The moon hung high in the sky, casting a dim and sparse glow. The autumn wind whispered softly, and the public cemetery of Konoha was shrouded in an eerie silence. Only the rustling of dry leaves scraping against the ground and the rhythmic sound of digging broke the stillness.
A lone figure labored tirelessly, shovel in hand, digging up a grave. Judging by the soil's freshness, it was a newly filled one.
The grave digger's movements were swift and efficient. Before long, a nearly pristine coffin emerged from the earth. Though panting heavily from exhaustion, the digger's hands did not falter. He set aside the shovel and picked up a hammer and a cloth-wrapped chisel, carefully prying out the coffin nails one by one.
Finally, after much effort, the six long nails were removed. With a deep breath, the digger mustered all his strength and yanked the coffin lid open. With a loud creak, the lid was pushed aside, revealing a male corpse covered with a white cloth. The digger pulled back the cloth to examine the body.
The corpse's face was pale, yet strikingly handsome. However, it was marred by the absence of a right eye, which was covered by a black eyepatch. On the forehead was a green "X" mark, and though the man appeared to be in his thirties, his hair was completely white—an eerie sight under the moonlight.
The grave digger studied the corpse for a while, his expression tinged with both sorrow and excitement.
"Gentle Fist: Heavenly Finger Strike!"
The grave digger muttered under his breath, pressing a single finger to the corpse's chest, directly on the Tanzhong acupoint. He then pinched the corpse's philtrum tightly.
After a moment, the corpse's single eye suddenly opened wide. With a violent cough, the man sat up straight in the coffin.
The digger gently patted the one-eyed man's back, whispering, "Keep it down, keep it down."
As the one-eyed man caught his breath, he glanced around coldly.
"Where is this? Huh?! Brother!"
The digger handed him a water pouch and softly patted his shoulder. "It's alright. I left a trace of life force in you. You'll recover soon. You've suffered, and it's my fault. I'm so sorry."
Tears welled up in the digger's eyes as he spoke.
The Hyūga clan, one of Konoha's most prominent families, had two brothers in this generation. The head of the main family was Hyūga Rōji, while the branch family was led by his younger brother, Hyūga Muyue. The two had been close since childhood, playing, training in martial arts, studying, and even advancing to Chūnin and Jōnin ranks together.
Though the clan adhered to the distinction between the main and branch families, neither brother paid much attention to these outdated customs. When the clan elders marked Muyue with the Cursed Seal, Rōji had cried uncontrollably, clinging to his brother and insisting he would give up his position as the main family heir to take the seal in his stead.
But Muyue had shaken off his brother's hand, smiling as he said, "I will naturally swear to protect my brother with my life. Does this mark mean you'll abandon me?" With that, he accepted his fate with a smile.
From then on, their bond grew even stronger. Whether in daily life or on the battlefield, the two brothers supported each other, their teamwork seamless. Enemies outside the village came to call them the "Sun and Moon Duo of Konoha."
However, tragedy struck unexpectedly. During a mission to eliminate Kirigakure ninjas within the Land of Fire's borders, Muyue's team was ambushed and surrounded by a force several times their size. Rōji rushed to their aid with reinforcements upon hearing the news.
But he was too late. By the time he scattered the Kirigakure ninjas, he found his brother tied to a tree, his life hanging by a thread. Muyue's right eye had been brutally gouged out, leaving a gaping, bloody hole. The sight tore at Rōji's heart.
Though they managed to save Muyue's life with the help of medical ninjas, the ordeal was far from over.
The Byakugan was the pride of the Hyūga clan and a treasured resource of Konoha. Rumors began to spread throughout the village. Within the clan, the elders regarded Muyue as a disgrace. Losing a Byakugan was unprecedented in Hyūga history. According to the family head, Hyūga Ryūen, Muyue should commit seppuku to atone for his failure if he still considered himself a man.
Already burdened by the loss of his eye, Muyue overheard the argument between his brother and the clan head while he was recovering. Devastated, he retreated to his room and refused to come out.
When Rōji finally saw his brother again, Muyue's hair had turned completely white.
"Brother, please help me. I can't go on."
Muyue held out a short blade, tears streaming from his lone eye.
"Wait. Let me think."
Rōji returned to his room and deliberated the entire night. The next day, he gathered the clan elders and went to Muyue's room. With a cold expression, he said, "You've brought shame to the clan by losing your Byakugan. How can you face the world? Out of respect for our brotherhood, I will personally send you on your way."
With that, he struck Muyue's back with a powerful palm strike. Muyue collapsed instantly.
The Hyūga clan held a grand funeral for Muyue. Rōji personally carried the coffin and filled the grave, nearly fainting from grief at his brother's tomb. The villagers praised the Hyūga clan for their noble conduct…
"You can't stay in Konoha anymore, nor anywhere in the Land of Fire. Find a place where no one knows you and live your life. This is all I can do for you."
Rōji handed Muyue a stack of money and a bundle of supplies.
"Brother! Brother!"
Muyue woke with a start from his dream, finding himself on a small bed in a guest room.
"Miss your brother, huh?"
"Who's there?!"
Muyue immediately leapt from the bed, assuming a defensive stance.
"Hmm, seems like you haven't lost your edge."
Muyue focused on the figures in his room—it was Jinghang and Tsunade.
"So, Lord Jinghang knows everything. The intelligence division of Sunagakure truly lives up to its reputation."
As a ninja, some things didn't need to be said aloud. Every village's intelligence network was formidable, and as the Kazekage, Jinghang had unparalleled resources. It wouldn't have been difficult for him to uncover Muyue's background, perhaps even during their gambling match.
"Ah, I remember discussing this with Rasa once, but I didn't pay much attention. It wasn't until Tsunade mentioned your stance and the faint traces of Gentle Fist in your card-dealing technique that I pieced it together. Isn't that right, Hyūga Muyue?"
Muyue shook his head helplessly. "I'm already a dead man. I'm just trying to scrape by here. Since you've found me, Lord Jinghang, and I've lost my trade, I'll leave immediately."
"Hey, don't bully honest people," Tsunade said, smacking Jinghang's shoulder.
"Muyue, don't be in such a rush. We're not here to drive you away."
But Muyue shook his head again. "I've already lost so much money to Mr. Hirai Yasushi. I can't stay here any longer. Please, I beg you, don't reveal my identity. The Hyūga clan would be shamed."
"Damn it! I can't stand the hypocrisy of you Konoha noble clans! A man loses his eye on the battlefield, and when he returns, he's tortured to death. And everyone thinks it's justified? What kind of twisted logic is that?" Jinghang slammed his hand on the chair in anger.
Jinghang then turned to Muyue and said, "Don't worry about the rumors. I didn't come here to chase you away. I've already spoken with Mr. Hirai Yasushi. I'm here to ask for your help."
Muyue shook his head once more. "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Kazekage, but I will never be a ninja again."
Jinghang chuckled. "Not as a ninja."
He smiled. "I've partnered with Mr. Hirai Yasushi to open a casino in the Yuesi Peninsula. It's a brand-new city, centered around gambling. But we lack someone of your caliber to oversee things. I would be honored if you'd join us."
"A brand-new city?" Muyue murmured.
After a long pause, Muyue bowed deeply to Jinghang. "If that's the case, I am willing to serve."
Jinghang smiled and clasped Muyue's hand. "But first, you'll need to come with me to Sunagakure."
"Hmm?"
Jinghang quickly explained, "It's nothing serious. The Sunagakure Medical Research Institute has made significant progress in organ transplantation. Your right eye…"
"Leave it to me," Tsunade interjected confidently. "It won't have the power of a Byakugan, but restoring your vision won't be a problem."
Jinghang suddenly remembered the Sharingan he had in his possession. He wondered what kind of sparks might fly if the Byakugan and Sharingan were combined. Should he give it a try?
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