Chapter 242: You Are Not Worthy of Sharing the Same Eyes as Me

Horikawa Takeshi lay on the ground, his clothes soaked with blood as the pain gnawed at his nerves. This renegade Kumo shinobi, named the "Thunder Tiger," dared not utter a single sound, despite the excruciating pain.

'Damn Hidden Organization… When did Ao, the 'Byakugan Killer,' leave Kirigakure? And that puppeteer... Sasori of the Red Sand?'

Fear and hatred churned in Horikawa's heart, but as a seasoned Jonin, he knew he had to stay focused.

He opened his mouth wide, slowly exhaling the murky air. The moment an unknown forest bird called out, he sprang up, attempting to use the sound as cover to escape.

The plan was solid, his execution flawless, and the timing perfect.

But it was all in vain.

As soon as he moved, a hand infused with Water-Style chakra struck from his blind spot.

"Water Release: Azure Dragon Palm!"

Ao's voice sounded like a demon's whisper, reaching Horikawa's ear.

With his Byakugan activated, Ao saw the target's chakra pathways and vital points clearly. His fingers, wrapped in a blade of water, struck Horikawa with ruthlessness.

In his prime, Horikawa would've easily evaded such an attack. But now, with his abdomen pierced by Sasori's tail, his strength had dropped by at least seventy percent. He couldn't even activate his signature technique, the Lightning Armor, and could only accept defeat.

Splurt!

Horikawa coughed up blood, his body swaying as he looked at Ao, who watched him coldly. Gritting his teeth, Horikawa couldn't help but mock him.

"Back in the Third Shinobi World War, I led a squad against you. Back then, you were a fanatic shouting, 'For Kirigakure!' What happened? Did a dog eat your oath? Now you're with the Hidden Organization..."

"Coming from a traitor like you, those words are meaningless." Ao delivered a sharp blow to Horikawa's chest with a disdainful look.

"Die, Horikawa. Your head is pricey, it will serve as a foundation for the new world."

With a thud, the renegade Kumo shinobi collapsed.

Ao while keeping his face expressionless, walked forward slowly, sealing Horikawa body inside a scroll.

He formed a series of hand signs, and the bulging veins around his eyes faded. Unlike the Sharingan, the Byakugan wasn't as exclusive, so non-Hyuga users could deactivate it normally.

"You seem to handle the Hyuga's eyes quite well..."

Just as Ao completed his task, a sudden change occurred.

From the depths of the forest, a clear voice echoed.

Hearing this voice, Ao became startled, and turned to see a young man and woman.

"Konan of the Akatsuki... and Yuto Hyuga!" Ao muttered, staring in disbelief at the pair.

Yuto, on the other hand, gazed meaningfully at Ao. The Ao who had loyally served beside Mei Terumi in the original story now stood before him as a member of the Hidden Organization.

Yuto being a transmigrator with knowledge of the plot, was strong, but this world had changed far beyond his expectations, and unforeseen events occurred frequently.

During the Crimson Night, when Yuto's identity as the Moon God was exposed, Obito Uchiha realized too late that Yuto had been manipulating him from the very beginning.

From then on, Obito developed an obsession with the Byakugan.

Later, he used his Sharingan to control the Fifth Mizukage, Mangetsu, and imposed a tyrannical regime and turning Kirigakure into the "Village of the Bloody Mist." Under Mangetsu's name, Obito orchestrated massacres and continuously targeted Ao.

Eventually, Obito succeeded in turning Ao, allowing the Hidden Organization to gain their own Byakugan.

Even now, the shinobi world whispered rumors that the atrocities committed by the Fifth Mizukage were likely the result of external manipulation. But it was too late. Ao had already committed too much to turn back.

"No wonder I didn't see you in Kirigakure. You became a traitor." Yuto spoke lazily, his voice relaxed. "I must admit, though, your Hidden Organization has great taste. That crimson cloak of yours looks quite cool."

"Greetings, Moon God-sama." Ao bowed respectfully, sweat pouring down his back. "I am here to eliminate Horikawa, the Thunder Tiger."

"Horikawa? What a coincidence, he was my target too…"

Bang!

Ao unfurled the scroll, and Horikawa's corpse fell to the ground.

"If the Moon God desires it, he is yours."

"Oh?" Yuto chuckled. "You're quite clever. Alright, I'm not one to bully the weak. Let's do this—leave behind something you have, and you can go."

The atmosphere in the forest suddenly became stifling. Ao felt as though a blazing lightning bolt was pressed against his throat, making it hard to breathe.

All three of them knew the "something" Yuto referred to was Ao's Byakugan.

Clenching his fist, Ao finally spoke.

"Moon God-sama, my right eye is sealed. Before I left Kirigakure, the Hunter-nin placed a special seal on it, preventing others from stealing or tampering with this precious trophy. I am also bound by that seal."

"Then I'll let it go. As someone who destroyed his own clan, I have little care for things like family honor..." Yuto smiled, his face radiant like the sun.

Just as Ao breathed a sigh of relief, he heard Yuto's next words.

"...But the thought of someone like you using the same eyes as me makes me feel sick."

Crack!

Before Ao could react, Yuto twisted his neck, killing him instantly.

In today's shinobi world, even an elite Jonin couldn't last "a few moves" against Yuto. Only leaders of great clans, like Fugaku, could survive a direct confrontation with him.

Yuto snapped his fingers, and Ao's body vanished in smoke, his Byakugan destroyed beyond recovery.

"Yuto-sama..." Konan spoke softly from behind him, her voice filled with hesitation.

"Don't worry, this small matter won't shake me," Yuto reassured her with a smile. "About eight years ago, during the Third Shinobi World War, a Hyuga elder named Hirohiko Hyuga had his eye stolen by Kirigakure. Many of my clan took up missions to hunt down the culprit. I suppose this is me fulfilling Konoha's unfinished responsibility."

"Yuto-sama, you showed mercy by sparing the Hyuga pregnant women and children. That alone is a great kindness. Those who have passed would find solace in your actions."

"Hahaha... Konan, you're far too kind. They probably want nothing more than to tear me apart." Yuto laughed, shaking his head. Just as he was about to say more, his attention was drawn to a bright light.

"This is... Hidden Organization's communication tool? How modern."

Clicking his tongue, Yuto picked up the fallen ring and poured his ocular power into it, breaking the fuinjutsu placed on it.

The next moment, Yuto read the message Sasori had sent to Ao.

"Three days from now... the entire Hidden Organization will attack Konoha."

(End of Chapter)