Hyuga Clan Grounds.
The aftermath of the Nine-Tailed's destruction had not yet reached this area.
All Hyuga Clan members had been mobilized, ready for evacuation at any moment, creating a scene of chaos.
In the courtyard, the clan head, Hyuga Hiashi, was surrounded by several Hyuga Clan Ninja.
From this direction, the Nine-Tailed's figure was unclear; only the distant sounds of destruction could be vaguely heard.
Hiashi pondered for a long time and finally couldn't hold back, getting up and walking outside.
However, as soon as he took a step, a Jonin from the branch family knelt before him.
"Hiashi-sama! Please, you must not leave this place! You absolutely cannot be harmed!"
Hiashi angrily retorted, "Fool! With the Nine-Tailed rampaging, if I, as the head of the Hyuga Clan, remain safely here, how will the other families in the Village view us in the future?!"
"Hizashi-sama is already on the front lines, representing the Hyuga Clan in battle. At a time like this, please do not put yourself in danger!" The Jonin's attitude was firm, showing no signs of backing down.
Not only that, but the surrounding Ninja also knelt down in unison.
Seeing this, Hyuga Hiashi finally sighed and waved his hand, returning to his spot.
"...Open the clan grounds' gate and let the surrounding villagers in for shelter. Also, send someone to Hokage-sama to inform him of the situation here," Hiashi said.
"Yes!"
A Ninja immediately took the order and left.
Just then, a Hyuga Clan Ninja rushed in from outside, looking panicked.
"Hiashi-sama! Something terrible has happened! The body of Lord Zongqing has been found... and it seems the secret chamber has been opened!"
"What did you say?!"
Hiashi was instantly struck by lightning, feeling as if the world was spinning.
The secret chamber stored the Byakugan of deceased main family ancestors from previous generations of the Hyuga Clan.
If the secret chamber was stolen, the Hyuga Clan's most prized Bloodline Limit would inevitably be leaked!
...
Meanwhile, in the streets of Konoha.
Crushed stones flew, and dust filled the air.
"No—!"
A heart-wrenching cry pierced through the chaos.
In the center of the street, a four or five-year-old girl sat on the ground, her pupils trembling violently.
She watched with her own eyes as her mother was struck by a flying boulder, half of her body crushed.
In her last moments, the woman used all her strength to push her daughter out of the danger zone.
Uchiha Izuki, with most of her body buried under the rocks, lay on the ground, blood seeping from her mouth, weakly telling the little girl, "Izumi... run..."
However, as the Nine-Tailed's roar came from the distance behind them, the ground shook again.
Scattered rocks whizzed through the air, and one huge boulder, in the woman's despairing gaze, hurtled directly towards them.
"Eight Trigrams Empty Palm."
A figure flashed into view and struck out with a raised hand.
Bang!
The rock immediately shattered, a small portion even turning directly into dust.
The newcomer didn't stop, scooping up the little girl with one hand and instantly leaping to a safe area before putting her down.
"It's very dangerous to stay here, kid," Saint Mi looked down at her. "Name?"
With just a glance, Saint Mi's gaze at the little girl froze.
The little girl's dark pupils, which were already filled with tears, slowly began to spin, turning red.
Finally, they were completely dyed red, and a single black tomoe emerged from within.
"Uchiha... Izumi..." Her voice trembled, her gaze still fixed on her mother's direction.
Did she awaken her Sharingan due to grief?
As expected of an Uchiha born from regret...
Saint Mi chuckled, untying the large scroll he had just acquired from his back and handing it to Uchiha Izumi.
"Hold onto this for me for a bit. I'm going to see if your mother can still be saved."
Izumi unconsciously hugged it; the scroll was almost as tall as her.
She looked up blankly: "...What is this?"
"sealing book," Saint Mi said casually, "Just stole it."
With that, his figure flashed, and he appeared before Uchiha Izumi's mother.
With just a glance at the injuries, Saint Mi instantly made a judgment: she was beyond saving.
The other person's breathing was faint, with only a trace of life left, but her entire abdomen had been completely crushed, and a large hole had been torn in her chest.
Even the most skilled medical Ninja would be helpless against such injuries.
If that's the case...
"Do you need me to end your suffering?" Saint Mi asked.
Uchiha Izuki's unfocused pupils slightly sharpened, and she managed a faint smile, her lips silently forming words: "...Thank you."
It was both gratitude to Saint Mi for saving Izumi and a farewell meaning "Please do it."
Saint Mi nodded, extending one hand towards the other's neck, while his other palm covered her eyes.
"It's nothing."
【Obtained Bloodline Limit, Sharingan】
【The obtained Bloodline Limit has been raised to the same level as the host's current strength】
To obtain the Sharingan before leaving Konoha was an unexpected bonus.
During this time, Uchiha Izumi stood motionless, holding the sealing book, watching Saint Mi help her mother through her final moments.
She was like a statue, unmoving.
It wasn't until Saint Mi returned to her side that Uchiha Izumi, as if from another world, finally shed tears.
A hand reached out and ruffled her hair.
"Very beautiful eyes," Saint Mi said calmly. "Don't let your mother die in vain."
Izumi bit her lip and nodded vigorously.
Saint Mi tilted his head, glancing at the alley beside them: "Come out. You don't really think you can hide from the Byakugan, do you?"
From the shadows of the alley entrance, a boy about the same age as Uchiha Izumi slowly emerged.
Uchiha Itachi, the Uchiha Clan's genius.
Since his transmigration, Saint Mi had paid close attention to this ultimate younger brother complex.
However, due to the restrictions of the "Caged Bird Curse Seal", he had always been unable to make contact.
Now that the shackles were broken, there was no need to hold back.
Saint Mi smiled and beckoned Uchiha Itachi to come closer, but Itachi only looked coldly at Saint Mi and didn't move.
Saint Mi didn't care, pushing the Uchiha Izumi in his arms forward a few steps.
"I have other matters to attend to. Please safely take her back. Oh, and this too, take it to your elders as well."
Saint Mi pulled a box from his pocket and tossed it into Uchiha Itachi's hand.
Uchiha Izumi couldn't resist Saint Mi's strength and stumbled forward a few steps. Itachi instinctively steadied Izumi by the shoulder, but his gaze fell on the wooden box Saint Mi had thrown.
The moment he caught it, his fingertips touched something cold and sticky.
He lifted the lid, and a pair of pale eyeballs lay quietly on the velvet cloth, tiny blood vessels densely spread around the pupils.
Byakugan!