Chapter 13: The Sacrifice of Hizashi

Konoha Year 55

Hyuga Gakuya spent another year refining the Bloodline Seizure, reaching a level where he could activate it without hand seals. The intricate runic array that once covered his body had now been replaced by chakra flowing naturally from his tenketsu.

Now, within a three-meter radius of himself, Gakuya could instantly unleash the Bloodline Seizure at will.

During this time, he also became someone Uchiha Itachi regarded as a reliable senior. Itachi frequently sought his advice on various matters.

Additionally, Gakuya managed to obtain a summoning scroll for the Ninja Fish through an exchange with a rogue ninja from Kirigakure, preparing for the retrieval of Shisui's body.

...

Konoha Year 56, July 12

Gakuya noticed a change in Uchiha Itachi. He had grown even more silent and solemn than before.

His heart sank—if Shisui had died the previous night, then he had to act fast before the fish devoured everything.

Feigning illness, Gakuya gave his subordinates a few days off and set off alone to search for Shisui's body beneath the Naka River.

Stealthily, he made his way to the river downstream of the Uchiha district, forming hand seals to summon a swarm of small Ninja Fish. Scattering a handful of bait, he commanded them to search for a corpse.

Hours passed, but by nightfall, his patience was rewarded—he finally retrieved Shisui's body from the water.

Gakuya had no intention of studying it further. The Bloodline Seizure had already drained every trace of Uchiha bloodline from it. As expected, there were no Sharingan present.

Of course... The body was useless in that regard—his technique had absorbed it all.

The price of awakening the Sharingan wasn't something Gakuya wanted to experience himself. He'd collect Sharingan later when the opportunity arose.

Still, there was a gain. The Otsutsuki genetic strand within him had become more complete, though its activity remained low.

His thoughts drifted to the scrolls locked away in Konoha's Sealing Archives, which he had never dared to retrieve. Deciding it was time, he traveled east of the village to reclaim the forbidden sealing scrolls he had hidden long ago.

Going through them, Gakuya discovered something that caught his attention—an incomplete jutsu once developed by Senju Tobirama.

A technique designed to resurrect the dead.

Unlike the Impure World Reincarnation, this was meant to bring someone back to true life.

In Tobirama's mind, if he could summon souls from the Pure Land, why shouldn't true resurrection be possible?

However, the development of the technique had been halted by Senju Hashirama, who deemed it an act of desecration and strictly forbade its continuation.

Despite that, the concept held merit. Many techniques across the shinobi world could revive the dead—Kusagakure's Dragon Life Reincarnation, Sunagakure's Reanimation Jutsu, and the Rinnegan's Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique. They all worked within limitations: the recently deceased, a life-for-a-life exchange, and a suitable vessel.

But to Gakuya, these were merely obstacles to overcome.

The 'recently deceased' issue? The Impure World Reincarnation could retrieve the soul.

A vessel? Orochimaru could clone one.

A life-for-a-life exchange? Just a matter of having enough chakra and vitality—perhaps something the Ultimate Sage Body could solve.

If he continued developing this concept, true resurrection might be possible. Perhaps, in time, even his aunt could be brought back.

Gathering the remaining materials and jutsu scrolls, Gakuya stored them away for further study when time permitted.

...

Konoha Year 57, February 3

At just thirteen years old, both Hyuga Gakuya and Uchiha Itachi were promoted to ANBU Squad Captains.

This meant they had to leave their previous teams. When Gakuya saw Itachi's assignment letter, he understood—

The Uchiha massacre was drawing closer.

Itachi had been assigned to Root, meaning he was now under Danzo's command. Though the promotion seemed prestigious, in reality, it was merely a title. Root wouldn't allow an Uchiha to command its forces.

Gakuya, however, had received a genuine leadership position—ANBU Second Division Captain.

His former teammates threw him a farewell party. Or at least, that's what they called it. In reality, since his new division was right next to their own, they would still see each other regularly—they just wanted an excuse to make him pay for dinner.

In the end, Gakuya reluctantly covered the bill, lamenting the loss of his money.

...

Konoha Year 57, February 4

On his first day in command, Gakuya swiftly established his authority by defeating every squad leader in the division.

Yet, in the shadows, a pair of watchful eyes never left him.

"He's already a division captain, huh? Then it's time to act. If the Uchiha have an ANBU captain, the Hyuga must have one as well."

...

Konoha Year 57, May 13

Gakuya received a critical mission.

The Fire Daimyō had passed away. His younger son, who had been living in Konoha, needed to be escorted safely to the capital to be installed as the new Daimyō.

Ensuring a Daimyō favorable to Konoha was of utmost importance. Sarutobi Hiruzen assigned the task to Gakuya's ANBU unit, authorizing lethal force if necessary to eliminate the elder son, who was returning from afar.

The mission was grueling. Samurai and rogue ninjas relentlessly pursued them. After enduring countless ambushes and hardships, Gakuya's team reached the capital first.

Through ruthless means, they eliminated the opposition and successfully installed the younger son as the new Daimyō.

But their work wasn't over. Continuous assassination attempts kept them on edge, forcing them to remain until the Twelve Guardian Ninja arrived to assume protection duties.

Life at the capital became comfortable, with the new Daimyō showing great favor toward Gakuya, even attempting to recruit him.

Yet, this peace made Gakuya uneasy.

Once the new Guardian Ninja were in place, Gakuya handed over his responsibilities and wasted no time heading back to Konoha.

In this world, there were only two people he truly cared for—Hizashi and Neji.

...

Meanwhile, back in Konoha, Hyuga Hizashi received an urgent summons from the Hyuga main family, instructing him to bring Neji to the clan's estate.

Something felt off. Why would Neji be required for a formal meeting?

Acting on instinct, Hizashi arranged for Neji to secretly leave and head to Gakuya's house for safety. He then penned a farewell letter and hid it beneath Gakuya's bed. If he didn't return, it meant the main family had killed him.

Steeling himself, he went alone to face his brother.

Within the Hyuga estate, the clan elders sat in judgment over Hizashi.

When Neji failed to appear, Hyuga Hiashi questioned, "Where is Neji?"

"He went to play with Gakuya," Hizashi answered pointedly, signaling for them to abandon their intentions.

One of the elders sneered. "If he stays with that disgrace to the Hyuga, won't he become just as much of a disgrace himself?"

Hizashi remained firm. "Neji will follow the Hokage's directive and attend the Academy."

But the elders weren't offering a choice.

Pain erupted in Hizashi's head as his cursed seal was activated. Agony wracked his body, and he collapsed, clutching his skull as his brain burned from within.

Through ragged breaths, he continued shaking his head, refusing to comply.

Realizing his resolve, Hizashi made his final decision.

Just as his brother once had, he struck his own temple—choosing death over submission.

Hyuga Hiashi could only sigh in sorrow. "Hizashi... Was it really worth it?"

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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