The year was 51 in the history of Konoha.
The scars of war had slowly begun to fade. That evening, the streets of Konoha were bright, festive, and filled with laughter. It seemed peace had finally returned. Lanterns swayed softly in the wind, children ran down the stone paths, and adults conversed with smiles.
Today was the day the Kumogakure delegation arrived in Konoha to discuss the peace treaty.
Everyone believed the war was finally over.
But inside the Hokage Building, the atmosphere was completely different.
In the dimly lit conference room, silence hung heavy. The elders of Konoha, clan leaders, and senior jonin were gathered — all wearing grim expressions.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, exhaled a stream of smoke from his pipe and finally spoke:
"Hyuga Naraku… tell us exactly what happened tonight."
Standing calmly in the center of the room was a man with piercing, silver-white eyes — like a reflection of the moon itself. Hyuga Naraku, a branch family jonin, bowed slightly and began:
"During my evening training, I activated my Byakugan as usual. That's when I noticed a suspicious figure carrying a child, sneaking out from the clan head's residence."
"I immediately suspected an abduction attempt on Lady Hinata."
"I pursued him, sealed his tenketsu points, and forced him to confront me. Once he dropped the girl and I removed his mask... I saw that he was none other than the leader of the Kumogakure diplomatic mission."
Gasps filled the room.
"I restrained him and was preparing to bring him here. But unexpectedly, he activated a suicide seal embedded in his body. He bit through his tongue and released the jutsu... destroying his brain completely."
Naraku finished speaking without a trace of fear or guilt.
A voice laced with accusation rose from across the table.
It was Shimura Danzō, head of ROOT.
"So that's it? That's all the evidence you have?"
"The intruder's mind is destroyed, and no memory can be extracted. What you're saying... is only the testimony of the Hyuga clan."
Naraku's expression didn't change. Calmly, he replied:
"I have said all there is to say. The suicide technique obliterated the brain. Memory extraction is impossible. Does this trouble you, Danzō-sama?"
Danzō's fist slammed against the table.
"Watch your tone! Who do you think you're talking to? You're just a jonin! What gives you the right to speak like that in a high-level meeting?"
"Stand aside! You are not part of this council!"
Naraku chuckled faintly.
Yes, by status, he was only a jonin from the branch family of the Hyuga. Technically, he had no place here.
But he was also the only direct witness and the one who had thwarted a potential diplomatic disaster.
Ignoring Danzo, he turned again to the Hokage.
"Hokage-sama, may I ask — is there a law in Konoha that says a ninja must grovel before elder advisors?"
Hiruzen paused, taken aback.
Of course not.
The values Konoha was founded on — unity, compassion, respect — were not meant to enforce subservience through fear.
Danzō scowled, but Hiruzen only let out a sigh of smoke and said:
"Danzō is just concerned. What matters now is how to handle this situation."
From the clan leader seats, Nara Shikaku asked coldly:
"What does Kumogakure demand?"
The Hokage exchanged glances with Koharu, Homura, and Danzo.
Finally, he said:
"They've demanded... we extradite the person responsible for the leader's death."
The room fell into a deathly silence.
Heads turned toward each other, faces pale and stunned.
And Naraku?
Naraku remained composed.
Because he already knew this would happen.
He was not from this world — not originally.
Hyuga Naraku was a reborn soul. In his previous life, he had watched this exact incident unfold in the anime: the attempted kidnapping of Hinata Hyuga, and the death of Kumogakure's leader. Back then, Konoha chose peace over justice — and Hizashi Hyuga, father of Neji and a man who treated Naraku like his own son, was forced to die in place of his brother, Hiashi.
But this time…
Naraku wouldn't let it happen.
He wouldn't allow Hizashi to sacrifice himself.
He wouldn't allow Neji to grow up an orphan.
After his reincarnation into the Hyuga branch family, Naraku awakened a Glory System.
The system granted him chakra as he trained.
He earned chakra points through studying ninjutsu, defeating enemies, and advancing his mastery of elements.
The more chakra attributes he accumulated, the more potent his abilities became.
Naturally, as a Hyuga, he focused first on Yin Chakra — the source tied to illusions, perception, and dojutsu evolution.
One day, when his Yin Chakra reached its limit, he knew he could awaken the Tenseigan — the evolved form of the Byakugan!
He glanced at his current system stats.
[System Panel]
Chakra (Yin): 8000 / 10000
Chakra (Yang): 2000 / 10000
Chakra (Fire): 4000 / 10000
Chakra (Water): 500 / 10000
Chakra (Earth): 500 / 10000
Chakra (Lightning): 3500 / 10000
Chakra (Wind): 500 / 10000
He was close.
Very close.
When the Tenseigan awakened... Kumogakure wouldn't be able to touch him.
But for now... he had to face the true danger: Konoha's own leaders.
Because Hiruzen, Danzo, and the elders were preparing to do exactly what they had done in the original history—
Offer a Hyuga life as compensation.
And Naraku… would not allow that to happen.