"I've made a breakthrough."

I blinked at the unexpected voice, rolling my head to the side to greet the person whose shadow I felt approaching. I finished training for the day and was laying in my garden to decompress. As important as improvement was, taking some time to shut my brain off to recover was necessary unless I wanted to drive myself crazy. "Hello to you too, Misaki. The weather is nice and other small talk."

Misaki frowned. "I apologize, Shinto. I was just excited."

"Eh, don't worry about it. I'm not offended. What's this about a breakthrough?" I asked, hopping to my feet and leading the way into my house.

Misaki's face lit up with a brilliant smile. "I found a way to store chakra with seals! It's just…" Her smile morphed into a frustrated frown.

"I guess it's not a clear-cut solution, then?"

Misaki shook her head. "In principle, every seal stores chakra. Otherwise, the seal wouldn't be able to create the desired effect. There are several different preexisting matrixes and formulae that can store chakra, but none are tailored towards anything other than a single activation. I would need a seal that allows me to refill it for multiple uses, as well as one that does not fade when spent. Otherwise I would lose all of my progress every time I was forced to use the full amount of chakra stored within the seal."

I didn't think she was aware of it, but she'd been lecturing like I was a student and she was a teacher, pacing around my living room absentmindedly while I lazed on the couch.

"And your breakthrough?" I prompted.

"Control." Misaki said simply, turning to face me fully.

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Could you put that in simpler terms please? I don't really know much about sealing theory. I know how to make some very specific seals, but I couldn't tell you how they work, just that they do." I'd been more focused on shoring up my combat abilities than looking into sealing, but now was as good a time as any to get a crash course, especially if it would help Misaki with her lightning armor.

Misaki pursed her lips, resuming her pacing as she continued her lecture. "The more control one has over their chakra, the more precisely they are able to use it. This helps with ninjutsu techniques, but it is also very important to sealing. The more control you have, the more delicate seals you can make."

"Wouldn't delicate seals just be weak?"

"I used a poor descriptor. 'Elaborate' would be a better term. Powering a large seal is easy because you do not require much finesse. Powering a complex seal is a delicate matter because you run the risk of overloading it with chakra and causing it to fail or unravel."

I nodded along, following her explanation so far. "So you just need to work on your control a little bit?"

Misaki grinned, a prideful shine in her eye. "No. I've been working on my control for years to match yours. I'm still not as precise as you are, but I am precise enough for my needs. I already tested my theory with a small script." She held up a slip of paper with a dark seal I didn't recognize on it.

"That's your breakthrough?"

"It is a proof of concept." Misaki said, laying it down on the coffee table and pointing at various parts as I scooted closer for a better look. "The seal feeds back in on itself because of this line, preventing it from expiring even after depleted. This line will allow multiple uses of the same effect. For the moment, I am only able to make it glow, but I'm confident I will be able to unlock more sophisticated uses with time."

I was caught completely flat-footed by the small paper Misaki was showing me. Sure, a chakra glowstick maybe wasn't all that impressive when compared to something like her byakugan, but the concept was revolutionary. Misaki held a working chakra battery in her hand. A rechargeable chakra battery. The storage wasn't great, and the effect was minimal, but it was a building block for heights I wasn't even sure she realized. If this became commonplace and people were able to harness chakra as a powersource…

"How many people know about this?" I asked.

Misaki must have seen something in my face or heard something in my tone, because her excited appearance at showing off her creation immediately shifted to dead seriousness. Whether the mask was on or not, I recognized I was now speaking to Owl.

"I only just created a working prototype this morning. Several people are aware I am researching how to create lasting seals, but none of them know of my progress. You are the only one I have told."

I clicked my tongue, trying to think of the best thing to do here.

"Come with me." I said, standing up and casting a genjutsu over the paper in her hand to make it appear like an ordinary explosive tag. Maybe I was being paranoid, but I wanted this to be as secure as possible.

Misaki noticed the genjutsu and slid the paper away into her robe, realizing just how serious I was taking this.

We walked through the compound, greeting various familiar faces until we came to the gate outside the Clan Head's house. I had yet to take Shikaku up on his offer to barge in whenever I wanted – I didn't want to impede on his time with his family – but I felt this was important enough to bug him.

I followed the sounds of combat around behind the house instead of up to the front porch. I found Shikaku in the backyard, his hands in his pockets as he easily sidestepped a clumsy strike from a small boy. Yoshino, Shikaku's wife was sitting on a mat reading a book on the backporch, a content smile on her face as she looked up to watch Shikamaru and Shikaku train.

Shikamaru was getting big. He would probably be out of the Academy in a few more years. Canon would be here soon. I needed to plan for that.

"Troublesome, Misaki, good to see you both. Is there something I can help you with?" Shikaku said, lazily looking over his shoulder as he stuck a leg out and tripped Shikamaru, sending his son tumbling into the dirt.

"We apologize for the intrusion, Shikaku-sama." Misaki said, bowing to my Clan Head.

I shook thoughts of canon from my mind as I met Shikaku's questioning gaze. He was smart enough to know I hadn't shown up for no reason.

"Yeah, sorry to just drop in like this." I said aloud. Once the words were out of my mouth, I cast Telepathy and sent, 'You remember that time I made a jutsu that the Hokage classified at the highest levels?'

Shikaku's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly as his gaze flicked between Misaki and I.

"Yoshino? I think Shika deserves a break. Can you get him some lunch?" Shikamaru said. He was a good actor. The only reason I could tell that he was suddenly in business mode was because I'd spent so much time around him.

Yoshino seemed similarly perceptive, her gaze suspicious as she closed her book. She didn't voice any of her suspicions. "Of course, dear. Come on, Shika." She smiled brightly at me as Shikamaru practically sprinted into the house away from his father's training. "Come by again some time, Shinto. It's been so long since I've seen you. I'll cook us dinner and we can catch up!"

I bowed at the waist. "I would appreciate that, Yoshino-san." We'd crossed paths on occasion due to us both spending a lot of time with Shikaku, but I hadn't had many conversations with her. I'd need to remedy that in the future. She seemed like a really nice lady.

Once Yoshino closed the door behind her, Shikaku turned to Misaki and I, casting Telepathy to target us both. 'What's the breakthrough?'

Misaki swallowed nervously, puffing her chest out in a show of confidence as she sent a message back. 'I recently made a breakthrough in my fuinjutsu studies. Shinto brought me to you after I shared it with him.'

Shikaku's eyes flicked to me and he sent me a private message. 'Is this as big as you're presenting it?'

I smirked as I cast Telepathy to only him. 'How does a team of ANBU armed with explosive tags that explode multiple times sound?' If Misaki could get her recycling circuit thing to work, there was no reason you couldn't make a tag that exploded twice. You'd need to direct the explosion like a claymore so the seal didn't destroy itself, but it was probably possible.

Then again, maybe not. I wasn't the sealing expert here. That was the main reason I brought Misaki to Shikaku. I didn't know how to help her or exactly how impressive what she'd done was.

Shikaku let out a heavy sigh as he ran a hand back through his hair. He whistled softly and a deer emerged from the tree line, bounding over to him. He patted the deer on the neck and said, "Could you please tell Hiashi I'm coming to see him at his residence? Thanks."

The deer snorted, then turned and bounded off into the woods.

Misaki inhaled sharply. "Hiashi-sama?"

Shikaku shook his head. "You're not in trouble. In fact, it's the opposite. That's why we need to talk to him. I can't speak for his clan, so I can't handle this matter on my own."

Shikaku was trying to avoid stepping on political toes. If that was the case… "Should I wait here, then?" I asked. If this turned into a Hyuga thing then a random Nara may not be welcome in the mix.

Shikaku shrugged. "He'll probably be fine with us sitting in. Now come on, you two. Acorn will tell Hiashi we're coming. I don't want him to have to wait too long."

I looked off in the direction the deer ran in as I followed Shikaku. "The deer's name was Acorn?"

"They'll tell you if you ask." Shikaku said as if that explained everything, hands in his pockets and shoulders slumped as he led the way out of the compound.

The three of us didn't talk during the trip. We didn't rush, presenting the appearance that this was just a normal stroll through the village.

The only crack in the facade was Misaki nervously wringing her hands from time to time. After the third time she did it, I reached out and took her hand to give it a comforting squeeze. She tensed at the contact before squeezing my hand tight, sending me a thankful smile.

Shikaku led us up to the Hyuga Clan compound, stopping us just outside the gate. He walked up to a nearby tree and leaned against it, waiting. We weren't idle long.

A tall figure walked out from the gate to greet us, professional and composed. I had not interacted with this man, but I knew him by reputation – Hiashi Hyuga, the Hyuga Clan's head. Though Hiashi didn't look at me, I felt his vision on me. It took me a moment to realize his byakugan was active. The veins around his eyes were inflamed, but not to the same degree as Misaki's would bulge when she used her dojutsu. Did he manage to make it more subtle with training or was it a case-by-case basis thing?

"Shikaku," Hiashi greeted with a polite nod, his head turning towards Misaki and I. "May I inquire as to what this is about?"

Shikaku let out a long breath. "It's not something that should be discussed in the street. Could I impose on you to take us somewhere private?"

Hiashi's eyes narrowed minutely before he stepped to the side and held his hand out, welcoming us into the Hyuga Compound. "Please come with me."

The gate guards parted before us as Hiashi led us through the streets of the Hyuga compound. Our small group drew a lot of attention, but everyone steered clear of our path. Evidently, being led around by not one but two of Konoha's Clan Heads made people stay away from you.

It wasn't long until Hiashi led us into a building I'd never seen before. My excursions into the Hyuga Compound were only ever long enough to get to and from Misaki's home, so there was still a lot I hadn't seen. The building I was at now was tall, several storied and professional. It looked like an office building of some kind.

Hiashi directed us into an office on the second floor and closed the door behind us. "What is it you wished to discuss, Shikaku?" Hiashi said expectantly as he sat behind a desk, motioning for Shikaku to take a seat across from him. Misaki and I stood awkwardly off to the side, sharing an uncertain glance as we were not sure exactly what we should be doing right now.

Shikaku fell into the chair with a huff, then turned to look at Misaki. "Well?"

Hiashi followed my Clan Head's eye and looked at Misaki expectantly.

Misaki straightened her back and pulled the slip of paper out of her robe. "I made a seal. It… Shinto seems to think it is more impressive than it is."

Hiashi leaned forward, steepling his hands in front of him, his elbows resting on the desk. "Is this seal related to your side project?"

"Hai, Hiashi-sama. You will recall I was having issues supplying enough chakra to make use of my intended technique. I experimented with sealing, and was able to create this." She put the seal on the desk, channeling a small bit of chakra to break the genjutsu I'd placed over it so Shikaku and Hiashi could see it better.

Both Clan Heads leaned in for a better look as Misaki took them through everything she'd shown me about the seal's operations. The longer Misaki spoke, the more thoughtful Hiashi and Shikaku appeared to be.

When Misaki finished, she stepped back, shuffling anxiously as neither Shikaku or Hiashi spoke for a long while.

It took me a moment to realize the two of them were communicating silently with Telepathy. I had to force myself not to scowl. It was a little aggravating that they were using my own technique to keep me out of a conversation.

"That's that then." Shikaku said, standing up and rolling his shoulders. He placed a hand on my shoulder and started guiding me towards the door. "Come on, Shinto. Our part in this is done."

"I…Misaki, if you need anything come find me." I said quickly, caught off guard as Shikaku pushed me out of the room.

"I will!" Misaki called just as Shikaku closed the door behind us.

I turned to look up at my clan head with narrowed eyes. 'What was that? Why can't I stay to help her?' I said through Telepathy.

Shikaku looked unimpressed, raising a single eyebrow at me. 'Remind me, troublesome, how much do you know about sealing?'

My silence was telling.

'That's what I thought. Don't worry. Hiashi's just going to make sure Misaki realizes exactly what she just did and give her the help she needs to make her prototype function for its intended purpose.'

A frown was firmly in place on my face as Shikaku and I left the Hyuga Compound. Misaki had come to me for help, and I couldn't help her. Now I might have accidentally gotten her into trouble with her Clan because I'd sought out Shikaku for help.

I really wanted to know what was going on in that room I'd left behind.

X

Hiashi Hyuga held the small piece of paper in his hand, looking over the expertly drawn lines. With his eyes, he could see the miniscule brush strokes making up each greater line, each contributing to the greater effect of the seal itself.

While Hiashi was not as skilled in the sealing arts as some members of his clan, he was no novice. He recognized the revolutionary work in his hand; a creation made by a young woman not even twenty years old. Were he in a private setting, Hiashi might have allowed himself a proud smile. His efforts over these past years had borne fruit he had not anticipated.

"Misaki," Hiashi said at last, causing the girl to jump in surprise.

"Hai, Hiashi-sama?"

"Come with me." Hiashi stood from his desk and led Misaki to the door to his office.

Misaki followed obediently behind him. He could sense the confusion and anxiety in her, but she did not utter a question or word of complaint, likely fearing angering him. She need not have worried. Hiashi doubted she realized just what she had achieved.

Small in scale though her seal was, the sheer potential hidden within it was hard to accurately measure. Shikaku had initially tried to convince him to bring it directly to the Hokage, but he could not deny that the seal could be classified as a clan technique. Hiashi had supplied Misaki with a number of the materials she used in her sealing research, many having come from the Hyuga Clan's library. A discovery borne of the Hyuga's knowledge belonged to the Hyuga by rights. Had Hiashi left his argument at that, he likely would have angered Shikaku.

Though the technique was made and developed by a Hyuga, Hiashi was loyal to the leaf. He wanted what was best for Konoha, even if he saw to the prosperity of his clan first. Shikaku understood his position, and was placated by Hiashi's promise to pass along a completed version of the innovation once Misaki had time to perfect her breakthrough.

He would not, however, pass along what he now expected to be Misaki's greatest creation. When she first broached the idea of her intended goal, Hiashi had been skeptical. He had agreed more out of belief that Miaski working more closely with Shinto would hasten things along, but now, with this seal in his hand, he was beginning to believe.

It took more control than he would admit to keep from grinning in anticipation. How he longed to see a day where a Hyuga stood wreathed in regal lightning. Where a Hyuga proudly bore one of the greatest techniques of the vile village that sought to kidnap his daughter, to use her to birth their own clan in a disgusting act. Hiashi had rarely known true fury. When Kumo tried to take his daughter, when the Hokage allowed him to witness the interrogation of the men responsible, it had taken every measure of control he had to keep from erupting in rage.

How fitting it would be to see one of his clan obtain through cunning what their enemy had attempted to steal through cowardice.

The Hyuga Clan Head led Misaki through the compound, stopping before a single-story structure immediately next to the plot of land set aside for the Clan Head.

Hiashi heard a shocked inhale from behind him. Misaki was surprised he had brought her to this location. He could not fault her for that surprise. Few were the occasions where one other than himself was granted a direct audience with the Hyuga Clan's elders.

With his byakugan, Hiashi saw the elders converging in the main hall of the building. Like him, they had their byakugan active. They saw his coming and were preparing to meet with him without prompting. They knew he would not disturb them without good reason.

"Come along, Misaki." Hiashi said, leading the future of his clan into the building.

Misaki bowed her head in acknowledgement, but still did not speak.

Sat in a horseshoe around a small table were four figures. Age had bowed their backs and grayed their hair, but it had not sapped their strength. Each face was immutable as stone as Hiashi knelt across the table from them, motioning for Misaki to do the same.

"How may we help you, Hiashi-sama?" Goro Hyuga, eldest living member of the Hyuga Clan asked politely.

"Misaki requires instruction in the sealing arts. My limited mastery is insufficient to train her. I would ask for your aid in training her further." Hiashi said simply.

Misaki tensed next to him. Evidently, she had not expected to be brought here for further training.

Goro fixed Misaki with a scrutinizing gaze. "To what end?"

"Misaki has potential. Empty the library, unlock our vaults, do all in your power to foster her potential. I see in her a path to elevating the Hyuga to new heights." Hiashi said, setting the small seal down on the table in front of him.

Goro plucked the seal off the table and looked over it, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"You made this, girl?" Goro asked Misaki.

"Hai, Hyuga-sama." Misaki said, bowing her head.

Goro chuckled. "None of that. From now on, you will refer to me as sensei. Now come with me. I know just where to start with you."

Misaki followed Goro in a daze, seemingly not believing what her eyes showed her as she was led down into the underground library the Elders cared for.

Knowing his role in this had been played, Hiashi said farewell to the remaining elders and took his leave.

While the Hyuga were not as adept at sealing as the fallen Uzumaki, and Hiashi would hazard any clan to claim themselves the Uzumaki's equal in that regard, th Hyuga had amassed a breadth of knowledge on the subject due to their…antiquated practices. The Hyuga had always been zealous in their protection of their Clan's birthright; the Byakugan. This zealotry lead the Hyuga to seek out ways to prevent others from gaining their eyes. Sealing was determined the most effective path and studiously researched as a result.

The Hyuga libraries were likely only overtaken by the Hokage and Jiraiya of the Sannin in regards to knowledge of sealing.

Hiashi could only hope it would be enough to turn Misaki into a beacon his Clan could rally behind in the coming years, a light to guide the way for the rest of the Clan.