Chapter 13


    Hiashi had dedicated his entire life to studying Byakugan and Gentle Fist. No one in Ninja as the whole world could surpass him in these two aspects. Neji gained a lot after listening to Hiashi''s lifelong insights and reflections.


    Using the Byakugan''s ability to see through everything, Hiashi proposed two principles:<ul><li>Summarize the Present.</li><li>Describe the Future.</li></ul>


    This resulted from the continuous refinement and innovation of the Hyuga n''s millennia-long heritage. Although specific techniques and methods hadn''t been created yet, they had already pointed the way for the future evolution of the Hyuga n. It might take two or three generations before a Hyuga member could stand on the shoulders of their ancestors and, using this as a starting point, develop new Gentle Fist techniques or even entirely differentbat styles.


    Like Hiashi, his chakra points were sealed, making it impossible to release them. However, he used the gaps left by his broken hands and shifted chakra points to release some chakra threads.


    This tiny amount of chakra couldn''t help him cut the chains on his body but could precisely and quickly remove Hinata''s and his own eyes. Wasn''t this a new use of Gentle Fist created by urately summarizing his "present" situation?


    Though it had limited use.


    Neji stroked his chin, feeling that these two principles strangely matched the abilities he unlocked after advancing his Byakugan.


    In a way, [Insight], [Analysis], and even [Replication] could be considered ways to "summarize the present." Could he use these abilities to forge a future?


    [Insight] and [Analysis] were easier to understand. The former could help Neji predictbat trajectories and find the weakest point in his opponent''s actions to break through. Thetter could help Neji master and develop different ninjutsu, somewhat aligning with the principle of "describing the future."But what about [Replication]?


    Creating something from nothing and learning from one to infer many things sounded cool, but the chakra consumption was too exaggerated. Neji didn''t quite believe that chakra alone could replicate everything.


    Perhaps it was because Neji acquired the [Replication] ability too early and needed to study and develop it deeply. This ability only had the "present," not the "future."


    "Actually, Hanabi isn''t dead. I broke my promise at the time and didn''t kill her." Neji said this would be theirst meeting before the n assembly, and Hiashi generously shared the Hyuga n''s core heritage.


    Hiashi was stunned, then slowly nodded:


    "Thank you."


    Neji picked up the unconscious Hinata, ready to leave, when Hiashi''s voice suddenly came from behind:


    "Hanabi is very talented. I once considered abandoning Hinata and grooming Hanabi as the future n leader. If you manage to kill all the Hyuga in a few days… take her with you. She would make a good subordinate."


    Neji turned around, surprised: "Do you know how precarious the life of a rogue ninja is?"


    And you still dare to let your daughter go with me?


    "I understand one truth: don''t put all your eggs in one basket," Hiashi calmly said.


    "Do you know why I must annihte the Hyuga?" Neji shook his head, thinking the older man was losing it. "Aren''t you afraid I''ll gouge out her eyes?"


    "I believe she can bring you far more value than a pair of Byakugan." Hiashi replied.


    This reason was very tenuous.


    Neji slowly figured it out. He thought for a moment and asked:


    "Who are you wary of in Konoha?"


    "Danzo, Uchiha?"


    "Surely not the Third Hokage?"


    "You''d rather trust me, the killer, than your colleagues in Konoha?"


    Hiashi was silent for a moment, then slowly said:


    "Your father Hizashi''s death was actually…"


    "It was Konoha''s way of giving the Hyuga n a hard time, I know." Neji waved his hand, not letting him continue with the old grievances.


    Hiashi pursed his lips, not correcting Neji''s mistake of saying "your Hyuga n" instead of "our Hyuga n." He forcefully shook his head to drive away the insects crawling into his empty eye sockets and continued:


    "You''re smart, so you should understand the basis of my request for you to do thisst thing."


    "If the Hyuga n could maintain half its strength, I could trust my colleagues in Konoha and let Hanabi stay in the vige."


    "But the possibility of the Hyuga n retaining its strength after the n assembly is very slim. Among the survivors you nned for the Hyuga n, there are probably only two juniors'' ces."


    "One of them is your brother, but he is protected by the Caged Bird, so in the eyes of my colleagues, the only real target worth attacking is Hinata… Having just one is fine; most people wouldn''t want to see somethingpletely eradicated. Having one more Hanabi would make things worse."


    Neji nodded slightly. He hadn''t expected that casually mentioning Hanabi''s survival would prompt the old n leader to make arrangements and list so many seemingly reasonable reasons.


    "And in my view, their chances of survival in continuing the Hyuga legacy are less than yours, which is why I hope you can take Hanabi away," Hiashi continued.


    Entrusting his daughter to a killer, making her an aplice, was not a decision a father could make. Still, as the Hyuga n leader, it was the best solution to ensure the n''s continuity under dire circumstances.


    Essentially, it was no different from passing on the n''s core heritage to Neji.


    Passing on the Hyuga legacy was about teaching; letting Neji take Hanabi was about passing on people.


    "We''ll see." Neji said nomittally, carrying Hinata out of the room.


    At the study entrance where Hiashi mentioned the secretpartments, a figure approached from not far away.


    "Koh was cleaning up the paint spill. I''m just tidying up." Hanabi''s voice came from behind.


    "Bandage her eye," Neji said, handing the unconscious Hinata to Hanabi. Then he walked into the study himself.


    On the left wall is a secret room requiring summoning.


    Finding a dark wall with an apparent mysterious aura on the left side, Neji bit his finger and was about to perform the summoning technique ording to Hiashi''s instructions when he suddenly stopped.


    Neji stared at the dark wall with an uncertain expression, then used the Shadow Clone Technique, letting the clone stand before the wall while he retreated outside the study.


    Although Hiashi seemed like a dying man speaking kindly and giving Neji various instructions and requests, who knew if it was his final act to trap Neji? After all, Neji was about to annihte the Hyuga n!


    If killing Neji would solve all the Hyuga n''s crises, wouldn''t Hiashipromise with Neji because he saw little hope for their side?


    Using the clone to observe the symbols on the wall and confirming it was just a regr summoning technique, Neji nodded slightly. The clone took blood from Neji''s finger, performed the hand seals, and summoned!


    Boom!


    With a loud rumble, the dark wall started to rotate, revealing a narrow secret room.


    Neji''s breath almost stopped when the clone came out holding twelve pairs of Byakugan.


    He nced at the small text on his retina:


    [Essence Collected: 7.1%]


    Then eagerly grasped the Byakugan.


    After a while, Neji opened his eyes.


    The Byakugan in his hand had turned to dust!


    [Essence Collected: 59.6%]