Chapter 243: Those Who Won't Follow Me Can Join the Third Hokage
Through his interrogation of Otsutsuki Toneri, Zetsu had indeed obtained intelligence about the moon's situation. Cross-referencing it with Yasushi's earlier statements, he'd found no deception.
Though Zetsu still sensed Yasushi was concealing things from him, he lacked any concrete evidence. Currently, he relied too heavily on Yasushi's cooperation. Even with lingering doubts, he had no choice but to swallow his suspicions rather than force a confrontation.
The moment Yasushi mentioned Otsutsuki Hagoromo, Zetsu's expression darkened considerably.
"Regarding that man Jigen, I've uncovered some traces."
"But the problem is, this 'Kara' organization operates with extreme secrecy and discipline. Even I haven't been able to dig up much."
"However, I've dispatched numerous White Zetsu specifically to pursue this matter. Given enough time, I'll absolutely expose every secret this organization holds."
Yasushi nodded silently before offering a reminder:
"That Jigen wields space-time ninjutsu. I strongly suspect Kara's headquarters isn't located in the shinobi world at all, but rather within some dimensional space."
"You could have Obito shadow him covertly. See what dimensional space he enters, mark the location, report back to me. Then we'll investigate together."
"A dimensional space?" Zetsu's eyes widened with sudden understanding. "No wonder I could never find anything!"
Zetsu possessed no space-time ninjutsu himself—he couldn't cross dimensions to conduct reconnaissance.
Fortunately, he now had Obito at his disposal. Otherwise, dealing with Jigen's spatial abilities would prove utterly impossible.
Yasushi offered only this single hint. He said nothing about Inner and Outer Kara members, or any other organizational details.
The Boruto timeline remained more than twenty years distant. Most intelligence would differ drastically from what he knew. It held no practical reference value.
Zetsu knew none of this. Having obtained fresh intelligence, he immediately departed the moon to pursue the "Sage of Six Paths'" legacy organization known as Kara.
Yasushi glanced down at the vegetative Hiashi at his feet. After brief hesitation, he decided against disposing of the body.
Deep in his heart, a sliver of hope remained—perhaps in a few days, Hiashi would spontaneously awaken.
He gestured for a White Zetsu to approach, ordering simply:
"Take Hiashi below and make arrangements. Have Hanabi care for him."
"While you're at it, summon Neji."
The moon had been completely conquered, transformed entirely into Yasushi's domain.
The giant Tenseigan couldn't be relocated. Moreover, it might prove useful in the future. Yasushi had simply designated this place as his personal base.
But since he wouldn't remain here constantly, finding someone to guard it became quite necessary.
"Lord Yasushi."
Neji arrived quickly, bowing respectfully.
"Neji, do you see this?" Yasushi pointed toward the massive Tenseigan. "This is what I once mentioned to you—the giant Tenseigan formed by gathering countless Hyuga Branch House eyes."
The enormous eye was impossible to miss. Neji had noticed it long ago. The closer he drew to it, the more intensely his Byakugan pulsed. The chakra within his body stirred restlessly, as though forming some connection with that gigantic orb.
Hearing Yasushi's introduction, Neji's excitement surged immediately.
"Ah, so this is the treasure the Branch House created at any cost—willing to perish alongside their oppressors just to forge this?"
"The Branch House used this to completely overthrow the Main House's rule?"
"Precisely." Yasushi nodded. "Simultaneously, this represents your hope of liberation from the Caged Bird seal."
"Can it truly break the Caged Bird seal?" Neji's excitement intensified further.
"I can only say there's hope. After all, no one's ever attempted this before."
Yasushi spoke casually:
"Otsutsuki Toneri transplanted pure Hyuga eyes and successfully converted them into the Tenseigan. You're a Hyuga with pure bloodline—naturally you can accomplish the same."
"Every secret technique and forbidden jutsu in the shinobi world fundamentally operates through chakra. With sufficient chakra strength, the vast majority of jutsu can be overcome."
"I estimate that if you successfully transform your eyes into the Tenseigan, the Caged Bird seal on your forehead will most likely shatter."
"That—that would be incredible!" Neji's voice trembled. His entire body shook with emotion.
Yasushi stepped aside, gesturing for Neji to approach and test it himself.
Neji swallowed nervously, stepping forward to stand before the giant Tenseigan. He placed his hand against its surface.
Yasushi observed as streams of green chakra flowed from the massive eye, entering Neji's body bit by bit before concentrating toward his Byakugan.
Neji's eyes briefly lost focus before clarity returned moments later.
After brief hesitation, he turned to Yasushi:
"Lord Yasushi, just now within an illusory space, I encountered the ancestor of both the Otsutsuki and Hyuga clans—Lord Otsutsuki Hamura himself."
"Ancestor Hamura showed me many things. Ultimately, he requested I destroy this giant Tenseigan to prevent the shinobi world's destruction at the hands of the moon's Branch House."
"I see." Yasushi nodded dismissively. "Noted."
Everything proceeded exactly as Yasushi expected. As a direct descendant of Otsutsuki Hamura, Neji naturally received the same treatment Toneri had enjoyed.
"Did you bother asking Otsutsuki Hamura whether he ever authorized his descendants to create something like the Caged Bird seal?"
"Uh..." Neji's expression shifted awkwardly. "I was too shocked. I forgot to ask questions."
"Doesn't matter if you didn't ask." Yasushi waved dismissively. "You needn't concern yourself with that old fool's words."
"He's been dead for how many years? What could he possibly know about the shinobi world's current state?"
"This giant Tenseigan is an incomparably precious treasure. How could we possibly destroy it?"
"What a waste that would be!"
"Furthermore, if this thing can remove the Caged Bird seal, the entire Hyuga Branch House gains salvation!"
"When that time comes, would you really bear to destroy it—leaving your Branch House brothers to continue suffering under the Caged Bird curse?"
"Absolutely not!" Neji grew agitated immediately. "Lord Yasushi, if this truly can break the Caged Bird seal, then the Hyuga Branch House vows eternal loyalty to you. We will never betray you."
"Save your pledges of loyalty until after you've succeeded."
Even with a treasure like the giant Tenseigan available, transforming the Byakugan into the Tenseigan couldn't be accomplished overnight.
Otsutsuki Toneri had required several days. That probably included complications from using transplanted rather than original eyes. Neji's process should proceed faster, but it still wouldn't complete within mere hours.
Yasushi had no intention of lingering here. He instructed simply:
"Come here daily to nurture your eyes with the Tenseigan's chakra. After three fetal movements, you should succeed."
"I have business to handle in the Land of Rivers. I won't wait here for your results."
"Once you succeed, make one more trip to Konoha Village."
"Finish the task you left incomplete before. See which Branch House members are willing to follow you."
"Those willing to accompany you earn the right to serve as my subordinates."
"Those who cling stubbornly to Konoha and refuse to pledge themselves—you know what must be done."
Neji's eyebrows rose. He clenched his fist fiercely, speaking with firm resolve:
"Rest assured, Lord Yasushi. I now carry the fate of the entire Branch House on my shoulders. I absolutely won't show mercy."
"Those willing to follow me—I'll bring back to you."
"Those who refuse to follow me—I'll send them down to meet the Third Hokage."