Inside the Hyuga clan's main house dining room, the four members of Hinata's family were enjoying breakfast together at the table.
Hyuga Keiko, while taking care of Hanabi, looked at her eldest daughter with surprise, as if seeing her for the first time.
Even Hyuga Hiashi, who was sitting upright and eating breakfast in a rigid manner, was stunned, his chopsticks frozen in mid-air.
Hinata had already eaten three servings of breakfast and was now working on the last one. They couldn't fathom how Hinata's unchanged, flat stomach could hold so much.
Both Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Keiko revealed expressions of guilt. Their daughter could eat so much, and they hadn't noticed it for so many years.
"Father, I'm finished."
Hinata put down the porcelain bowl, her face flushed with embarrassment. Her soft voice brought Hyuga Hiashi back to his senses. He nodded gently and put down his own chopsticks, looking at Hinata with a serious expression.
"Fath, Father..."
Seeing her father's suddenly serious demeanor, she thought she had eaten too much and made him unhappy. She lowered her head in fear, but she didn't apologize at the drop of a hat like she used to.
Hyuga Hiashi nodded with some relief, exchanged a glance with Hyuga Keiko, and said apologetically, "Hinata, we are sorry for not noticing all this time."
"Ah?" Hinata hadn't reacted yet.
"Hinata, so-called Chakra generally refers to the product of the average mixture of self-spiritual energy and physical energy." Hyuga Hiashi said seriously, looking at the small Hinata with a serious face, his expression softened a little.
"However, what is produced first by the mixture of physical energy and spiritual energy is physical strength. Physical strength is the basis for launching taijutsu, and physical strength can be converted into Chakra in the body. After a Ninja extracts Chakra, they can use ninjutsu."
Seeing Hinata's expression of understanding but not quite, as if she didn't know what he was talking about, Hyuga Hiashi continued to explain.
"Our Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist is a taijutsu that combines Chakra and the bloodline limit. Using taijutsu consumes physical strength, and physical strength consumption requires replenishment of physical energy. Eating is the best way to replenish physical energy."
Hinata understood what her father was trying to say, but she still lowered her head shyly, ready to emit steam at any moment.
Hyuga Hiashi was somewhat helpless about his daughter's personality, but he was no longer as disgusted as he had been. If she really changed completely because of a blond-haired kid, he, as a father, would have no place to cry.
Hyuga Hiashi continued to patiently persuade, "You don't need to be ashamed of your large appetite. A larger appetite than usual also means that your physical strength is better than others, and the amount of Chakra you can extract is also more than others. This is your talent in cultivation."
"So, Hinata, you can boldly express any needs you have. Moreover, as the eldest daughter of the Hyuga family, it's okay to be a little more greedy."
As the head of the clan, Hyuga Hiashi couldn't help but put on the appearance of a clan leader even when expressing concern for his daughter. The expression on his face was quite serious, making Hinata a little nervous and unable to speak. The awe of her father had accumulated over a long period of time, and even if Hinata wanted to change, she couldn't do it all at once.
And at this time, it was Hyuga Keiko's turn to appear.
She put the comforted Hanabi into Hyuga Hiashi's arms, then leaned close to Hinata, who still had a hesitant expression, and whispered.
"Hinata, isn't today's breakfast still not enough?"
Because she found that even after eating three more servings of breakfast, Hinata's appearance was still not much different from usual.
Hinata hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded shyly. If eating more could make her stronger, if she still didn't admit it because of shyness, wouldn't she still be no different from before?
Hyuga Keiko showed a gentle smile on her face and said, "Then how much do you think is better, Hinata?"
"If you really want to become stronger, you should first fill your stomach. You can't become stronger on an empty stomach."
Hinata touched her small belly and felt it, thought for a while, and then said in a low voice, "An, three more servings will be enough."
Hyuga Keiko's eyes widened slightly, and her eyes couldn't help but turn red. Looking at her eldest daughter's sensible appearance, she didn't know what to say. She must be very uncomfortable if she couldn't get enough to eat every day.
She couldn't help but glare fiercely at Hyuga Hiashi, who also had a stunned look. He always had a serious face at home, causing his daughter to be afraid to say that she was hungry. After he turned his head away, Hyuga Keiko retracted her gaze, feeling equally self-reproachful in her heart.
"I'm sorry, Hinata, Mom never noticed."
"It's okay, Mom, it won't happen again..."
...
After breakfast, Hyuga Hiashi, after strengthening the protection of Hinata and her mother and sister, went out again with several Jonin.
Sarutobi Hiruzen required the Hyuga clan to use their Byakugan to scout the entire village at all times, and to report any suspicious people or events to the Hokage.
For any Ninja village, a bloodline limit is the bottom line, let alone being openly stolen in their own village.
Hyuga Hiashi did not tell his family about this matter. He only told the mother and daughter not to go out recently. The village leaders also did not want this matter to be leaked. An Anbu being killed and a bloodline being stolen also concerned the reputation of a great Ninja village.
Inside the Hyuga clan compound.
Dust flew in the training ground as two small figures clashed fiercely. Hinata and Hyuga Neji exchanged blows, their movements agile.
Hinata's face was full of determination as she used all her skills to resist Hyuga Neji's attacks with Gentle Fist.
However, Hyuga Neji's talent was fully displayed in Gentle Fist. Despite his young age, his fist techniques, footwork, rhythm, and use of the Byakugan had far surpassed his peers. He used the Byakugan to see the flow of Chakra in Hinata's body, attacking precisely with Gentle Fist, making every blow hit a vital point.
In contrast, Hinata's performance seemed somewhat inadequate, at least in the current practice. If you looked closely, you would find red dots scattered on her arms, special marks left by Hyuga Neji's Gentle Fist strikes.
Although Hinata had vowed to make a change, the difference in training over the years and the age gap made it unlikely that Hinata could catch up with the Hyuga's number one genius, Hyuga Neji, in a short period of time.
However, Hyuga Neji was quite surprised in his heart. He had been Hinata's sparring partner since he was a child, so he knew all the characteristics of Hinata's Gentle Fist.
Two words to describe it would be indecisive and sloppy. Her fist techniques were rigid, looking like she was just imitating, doing prescribed movements, full of flaws, without a soul, looking impressive, but only superficially.
But today's Hinata was different. Hyuga Neji could clearly feel that her movements were more sharp and agile, and she had become more flexible in parrying. Unlike before, when she only knew how to block, now she would seize the opportunity to counterattack in the gaps between blocking.
Hyuga Neji didn't understand why Hinata would suddenly change like this, but looking at the incomparably determined Hinata in front of him, who was no longer the cowardly Hinata of the past, he couldn't help but feel a burst of irritability in his heart.
Clearly, she had no talent, but because of her birth, she was destined to stand above him, and no matter how high his talent was, no matter how hard he tried, he would never be able to break free from his fate.
The son of a scapegoat may even have to die for the main family.
"Hinata-sama, give up. You can't beat me now."
Hyuga Neji unconsciously increased the strength in his hand, knocking Hinata back with one blow, his eyes cold, and his tone a little impatient.
Considering Hinata's status as the main family's young lady, he had already held back, only hoping that Hinata would end the boring battle as soon as possible.
Clearly, she was from the main family, but her strength was weak.
And such a guy would require countless branch families to sacrifice their lives to protect her.
Looking at the panting Hinata in front of him, Hyuga Neji felt even more angry, but he was helpless.
Hinata stood up shakily and once again assumed the starting stance of Gentle Fist.
"Neji-niisan, I hope you can use your full strength."
Hyuga Neji clenched his fists when he heard this, his brows furrowed. He didn't know what was wrong with Hinata today.
He looked up at Keiko, who was holding Hanabi to the side. She was also frowning, her face full of worry.
"Mom, this is my own battle."
Hinata looked at Keiko with a serious expression. Before the other party could speak, she continued, "I want to know exactly how big the gap is between me and Neji-nii, so that I can have a real goal, so that I won't be powerless anymore."
Hinata's words did not improve Neji's mood in the slightest, but instead made him even more irritable.
This guy, she's already the head family's young lady, wouldn't it be fine to just obediently be a useless person protected by the branch family? Why does she have to show that kind of expression?
Neji clenched his fists. Seeing this, Keiko's expression became even more worried and hesitant. She wanted to refuse, but after seeing Hinata's determined expression, she couldn't bring herself to say the words of refusal, and finally nodded silently.
The two fought again. This time, Neji's attacks were like a storm, and the strength in his palms was even more fierce. In just a moment, Hinata fell down again.
This time, she couldn't stand up. Gentle Fist is a palm technique that injects Chakra into the enemy's body. Neji used his Chakra to block all the meridians in Hinata's body. She couldn't stand up in a short time.
Hyuga Keiko also quickly stepped forward to check Hinata's injuries.
"Let's end it here for today. I'll take my leave first."
Looking at Hinata, who was leaning in Hyuga Keiko's arms with blood flowing from the corner of her mouth, Neji spoke in a cold tone, bowed slightly to Hyuga Keiko, whose face was a little unsightly, and turned to leave.
"Neji-nii."
Hearing the sudden voice from behind, Neji stopped and frowned at Hinata.
"See you tomorrow."
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