It is quite abstract that the Branch House is branded with the [Caged Bird Seal], yet some advanced [Gentle Fist] techniques still require the Main House's special permission.
When Neji Hyūga used [Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven] during the Chunin Exams, Hiashi Hyūga, watching from the audience, marvelled at Neji's terrifying talent and wondered if he flowed with the bloodline of the Hyūga Heavenly Ninja.
"Bang!"
A muffled thud erupted in the field. Natsu Hyūga's palm struck the target heavily, but the next instant, white smoke diffused, revealing a ruined block of wood.
"[Substitution Jutsu]?!"
Natsu Hyūga froze for a moment, her hand still in the striking posture, her eyes searching for Kiyoshi.
"I win."
Kiyoshi's voice came from beside Natsu Hyūga, and he patted her shoulder.
"Kiyoshi-kun, your speed is much faster than mine."
Natsu Hyūga lowered her [Gentle Fist] stance.
The so-called [Substitution Jutsu] is essentially a distraction technique where one quickly finds a piece of wood or object to replace the body, leading the opponent to believe the surprise attack was successful.
It is usually a trick that requires the caster to be much faster than the target.
"I used a trick to bypass your defense."
Kiyoshi shook his head.
Natsu Hyūga's [Gentle Fist] currently only covers a fan-shaped area in front of her body. While she can see behind her, she cannot defend that area.
Furthermore, due to the restriction of the [Caged Bird Seal], the blind spot behind her back remains a fatal flaw.
[You have comprehended the Trait: [Dark Walker (White)]]
[Trait: [Dark Walker (White)]]
[Requirement: Defeat the young Natsu Hyūga]
[Progress: (Completed)]
[Effect: Your eyes can see more details in the darkness than an ordinary person, and react to changes in surrounding objects]
[Note: Can be further advanced later]
The sound of the Trait panel filled Kiyoshi with delight.
It seemed that even picking the soft persimmon counted toward obtaining a Trait.
The only pity was that he didn't know too many people currently, and rashly challenging others would be seen as a provocation.
After the Trait notification ended, Kiyoshi felt a refreshing sensation in his eyes. The dim evening, under his gaze, brightened considerably.
Kiyoshi was quite satisfied with this Trait.
It would likely be amplified once he activates the [Sharingan], as his visual acuity would increase.
The [Sharingan] has many functions, but it does not have night vision.
With [Dark Walker (White)], Kiyoshi would actually have a home-field advantage at night.
"Then I'll be going now."
Natsu Hyūga picked up the gift box and said goodbye to Kiyoshi.
Just as she was leaving, Kiyoshi suddenly spoke:
"Does the trapped bird truly desire to remain forever in the cage, as a caged bird?"
"That... is to protect the Hyūga clan, to protect everyone in the clan."
Natsu Hyūga subconsciously touched her left cheek, which Ginka Hyūga had slapped, and slightly lowered her eyes.
The moment the words left her mouth, she gently touched her left cheek. A burning sensation from the slap still lingered on her delicate skin.
Ginka Hyūga had not hit her very hard, but the chakra inadvertently seeping in made the pain exceptionally clear.
After practicing [Gentle Fist] extensively, the chakra points in the hands adapt to chakra, making it easier to be released.
Most Main House members are quite reasonable, but there are still people like Ginka Hyūga.
She never concealed her disdain for the Branch House, nor did she shy away from disciplinary means.
Kiyoshi did not reply immediately, tilting his head up to look at the distant, darkening sky. The cold wind gently ruffled his hair.
"I see. If it were my bird, it might still long to soar freely in the sky again, attempting to peck open the door of the cage."
He finished, gently shaking his head, as if he spoke casually, or as if he hadn't expected a reply at all.
If Kiyoshi had been born into the Hyūga clan, he would definitely try every means to remove the [Caged Bird Seal]. He did not want to be a Branch House member who was inherently inferior to others.
"Soar freely in the sky again?"
Natsu Hyūga was stunned. She turned back and looked up at Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi's Uchiha robe accentuated his tall, slender frame, and the outline of his well-defined chest muscles was faintly visible.
His loose black hair hung down to his waist, swaying slightly in the wind, making him seem much taller than his peers.
Perhaps due to his training, his face had matured, making him look very strong.
This Kiyoshi made Natsu Hyūga feel he was far too mature for his age.
He was neither like the weak-looking peers nor the pure brutes she imagined from the Land of Lightning.
"Soar freely in the sky again?"
Natsu Hyūga repeated softly, a hint of imperceptible emotion flickering in her downward gaze.
It was a scenario she had never dared to imagine, too distant and too extravagant.
She tightly pursed her lips, adjusted the position of the gift box, and finally just said flatly:
"Kiyoshi-kun's perspective is quite interesting."
With that, she bowed politely and turned to walk into the distance.
Kiyoshi watched her retreating figure, a subtle curve forming at the corner of his mouth.
The caged bird might not dare to spread its wings immediately, but the seed once planted, will eventually sprout.
The Hyūga Branch House has never shown complete acceptance of their [Destiny].
It is only the [Caged Bird Seal] that forces many to suppress their inner thoughts and maintain an image of respect.
Attitude is the mask of the heart.
Kiyoshi's only goal now was to plant a seed in Natsu Hyūga's heart, but not to immediately recruit her.
The current Kiyoshi cannot undo the curse seal, so he can't make promises.
The future Natsu Hyūga grows up to be quite attractive, so this can be considered early investment.
With that thought, Kiyoshi turned and headed home.
If he continues to acquire Traits this way, his [Sharingan] will become very powerful, even without evolving.
Perhaps one day, a Trait will emerge that negates the side effects of the [Mangekyō Sharingan].
That way, Kiyoshi wouldn't need to transplant Hashirama's cells or clone a pair of [Mangekyō Sharingan] for his own use.
"These thoughts are too far ahead."
Kiyoshi shifted his focus to another matter.
That is, once he graduates early, will he be assigned to a three-person squad, or will he directly join the Uchiha Police Force as an honorable village security officer?
Or perhaps a medical ninja at the Konoha Hospital?
"Why hasn't the broken street lamp been fixed since yesterday?"
A muttering voice came from the dim alley.
This was a relatively narrow street.
"Hey, can you even see the road, walking so fast?"
The red-haired woman looked at Kiyoshi in the dark moonlight, borrowing the weak light from the working street lamp in the distance.
"I can see."
Kiyoshi looked back, surprised.
The red-haired woman had a hairpin clipped in her hair.
She wore a white outer garment with the [Uzumaki] clan crest tattooed on both shoulders. Below, she wore short, chainmail-like shorts, exposing her smooth thighs, which, paired with her long boots, gave her a unique and stylish look.
She looked youthful and beautiful.
***
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