Konoha.
Hyuga Clan Compound.
Hyuga Satoru inspected the neatly arranged formation of Hyuga clan members before him, a satisfied smile on his face.
"Very good, very spirited!"
Behind him, Hyuga Hizashi, hearing his words, nodded excitedly and immediately began to flatter him.
"Satoru, ever since they were equipped with your developed electromagnetic sniper rifles, these clan members indeed look much more spirited."
The Hyuga ninja lined up in military formation, each carrying a large sniper rifle on their shoulders. The rifles were made of metal, with a special conversion device attached to the rear of the gun barrel. This device could convert chakra into electrical energy, which was then used to electromagnetically launch metal projectiles. This way, even clan members who couldn't use Lightning Release could use it after some basic training.
When creating Zero, Satoru had already developed a "core" that could convert chakra. Therefore, designing such a device wasn't difficult. It was somewhat similar to scientific ninja tools but fundamentally different. Scientific ninja tools merely released ninjutsu in a scientific way, whereas this special electromagnetic sniper rifle used chakra solely as a source of energy conversion, and each bullet fired relied on physics. Even if Nagato tried to absorb it with his Rinnegan, he'd be riddled with holes.
Gazing at the fully armed Hyuga ninja in front of him, Satoru rubbed his chin, imagining the impact they would have on the ninja world. Hundreds of Hyuga warriors with x-ray vision, wielding electromagnetic sniper rifles, would certainly shake things up.
The Hyuga clan had undergone a significant transformation. Compared to a few months ago, the changes were so drastic that even many clan members couldn't believe it themselves. Besides this elite sniper unit, some members had made significant progress in the medical field, combining Satoru's knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture points with modern theories, hinting at the development of a new medical system.
In terms of research, with the guidance of the Fourth Hokage Orochimaru, the clan's progress was swift. Additionally, those members who were previously the least favored had now found their niche in the newly established acupuncture and massage shops. In the old Hyuga, these untalented ninjas would have been looked down upon, but now they not only earned a decent income but also contributed significantly to the clan's GDP.
But these weren't what pleased Satoru the most. What pleased him was the liberation of the clan members' minds. They had broken free from the old Hyuga's restrictive thinking and were now genuinely invested in building a new world. In the future, these clan members would provide immense support for his goals.
Satoru speculated that the ultimate potential of the electromagnetic force system was far from simple. The exponentially increasing upgrade experience suggested a special method of acquisition in the future. When he activated his Tyrant Mode during the Third War, he obtained atomic-level control over electromagnetic forces, creating a subtle connection with the entire world.
Quantum Entanglement!
Satoru had a hunch. When his control over electromagnetic forces reached a certain level, he would enter a state of quantum entanglement. In this state, the subjective use of all electromagnetic forces in the world would feed back to him through quantum entanglement, enhancing his control.
If his hypothesis was correct, the New World plan would not only be the foundation for his counterattack against the Otsutsuki but also a ritual for his ascension to Sequence-0 of the electromagnetic force system! At the peak of this system, one would surely become a god-like existence.
Satoru grew increasingly confident in his hypothesis. If he recalled correctly, the Otsutsuki clan's rampant plundering of planets and planting of God Trees was aimed at consuming chakra fruits to ultimately become gods. The Otsutsuki God, that bizarre deity covered in eyes, how would it compare to his Electromagnetic God?
Satoru rubbed his chin and smiled curiously. But for now, that was too far ahead. The immediate priority was to discuss strategic cooperation between the Hyuga and the Hokage.
…
Hokage Office.
Orochimaru was busy with paperwork at the Hokage desk when a knock on the door interrupted him.
"Come in."
Seeing the visitor, Orochimaru's raspy laugh filled the room.
"Satoru, you finally came."
Satoru noticed the small white snake figurine on the desk, raising an eyebrow and teasing,
"Orochimaru, how is the gift I gave you?"
Sensing Satoru's gaze, Orochimaru glanced at the little white snake, somewhat helplessly.
"Satoru, to be honest, this little snake doesn't quite match my style. If it weren't from you, I might…"
"Don't be so serious, Orochimaru."
Satoru rolled his eyes at him. He reached out and poked the head of the white snake figurine, which began nodding rapidly.
"You know, you've always given people a very serious impression. As Hokage, having such a rigid image isn't good. This little snake can help soften that image, making you more approachable."
"I see." Orochimaru suddenly understood and sighed. "I didn't realize you'd put so much thought into this for me."
Satoru flicked the snake's head one last time, making it nod so fast it was a blur, before reluctantly withdrawing his hand. His expression turned serious.
"Orochimaru, I'm here to discuss cooperation with you."
"Oh?"
Orochimaru also grew more serious.
"You know," Satoru said with a hint of exasperation, "the Hyuga's development has been so rapid lately that our compound's area is no longer sufficient."
Before he finished speaking, Orochimaru chuckled hoarsely.
"If that's the case, I'll allocate the public areas around the Hyuga compound to you. If that's still not enough, I'll designate a new area in the village for you."
"Thank you."
Satoru smiled.
"That's just the first matter. Orochimaru, as you know, my goal is to rejuvenate the entire ninja world. I want to start with the Hyuga and gradually transform the whole village."
"Is that so?"
Orochimaru's eyes sparkled.
"I can hardly wait. It's time to set this decaying windmill in motion."
Witnessing the transformation of the ninja world had become his second-most important goal, after achieving immortality. He smiled at Satoru.
"Science."
Satoru returned the smile.
"Science."
…
Hyuga Clan Compound.
In a secluded, dilapidated room, Satoru pushed open the door and looked at the figure sitting dazedly on the bed. This was Hyuga Suigetsu, the former leader of the Hyuga clan, who had been imprisoned here under constant guard since the coup.
Even when going to the restroom, there were clan members watching him, leaving him no chance to commit suicide. The hands from which Hyuga Satoru had severed the fingers were now riddled with blisters and calluses, so badly worn that they were almost beyond use.
"Have you come to mock me?" Hyuga Suigetsu sneered self-deprecatingly.
He harbored deep hatred, hatred for not having strangled Hyuga Satoru when he was weak, for allowing him to destroy the millennia-old foundations of the Hyuga clan with his own hands.
"Clan Leader Suigetsu, do you know why I left your Byakugan intact?" Hyuga Satoru asked indifferently.
Hyuga Suigetsu's expression darkened. To his knowledge, most of the clan elders' eyes had been gouged out, yet his own were left untouched.
Hyuga Satoru glanced at him.
"Come on out. I think you'd be very curious to see what the Hyuga clan has become now, wouldn't you?"
Hyuga Suigetsu hesitated for a moment before following Satoru out of the cramped room. As soon as he stepped outside, he was stunned by the scene before him.
Is this… the Hyuga clan?
The compound had been completely transformed. Various strange objects that he couldn't even name continuously refreshed his understanding. For the past few months, he had been confined here and hadn't used his Byakugan to spy on the outside world. His heart had already died, and he had become numb and dull to all external changes.
Following behind Satoru, with each step he took, the shock in his eyes deepened. If this trend continued, it was only a matter of time before the Hyuga clan surpassed the Uchiha to become the foremost clan in Konoha.
"Aren't you curious where all the clan members are?" Satoru suddenly chuckled.
Hyuga Suigetsu paused, then realized that he had only been seeing changes in the compound but hadn't seen any of the clan members.
"This is where I really want you to look!"
…
At the Hyuga Plaza, a large number of clan members had gathered, looking at each other curiously.
"Did the clan leader really call us all here just to make us drink that potion?"
"I don't know! After drinking it, my body feels itchy."
"Do you feel it too? My forehead feels a bit itchy as well."
…
Standing in front of the gathered clan members, Hyuga Hizashi was puzzled. Not long ago, Satoru had instructed him to gather everyone in the plaza and have them drink the distributed potion. Now that everyone had drunk it, nothing seemed to be happening.
"What exactly does Satoru plan to do?" Hizashi couldn't help but wonder.
At that moment, a commotion arose in the crowd. A clan member tore off his forehead protector, scratching at his forehead in discomfort.
"It itches! My forehead itches so much!"
"Mine too! It feels like something is trying to come out of my forehead!"
"Your forehead… The Caged Bird Seal is gone!"
…
In just a few breaths, the plaza erupted into chaos.
"The Caged Bird Seal is really gone!"
"It's true! We're no longer slaves!"
Deafening cheers erupted, echoing through the plaza. Hyuga Hizashi trembled as he used his forehead protector to reflect his forehead. In the reflection, his forehead was smooth and unblemished; the Caged Bird Seal had disappeared. The mix of excitement and complex emotions caused tears to well up in his eyes.
He suddenly recalled Satoru's previous words. Taking a deep breath, he shouted to the still-excited crowd in the plaza.
"Everyone, from today onward, no matter what your status was before…"
The clan members gradually quieted down, listening to his speech.
"Whether you are a ninja or a civilian, noble or lowly, we now all have the right to pursue freedom. The cage that imprisoned us has disappeared!"
"Lord Satoru has improved the Caged Bird Seal. It can no longer control our minds or torture our bodies. It has become purely protective. When we face danger, it will protect our Byakugan until the last moment…"
Hyuga Hizashi's eyes were blurry with tears as he shouted with all his might.
"In the new Hyuga, everyone is free!"
In an instant, the plaza erupted again, filled with cheers of excitement.
"Long live Lord Satoru! Long live the clan leader!"
"Long live freedom!"
Countless tears streamed down faces.
…
No one noticed that in a corner of the plaza, Hyuga Suigetsu stood and watched the entire scene, stunned. The deafening cheers of excitement continued to echo in his ears. In that moment, he felt incredibly small.
Every cheer felt like a brand on his soul.
"Did you see it?" Hyuga Satoru's soft voice came from behind.
Hyuga Suigetsu opened his mouth, but only a bitter smile emerged.
"This is the new Hyuga, a completely new Hyuga of freedom and equality. Clan Leader Suigetsu, now that you've seen it all, please…"
Satoru sighed.
"Die!"
A flash of silver fluid appeared. Hyuga Suigetsu suddenly found his world spinning. When it settled, he saw his headless body on the ground and the cheering clan members in the distance.
Was I really wrong?
In his final moment, his eyes moved slightly. He saw a flock of birds flying freely in the sky.