Becomes a Rebel Ninja After Annihilating the Hyuga Clan

Chapter 6

Genjutsu: False Surroundings Technique is a basic C-rank genjutsu that overlays everything the target sees with a layer of illusion, making them believe they see something entirely different. This technique is not harmful and is used purely to mislead the enemy visually, making it easy to break. However, it can be cast over a large area, affecting multiple targets simultaneously.

Genjutsu: Hell Viewing Technique is even more superficial, a D-rank ninjutsu. Everyone harbors fears; as the saying goes, "The more you fear something, the more likely it is to appear." The Hell Viewing Technique manifests the target's inner fears, making them seem real to shake their morale.

These two genjutsu, a C-rank and a D-rank, inspired Neiki to develop his S-rank genjutsu, The Abyss of Deception Technique.

Neiki's prowess in genjutsu is above average at best. Still, his analytical ability allows him to excel in developing and learning genjutsu at a speed even the genius Uchiha Itachi cannot match.

The Abyss of Deception Technique combines the characteristics of the two basic genjutsu mentioned above—non-lethal and primarily supportive. Its sole purpose is to "embellish" the reality perceived by all living beings within its range.

This "embellishment" effect, however, is quite astonishing.

Before targeting the Hyuga central family, Neiki tested his technique against genjutsu experts in Konoha, such as Uchiha Itachi and Kurenai Yuhi. When they could not even see through The Abyss of Deception Technique, Neiki knew he had succeeded.

The Abyss of Deception Technique alters everything seen, heard, and felt within its range to align with the victim's thought patterns, similar to how the Hell Viewing Technique projects the victim's fears. The Abyss of Deception Technique makes things appear as they "should be" in the victim's mind.

The technique’s strength lies in making objective reality conform to the subject’s subjective thoughts, making it extremely difficult to detect.

For example, it can mislead burying bodies as planting trees, transform an actual corpse into a tree stump, or twist a frantic warning into a casual greeting.

The Abyss of Deception Technique hides reality, distorts truth, and switches authenticity. It retains the advantages of False Surroundings Technique and Hell Viewing Technique—extensive range, strong misdirection, high adaptability, and long duration. Aside from the high learning difficulty and significant chakra consumption, it is the most potent genjutsu an ordinary ninja without a genjutsu bloodline can master.

For instance, Hikaru sits calmly, watching the dignified hall where the authoritative Hiashi and the furious Neiki argue over something absurd:

"Red bean soup should be sweetened!"

"Impossible, it should be salted!"

Hiashi, looking agitated, seems on the verge of standing but restrains himself, glancing at Hikaru.

"Hikaru, what do you think should be added to red bean soup?"

Though he feels the timing is inappropriate, Hikaru seriously considers the question since the clan leader asked.

…

The room remains dilapidated and long uncleaned. Hiashi and Neiki face off intensely.

The longer one remains under The Abyss of Deception Technique, the more one loses one's ability to act. This happens because living beings adapt to the "things should be this way" logic, ceasing to think critically.

Many servants from the branch family, like Koharu and Senma, initially showed some resistance. However, they grew increasingly dull over time, losing their thinking ability and finally becoming as unthinking as trees, chopped into pieces and buried.

The servants under genjutsu slowly die, explaining the rapid decline of the clan leader's mansion. Fortunately, The Abyss of Deception Technique automatically "embellishes" this reality, covering the rot with a veneer of illusion.

"I will not agree to your terms… cough, you should kill your brother instead." Hiashi, hair disheveled, rejects Neiki’s proposal to trade the elders' lives for the younger ones like Neji and Hinata.

"In appreciation of your attitude, I’ll present Hinata’s head on your desk tomorrow." Neiki retorts without hesitation.

The Abyss of Deception Technique has a significant flaw: once someone sees through it, it can never work on them again. Hiashi, the clan leader, noticed something amiss during Neiki’s second-to-third-stage transition, during which his powers were weaker. Suspicion is fatal for an illusion; once doubt arises, the illusion fails. Hiashi quickly broke free, and if Neiki had not pinned him down, Neiki might have fled Konoha in disgrace.

"Heh, you could cut off Hikaru’s head first, and I wouldn’t blink." Hiashi glanced at Hikaru, smirking.

"I think red bean soup should have soy sauce." Hikaru replied, looking at the two expectantly for validation.

Neiki, glancing at Hikaru, nodded and drew his short blade.

Hiashi’s expression tightened, his lips quivering.

Neiki’s demeanor remained calm, his words mocking:

"Red bean soup."

"Should be salted."

"You, who add soy sauce, are…"

—Dead!

The blade swung.

"Wait—" Hiashi’s chains rattled as he roared, unkempt hair flying.

"Too late."

The head flew high.

Even in death, Hikaru’s face held a gentle smile.

…

[Essence Collected: 7.1%]

…

Blood splattered everywhere, red bubbles gurgling from the smooth neck.

"Hikaru spilled paint, clean it up." Neiki called Koharu, scrubbing the floor outside the study.

"Hikaru spilled paint; I’m cleaning it up," Koharu muttered. Despite her gouged-out eyes, illusions were directly projected into her mind under The Abyss of Deception Technique, allowing her to "see" and function usually.

Koharu quickly removed Hikaru’s body.

The death of prominent family members posed a significant challenge; they were fewer and more well-known, and any incident drew intense scrutiny from the Hyuga clan and Konoha’s leaders. After all, only the central family represented the true power of the Hyuga clan.

However, for Neiki, who planned to wipe out all Hyuga survivors next week, such future problems were inconsequential.

Wiping blood from his face, Neiki said:

"Tomorrow, I’ll reunite you with your daughter."

Hiashi remained silent, his shadowed face trembling slightly, revealing his inner turmoil.

Neiki left.

Hiashi slowly raised his head, dazed. He wanted to call out but couldn’t make a sound.

Neiki’s ruthless promise weighed heavily on Hiashi.

His opponent was inhumanly cold.

…Sorry, daughter.

Hiashi closed his eyes, envisioning his shy, sweet child pleading for rescue, his heart-wrenching.

But…

I can’t.

Hiashi doubted Neiki would keep his promise and spare Hinata. The other elders represented the clan's last hope compared to his daughter.

He kept telling himself that this was for the continuation of the Hyuga clan, a responsibility he, as clan leader, must bear.

"Oh, I remembered you have another daughter, Hanabi, right? No wonder you’re so heartless. You prefer her. I heard Hanabi is next door, so I won’t wait until tomorrow." Neiki suddenly returned, excited, talking through the window.

From the original story, it was clear Hiashi favored his younger daughter, Hanabi, seeing her as the clan’s future leader, which explained his disregard for Hinata.

Thinking he had figured it out, Neiki turned to act.

"Wait…"

This time, unable to bear the torment, Hiashi finally spoke.

"You… you demon… spare them, my daughters, and I’ll tell you everything…"

He covered his face, tears streaming, the guilt of betraying his clan suffocating him.

"Heh."

"Sorry, too late."

Huh?

Hiashi looked up in shock, seeing Neiki’s regretful gaze:

"I keep my promises. You surrendered too late—no matter, you still have Hinata to continue the bloodline, right?"

She was only thinking of surrender when I returned.

No such luck!

Neiki sneered, turning toward Hanabi’s room, leaving Hiashi in despair, struggling against his restraints.

When Neiki returned, the stench of fresh blood was thicker. Hiashi raged for a long time, vowing never to divulge information, but as Neiki grew impatient and threatened to bring him another daughter’s head tomorrow, Hiashi broke.

After providing Neiki with the desired information, Hiashi slumped in his seat, motionless.

Rather be a father than a clan leader.

…

Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting fragmented shadows.

Neiki glanced back, seeing a giant Byakugan illusion hovering over the Hyuga clan leader’s mansion, the mark of The Abyss of Deception Technique. To others, this illusion would seem like a flag or decoration.

The Abyss of Deception Technique is not a personal genjutsu but a spatial one. All perception is altered within its range, but the reality remains unchanged outside, which is an apparent flaw.

Neiki’s solution was simple—maintain regular appearances outside the mansion.

No one would know Neiki had turned the mansion into a gaping maw, waiting for prey.

Reflecting on the "negotiation" with Hiashi, Neiki frowned. The technique’s vulnerability to exposure was too fatal. Its main advantage was its undetectability, but its effectiveness would be questioned if someone escaped and spread the word.

Like an elephant in the room, once noticed, everyone sees it.

This is a crucial direction for improving this technique in the future.

When Neiki returned home, it was already very late. The lights were still on, and as he opened the door, Neji, who had been waiting up for his brother despite being sleepy, suddenly widened his eyes, fully awake:

"Brother, did you bring back a cat?" he asked, pointing to the little figure in Neiki's arms.

Neiki then handed the sleeping Hinata over to Neji:

"You're sharing your room with her tonight."

What?

"W-wait, brother." Neji stuttered, holding the tiny, at most two-year-old girl, looking bewildered.

What’s going on?

His brother had been out so long, and now he suddenly brought back a child?