At that moment, Senju Tobirama frowned slightly and looked at Kaito. "Fourth Hokage, are you planning to take action against the Hyuga Clan?"
"What exactly do you intend to do?"
Since Kaito was preparing to create a bloodline formula for the Hyuga, it was inevitable that he would have to deal with their strict traditions.
If the Hyuga elders found out, they would never sit idly by.
That clan was incredibly protective of their bloodline and would never allow it to become something that anyone could obtain.
"It would be best to proceed cautiously. The Hyuga Clan's main house elders aren't easy to handle," Uzumaki Mito added with a frown.
Uchiha Madara crossed his arms and sneered, "You people overthink things too much. In the face of absolute power, all those stubborn old relics are nothing but trash!
"If they refuse to comply, just wipe out those ancient Hyuga elders!
"Honestly, we should have dealt with them long ago!
"In this era, they're still using internal enslavement and control techniques to prevent their so-called bloodline from spreading—don't you find that ridiculous?
"Our Uchiha Sharingan is far superior to the Byakugan. Have you ever seen us pulling this kind of nonsense?
"In the end, their main house is just too weak, and they're driven by selfish greed!"
"This kind of 'village within a village' power structure should never be allowed to continue!" he scoffed.
From both his expression and tone, it was clear that Madara harbored deep disdain for the Hyuga Clan—especially their main house and the Caged Bird Seal system.
"Agreed," Uchiha Izuna nodded in support, before shifting the topic. "But can the Byakugan actually evolve into the Tenseigan?
"Maybe it's time we visit the Moon and take a look at the Otsutsuki Clan there—and that massive Tenseigan.
"I think it has significant research value as well."
After forming his contract, he had obtained information about the Byakugan and the Tenseigan, which had genuinely surprised him.
The Byakugan had always been considered one of the Three Great Dojutsu in the ninja world, but the Uchiha had never taken the Hyuga seriously and often dismissed that claim.
However, it now seemed that the Byakugan wasn't as simple as they had thought.
The reason the Hyuga Clan seemed unimpressive was merely that their bloodline had become too diluted and incomplete over time.
"If possible, we support this idea as well," Vegapunk and Orochimaru said, their eyes gleaming with interest.
But before Kaito could respond, Tobirama shook his head and said firmly, "That's not an option for now.
"I do not recommend that we send people to the Moon to study the Otsutsuki Clan or the Tenseigan at this time.
"Don't forget—the Moon was created by the Sage of Six Paths' brother, Otsutsuki Hamura, as a means to monitor the ninja world.
"Even though he's supposedly dead, how can you be sure he's truly gone?
"Given his power, I suspect he—like the Sage of Six Paths—only lost his physical body. His soul might still exist on the Moon or in the Pure Land.
"If we don't go, we might be fine. But if we do, we could alert him—or even the Sage of Six Paths himself.
"And that's not something we want right now, is it?"
"Agreed," Kaito nodded. "Second Hokage, you just said exactly what I was thinking.
"For now, we should avoid alarming them.
"Let's wait a few years until at least one or two of us have reached the Six Paths level—then we can consider making a move.
"At that point, we could even deliberately draw the Sage of Six Paths out of the Pure Land, away from his home turf, and try to seal him.
"If we succeed, we might be able to permanently deal with him."
Kaito did not underestimate this potential future enemy.
Anyone who could orchestrate events for over a thousand years was not someone to take lightly.
"That's a wickedly good plan!" Uchiha Izuna chuckled, rubbing his chin. He was clearly pleased with the strategy.
This kind of scheme might actually work against the Sage of Six Paths.
"Then it's settled!"
Vegapunk and the others didn't argue further.
Kaito then continued, "As for the Hyuga Clan, I've already been working on that for a long time.
"Back during the Second Shinobi War, I met Hyuga Hizashi on the battlefield and managed to win his trust.
"Through my battlefield performance and my treatment of him, I raised his favorability toward me to the point where I could form a contract with him.
"Since then, I've been secretly supporting his plans to reform the Hyuga Clan.
"Because of the contract's powerful nature, the moment he formed it with me, the Caged Bird Seal on his body—and even his soul—was completely erased by the contract's runes.
"So right now, Hizashi no longer has a Caged Bird Seal.
"However, to prevent the Hyuga elders from noticing, I spent time researching the Caged Bird Seal and created a perfect disguise for Hizashi, keeping him from being exposed.
"In fact, I've fully cracked the Caged Bird Seal and even improved upon it.
"I developed a new 'Flying Bird Seal' that only protects the Byakugan—it no longer controls, suppresses, or restricts its wielder.
"This new seal won't have any negative effects on the Hyuga bloodline or their Byakugan.
"On the contrary, it even helps purify their bloodline and enhance their Byakugan to some extent."
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