A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of The "ANBU" Member:
-Korron Hightower
-YoungPhxntom
-Z3kChrome
-Auzzo
-Robert Thompson
-ar4ngel
-Jay Singh
-Cain
-Shahzab Siddiquei
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - p@treon.com/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Uchiha Residence, Mount Ōeyama.
Madara pushed open the study door and walked straight in, addressing Kaito, who was engrossed in reading at his desk: "You're thinking of the Hyuga clan again?"
"Senior, it was that boy Sasuke acting on his own; I'm just cleaning up after him," Kaito glanced up at Madara, then returned to the scroll in his hands.
"Heh." Madara chuckled lightly, took a seat across from Kaito, and propped his chin on his hand, watching him with amusement.
Kaito continued reading, unfazed, only saying, "Senior?"
"There's no need for such pleasantries," Madara said playfully. "That boy Sasuke's actions were surely part of your plan all along."
Kaito remained absorbed in his reading without responding.
"Or, perhaps he believes it was all his own idea, when in reality, you've been guiding him all along," Madara observed keenly, studying Kaito. "What is it you want?"
"Honestly, Senior," Kaito finally looked up and met Madara's gaze, "haven't you heard the saying, 'see through but don't reveal'?"
"You just saying whatever you want..." Madara scoffed.
"Recently, I've learned more and more about the Ōtsutsuki clan," Kaito suddenly changed the topic.
Madara silently watched him.
"Here, look at these two portraits," Kaito took out two drawings from his desk and handed them to Madara.
Madara took them and laid them on the floor for a better look.
"So, this is Ōtsutsuki Kaguya?" Madara pointed at the portrait with his finger.
Both portraits depicted the same figure—a woman with horns on her head and long hair trailing to the ground.
"Yes, these are her original form and her form after consuming the God Tree's fruit," Kaito explained.
"The difference is in the eyes." Madara looked at the second portrait, pointing at the forehead. "That eye seems to combine both the Sharingan and the Rinnegan."
"So, even though both the Byakugan and Sharingan bloodlines come from Kaguya," Kaito said softly, "ultimately, the Byakugan is the true inheritance of the Ōtsutsuki clan."
He chuckled suddenly. "Whereas the Sharingan's power was awakened by the God Tree's fruit."
"So, you plan to study the Ōtsutsuki clan through the Hyuga clan?" Madara tossed the portrait back onto the table.
"That's right. Although Hagoromo and Hamura were both Kaguya's children, they were fundamentally different." Kaito stood up, looking somewhat excited.
"The birth of the God Tree's fruit drained this world's energy. Hagoromo, with the Rinnegan, was influenced by this world, while Hamura, with the Byakugan, represented Kaguya's own power."
"What significance does knowing this have?" Madara asked, sounding disinterested.
"It's significant, of course!" Kaito's pride was showing. "That's why, as the true child of this world, I, Uchiha Kaito, miraculously emerged from the Uchiha clan."
"Hahaha..." Madara laughed wildly, and if he weren't merely in the form of a paper puppet, he might have laughed to the point of tears.
"You... truly," he pointed at Kaito, "in a way, have surpassed me completely."
He leaned close to Kaito, their eyes meeting. "In terms of self-love, no one can surpass you; I, Madara, recognize you as the strongest!"
"I'm serious," Kaito replied earnestly.
"Alright, alright." Madara collapsed onto the floor in feigned exhaustion, waving a hand. "Continue."
"Hmph! The Uchiha clan descends from Kaguya's bloodline; why would these monsters place their hopes in me to defeat her?" Kaito gracefully sat down again, unfurled his fan, and continued.
"I was someone who wasn't meant to be born."
Madara lay on his side on the floor, propping his head with one hand and signaling to Kaito—"Go ahead with your performance."
"When my mother was carrying me, she was frail, and I was supposed to be stillborn," Kaito continued. "I was cut from my mother's womb by a doctor."
"Hmm," Madara showed no reaction.
"The key lies with that doctor," Kaito covered his mouth with his fan and said mysteriously. "He was someone who shouldn't exist in this world."
Madara continued with a half-hearted "Hmm."
"When Yūrei found me, that doctor was still alive, so she looked into his dreams." Kaito's voice lowered. "The doctor's soul didn't belong to this world."
"Oh?" Madara seemed slightly interested. "An outsider like the Ōtsutsuki clan?"
"No, his soul came from an entirely different universe," Kaito said with regret. "Unfortunately, he's long dead."
"So, what are you getting at?" Madara asked, looking bored once more.
"An unknown soul crossed space and time, traversing different universes, all so that I, someone who wasn't meant to be, could truly be born in this world!"
Kaito spread his arms, eyes filled with fervor.
"Is this not a true miracle?"
"Boring." Madara pushed himself up, quickly opened the study door, and stretched lazily.
"I'm going to get some sun," he said, walking out.
"Huh?" Kaito stood there with his arms still outstretched, watching Madara's back as he disappeared, looking surprised.
Then, he slumped onto the desk, disheartened.
"How could he be so unsupportive?" he muttered. "I was so excited when I first learned about it; even Miss Chiri and the Yokai were amazed."
Oh well. That old man must be jealous of me. Better to get back to researching the Caged Bird Seal.
Kaito organized the scrolls on his desk, held them in his arms, and headed to the laboratory.
As he walked down the hallway, he opened the door to the lab.
"Kaito-kun."
Hiashi, in his spirit form, floated over.
"Mr. Hiashi, how are you adjusting here?"
Kaito walked over to the desk and set down the scrolls.
"Nothing much to adjust to," Hiashi floated beside him. "After all, I'm already dead."
"Except..." he hesitated, "Neji..."
"I understand," Kaito arranged the stack of papers on his desk, then looked at Hiashi. "Worried about Neji?"
He finished tidying the papers and looked at Hiashi. "Don't worry about those boys. Sasuke has a powerful senior secretly watching over him."
"I see; that puts my mind at ease," Hiashi's expression softened.
Kaito nodded, moving to an empty space nearby.
"Just assist me in researching the Caged Bird Seal." He took out a brush and began drawing symbols on the floor.
"Once the seal is lifted for Neji, he'll be able to fully realize his talents."
"Yes!" Hiashi said proudly, "Not to boast, but Neji is the most gifted among the Hyuga clan."
"His talents are indeed remarkable," Kaito said casually. "Rest assured, for Sasuke's sake, I'll train him well."
"Thank you," Hiashi said, bowing gratefully.
Since arriving here, Hiashi's worldview had been reshaped multiple times, and he now understood the weight of Kaito's promise for Neji.
At this moment, he smiled in relief. Neji, perhaps the path you've chosen is destined to be challenging, but you will surely go further than any other Hyuga before you.