Chapter 15: The Day the Hyuga Fell

Konoha Year 57, September 13th.

Hyuga Gakuya exploited his position to secretly leak information—Danzo's ambush of Uchiha Shisui, the attempted theft of his Sharingan, and other classified details—all to deepen the rift between the Uchiha and the village.

When Uchiha Itachi came to him seeking answers about the tension between his clan and the village, he believed Gakuya, being a fellow clan ninja, would understand his torment.

But he didn't know—Gakuya's relationship with the Hyuga clan was anything but harmonious. If Konoha decided to act against the Hyuga, Gakuya would be the first to volunteer as a guide.

Hoping to push Itachi into action, Gakuya explained the doomed relationship between the village and the clan—and quietly hinted that as long as even one member survived, the Uchiha still had a chance to rise again.

Opposing the village could only lead the Uchiha to destruction.

...

Konoha Year 57, October 12th.

After much maneuvering, Gakuya finally secured a rare chance to visit Neji.

Their conversation was heavily monitored. There was so much he couldn't say.

Still, Gakuya quickly realized how deeply Neji had been misled—groomed to be nothing more than a dog of the Hyuga clan.

Even now, Neji spoke with fierce protectiveness over Hinata and Hanabi.

Gakuya could only sigh. It wasn't Neji's fault. He was still at the age where his values were being molded—so easily manipulated. If Gakuya didn't act soon, it would be too late.

...

Konoha Year 57, November 12th.

The operation had begun.

Gakuya received orders: the ANBU were to completely surround the Uchiha compound.

The night before, Itachi had confided in him—if he ever left the village, he asked Gakuya to watch over Sasuke.

...

Konoha Year 57, November 13th.

Thanks to Gakuya's machinations, the Uchiha Massacre had been pushed ahead by several months.

Tonight was the night.

The old men in charge had already summoned back every Uchiha ninja on mission, all to prevent any surprises.

Every ANBU, including Gakuya, had been positioned around the compound. The moment an Uchiha tried to leave—they were to be killed on sight.

In the shadows, Gakuya also spotted movement—Root had arrived.

There was no doubt. Tonight was the night.

But it wasn't just the Uchiha who would fall.

Tonight, it would also be the Hyuga clan's final night.

Gakuya quietly slipped away from the patrol and returned to the Hyuga compound. He made his way to the long-abandoned residence of the Branch Family Head, coated in dust and silence.

He entered the room that once belonged to his uncle and aunt.

On the nightstand sat an old photo, long covered in grime. He gently wiped it clean.

Four smiling faces.

It was taken right after Neji was born. His uncle and aunt stood on either side. A five-year-old Gakuya held baby Neji in his arms.

He remembered it clearly—how, after being brought into the Hyuga clan, he had been beaten daily by the other children, looked down on by the adults, and pushed to the edge of collapse.

It was his aunt's family who took him in.

And now…

They had all been destroyed by the Main House. Neji had become their puppet.

It ended tonight.

Gakuya pocketed the photo, then pulled out a bottle of sake he had prepared long ago. He poured it on the ground.

"Watch closely. I'll save Neji... and wipe the Hyuga off the face of the earth."

Their greatest bargaining chip had always been Neji.

But under Gakuya's subtle genjutsu, Neji, Hinata, and Hanabi had already been guided away from the compound.

(A/N: Yes, this thread will be wrapped up later. The protagonist seeks revenge for Neji's brainwashing. As for Hinata, rather than killing her outright, the idea is to have her fall in love with her enemy in agony. And yes, Hyuga Hanabi will be taken in too.)

Years of submission had made them drop their guard. With Sharingan-induced illusions on Hinata and Hanabi, Gakuya had them beg Hiashi to let their "brother Neji" take them out for a night market stroll.

Gakuya stepped out of the house, looked up—the sky had dimmed into twilight. A full moon hung high overhead.

He slipped quietly through the compound, stopping at a neighbor's house. He knocked.

A Hyuga clansman opened the door, his expression souring instantly when he saw who it was.

"What the hell do you want, scum?"

"I came to say goodbye," Gakuya replied with that ever-gentle smile.

"Off on a mission? Then I hope you die out there." The man spat the words like venom.

"Thanks for the well-wishes." Gakuya didn't miss a beat. He walked past the man and stepped inside his home.

"Hey! What are you doing? Get out!"

The man activated his Byakugan and immediately tried to attack.

But Gakuya was faster.

Black, pulsing flesh surged up from the floor beneath the man's feet, engulfing his entire body before he could make a sound.

When the shadows receded—he was gone.

Gakuya shuddered with exhilaration. It had been a while since he'd felt the Byakugan this intensely. The added chakra sent shivers down his spine.

"Heh… hehehe… hahahaha—mmph…"

He couldn't even laugh properly, the joy was so overwhelming.

Then the man's wife stepped out, alarmed by her husband's absence.

"What did you do, you bastard?! Where is he?!"

Without a word. Flesh erupted and swallowed the woman whole, silencing her screams forever.

"Aaaaah!!"

A child's scream. A little head peeked out from a window, eyes wide in horror.

Gakuya walked inside. The child was already crawling backwards, desperate to escape.

No hesitation.

Gakuya ended the child's life too—reuniting him with his parents.

He thought back.

He'd been that age, too, when they brought him into the Hyuga.

"So weak… The Branch House bloodline is pathetic. The Caged Bird seal stunts them from the start."

He wasn't satisfied. Not yet.

He knocked on the next door.

"Anyone home?"

...

Elsewhere in Konoha, the Uchiha were meeting the same fate.

Inside the compound, Itachi opened a wardrobe and dragged a child out from the pile of clothes.

"No! Please!"

A woman appeared, screaming, rushing toward him.

One stroke. One slash.

Mother and child fell together.

Perhaps that was Itachi's last act of mercy.

...

Unlike Itachi's cold execution, Gakuya believed he was being merciful—letting each person die painlessly.

One by one, hidden in the shadows, he wiped out nearly the entire Hyuga clan.

Only the Main House remained.

He moved into the Third Elder's residence first, silently "devouring" every guard outside.

Next came the Second Elder's house. Gakuya carried his son by the ankle.

When he entered, the elder jolted awake—just in time to see his son's limp body tossed onto the floor.

"What are you doing, Gakuya?! Don't forget your place!"

"Oh, I haven't forgotten," Gakuya said with a chilling smile. "What you gave me... I've got something better in return."

He struck.

Sealing Thunder Palm exploded from his hand, silencing both father and son.

Then he placed a hand on their heads.

Bloodline Seizure activated.

Their souls were drawn out slowly, screaming silently, until Gakuya crushed them with chakra—converting them into pure mental energy.

"Tobirama really was a genius."

He didn't want them going to the Pure Land. That was too kind.

He devoured everything—body and soul.

Elder after elder. Bloodline after bloodline.

At last, he arrived at the Main House.

The main dish was always saved for last.

...

"What are you doing here, Gakuya?"

"You're not supposed to be here. Get out!"

Gakuya didn't respond. He just kept walking.

"You dare?!"

The guards attacked with no hesitation.

"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"

Gakuya raised a hand—an immense wave of chakra blew their attack apart.

Before they could strike again, he appeared at their sides—both hands landing on their shoulders.

Black flesh surged.

Gone.

Just like that.

Their cries alerted the clan head.

Hyuga Hiashi opened the door, still in his robes. His eyes narrowed when he saw Gakuya.

"Where are Tan and Kei?" he demanded.

"They asked me to watch the place for a moment," Gakuya said cheerfully, stepping closer.

Bathed in moonlight and firelight, he looked like a demon out of folklore.

Something felt wrong.

Hiashi's gut twisted.

"Stop. Don't come any closer."

Gakuya ignored him.

"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"

Hiashi struck.

But Gakuya shattered the jutsu with a single palm.

"Is that all? Don't you know anything else?"

His black pupils began to fade to white—tinged with blue in the center.

The veins bulged around them.

"You… you awakened the Byakugan?!"

Hiashi staggered back.

"When? Why haven't you ever used it?!"

Gakuya stroked his chin, relishing the panic.

"Long time ago. As for why... well, why would I? So you could brand me with the Caged Bird seal?"

"If you've awakened it... that means you're truly one of us."

Hiashi didn't get it.

He still thought being Hyuga was a gift.

"You'll be welcomed into the clan. With your talents, you might even be groomed to be the next Hokage."

Gakuya feigned awe. "Really, Lord Hiashi?"

"Of course! I'll overlook tonight's trespass. Rest up—we'll find you tomorrow."

"And don't forget—Neji's life is in your hands."

Gakuya's smile twisted.

"Actually, I have a better idea. Want to hear it?"

"What is it?"

"If I wipe out the entire Hyuga clan—doesn't that make me the clan head?"

"You... what?!"

Lightning crackled around Gakuya as he launched forward.

Hiashi shouted, "Rotation!"

The dome formed instantly, a perfect defense.

But Gakuya's palm slammed against it, thunder pulsing into its chakra.

Still, he couldn't break through—yet.

He spread his fingers.

His eyes glowed blue.

"Repel!"

The spinning stopped. Hiashi froze.

Gakuya's palm struck.

Electricity surged into his body, sealing every tenketsu.

Hiashi fell, unable to move.

His wife emerged, rushing to protect him.

"Eight Trigrams Protective Wall!"

"No! Don't come out!"

Hiashi shouted—but too late.

Gakuya smiled at her voice. Sweet.

He struck. One blow knocked her out cold.

Black flesh wrapped around her body, sparing only her head.

He didn't kill her.

He was waiting.

Waiting for Hiashi to beg.

This moment...

Was just like before.

Only now...

He was the one standing.

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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