Chapter 11: Danzo’s Scheme (Part Two)

“The Byakugan bloodline limit is indeed precious, but this is the only way to rescue you from the clutches of the Hyuga clan. Afterwards, we can replace your eyes with ordinary ones, so you can continue to walk openly under the sunlight of Konoha.

Oh, by the way, Kawaki Aoba, what about the Byakugan you extracted?”

Kawaki Aoba sneered inwardly—this was the moment their true intentions surfaced.

The Root ninja’s words sounded pleasant, but in essence, after securing their own interests, they were just going to discard him to bear the Hyuga clan’s wrath.

As everyone knows, Konoha is a harmonious and friendly village. For the prestigious Hyuga clan to quietly make a common genin disappear is a simple matter.

However, sorry to disappoint—you won’t succeed in your scheming.

“That pair of Byakugan? I swallowed them already. They’re mine. Even if they must be destroyed, they will remain with me. This radical act was originally to disgust the Hyuga clan. Even if I die, I will never hand over my Byakugan to them.

But I didn’t expect there to be such a method as yours—what a pity. Sir, you came too late. Damn it. Had I known this way could expose the Hyuga’s Byakugan, I would have kept them.”

As he spoke, Kawaki Aoba mockingly struck the doorframe with a fist.

The Root ninja was speechless, opening his mouth but ultimately saying nothing.

Asuma Sarutobi, standing nearby, had already calmed much of his earlier anger.

“Yes, this method must work. Changing a pair of eyes solves the problem. Why didn’t I think of that? Damn the Hyuga clan.”

On the other side, Akane Yuhi bit her lip, saying nothing. She stepped to Kawaki Aoba’s side, took out a tissue, and wiped the bloodstains from his face.

Only then did she softly ask, “It must have hurt terribly to gouge out your own eyes.”

“It’s alright. Finding a solution is good enough. They’re just a pair of Byakugan—I don’t care.” Although he knew this matter wouldn’t end so easily, Kawaki Aoba didn’t reveal his plans to his two companions. Besides, he never intended to replace his eyes with ordinary ones.

---

The loss of sight was a constant reminder that his eyes had been stolen by the Hyuga clan.

Meanwhile, the Root ninja, upon hearing Kawaki Aoba’s words, felt a surge of nausea—even for one trained in Root’s emotionless ways, the urge to vomit was strong.

Those were Byakugan eyes! You may not care, but we do! And they were one of his mission objectives!

But with no other options, the Root ninja could only proceed as Danzo commanded: escort Kawaki Aoba to the Hokage’s office.

Whether fortunate or not, the presence or absence of the extracted Byakugan would not affect Danzo’s next moves against the Hyuga clan.

Kawaki Aoba cooperated fully, flanked by Asuma Sarutobi and Akane Yuhi, and accompanied by the Root ninja, they headed straight to the Hokage building.

However, just after they disappeared at the end of the street, a joint squad of Anbu and Root operatives emerged from the shadows and began searching Kawaki Aoba’s residence.

As ninja, they naturally could not fully trust Kawaki Aoba’s words. The importance of the Byakugan was self-evident—if there was even a 1% chance, they had to conduct a thorough search.

But the result was destined to disappoint: the Byakugan sacrificed by Kawaki Aoba had vanished forever. How could it possibly be found in this world?

Both the Root and Anbu squads returned disappointed. At the same time, Kawaki Aoba and company arrived outside the Hokage’s office.

“All right, I’ll escort you this far. Once inside, head straight to the Hokage’s office. However, the office currently houses three formidable dignitaries. For their security, you must temporarily leave all your ninja tools behind,” the Root captain said.

Though addressing all three, his true target was only Kawaki Aoba.

“What kind of ridiculous rule is this? Why have I never heard of it before?” Asuma Sarutobi asked brusquely, still annoyed.

Before he could continue his protest, Kawaki Aoba stopped him. “Let it be, Asuma. Since it’s the rule, as ninja, we must obey.”

Without hesitation, Kawaki Aoba removed the pouch of ninja tools from his waist and handed it over. Akane Yuhi imitated him. Only Asuma scowled but reluctantly removed his own pouch.

After watching the three enter the Hokage building, the Root captain inspected Kawaki Aoba’s ninja pouch.

---

Inside, apart from a few empty vials, everything was ordinary. The most valuable items were three explosive tags. The Byakugan he most anticipated was nowhere to be found.

The vials with residue were noted in the intelligence reports: the boy had concocted a special drink from soldier’s rations, apparently in blueberry and strawberry flavors.

Soldier’s rations are notoriously unpleasant, and this boy’s tampering surely weakened their recovery effects. Such wastefulness!

Yet, in keeping with cautious protocol, the Root captain still double-checked before returning Kawaki Aoba’s belongings.

Indeed, cautious as Kawaki Aoba was, he would never leave any risk on his person. All items obtained through sacrifice were exquisitely disguised.

Suddenly, a furious roar echoed from inside the Hokage’s office.

“What do you think you are, treating the Hyuga clan like this? When Konoha was founded, it was agreed that internal Hyuga affairs were none of outsiders’ business. Who do you think you are, daring to interfere before me?

If that boy activates his Byakugan, he is one of us, a Hyuga. That is our family matter, and no outsider has the right to meddle.”

Approaching the office door, the trio heard the enraged voice of the Hyuga Second Elder venting his fury. Whatever Danzo had done before, it had clearly infuriated this old man.

But considering the need to keep the elder’s wits intact—after all, how else to extort him so enjoyably?

Kawaki Aoba knocked on the door.

“Lord Hokage, genin Kawaki Aoba requests an audience.”