The morning was wonderful. A white thrush sang quietly on the dojo roof. Grass rustled softly beyond the open door. And a cherry blossom breeze carried the scent of Sakura's blooming. It wonderfully brought coolness to the heated body while billowing the obi and kimono.
The sense of the world around was special. My mind floated above it like a large cloud that had decided to rest detachedly, lumbering along. Fifty meters right and left, back and front, down and up... I stood on the tatami mat and simultaneously was everywhere.
A light breeze of my chakra, overtaking my heartbeat, pulsed unnoticed in the "Tvisor" sphere, centered in my abdomen. Both eyes were closed. The dojutsu too. Only the chakra circulation system breathed. Through meditation, my chakra pathways and tenketsu were now exploring the paths of "Silent Sensorics," along with the taijutsu "Jukenpo Ichigenshin: Gentle Fist – Body Strike," completing this session.
I sighed, stopping the saturation of the "Tvisor" and tried to remember how I had sensed the world this time. A stream of warm light, specks of wind, a leaf swirling at my feet on the tatami. Everything was brighter! Than last time. My brain was getting used to perceiving reality in true 3D sensations. And now, for obvious reasons, it didn't want to return to the 2D stereopsis of normal vision and the other four senses. Seeing the world limitedly, only through body, tongue, nose, hearing, and eyes.
"However! Still too early. Five senses aren't six yet! Everything in its time, despite impatience, alas," I thought.
New breath. Eyes closed. "3D Tvisor" faded. "Chakra Thread" activated. On residual senses, I manage to pull my obi tight, then drag both tabi (traditional split-toe socks) to feel the texture, volume, and weight. This time, it worked well and a bit faster than yesterday. Training over. Steady progress observed.
***
Hyuga Ichiro. Residence of the Hyuga clan head. Reception hall.
"...Yes, Hiashi-sama, you've understood everything correctly. The 'Chakra Essences' reflect only confirmed facts and the primary base of theories about them. In total, there's enough material accumulated for a couple more such reports. But I cannot entrust THOSE data orally, with gestures, or especially on paper."
"Ho. That much? Aren't you being too cautious, Ichiro-san?" The patriarch narrowed his eyes and continued, "Please explain the essence of your doubts. What are you afraid of? At least in broad strokes."
"Of course, Hiashi-sama." With gestures, I asked the patriarch to activate Byakugan, then hid my hand in my kimono sleeve, and covertly (while sipping tea with the other hand), began "speaking" again with gestures. "Now, I'll explain how I see this situation from my humble perspective. So, Hiashi-sama. Imagine that in ten years, maximum twenty, the Uchiha clan will guaranteed have twice as many jonin, A-rank, S-rank veterans, and the same for strong chunin! And all this – such an alarming forecast – will be known to One-Eyed Root with Third Leaf in three years (maximum five). Then, within a year, all Konoha clans. And the civilian council after them."
"How would you act, knowing SUCH layouts? What would your forecast be, Hiashi-sama?"
From such phrasing, Hiashi's brows involuntarily furrowed. He didn't respond. Neither with gestures nor orally. He hung suspended for a long time, silently lost in thought. Then, after five minutes, apparently deciding, he deactivated his Byakugan, quietly stood, and gestured for me to follow. As it turned out, we went to his office.
Hiashi went to the center of the room, activated Byakugan, then saturated the tenketsu on his fingertips and activated the hidden sealing mark symbol under the central tatami.
Across the lacquered floorboards, and then the walls, from the room's center in all directions, blue ribbons of fuin patterns rushed instantly. In a couple of seconds, they fully enveloped the patriarch's office and formed a shining (three by three meters), peculiar, like frosted glass semi-transparent barrier.
I activated dojutsu, trying to expand my "Omnidirectional Gaze," but to my surprise, beyond the office I could only make out blurry interior images, plus blurred faint chakra circulation system lights of people throughout the patriarch's residence. Anything farther than Hiashi-sama's estate, my Byakugan simply couldn't see. Everything around was covered in gray haze.
"This barrier," Hiashi-sama's stern voice sounded, "dulls all sounds and distorts the Byakugan gaze. It will last exactly ten minutes. Time's ticking. Ichiro-san." The patriarch gestured to the table. "Approach the table, take the blue scroll from the far left stack, and study it right here as quickly as possible. The 'Mind Conversation' technique has three development stages. First: 'Reception'; Second: 'Return'; and third: 'Distant Beacon'. Memorize the First Two ('Beacon' is insignificant); right now, 'Reception' is primary for you. We'll start studying this technique with it."
"Yes, Hiashi-sama." And I fully immersed in studying the mental-type jutsu – "Mind Conversation": Focused. Read thoroughly three times. Memorized everything. Put away the scroll. Checked seal formation with their chakra flow. Strengthened its Yin component in the third eye area. Dosed chakra into a focused short-range beam. And... on the second try, activated the first type of this technique called "Mind Conversation: Yin Chakra Beam – Signal Reception."
"Good." In my head, the patriarch's voice echoed mentally. "I see you succeeded. You're very talented, Ichiro-san. I fully mastered 'Mind Conversation' only in a month. You can train at home. However!" The mental pressure of Hiashi-sama's voice sharply increased. "'Mind Conversation' must not go beyond you and Takashi-dono! Under no circumstances! Not even to your heirs. Clear, Ichiro-san?"
"Crystal clear, Hiashi-sama."
"Excellent. And now, since time is short, I'll explain how to communicate mentally and... aloud, maintain a distracting small talk in parallel."
"So, Ichiro-san. As you see. First, a marker-beacon forms. Then, you activate it and simultaneously release a Cone – Yin Beam to the narrow Signal 'Reception.'"
"Clear so far?" Hiashi-sama decided to clarify.
"Yes, clan head, please continue."
"Good. Double the mental pressure." The clan head clearly strengthened the technique; time seemed to thicken, and his words felt slightly slower. The patriarch's voice sounded volumetric. "Then, Ichiro-san, next step: I, in turn, with an ultra-narrow chakra beam, find your Yin Beam, repeat your unique marker, and send a mental thought exchange request." At this point, the patriarch's voice paused, letting it sink in, then resumed. "Third step: after your permission, Ichiro-san, both our marker-passwords verify and burn into each other, forming a mental pattern-lock. Thus, a closed ether channel forms."
"And there are 'open' ones too, Hiashi-sama?"
"There are. But we couldn't obtain those parts of 'Mind Conversation' from the mentalist clan – Yamanaka refused."
"So they know we're..." I tried delicately to probe details, but the patriarch cut off my question.
"Yes, they know. Believe me, Ichiro-san," for a split second, the patriarch's mental voice rustled with sarcasm shades, "you're not the first, nor even the twentieth from the Hyuga Senior Branch to study 'Mind Conversation.' And overall," apparently realizing he'd revealed important info, the patriarch shifted the "awkward" topic, "Not only 'Soka no Juin' gives us an advantage in clan management and the Branch Family... specifically there, there's a lot."
"Hiashi-sama," I also pulled back from useless questions and preferred more important ones, "can 'Mind Conversation' use be tracked or noticed from outside?"
"Very right question, Ichiro-san. Naturally, yes, by external signs. Therefore! Until you can activate this technique without hand seals, don't use it openly."
"But how to train unnoticed..."
"Simple, Ichiro-san! Do this: Go to the basement. As deep underground as possible. Wear a concealing cloak. Imbue it with Yang chakra. Create a full-body water reservoir. Submerge fully. Then oversaturate the water with Yin chakra. And train. In a week, you'll fully eliminate hand seals. Meanwhile, use the technique only for Signal 'Reception.'"
"Understood, Hiashi-sama. And... I'm very grateful! Don't even know how to express my appreciation. Didn't think I'd earn such trust."
"But you did. And believe! I valued your 'Chakra Essences' properly. At least what you've given me to read. Keep up your research, Ichiro-san, and maybe acquire 'Perfect Memory' too; for now," the patriarch glanced at the clock and continued, "we've digressed. Back to mental dialogue and parallel aloud talks."
"So. Recall the mind state when irritatingly woken from the street on your day off. Recalled?"
"Yes, clan head. That sleepy, slight malaise state. Brain's twilight state. Then everything sounds distant, surrounding reality irrelevant, want to forget it quick."
"Right, Ichiro-san. That mind state was once called 'Suinin,' or as you iryonin call it now – Somnambulism. Set a quiet alarm; after hearing 'Suinin,' memorize your head's chakra state and train it three-five months. That's it."
"By the way," the patriarch, with mental sarcasm, gestured to the clock again, "Ichiro-san, notice thought-speech flows four times faster than aloud talk?"
"Yes, clan head."
"So, with 'Mind Conversation,' you can communicate five, six times faster, but as you feel now," at this point (obviously from pain), Hiashi winced momentarily before continuing, "everything has a price. Here, quick Yin chakra drain and growing migraine in frontal and temporal lobes."
"Clan head, forgive my insistence, but one last question?"
"Ask."
"How to show memories to each other with 'Mind Conversation'? Or impossible, Hiashi-sama?"
"Actually, two questions! But you phrased the first right. Got the essence! Good! Answering your last question sequentially." On "last," the patriarch emphasized, then explained. "First, study Genjutsu: 'Demonic Illusion.' Then, chain its principle to send 'Memory Blocks' via 'Mind Conversation,' but with Yang chakra admixture. Yin-Yang ratio one to ten. And one crucial point – Safety! Don't form 'Memory Blocks' longer than three-five seconds."
"Consequences?"
"Sensory Shock. Instant unconsciousness. Long incapacity."
"Duration?"
"From one hour to weeks." The patriarch sighed, rubbing his temples, and continued aloud. "So be careful. And warn your father."
"That's all, iryonin-san! Time's up. Now we'll have tea with Himawari-san in the family circle, then back to the Reception hall."
"As you say, Hiashi-sama. We'll examine Himawari-dono on site, and you'll learn if it's a girl or boy."
***
Time Turn for Indra's Descendants.
A week later. Working office of the Hyuga clan patriarch.
At the reception desk in the Hyuga clan head's office, at noon, sat two patriarchs of Konohagakure no Sato's great clans. The host, Hiashi Hyuga, and obviously his guest today – Uchiha clan head – Fugaku Uchiha. Both led the strongest shinobi clans in the "leaf village" at present.
Both clans had over two hundred people; great resources in all shinobi interests and their views on common topics. And so...
Politics, economy, social life, security... today the patriarchs had much to discuss here. And first, the most important – Kyuubi no Yoko attack. These topics needed open discussion, as much as possible toward each other. And also, as secret as possible. As befits politicians and great shinobi clan heads.
Fugaku Uchiha currently (steadily but quite quickly) intently leafed through the manuscript titled "Chakra Essences." His Sharingan copied page text like a high-precision memory scanner, one after another, "All" about Byakugan and Sharingan dojutsu. Their origin, awakening, properties and vulnerabilities, even mutation and development stages, with "Latest Discoveries"... and much more.
Finally, after five minutes, Fugaku Uchiha set aside the "Chakra Essences" manuscript and covered it with a special final sheet full of theses and questions. He examined them attentively too, thoughtfully glanced at the clock, then turned to his interlocutor.
"Hiashi-dono, since time is short, I suggest jumping straight," Fugaku's index finger tapped the sheet, "to discussing these issues."
"I support, Fugaku-dono. You'll easily verify the 'Chakra Essences' yourself. So, let's start in order."
"I'll check everything, Hiashi-dono. No doubt. Listening closely."
"So! First topic," the "white-eyed" shinobi patriarch glanced at the sheet, "is Ichiro-san's discovery, namely – 'Sharingan Common Field of Vision'! Then second," possible "Death," – on the last word, Hyuga Hiashi emphasized, – Obito Uchiha! Transfer of his dojutsu to Kakashi Hatake and his ANBU service! Specifically, Hatake's belonging to Minato Namikaze's close group and his personal bodyguard team.
"Agree again, Hiashi-dono. Viewing from that angle," Fugaku's face darkened more, "the recent Kyuubi attack no longer seems strange or sudden."
"Unintentional espionage!" The Hyuga patriarch nodded weightily and pointed to "Chakra Essences" – "And additionally, need to check Hatake for Mangekyo Sharingan presence, and Obito-kun's chakra in him."
"No doubt," Fugaku exhaled gloomily and at length, "Kakashi often visited Minato and Kushina's home, knew some from her about barriers small-scale, and fuin techniques overall. Fourth's student could see much. Yes, not intentional, definitely not deliberate, but could."
"Correct me, but... I think none of us seriously considers Kakashi Hatake betrayed Konoha! He's ANBU, not that kind of person! Like his father, he's a fervent patriot of our village. Agree?"
"Yes. Complex character, but we checked him, including with Genjutsu. He didn't lie to us. Nor to Hokage, telling all about our interrogation." From the last annoying fact, Fugaku closed his eyelids.
"However!" Hiashi warned of dojutsu activation boost, then pointed to his eyes. "In light of Ichiro-san's latest discovery, Obito Uchiha's Sharingan must be checked! Especially for evolution! And safest for our clans – Uchiha and Hyuga – to do it publicly! With full mutual clan support! And as soon as possible! What do you think, Fugaku-dono? Worth 'cutting to the quick' this issue?"
"Don't know how long. Year, five years... And essentially, irrelevant! Big picture, 'Common Field of Vision' info will surface sooner or later." Through clenched teeth, with an almost hissing irritated sigh, the Uchiha patriarch stated this fact and, furrowing brows sharply, continued. "And then they'll hit us! Shimura, Hokage, advisors, all others will swarm like Aburame insects. Undoubtedly."
"The dojutsu bearers will take a hit, so to speak... palpable!"
"And resonant in public." Fugaku picked up approvingly. "Can't allow that, no options, must act!" The Uchiha patriarch closed his eyes; after a couple seconds, quietly said. "And preemptively! No other less painful ways from any angle. Civil-social or military-political. Though half-measure ultimately, better we make first move. WE must control THIS situation! And believe, Hiashi-dono, I greatly value your trust and action, and Hyuga clan support for Uchiha."
"Fugaku-dono," the Hyuga clan head nodded graciously and in agreement, "since we think alike, let's do it at the Great Clan Assembly, which I recall is in three days. And," for extra safety, patriarch Hiashi signaled with fingers not to prematurely release "Common Field of Vision" Uchiha witnesses from their territory, then continued aloud, "definitely publicize THIS fact with our witnesses and iryonin. Naturally with Central Hospital iryonin support."
"Yes. Thus, direct fact with all witnesses points to ANBU security hole! And try... No, no tries! We'll go on active offense. Next fact brightly highlights Hokage decision flaw on supporting Hatake's Sharingan transfer."
(And inwardly, Fugaku thought, "Monkey, from greed, snatched our Sharingan, gave to snot-nose, then shat on espionage and Kyuubi, now will rub our noses in her own shit... and demand more after Shimura's greedy ambitions... Unlike snot-nose, we'll spot Mangekyo immediately on transplant)."
"Kekkei Genkai belongs only to ITS clan. Or be destroyed!" Hiashi said with utmost seriousness. "Otherwise, it opens dangerous 'discreditation path'! For our genome-bearing clans and old clans with Hidden techniques."
"And time to stop it. Stop – 'At the Root'!" On the last words, Fugaku made a notable emotional emphasis. "This issue must go to Great Clan Council vote too."
"Undoubtedly. I fully support you, Fugaku-dono. But let's continue our list issues as agreed. And return to 'kekkei genkai' topic... today, routinely."
"Then. Next are," here the Uchiha patriarch paused a second, then puzzledly looked at Hiashi questioningly, "reanimation of five Uzumaki? Explain, Hiashi-dono, why them specifically, and why second on list?"
"Five seconds please." Hyuga patriarch rose, went to scroll cabinet, handed one to Uchiha. "Read this please." After twenty seconds, Fugaku raised surprised gaze to interlocutor, then aloud, more affirmatively asked quietly.
"So that's how? Explains much. From various sides." Fugaku thoughtfully stroked the one-use Blue Scroll with finger. "Then it turns out (all clans, Senju, Uzumaki, Kurama, Hatake exterminating us and depriving private Fuin master protection)."
"And constantly spy with both 'clan' ANBU NE and 'civilian' ANBU. One-sidedly. Started with stolen Mito Uzumaki seals! Hokage's 'ANBU Seal,' accordingly – Shimura's 'Cursed Tongue.' Too strong cards in Sarutobi-Shimura hands! THESE fuin, how to put politely... have many hidden functions. All lifetime-unpleasant!"
"Without Uzumaki... and developing your scroll's thoughts," Fugaku murmured quietly, briefly withdrawing inward. "They'll just squeeze us. Over time, various ways force surrender. Five-ten years, maybe fifteen, situation irreversibly stable!"
"Unfortunately yes. We track OUR Konoha shinobi mortality stats. Last ten years. Think you do too."
"On this, Uchiha clan supports you, Hiashi-dono. If VOICE this topic from economic, mainly politically ADVANTAGEOUS sides, likely other clans vote 'For Resurrection' of all," here Uchiha patriarch's eyes slyly narrowed, "five Uzumaki?!"
"Yes. Per our forecasts, four months to years. Plus independent funding. However! Clan vote and political safety layer needed..."
"We'll help there too. And," Fugaku glanced at clock, noting under minute left, "...Hiashi-dono, to next topic."
"Good. Take this document and review with dojutsu."
***
Civilian Scroll: "Great Clan Assembly."
Internal code name: "Rabbit's Appetite for Shabu-Shabu."
Encrypted scroll contents:
Forecast of Konoha Great Clan Council vote count on military-political and social issues.
- Founder Great Clans 3 vote factors each – Senju and Uchiha (-1 for Uchiha Police). Great Clans. Hyuga – 2 vote factors. Large Clans: Ino-Shika-Cho – total 3 vote factors. Inuzuka 1. Kurama 1. Aburame 1. Sarutobi 1. Shimura 1. Hatake 1. Uzumaki 1 (Social only – not military-political). Hokage additional 2 vote factors. Civilian jonin rep 1. Total: Hyuga-Uchiha Alliance 4. Sarutobi-Shimura-Hatake-shinobi.gr. 4. / Ino-Shika-Cho + Kurama 4. And 4 more – Hokage-Aburame-Inuzuka. Total parity. 8/8 without Senju/Uzumaki intervention! Senju 3 vote factors/ Uzumaki 1.
Note: On vote count or transfer, only present clan reps counted first. Transferred clan "voting privileges" auto-lose one vote factor to neutral vote by that factor.
***
Quickly reviewing and calculating "Civilian Scroll" layouts, Fugaku briefly withdrew, pondering forecasts and "hidden stones" on key upcoming Clan Assembly points. Primarily interested in mentalist clan vote factor. Always issues with them for Uchiha. Many disagreements and political reasons, always!
"Hiashi-dono, sure of Inoichi head and son Inoichi? Latter works Torture/Interrogation Dept, directly Hokage apparatus! Both same side. THIS moment error cost us dear."
"I'll arrange with Yamanaka."
"Truly sure," Fugaku pressed, "they'll agree, Hiashi-dono?"
"Absolutely! We have valuable offers. Certain aspects."
"Then," Fugaku avoided "awkward" topic depths, nodded to Hiashi agreeably, "I'll arrange with Kurama clan! Reasonable policy concessions, economic perks, their genin apprenticeship to Uchiha clan, and if extreme need, genjutsu techniques. Kurama definitely choose our side. Nowhere else now. And with that, we'll have..."
"Yes," the white-eyed shinobi patriarch agreed, "Uchiha, Hyuga, Kurama, Yamanaka – minimum!"
"Four Great Clan votes from Uchiha/Hyuga, plus two from Yamanaka/Kurama. Total six. Nara/Akimichi left? Thoughts, Hiashi-dono?"
"Hardest with Akimichi. Little to offer. But think Nara pull them to clan coalition side."
"We perhaps," Uchiha head thoughtfully drawled, "help shadowers there."
"Then per forecast, eight votes us. Sarutobi side: Own clan, Shimura, Inuzuka/Aburame, latter – Hatake. Plus," Hiashi glanced at Konoha hitai-ate, "account 'civilian' shinobi and Hokage double vote. Better preempt."
"And eight them too!" Fugaku followed gaze to "Leaf" hitai-ate, tsked teeth irritably, sighed annoyed, "Not counting co-founder – Senju clan with three votes!"
"Yes. This farce amusing if not so 'egregiously frightening'! Great clan – One woman! Now all depends on Senju and," Hyuga patriarch paused briefly, signaled Fugaku with gestures, "...And if lucky – Uzumaki. They'll be with us!"
"You said," Uchiha switched to gesture language too, "four months and... stop, got it! But... Ichiro-san sure handle? Know he's good specialist as iryonin, but extremely nontrivial."
"We'll exert all efforts! Process started. Odds for Haero Uzumaki, healthiest patient... say... if delay assembly ten days, he'll wake. High odds – six to four. Our favor."
"Total nine us! Sarutobi eight. With Senju eleven. And if she absent again as usual, sells 'political pool' to Hiruzen. Tsunade absence loses her one vote. Result? Unfortunately: Nine vs Ten. Not our favor."
"Yes, but if Hiruzen elects right at clan assembly, first issue! Look bad minimally his side. Otherwise, even with our minuses, stable parity possible!"
"Hoping hard. Including on Ichiro-san. By way, Hiashi-dono, no offense, pass him Uchiha clan head invitation! Personal meeting! From what you showed recently, I owe you big, want express personal thanks."
"Of course, Fugaku-dono."
"On concessions between clans, we yield to you: ...'Himitsu' textile manufactory under Ho no Shumin, close 'Uzumaki' joint issue, plus support two B-rank political questions. One C-rank. Fugaku eyed Hiashi awaiting confirmation."
"Correct. Your favor, we Hyuga provide: Uchiha support in A-category politics two, B-category one. And help with Uzumaki. Barriers."
"And gratitude, this!" Hiashi approached scroll cabinet again, gave Uchiha patriarch one-use Blue Scroll titled evocatively – "Red Rain."
Uchiha patriarch, with Sharingan, read scroll attentively, quickly extracted, took contents, and hastily, after just five seconds, burned it.
***
Scroll "Red Rain."
Internal code name: "View from the Rabbit Hole."
Encrypted scroll contents:
Our intel analysts detected following long-term political, economic, social plans by Second Water Dragon leadership and successors.
First. Existence of "Discrediting the Red Fan" Plan! Currently implementing. Nearing penultimate stage!
Details. Soon, "Mole" object and "Lemur" team strike hard! Propose transplanting Big Leaf called "Subject – Red Fan" to Big Tree edge. Likelihood over eighty percent.
Second. On the eve of such a resonant case, the subject "Red Fan" will be charged with attacking the "Big Tree" using the object "Fox"!
Details. "Irrefutable" witness testimonies will be presented, which recorded the mosaic – the "Triple Wheel of Samsara" in the eyes of the object "Fox"! Namely! During its attack on the "Big Tree." Presumably, the attack will be carried out along military-political fronts and in parallel, against the subject "Civilian Herbs." The following objects will attack the "Red Fan": "Mole," the "Lemur" team, "Civilian Leaves," and, with a fifty percent probability, the object "High Eboshi of Fire."
Third. After activating this stage, Plan: "Discrediting the Red Fan," the "Limur" team will go into aggressive hibernation. Next. With the silent assistance of the "Limur" team, the object "Mole" will begin a covert tunnel under the "Big Tree" and the simultaneous fumigation of the subject "Civilian Herbs"!
Details. The subject "Mole," in the nearest off-seasons, will deploy fumigation of the subject "Civilian Herbs" with universal delirium of informational fear toward the subject "Red Fan." Under the slogans "Fox" and "Wheel of Samsara's Hate"! Thus, the big leaf called "Red Fan" will experience off-season escalations and gusts of strong wind, both from outside, from the "Big Tree," and over time, internal, fire-hazardous-responsive "Oscillations of the Great Fire"!
Fourth. The final stage of the Plan: "Discrediting the Red Fan"! As a result of the above, a local monsoon "RED RAIN" will pass over the subject "Red Fan"!!!
Details. Analyzed by the object "Blind Rabbit."
Object's communication code phrase: "Won't you exchange one Ryo?"
Response: "One moment, please, after all, this is – Dirty money!"
P.S. Half of the torn bill is attached to the password. Verification of bill halves! (Memorize the "Full View" with Sharingan, and the tear of BOTH bill halves).
***
After the Blue Scroll burned up, Patriarch Fugaku pondered for a long time, then, with a barely noticeable smile, asked.
"And how do you feel about cats, Hiashi-dono?"
"Neutrally. But my wife likes them. Himawari has long suggested we get one, for the Tea room."
"Good." (Fugaku chuckled to himself, – Blind bijuu, rabbits, … and then said aloud.) "Then it's time for me to go, Hiashi-dono."
***
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: patreon.com/Granulan