Chapter 316: Revival Plans and Experimentation

Chapter 316: Revival Plans and Experimentation

Haneda's wood clone returned home with Tonari, scanning the dining table where Naruto, Kimimaro, Haku, Karin, and Yamato sat, deep in thought.

With Deidara off blowing up mountains and Tonari now part of the family, Haneda realized:

Including the recent addition, there were now seven kids in his household.

"It's practically an orphanage now," Haneda muttered, recalling Kakashi's teasing words.

Clearing his throat, Haneda introduced the newest member:

"This is Tonari Otsutsuki, a distant relative of the Hyuga Clan from the faraway moon. Let's give him a warm welcome to our big family!"

Tonari, meeting so many peers for the first time, was shy but visibly happy. "Hello, everyone. Please take care of me…"

Haneda took Tonari around, introducing him to everyone before they all sat down for dinner.

The meal, prepared by Haku, was light and delicious—perfectly suited to Tonari's taste, though a bit bland for Haneda's preference.

Haneda had been concerned that Tonari might be grieving his grandfather's death or harboring resentment. Yet, the boy seemed unbothered, adapting quickly to his new environment and bonding with Naruto almost immediately.

"Perhaps, for the Otsutsuki on the moon, death is less of an end and more of a return to the Pure Land and their ancestors' embrace," Haneda thought.

Or maybe Tonari's young age made it hard for him to grasp the concept of death.

After dinner, Haneda used his Wood Release: Home Expansion Technique to add a new room upstairs for Tonari. Once the room was ready, he sat the boy down for a private conversation.

"Tonari, do you have any interests or things you'd like to do in the future?" Haneda asked gently.

Tonari blinked, unsure how to answer. Having lived strictly by his grandfather's rules, he had never considered his own desires.

Under Haneda's encouraging gaze, Tonari hesitated for a few moments before finally saying, "I'd like to go to school, like Naruto. He mentioned someone in his class—a very interesting and talented friend. I'd like to meet them."

Haneda chuckled inwardly. It seemed Tonari wasn't particularly interested in being a ninja or pursuing jutsu.

"Fair enough," Haneda thought. At Tonari's age, Haneda himself hadn't been interested in studying either—unless friends were involved, which always made things more enjoyable.

Haneda handed Tonari a kunai marked with his Flying Raijin seal. "Consider this a welcome gift. If you ever run into trouble, just channel your chakra into this, and I'll come to help you."

"As for school, I'll personally take you tomorrow. You'll attend alongside Naruto."

Tonari held the kunai tightly. The cool metal, carrying Haneda's warmth, seemed to calm him.

"Does Naruto have one too?" Tonari asked curiously.

"Everyone in this house has one," Haneda replied with a smile.

Watching Tonari carefully put the kunai away, Haneda could tell the boy was beginning to accept this new home.

After showing Tonari how to use various household items and reminding him to get some rest, Haneda returned to his own room.

But as soon as he opened the door, he found Naruto sitting idly at his desk, doodling.

"What's wrong, Naruto? Still upset I skipped tonight's training with you and Sasuke?" Haneda asked as he walked over.

Naruto didn't turn around. "Nah, not that," he muttered. "I was just thinking about the guy who killed my parents…"

Naruto held up his drawing—a crude sketch of a man wearing a yellow mask. "You know him, don't you, Haneda-uncle?"

Haneda stared at the simplistic drawing, momentarily at a loss for words. He wanted to laugh at the childlike depiction but couldn't bring himself to.

"I fought him five years ago," Haneda admitted quietly. "I couldn't stop him… I'm sorry, Naruto."

Haneda's thoughts drifted to Obito. Despite knowing the truth about the masked man, he had always avoided telling Naruto the full story.

Even now, as Naruto pressed him for details, Haneda deflected, saying only that the man was being investigated.

It wasn't until Naruto declared his determination to train with Sasuke and avenge his parents that Haneda finally revealed the name the masked man used: Uchiha Madara.

After Naruto left, Haneda sank into his chair, staring out the window at the moon.

For a long time, he sat in silence.

Eventually, he murmured, "It's time to go to Sunagakure and get the Reanimation Jutsu…"

"With Reanimation combined with Kotoamatsukami and the Rinne Rebirth, I can bring back everyone."

"Ten thousand White Zetsu as the cost of life force—it's more than enough."

Haneda had been planning this for a long time.

During the Fourth Great Ninja War, he intended to capture White Zetsu, use Kotoamatsukami to alter their will, and have them perform the Reanimation Jutsu. This would allow him to safely use the Rinne Rebirth without risking his own life.

With the White Zetsu's Senju-like life force, they could sustain the process and revive people like Sakumo, Minato, and Rin…

"Even an old woman like Chiyo was able to revive Gaara with her version of the Reanimation Jutsu," Haneda thought. "So why not White Zetsu, with their immense vitality?"

All he needed now was the Reanimation Jutsu itself and the Rinnegan. Once he had those, the war could begin…

"The Reanimation Jutsu won't be hard to get… I wonder how my real body is doing," Haneda mused.

...

Back on the moon, Haneda gazed at the radiant, golden Transcendent Tenseigan.

"If the Otsutsuki can merge their Byakugan with the Tenseigan to connect with it…"

"Why can't I do the same?"

"If I use Shinra Bansho to fuse a Byakugan into myself and then merge it with the Tenseigan…"

"The rejection should weaken significantly, allowing me to access its power!"

"But I don't just want access—I want full control. The Tenseigan must become mine entirely."

"Unfortunately, Shinra Bansho is still too domineering. Even if the rejection lessens, it's still strong."

Haneda sighed. "Now the question is… where do I get a Byakugan?"

As the Fifth Hokage, Haneda wasn't willing to sacrifice the lives or well-being of the people in Konoha unless absolutely necessary.

He thought of someone outside the village: Ao of the Mist.

Ao had transplanted a Byakugan, though he wasn't a Hyuga himself.

According to the original timeline, Ao would use his Byakugan to expose Obito's control over the Fourth Mizukage and eventually assist Mei in overthrowing the Bloody Mist regime.

"The timing should be soon…" Haneda thought.

"I'll take back what rightfully belongs to Konoha."

First, Haneda would retrieve the Byakugan from Ao. If the process proved insufficient or too slow, he had another option.

"I could always track down Hiruko… The Chimera Technique might work alongside Shinra Bansho to help me merge with the Tenseigan."

"But before all that, I need to make sure Tonari is settled."

...

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