By the time he took leave and returned to the village, Hyūga Shingyu's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
He knew Konoha had grown and evolved, but he hadn't expected such a radical transformation.
The streets were clean, paved smoothly with asphalt. Electric poles lined both sides of the street, strung neatly with wires.
Pedestrians bustled through the streets while shop after shop opened across the commercial district, showcasing vibrant and dazzling goods everywhere.
It was nothing like it had been when he left a year ago—it was a complete transformation.
"Is this really Konoha? Did I go to the wrong place?" Hyūga Shingyu murmured to himself.
Luckily, he ran into someone from his clan—an old childhood friend who greeted him in person.
"Shingyu, you're finally back. You're the last one," Hyūga Rakuu said, watching him with a smile.
That smile was like spring sunshine—bright and warm—a type of expression one would never expect from a member of the Hyūga Clan.
Hyūga Shingyu's face froze, and unconsciously, his hands formed seals meant for dispelling genjutsu.
Yet the seals did nothing to break any illusion, which startled him greatly.
What was going on?
Was all of this actually real?
Had he really not fallen victim to an enemy's illusion technique?
Seeing his shocked expression, Hyūga Rakuu approached and patted his shoulder reassuringly.
"Don't worry, Shingyu. It's not a genjutsu or an illusion. Once you return to the clan compound, you'll understand."
From Hyūga Rakuu's cryptic tone, Shingyu realized something major must have happened within their family.
This realization sent a surge of emotions through him, filling him with deep excitement.
After all, judging by his friend's demeanor, it seemed the changes within the clan were undeniably positive.
Filled with quiet eagerness, Hyūga Shingyu finally arrived at the clan's residence.
Inside, where once there had been only repression, restraint, and strict etiquette, laughter and lively chatter now filled the air.
The sight left Shingyu stunned.
Was this really the Hyūga Clan?
They looked almost like regular villagers now.
The oppressive, stifling atmosphere that used to loom over them was gone, replaced entirely with vibrant energy and joy.
"Why has our clan changed so drastically?"
For a moment, he felt as though he'd time-traveled into a brand-new era.
It was no longer the borderlands of the Land of Fire he remembered—he felt like he had stepped into an entirely different realm.
Guiding the still-bewildered Hyūga Shingyu, Hyūga Rakuu led him into the meeting hall of the clan's high elders.
Inside, he saw several high-ranking members of the clan, along with other family members who had also been summoned back.
At the head of the room sat the eldest and most respected Elder of the Hyūga Clan.
The Elder's expression was warm—completely unlike the cold, domineering gaze he once wore.
"Children, there's no need to worry, to feel lost, or to be afraid. Our clan is undergoing reform."
"We've gathered you here today to remove your Caged Bird Seals and awaken the evolutionary path of the Byakugan."
His voice was calm, yet it struck the ears of those present like thunderclaps—stunning and electrifying.
What reforms, what replacement of the Caged Bird Seal—these words left them feeling dazed, as if they were dreaming.
Hyūga Shingyu's eyes widened, his mind going blank.
He hadn't really listened to anything that the Elder had said after that.
All he knew was that the once harsh and cruel Caged Bird Seal had been replaced with a new one—no longer tying him to the Main House's control.
And the Byakugan—according to reports, it could evolve again.
Both pieces of news struck him so suddenly and powerfully.
At that moment, he even thought he was dreaming.
But when the original Caged Bird Seal on his forehead was completely removed, replaced by the new seal, and then he received an injection in the buttocks, he finally regained his senses.
So everything was real—it wasn't a dream.
The hideous cursed seal on his forehead had vanished, replaced by a bird-shaped mark.
This mark looked exactly like a bird preparing to spread its wings and soar into the sky.
He didn't know at the time that this was a symbol specially designed by Hyūga Satori.
The old version of the Caged Bird Seal had indeed been too grotesque.
The new version, naturally, had been created by Satori himself.
Visually speaking, it wasn't unattractive at all—in fact, it looked quite cool.
As for that needle in the butt—since receiving it, Hyūga Shingyu had constantly felt hungry and had constant cravings for food.
After finally eating his fill, he fell into a deep sleep for several days before his body fully recovered.
Once he awakened from that state of hunger and exhaustion, Shingyu realized his chakra reserves had significantly increased.
The improvement was obvious enough to shock him.
Normally, a ninja's chakra capacity is limited by their talent and bloodline strength.
Yet now, his chakra reserves had vastly expanded, indicating his potential had been unlocked and enhanced.
Shingyu felt the surging chakra within him. Touching his Byakugan, he felt a whirlwind of emotions.
"Never would I have imagined that the Hyūga Clan, known for being feudal-minded, rigidly traditional, strict in family laws, and deeply conservative, could ever witness such openness."
The changes were just too drastic, like suddenly ascending from hell straight to heaven.
Faced with such contrast, Shingyu only now truly began to realize—
On his face, without him noticing, a genuine smile had blossomed.
It was a heartfelt expression, not some fake, forced grin forced onto his lips.
Shingyu was merely one among countless Branch House members of the Hyūga Clan, yet he embodied the emotions of many Branch House members.
Within the Hyūga clan compound,
Clan Leader Hyūga Ten'yō stood atop the watchtower, gazing down at the celebratory scene below.
Outside, celebration reigned supreme, lively and filled with joy—no distinction remained between the Main House and Branch House.
By this point, he had started sensing something off.
But the die had already been cast. He no longer wished to meddle further.
Let it be.
Perhaps this was truly the best possible outcome.
Though for the Main House—and for him personally, as the clan leader—it certainly wasn't the ideal ending.
He brushed his hand over his pride—his Byakugan. Faint starlight shimmered within those pure, white pupils.
It was a powerful force beginning to awaken.
Amidst this uncertainty, it offered him new hope.
Satori Hyūga had not misled him. Awakening the Tenseigan was indeed possible.
If he awakened the Tenseigan, he—as Clan Leader—might regain the strength needed to protect the Hyūga Clan.
Meanwhile, Satori Hyūga scanned the report in his hand—a list of Hyūga Clan members who had successfully completed gene activation.
Gene activation was no easy feat. Many bore diluted bloodlines and lacked the innate talent needed to walk the path toward awakening the Tenseigan.
Across the entire Hyūga Clan, fewer than ten individuals showed even the faintest potential for activating the Tenseigan.
Of those ten, only three exhibited significantly greater odds of success.
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