After leaving Konoha Prison, Kyusei was planning to head home and get something to eat. The grilled fish he'd had earlier at Sakumo's place barely counted as an appetizer—it wasn't even enough to fill the gaps between his teeth.
However, before he made it back, he noticed a shinobi rushing frantically toward the Hokage Tower.
…Hyūga Anko?
Because of his relationship with Naori, Kyusei was familiar with quite a few members of the Hyūga clan. Anko, as Naori's attendant, was someone he occasionally ran into.
"Anko!"
Hyūga Anko was a branch family member and Naori's personal attendant. Their relationship was much like that of Hyūga Hanabi and Hyūga Natsu.
"Ky–Kyusei-sama!"
Seeing him, Anko froze for a moment, then immediately bowed deeply.
"I'm very sorry, Kyusei-sama. I have an urgent matter to attend to. Let's talk another time."
She was clearly in a hurry, yet her manners remained impeccable. Although she didn't know Kyusei's exact status, the fact that he regularly associated with people like Hatake Sakumo and Tsunade told her everything she needed to know. He was far beyond the standing of a mere branch family member like herself.
So even now, anxious as she was, she still excused herself properly.
Watching Anko hurry off, Kyusei frowned slightly.
Something felt… off.
In his memory, Anko was always composed, obedient, and meticulous. This level of panic was completely unlike her.
And if Anko was back…
Then Naori should be back too.
Last year, Naori had officially been confirmed as the next head of the Hyūga clan. This year, she had personally led her attendants to visit the Kaguya clan. By the timing alone, she should have returned around now.
Kyusei watched Anko disappear toward the Hokage Tower. He originally intended to head home—but for some reason, his steps followed her instead.
Branch family members didn't go to the Hokage Tower without reason.
Especially not Naori's personal attendant.
Kyusei entered the Hokage Tower. No one stopped him—he had been here countless times already. Most people inside were familiar faces.
As he climbed the stairs, he faintly heard Anko's sobbing voice from upstairs.
Crying…?
Kyusei's pace quickened.
"Na–Naori-sama… Naori-sama…"
"…Kirigakure…"
Her voice grew clearer, and Kyusei's expression slowly tightened.
"…Naori-sama… they dug out…"
The next moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice—filled with shock and rage—rang out clearly.
"You're saying Hyūga Naori's eye was dug out by Kirigakure?!"
The words landed with brutal clarity.
Kyusei's hand froze on the door handle.
"Who's there?!" Hiruzen barked.
"It's me."
As Kyusei appeared in the doorway, Hiruzen's expression abruptly stiffened.
"Where is Naori?"
Kyusei's voice was calm—too calm—as he looked directly at Anko.
"Kyusei, calm down!"
"This matter hasn't been fully confirmed yet!"
Hiruzen immediately sensed danger.
Naori was someone he himself had arranged to stay by Kyusei's side, hoping to build bonds between Kyusei and the village. And it had worked.
But that also meant—
Naori had become someone deeply important to Kyusei.
Naori was a member of the Hyūga main family. She bore no Caged Bird Seal. Her eyes were priceless.
A Byakugan without restrictions.
One that, when paired with long-range techniques, could enable true beyond-visual-range combat.
And she was the next clan head—meaning her Byakugan's purity was beyond question.
"I am calm."
Kyusei's gaze never wavered.
"Where is Naori?"
Anko hesitated, glancing between Kyusei and Hiruzen.
"Say it!" Kyusei suddenly roared.
"She's… at the Hyūga compound," Hiruzen said heavily.
The moment those words left his mouth, Kyusei vanished.
Hiruzen clenched his teeth.
"Someone!"
"Go get Hatake Sakumo—now!"
Kyusei raced toward the Hyūga compound, his mind in complete turmoil.
He should have realized earlier.
He should have.
How could the next Hyūga clan head have been Naori?
The successor was clearly Hyūga Hiashi.
Then why had the position—once all but guaranteed to Naori—fallen to Hiashi?
Given Hiashi's personality, and the way he practically worshipped Naori, there was no chance he'd schemed to take it from her.
So there was only one explanation.
Naori herself had been disqualified.
And what could possibly disqualify the next Hyūga clan head?
…The Byakugan.
Her Byakugan had been taken.
The more Kyusei thought about it, the angrier he became. The image of the girl who used to laugh and banter with him—now left with only one eye—made his chest ache.
Kirigakure.
The stolen Byakugan.
Ao.
You really deserve to die.
Kyusei arrived at the Hyūga compound. Traditional, elegant buildings filled his vision—but he had no attention to spare for them.
Following the direction indicated by his sensory perception, he rapidly approached a single room.
Several Hyūga clan members noticed him along the way, but none tried to stop him. It seemed the current clan head had already given orders.
Standing outside the door, Kyusei clenched his fists.
The familiar chakra inside was trembling—filled with anxiety and fear.
Kyusei gently pushed the door open.
The room was dark.
In the corner, he could make out a figure hugging her knees, head buried low.
Sensing someone's presence, Naori reflexively looked up.
"D–Don't come closer…"
Seeing Kyusei, she shrank back in fear, instinctively trying to hide herself from his gaze.
"Naori… big sister…"
Kyusei's eyes reddened as he took in the bandages covering one of her eyes.
A violent, nameless fury surged straight from his chest to his head.
He slowly walked over and knelt in front of her.
This was someone who had accompanied him for seven years.
This was family.
The lively, confident Hyūga girl was gone—replaced by a frightened, wounded creature.
For her, having her eye forcibly dug out was probably worse than death.
"Naori… big sister," Kyusei said softly.
He gently placed a hand on her head, his voice steady and warm.
"Don't worry."
"Your eye…"
"I'll bring it back."
That was the moment Naori finally broke.
"Kyusei—!"
She threw herself into his arms, clinging to the boy she had watched grow up, and burst into uncontrollable sobs.
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