Chapter 281: Itachi, the Village's Safety Is Entrusted to You
When Itachi slowly awakened again, the moment his eyes opened he no longer saw the vicious Uchiha Edo Tensei bodies, nor the sinister "Shimura Danzo," nor that deeply hated Uchiha Yasushi—instead he saw a group of medical ninja with smiling faces welcoming him.
"Itachi, congratulations on successfully passing the trial."
"Sora Jakuen" stood at the front of the group, smiling while extending sincere congratulations.
Behind him, Lady Shizune led a group of medical ninja in enthusiastic applause. Some held bouquets—everything filled with warmth.
Could everything earlier truly have been illusion?
Itachi's expression changed rapidly. Looking at "Sora Jakuen's" kind, benevolent smile, inexplicable fury suddenly ignited in his heart. He wanted to rush forward, tear off this old fellow's face, and see exactly what hid beneath.
But before he could act, Shizune quickly stepped forward, asking with concern across her face:
"Itachi, your complexion isn't good. Are these aftereffects from the trial?"
"You know, your trial took a full day. We all thought your trial would fail."
"But fortunately, Divine Doctor Jakuen insisted you could persevere and continuously devoted his heart to treating you, finally allowing you to successfully complete the trial."
"Is that so?" Itachi looked at Shizune with surprise. Seeing Shizune's face full of concern as she carefully examined his body, he immediately believed her words.
Divine Doctor Jakuen might deceive him, but Lady Shizune definitely wouldn't.
So those truly were illusions after all!
Itachi sighed inwardly, temporarily setting aside his doubts. He rose from bed, thanking everyone.
After exchanging pleasantries, Mizuki came over, leading Itachi away.
"Itachi, these are Wood Release technique scrolls. Take them home and practice diligently."
"Henceforth the village's safety is entrusted to your hands. You must not disappoint the village's trust in you!"
Hearing himself entrusted with this important village responsibility, Itachi was deeply moved. A feeling of being recognized arose naturally.
"Please rest assured, Lord Mizuki. Henceforth whoever wants to harm the village must step over my corpse."
"Excellent." Mizuki patted Itachi's shoulder with satisfaction before turning to leave.
After returning with the scrolls, Itachi didn't rest for even a moment. He immediately found a location and began practicing.
He was originally a genius. Moreover, his chakra quantity already exceeded other "trial heroes," so learning Wood Release proved relatively much easier.
"Wood Release: Cutting Technique!"
"Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall!"
"Wood Release: Advent of a World of Trees!"
As Wood Release techniques were executed one after another, Itachi's confidence gradually restored bit by bit.
Judging solely from the forest's range and intensity, his Wood Release seemingly still couldn't compare to Uchiha Madara's. But compared to the Wood Release forest Uchiha Yasushi had once used, it was no longer inferior.
Moreover, he could feel Wood Release seemingly also had some amplification effect on his Uchiha bloodline. Given time, he might not be unable to also use "Perfect Susanoo."
"Uchiha Yasushi, you wait for me!"
Flames of hatred burned in Itachi's eyes as he silently made determinations in his heart.
However, he didn't know that while he practiced diligently, Yasushi watched from afar.
After briefly assessing Itachi's current combat power, Yasushi turned to ask Mizuki behind him:
"How are things with the Hyuga clan?"
Thinking of the Hyuga Main House's foolish behavior, Mizuki couldn't help but want to laugh.
"The new Tenseigan plan has already been underway for some time."
"This time to avoid repeating the previous internal strife incident, the Hyuga Main House didn't use the Caged Bird curse seal to force those ordinary neutral Branch House members to 'donate' Byakugan. Instead they specifically selected people close to the Main House."
"The result? The Main House pleased neither side."
"Those Branch House members originally close to the Main House feel the Main House shows favoritism, treating loyal people unfairly."
"While those neutral Branch House members not selected also feel the threat of mutual destruction—believing this 'donation' will eventually reach them."
"Of course, this alienation also relates to the Main House openly violating their original promise to the Branch House."
"Even those most trusting of the Main House, after personally experiencing the Main House breaking promises, will likely have their loyalty greatly discounted."
"This is excellent!" A smile also appeared on Yasushi's face. "Send word to Neji—tell him it's time for him to appear again."
"Also, how are the follow-up arrangements prepared for Itachi?"
Mizuki smiled broadly:
"Lord Yasushi, rest assured. Everything's long been prepared. Just waiting for Itachi to suffer miserable defeat again before arranging it."
"However, can the current Neji truly defeat Itachi?"
Yasushi turned to gaze at the setting sun about to fall beyond the mountains, speaking with great confidence:
"After the moon rises, Neji is nearly invincible!"
"That exaggerated?" Hearing this, Mizuki startled, his heart developing some eagerness for the "Tenseigan." "Then tonight I must properly witness this."
That night, when the moon reached its zenith, a voice suddenly echoed across the village sky.
"Konoha Village, I—Hyuga Neji—have returned!"
Instantly, alarm bells rang loudly throughout Konoha Village. Lights illuminated room after room. Black shadows rapidly assembled toward the village center, quickly gathering around Mizuki.
"He may not have returned alone. Have everyone heighten vigilance. Also, notify those Wood Release ninja to assemble for concentrated combat."
Mizuki spoke quietly to Nara Shikasuke beside him. Shikasuke turned, making a gesture to ANBU behind him. Immediately several squads separated to patrol various village locations.
Through this period's repairs, Konoha Village's power lines had all been restored. Street lights and such had all been installed.
Under bright illumination, Konoha Village residents clearly saw Hyuga Neji's figure suspended in midair, floating above Hyuga clan grounds with the massive moon as backdrop—a complete big boss appearance.
His entire body was wrapped in green chakra coating. Where Byakugan should have been, now existed a pair of strange eyes brilliant as sapphires.
Those who'd previously witnessed Hinata's Tenseigan emergence immediately recognized them—clearly Tenseigan.
After seeing Hyuga Neji, everyone's gazes involuntarily turned toward the Hyuga Main House surrounded by Branch House members.
Seemingly to distance themselves, a Hyuga Main House member first pushed through the crowd, pointing at Neji while loudly cursing:
"Hyuga Neji, you rogue ninja—what are you doing back?"
"You killed so many Branch House members. How dare you show your face here?!"