Chapter 129: Above the Moon

"We'll leave now. Head to the Moon."

With that, Hiashi walked into the room and scooped up Hanabi, who was still groggy.

"Father, didn't you say we would wait a while?" Hinata followed close behind, asking as she went.

"The sooner this is resolved, the better."

"Father, let someone else carry Hanabi. He looks uncomfortable being carried like this," Hinata suggested, noticing the confused expression forming on Hanabi's face.

"No need," Hiashi replied firmly.

"Father, please let me take Hanabi," Hinata spoke again as they exited the village.

She could clearly see that Hanabi was uncomfortable being carried by him.

Hiashi didn't respond. Without hesitation, he quickly headed in the direction of the Lunar Rift, moving with practiced ease.

Hinata felt slightly suspicious but followed along.

Was Father really going to the Moon for Hanabi? He seemed indifferent toward her now.

The three of them moved swiftly in silence.

The trees along the roadside blurred past as they moved forward at high speed.

Hinata stayed about a meter behind Hiashi, never falling behind.

Hiashi also appeared perfectly normal.

However, Hanabi felt terrible. She covered her mouth like she was going to vomit.

When the familiar lake came into view, Hiashi finally slowed his pace.

Unable to hold it back any longer, Hanabi let out a loud "Waaah!" and threw up all over Hiashi, including last night's undigested food.

"Dad, I didn't mean to," Hanabi panicked when she saw the large stain across Hiashi's chest.

Without saying anything, Hiashi calmly placed her on the ground.

Beside him, Hinata stood quietly, her eyes fixed on the lake surface before them.

Under the reflection of light, the rippling water clearly revealed the expressions of the father and his two daughters.

Hiashi remained with his usual stern and seemingly cold expression that showed no emotion unless smiling.

Hinata furrowed her brow slightly.

Standing between the two, Hanabi covered her mouth again, trying to prevent another embarrassing incident.

"Jump in," Hiashi suddenly said.

Hinata hesitated, not reacting immediately.

Something about Hiashi felt off to her, though she couldn't quite place what was wrong.

Hanabi shook her head repeatedly. "Dad, we'll get sick if we do that."

Without further explanation, Hiashi lifted Hanabi and tossed her into the water.

"Father..."

Hinata froze completely. She hadn't expected Hiashi to do something like this at all.

What had happened to Father? He showed absolutely no affection for Hanabi—was he under some kind of [Genjutsu]?

"Sister! Sister!"

After shouting desperately a few times, Hanabi's voice suddenly disappeared.

That innocent, tearful cry struck Hinata's ears, making her heart race with panic. Without hesitation, she jumped into the water.

Strange enough, underwater she couldn't find Hanabi anywhere. It felt like entering a dream where past experiences replayed before her eyes.

After Hinata dove into the water, Hiashi followed right behind.

On the Moon's surface, Toneri Otsutsuki's lips curled into a smile.

"Perfect. Everyone has arrived."

How much time had passed, she couldn't tell—until suddenly, with a splash, water sprayed everywhere and Hinata rose from the water.

Before her eyes lay an unfamiliar scene—she had no idea where she had come to.

The moment she opened her eyes, Hinata activated her Byakugan, anxiously searching for Hanabi's trail.

A few meters away, a tiny body lay motionless on the ground, breathing peacefully.

Hinata immediately relaxed and quickly rushed forward.

"Hanabi..."

She carefully examined every part of Hanabi's body; fortunately, everything seemed fine.

She must have been frightened and just fainted.

Feeling a pang of tenderness, Hinata cradled her in her arms, glancing around anxiously.

"Just where exactly is this place? And where is Father?"

"Welcome, my dear Byakugan princess."

A passionate voice called out as a teenage boy with bluish-white curly hair entered Hinata's line of sight.

"Who are you?" Hinata asked cautiously, stepping back a couple paces.

"I am the master here—Toneri Otsutsuki. Soon, you will also become the mistress of this place, Hinata." Toneri said confidently with a smile.

Though taken aback that he knew her name, Hinata stayed politely composed. "Please don't speak such strange words, Toneri-kun."

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"I just accidentally wandered in here. Could you please tell me where we are and how I can leave? I would be extremely grateful."

"Otsutsuki..." Although Toneri still bore the Otsutsuki surname, Kaguya found him slightly annoying to look at.

Primarily because he was young and cheeky, constantly making suggestive remarks about Hinata.

"This is the Moon," Toneri replied with a light smile. "Returning is simple—just jump down and you'll be back on Earth."

Hinata was taken aback before asking again, "Toneri-kun, if this place is your home, have you seen a man appear here with the same eyes as mine?"

"Do you mean Hiashi?" Toneri paused. "Hiashi is... no, actually, Father's already waiting for us."

"..." Hinata grimaced slightly, speechless and unsure what to say.

What does he have to do with this?

Of all the troublemakers at the Academy, none had ever truly bothered her—yet here was Toneri, someone she'd just met, already getting on her nerves.

Kaguya couldn't help but snort coldly. "So full of himself—the brat's insufferable."

"Let me take Hanabi; I'll carry her for you." Toneri offered gently with a warm smile, extending his hands outward.

At this stage, without installed eyes yet, he couldn't fully interpret Hinata's expression.

Even if he did possess eyes capable of reading her emotions, he probably wouldn't care either.

To him, he bore the purest Otsutsuki bloodline, and Hinata held the truest Byakugan.

They were meant to be together.

Several years ago, before the Otsutsuki clan was destroyed, Toneri had once visited Earth alongside his father—and secretly laid eyes on Hinata.

From that very moment, he had made up his mind.

As for Hinata's thoughts? Not important.

"Thank you, but no need," Hinata politely murmured, slightly leaning her body backward—it was a sign of rejection.

Toneri wasn't fazed.

"I'll take you to see him."

Hinata hesitated briefly before following behind him.

"That is my castle over there. If you'd like, you can stay inside," Toneri suddenly said after walking for a while.

Hinata raised her gaze and saw the massive castle floating midair, an astonishing sight that left her speechless.

Hinata fell silent.

A headache was starting to creep in.

Why was Toneri trying so hard to get close? Was *she* his real target?

While she was pondering this, a familiar figure appeared once again before her eyes.

Hiashi stepped out from within the castle. Upon seeing Toneri, he performed a respectful bow.

Seeing this scene, Hinata couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"How could this be?"

Her father had always been proud—how could he easily submit to someone else? Even when facing the Third Hokage, he had never shown such deep deference.

"Hinata, Hiashi Hyuga has most likely been controlled," Kaguya's voice echoed inside her mind.

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