Chapter 10: Danzo’s Scheme (Part One)

Turning off the perception-enhancing ability, the world before Kawaoki Aoba plunged once again into a dead silence of darkness.

The difference between having that ability on or off was like the gulf between heaven and earth for him in this moment.

But as the saying goes, one must follow the routine in full; in the early days of losing his sight, this was inevitable.

Relying on his memory of the room’s layout, Kawaoki Aoba cautiously reached out toward his door.

Outside Kawaoki Aoba’s house, Sarutobi Asuma was pacing around the yard, still contemplating how to persuade Hyuga Aoba to live with him.

Meanwhile, Akatsuki was worried about his father, Akatsuki Shinku, and whether he could completely resolve the issue of Kawaoki Aoba possessing the Byakugan.

Clearly, these two young ones, still inexperienced, were far too naive in their thinking.

“Ah!” Suddenly, a startled cry from Akatsuki made Sarutobi Asuma jump.

Turning toward the source of the voice, Asuma saw Akatsuki covering his mouth with small hands, his face filled with shock as he stared toward the doorway.

Asuma followed his gaze, and the sight before him left him dumbfounded.

Good heavens, what had he seen? His comrade Kawaoki Aoba…

“Where are your eyes? Aoba, where are your eyes?” Asuma exclaimed in shock.

Indeed, he saw the hollow eye sockets of Kawaoki Aoba and two bloodstreaks running down his cheeks.

Those two lines of blood were clearly deliberate; otherwise, it would be too implausible that after gouging out both eyes, not a single drop of blood would remain.

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? I already took them out myself,” Kawaoki Aoba replied calmly, steadying himself against the doorframe.

“W-why? Aoba, are you underestimating me? It’s just a pair of Byakugan eyes! The old man can definitely help you keep them,” Asuma gritted his teeth and shouted with passion.

At this moment, Kawaoki Aoba clearly sensed both anger and a faint trace of guilt emanating from Sarutobi Asuma.

Although Kawaoki Aoba had turned off his perceptive ability to block out the outside world, some passive special senses still lingered.

“The Hyuga clan is a prestigious family that has been passed down for a thousand years in the ninja world, with deep roots and a tradition that stands above all else. Given their obsession with their bloodline, even the Hokage would find it difficult to make them yield.

Moreover, if my situation causes the Hokage trouble or embarrasses the Hyuga family, how could I face anyone as a proud Konoha ninja? As a ninja of Konoha, even if I cannot ease the Hokage’s burdens, I must not add to them.”

This statement was a direct blow to the heart. Indeed, Kawaoki Aoba intended to subtly poison the Hyuga clan’s name in Sarutobi Hiruzen’s mind.

Though Hiruzen was not present, his Anbu were here.

Kawaoki Aoba believed there was a high chance his words would be relayed back to Hiruzen through the Anbu.

Even though he was prepared to defect from Konoha in the worst-case scenario, that did not stop him from trying to curry favor with Hiruzen beforehand. Besides, this also helped lower others’ guard toward him—why not take advantage of that?

Furthermore, the hostile presence detected earlier from a suspected Root ninja team had vanished.

Had they left?

Kawaoki Aoba activated his perception again.

Ah, no—they hadn’t left. That means the hostility directed at him had truly dissipated.

His suspicion was correct: the team hiding in the shadows, who had shown hostility toward him earlier, were indeed Root operatives sent by Danzo.

Their objective?

“Captain, that brat has already gouged out his Byakugan ahead of us. What do we do now? Continue the mission?”

“Although an unexpected event occurred, our mission is not yet failed. Proceed.”

After issuing the order, the Root operative instructed his team to remain hidden while he stepped forward from his concealment and approached Kawaoki Aoba’s yard.

“Kawaoki Aoba, a certain influential person has ordered me to assist you. The Hyuga clan’s family rules are strict, and it will be difficult for you alone to resist them. If you don’t want to be branded a caged bird, enslaved along with your descendants by the Hyuga family, then follow my instructions carefully.”

Upon entering Kawaoki Aoba’s yard, the Root operative wasted no time relaying Danzo’s orders.

Seeing Aoba’s empty eye sockets, the operative hesitated briefly before continuing, “This is the best choice for both you and Konoha.”

Before Kawaoki Aoba could respond, Sarutobi Asuma glared fiercely at the newcomer and said bluntly, “You just appeared out of nowhere—who are you?”

It was clear that the Root operative bore the brunt of Asuma’s fury, borne from anger over distrust in his comrades’ abilities and guilt over failing to protect them. The young Asuma was on the verge of losing control.

Facing Asuma’s anger, the Root operative stepped back respectfully but didn’t answer his question, instead continuing to explain Danzo’s plan.

In essence, Danzo’s plan was simple: take the blind Kawaoki Aoba to the Hokage’s office and never admit that he had ever awakened the Byakugan.

“You activated the Byakugan, but aside from your team, only a select few know—and none of them are from the Hyuga family. Moreover, due to your caution, no one has seen your Byakugan after activation.

So, after losing those eyes, as long as you don’t confess, this important figure can protect you. Even the Hyuga clan cannot do anything to you.”

Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Asuma and Akatsuki showed no immediate reaction, but Kawaoki Aoba felt a chill run through his heart.

Damn it, now he understood what those Root operatives were after. That old dog Danzo had already set his sights on his Byakugan.

By gouging out his own eyes, Danzo could use him as leverage to blackmail the Hyuga clan.

That way, the old man could not only get hold of a pair of Byakugan eyes but also exploit the Hyuga’s assault on village ninjas as blackmail—a truly cunning scheme.

Kawaoki Aoba felt some relief that he had sacrificed his Byakugan before they could.

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