The door to the secret chamber creaked open, a sudden shaft of light piercing the cool, dim room.
The air was thick with the scent of wood.
What met Shinji's eyes were rows upon rows of neatly arranged wooden boxes on shelves.
These boxes were exquisitely crafted, each tied with a red string. On the other end of each string was a tag bearing a name.
It was clear the room was rarely visited as a thin layer of dust coated the shelves.
This was where the Byakugan was stored, accumulated and preserved by the Hyuga clan for generations.
Hiashi slowly stepped forward, stopping in front of a shelf.
He selected a box from the multitude, carefully examined the name tag, and casually handed it to Shinji.
Shinji took it with both hands and glanced at the tag. The name 'Hyuga Shinsuke' was written on it.
"Hyuga Shinsuke. He made outstanding contributions during the Second Great Ninja War. His Byakugan helped us achieve many victories on the battlefield in the Land of Wind. Unfortunately, he was injured by an enemy puppeteer in a battle and poisoned. By the time he was sent back to the village, the poison had seeped into his bones. Even Lady Tsunade couldn't save him," Hiashi recounted the story and fate of this Hyuga predecessor.
Shinji opened the box.
Inside was a glass container filled with a clear liquid. A sealing tag was affixed to the container, and a pair of white eyeballs floated within.
The eyes were pale and vacant, devoid of any life. Staring at them for too long sent an inexplicable chill down his spine.
Hiashi then handed him another box. Shinji returned the one in his hands to its original place.
The name tag on this box read 'Hyuga Hideya.'
"Hyuga Hideya. He was also an exceptionally talented ninja in the clan. He served as Lord Third's bodyguard and participated in numerous battles alongside the Hokage. Because of this, he suffered from many injuries and passed away from illness four years ago. Lord Hokage personally attended his funeral," Hiashi continued, narrating the story of the eyes' owner as if reciting a familiar tale.
"Both of these eyes are compatible with you. After the clan and the hospital have discussed and confirmed it, you will be notified. Remember to visit the memorial tablet and pay your respects to them then."
Shinji nodded in response. "Understood."
Hiashi added, "If the spirits of these two predecessors knew about your deeds on the front lines, they would be very pleased to entrust their eyes to you."
Shinji replied, "It is my honor to inherit the eyes of my predecessors."
Hiashi seemed satisfied with this answer. "The Byakugan stored here belonged to individuals who were pillars of the village and the clan. I hope you will not let their legacy down in the future."
Shinji's gaze swept across the dim chamber.
He asked, "Will Lord Hiashi's Byakugan also be placed here in the future?"
Hiashi paused slightly, then calmly replied, "That depends on whether I die on the battlefield or at home."
If a branch family member died on the battlefield, their eyes would be destroyed by the Caged Bird Curse Seal. Only those who died at home could have their eyes removed.
The Byakugan displayed here were all personally extracted by the main family.
Their stories might sound heroic and tragic, but Shinji felt no reverence, only pity.
These individuals, who had sacrificed so much for Konoha, had their eyes gouged out by their own clansmen before death and placed in a box that might never see the light of day.
It was truly ironic.
Besides the shelves holding the wooden boxes, there was a table at the far end of the chamber. There were fewer than ten boxes on it.
"Those are the eyes of the main family," Hiashi said, seemingly noticing Shinji's gaze.
No wonder they were so special.
Placed alongside the boxes on the shelves, they seemed like monarchs ruling over their subjects.
Shinji thought to himself, scrutinizing them for a moment before suddenly asking Hiashi, "Lord Hiashi, are the main family's eyes different from ours in the branch family?"
His question was met with silence.
Hiashi didn't answer immediately; he, too, was staring at the wooden boxes on the table.
Even as lifeless objects, the main family's eyes still held a position of superiority over the branch family's.
"The Byakugan in this room... when not in a person's body, there's no difference," Hiashi said calmly.
What made them different was the Caged Bird Curse Seal.
Those afflicted with the curse had their Byakugan's abilities restricted. It was one of the main family's methods to prevent the branch family from surpassing them.
Stepping out of the dim chamber, the sunlight seemed almost blinding.
Shinji squinted, walking beside Hiashi.
A Hyuga clansman had been waiting at the door. Seeing them emerge, he immediately greeted Hiashi.
"Lord Hiashi."
Shinji recognized him; a Jonin from the clan. He just hadn't realized this man was in charge of the secret chamber.
"If there are no unexpected issues, the surgery will likely begin in a week. You don't need to worry about anything during this time, and there's no need to overthink things."
After leaving the chamber, Hiashi said to Shinji, "If you're constantly overthinking, your emotions will affect those around you who care about you."
This was a subtle reprimand, and Shinji naturally understood. He immediately declared, "I understand, Lord Hiashi. Thank you for your time today."
Hiashi nodded. "It's nothing. It wasn't an unreasonable request. Outsiders can't enter that room, but naturally, there aren't so many restrictions for our own clansmen.
"Also, the intelligence you brought back from the front lines is of great importance to our village.
"Lord Hokage specifically commended you. After the surgery, Hizashi will take you to meet with Lord Hokage."
"That wasn't solely my accomplishment."
"I understand, and Lord Hokage understands as well. Fallen comrades are heroes, but living comrades are even more precious. Those were Lord Hokage's words. Keep them in your heart."
"Understood."
Those words were skillfully spoken.
If it were the old Shinji, he would have been deeply moved.
The Third Great Ninja War was still ongoing.
The success of the Kannabi Bridge operation disrupted Iwagakure's logistical supplies, shattering their ambition to penetrate deep into Konoha's territory. It also provided a brief respite for Konoha, already exhausted from the continuous battles.
But it was only a brief respite.
Konoha was stretched thin, struggling to cope with various battlefronts, and its finances were in ruins, relying entirely on Damiyo's support.
Therefore, every victory was crucial, and every defeat carried devastating consequences.
This was why Minato Namikaze's reputation in Konoha now surpassed even the Legendary Sannin.
He was the hero who saved Konoha, leading the village to victory time and time again in these difficult circumstances, like parting the clouds to reveal the sun.
Konoha needed such a hero now.
After Hiashi left, Shinji stood there, his gaze passing through the courtyard and towards the now-closed secret chamber.
It was a shame that a hero like Minato could save the village, but he couldn't even save himself.
Shinji needed to find another way out, a path no one had ever walked before.