radicalducati Chapter 192 Hyuga Neji
Chapter 192 Hyuga Neji
Within the tranquil and serene Hyuga clan's grounds, Hyuga Hiashi solemnly and dignifiedly instructed his beloved daughter, Hyuga Hinata, in her training. Beside him, Hyuga Neji knelt upright, listening attentively to Hiashi's teachings. Neji not only served as Hinata's sparring partner but also received meticulous instruction from Hiashi at any time.
Now, both of them have received personal training from Hyuga Hiashi and are diligently studying and practicing the Daoist Demon-Subduing Fist, passed down by Hyuga Kanan. This martial art has a significant effect on improving various basic physical qualities, making it an excellent training method for solidifying one's foundation. Currently, the entire Hyuga clan has mastered this technique, resulting in a substantial increase in the overall strength of the clan.
However, this style of boxing is most suitable for young children. Therefore, Hiashi Hyuga had already issued an order that all children, whether from the main family or branch families, must diligently practice this skill to build a solid foundation.
Hiashi Hyuga stood to the side, earnestly instructing Hinata Hyuga on her training movements. His gaze occasionally swept over Neji Hyuga, who was kneeling beside him, and a helpless sigh welled up in his heart.
Looking at his daughter, Hinata Hyuga, Hiashi Hyuga felt quite gratified. While her talent wasn't top-tier, it was still quite good. Especially in terms of her learning progress, Hinata had shown impressively rapid improvement. However, when compared to Neji Hyuga beside her, the difference was like heaven and earth, impossible to ignore.
Neji Hyuga gave Hiashi Hyuga the feeling of a shining star in the Hyuga clan. With just a little guidance, he could quickly grasp and master the basic techniques; after several lessons, he could use them with ease and even began to develop his own unique insights. This extraordinary talent and comprehension secretly amazed Hiashi Hyuga. He knew that Neji's potential was undoubtedly enormous, and if it could be fully explored and nurtured, he would surely become a pillar of the Hyuga clan one day.
Unfortunately, the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead became an insurmountable obstacle. When Hyuga Hiashi practiced the Byakugan training method passed down by Hyuga Kanan, he keenly perceived a thorny problem. Specifically, whenever branch family members of the Hyuga clan attempted to cultivate this technique, their progress was exceptionally slow. They would even reach a certain stage and then stagnate, seemingly trapped at a fixed level.
After thorough and meticulous investigation, Hiashi Hyuga finally focused his attention on the Caged Bird Seal, concluding that it was the culprit behind this phenomenon. If they continued to rely on the incompetent members of the main branch, the time required for the Hyuga clan to achieve a true rise would likely increase exponentially. The current elders of the main branch had long lost their ambition and become a malignant tumor hindering the Hyuga clan's development.
Faced with Hiruzen Sarutobi's forceful pressure demanding the Hyuga clan hand over the murderer, these elders showed no consideration for the potential repercussions on the clan. They unhesitatingly forced Hizashi Hyuga—their own blood brother—to take his place in death. Furthermore, they even secretly blackmailed Hizashi with Neji's life, compelling him to propose a plan to die in his brother's place.
He hadn't considered Hyuga Hizashi's current status and prestige within the branch family. If Hizashi were to die in his place, the branch family's attitude towards the main family would likely worsen. It would cause the relationship he had painstakingly cultivated between the main and branch families to rupture again, potentially leading to a split within the entire Hyuga clan. The branch family comprises 99% of the Hyuga clan; if a conflict were to erupt with the main family, the main family couldn't possibly use the Caged Bird Seal to kill all branch family members. In that case, the Hyuga clan, with its thousand-year history, would simply disappear from the ninja world as a part of its past.
For a clan to truly rise to power, it needs strong clan ninjas as its backing. Someone like Hyuga Kanan is undoubtedly the clan's most solid foundation. However, strong individuals are not easily cultivated. Even with the techniques taught by Hyuga Kanan, the real key lies in the necessary talent. Hyuga Neji's talent is already evident; with proper training, becoming a strong ninja is only a matter of time. However, the Caged Bird Seal restricts Neji's ambition to reach the pinnacle of the ninja world. Hyuga Hiashi no longer considers ordinary Kage-level ninjas a threat; he firmly believes that given more time, he can break through and reach Kage level. But with his own talent, he can only go so far.
For the first time, Hiashi Hyuga felt the limitations the Caged Bird Seal imposed on his clan's development. While the Caged Bird Seal ensured the clan's lineage wouldn't be severed and could continue for a long time, it also limited their chances of becoming a powerful clan like the Uchiha, relegating them to a supporting role dependent on Konoha. However, Konoha was no longer under the rule of the Senju clan. Tolerance for a high-ranking clan like the Hyuga was much lower, with some even resorting to suppression. Maintaining their previous strategies was no longer viable. Even with Hyuga Kanan's presence currently deterring Konoha's higher-ups from easily attacking the Hyuga clan, this deterrent would gradually weaken over time. Hiashi couldn't continue to rely on Kanan's help. If the Hyuga clan hadn't grown strong enough to challenge Konoha's leadership, the previous events could easily repeat themselves.
Hiashi Hyuga even considered having Kanan Hyuga help Neji break the Caged Bird Seal. This would allow Neji's talent to be fully realized, giving him a real chance to grow into a top-tier ninja. The Hyuga clan would then have another powerful ninja under their protection, achieving a level of influence comparable to the Uchiha clan, becoming one of the most powerful clans in the ninja world. In that case, no matter how Konoha changed, the Hyuga clan would be able to cope.
At this moment, Hyuga Neji narrowed his eyes slightly. He keenly noticed a detail—his uncle seemed to be daydreaming! He observed intently and found that his uncle seemed somewhat careless when teaching Hinata, unconsciously repeating many things.
However, despite his inner doubts and worries, Hyuga Neji chose to remain silent. He sat quietly in place, not disturbing his uncle, because he knew that everyone has moments of distraction. Perhaps his uncle was simply too tired? Or perhaps he was thinking about other important matters?
However, as time ticked by, Hyuga Neji's mood grew increasingly heavy. He couldn't help but think of his father. Although his uncle had told him that his father had gone on an extremely important mission, so many days had passed, and he still hadn't received any news about him. How could this not fill him with worry?
Hyuga Neji clenched his fists silently, a hint of unease in his eyes. He began to pray silently, hoping his father would return safely. At the same time, he secretly resolved to train even harder and become stronger. If his father were truly in danger, he would not hesitate to step forward and protect his family with his own power.
Hyuga Neji had mastered the martial arts style passed down to him by his family with great skill and had truly gained insight into it. When practicing, he could clearly sense himself gradually merging with nature, allowing his body to experience unimaginable improvements, and he knew that the purpose of this martial arts style was to strengthen the body's foundation.
If Hyuga Kanan knew, he would be extremely shocked by Hyuga Neji's extraordinary talent! Back then, when he was practicing this fist technique, it took him a considerable amount of time before he was finally able to enter the wondrous state of integrating himself into the natural environment! The achievement of this state was precisely to allow the body to gradually adapt to the effects of natural energy entering the body, and to make full preparations for absorbing and refining natural energy in the future.
Of course, this seemingly ordinary yet crucial basic martial art continuously enhances the body's internal energy level and strengthens its overall physical capabilities as the body adapts to natural energy. All of this lays a solid foundation for future physical evolution after successfully refining natural energy!
For ninjas, this fundamental fist technique is of paramount importance! It can significantly increase the total amount of chakra within a ninja's body, allowing the meridian system to accommodate a greater flow of chakra. In this way, whether using ninjutsu or taijutsu, it can fundamentally enhance their strength and power!
For Hyuga Neji, who is still developing, receiving training in this style of martial arts would allow his body to better adapt to the tempering of natural energy, thus paving a broad and smooth path for his future cultivation. It's no exaggeration to say that Hyuga Neji's talent surpasses even that of Hyuga Kanan. With Kanan's proper guidance, he could reach the Innate Realm in a much shorter time. However, to break through to the Golden Core Realm, he would need not only exceptional talent but also extremely high comprehension and a rare opportunity to achieve this advancement.