[Bonus Chapter for powerstones]
Hyuga Shinichi was a man of decisive action. Once he set his sights on the legendary ruins said to lead to the moon, he saw no reason to delay.
Every moment spent idling was a moment lost to the creeping uncertainty of the future.
The very afternoon he received the Hokage's permission, he began his preparations. This was an "adventure" into the unknown, and Shinichi knew that in the world of shinobi, a lack of preparation was an invitation to death.
His first priority was replenishing his arsenal. During the previous conflict in the Hidden Rain Village, he had expended a significant number of Flying Thunder God kunai. These were the anchors of his mobility and combat prowess; he could not afford to be short-handed.
Next, he prepared several Reverse Summoning scrolls. By imbuing the technique into the scrolls beforehand, he could bypass the time needed for hand signs, allowing for a near-instantaneous escape or relocation if the situation turned dire.
These scrolls were, in many ways, the primitive ancestors of future scientific ninja tools, requiring profound mastery of Fuinjutsu to create—an expertise Shinichi fortunately possessed.
Beyond these survival measures, he sealed several high-level sealing jutsu into scrolls. In a world where one might face anything from rampaging Tailed Beasts to the inextinguishable flames of Amaterasu, the versatility of Fuinjutsu was an absolute necessity.
By the time he finished his preparations, evening had settled over the village.
Hinata returned from the Academy on schedule. After stopping by the study to offer a quick, cheerful greeting to her brother, she bounded off again.
The Academy dismissed students early, usually before four o'clock, leaving a window of freedom before dinner. Naruto's small social circle took full advantage of this, gathering to train and play.
Hiashi was quite indulgent with his daughters. Aside from assigning secret guards for their protection, he rarely interfered with their social lives. Shinichi saw no reason to change this. Hinata was happy, her life was fulfilling, and she was growing at her own pace.
Hanabi, however, watched her sister leave with a gaze full of envy. She was still too young for such freedom. Shinichi offered a gentle word of comfort: "You're still small. In a few years, when you start school, you'll have just as many friends to play with."
As night fell, the household gathered for dinner.
Shinichi noticed that Hinata's chakra reserves were nearly depleted, her short hair still damp with sweat.
It was clear she had been pushing her physical limits. Even though they were "just students," these children weren't merely playing; they were sparring and refining their skills.
In this timeline, Naruto Namikaze was a beacon of diligence, and his drive had a profound influence on everyone around him. Unlike the Naruto of the original history, who sought the Hokage title out of a desperate need for acknowledgement, this Naruto sought to surpass his father.
He lived under the shadow of the "Fourth Hokage's Son"—a title that felt like a heavy shackle. People saw the father when they looked at the son, and Naruto wanted them to see him. This inner fire made him a natural leader and a formidable prodigy.
After dinner, Shinichi informed his parents of his departure. Though Hiashi and Hanako harbored a natural desire for their son to stay close, they understood his temperament.
They chose to support him rather than restrain him. Perhaps, like Minato, they hoped Shinichi could see the vast world one last time before the "Cage" of clan leadership closed around him forever.
Hiashi knew better than anyone the stifling pressure that came with the seat of the Clan Head.
The Journey into the Frost
The following morning, Shinichi vanished from Konoha via the Flying Thunder God. He left no record at the village gates, acting in secret to avoid the eyes of potential spies—be they from Danzo's Root or rival nations.
The world coveted the Byakugan, and he had no interest in swatting away the flies that would inevitably follow a visible departure.
He materialized in a dense forest on the outskirts of the village. The morning mist clung to the trees, and the air was crisp and damp.
Shinichi took a deep breath, feeling his pores open as the fresh air revitalized his spirit.
Consulting a map, he identified his heading and began his trek. He moved with blistering speed, the scenery blurring into a green and brown haze.
At regular intervals, he carved FTG markers into the environment—a trail of breadcrumbs for an instant retreat.
After several days of travel, the temperate forests gave way to a subarctic climate. He was nearing the border where the Land of Fire met the Land of Iron.
The wind howled, and heavy snow draped the mountains in a silver shroud. Rivers were capped with thick ice, concealing the rushing torrents beneath.
Shinichi, dressed in relatively thin training gear, felt the air he exhaled turn instantly into frost. Though a shinobi's resistance to cold was high, he donned a heavy fur-lined cloak to preserve his stamina.
Despite the blinding snowstorm, his Byakugan remained unfazed. He navigated the whiteout with surgical precision.
Suddenly, the roar of falling water echoed through the trees. Pushing through the brush, Shinichi found a towering waterfall cascading into a frigid pool.
Through the crystalline vision of his Byakugan, he spotted a natural cavern submerged beneath the pool's surface, containing faint traces of human passage.
Etched into the stone wall inside the cave were ancient shinobi characters, their edges softened by time. They read: "The Path Begins Here."
Shinichi reached the edge of the freezing water. He didn't dive in immediately. Instead, he summoned a small toad and placed an FTG formula on its back. The toad leaped into the depths, swimming toward the submerged entrance.
This location was perfectly hidden; without the Byakugan, it was virtually undetectable. It was no wonder it had been recorded as a waypoint in the Hyuga's ancient migration history. Once the toad signaled that the interior was safe, Shinichi left a kunai on the shore and teleported directly into the cavern.
The Liminal Space
Inside, the atmosphere was surreal. To the north of the cavern lay another pool, but this one shimmered with a kaleidoscopic, iridescent glow that illuminated the dark stone.
Shinichi approached the pool and knelt. Strangely, when he activated his Byakugan, the water appeared distorted, as if the space itself were warping his vision. He reached out and scooped up a handful of the "water," only to watch it seep through his skin without leaving a trace of moisture.
"Is this it?" he murmured.
He performed a hand sign, creating a Shadow Clone. Without a word, the clone dove into the shimmering pool.
Underneath the surface, the clone found a realm that defied the laws of nature. It was a chaotic, liminal space—a void filled with floating spheres that emitted a pale yellow light, resembling miniature moons. Giant boulders hung suspended in the air.
Before the clone could investigate further, the world blurred.
When it opened its eyes again, it was sitting in a familiar study. It looked down and saw its hands had shrunken into those of a young child.
The door opened. A younger, smiling Hiashi walked in.
"Come, Shinichi. It's time for your afternoon Byakugan sparring."
Shinichi's subconscious forced him to stand, but the moment he moved, the scene shifted again. He was now in the Hyuga training hall. Hiashi stood before him, settling into a combat stance.
"Attack me, Shinichi! The time for rest is not yet here!"
The transition was seamless, but the clone simply stopped. It looked at the youthful face of its father and let out a soft, knowing laugh.
"A Genjutsu... memories of my childhood?"
The clone's hands formed a seal. "Release (Kai)!"
A sudden burst of violent chakra shattered the illusion. The training hall dissolved, replaced once more by the floating rocks and miniature moons of the chaotic passage.
"A gateway, then."
The glowing spheres acted as beacons, marking a path through the void. The clone pushed forward, following the light until another shimmering pool appeared ahead. Without hesitation, it dove in once more.
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