Capítulo 10: Chp-10: The Gentle Fist has Limits!
The atmosphere in the clan hall was oppressively tense as if the air itself had solidified. Hyuga Mizuki and the other elders' eyes were locked onto Hyuga Satoru.
After a moment of silence, Satoru spoke, his face showing a hint of bitterness.
"I wanted to go to the clan's training ground, but most of the people training there are Chunin and Genin. I'm not even a ninja yet, so how could I compete with them? I could only train at home every day."
"The ability of the Magnetic Release bloodline is something I only recently developed. Before that, I knew very little about bloodline limits. My parents passed away early, leaving me to live alone without the energy to think about much else."
After speaking, Satoru fell silent. In this situation, the best strategy was to play the victim and act ignorant. He was a small, insignificant figure in the clan, and even the main family likely had little information about him.
Hyuga Mizuki exchanged glances with the surrounding elders. They had indeed investigated Satoru's situation. If it weren't for the double bloodline issue, he was one of the most inconspicuous members of the clan, someone few would pay attention to.
Nodding, Mizuki's voice softened slightly. "Since you've awakened another bloodline limit, we won't let you live as you did before. Starting today, your living expenses will be tripled."
Ha! So they've recognized my value and are investing in me?
Although Satoru was scornful inside, he still bowed respectfully, as this was one of his goals.
"Thank you, Clan Leader."
Mizuki nodded and then looked at Satoru with a more serious expression. "I've heard that after awakening the Magnetic Release, you've shown some disdain for the Gentle Fist. But you must understand that our Hyuga clan has stood strong in the ninja world for hundreds of years because of the Gentle Fist and the Byakugan."
Satoru sneered internally. This information undoubtedly came from Iroha.
"Clan Leader, may I ask, the Gentle Fist has allowed our Hyuga clan to stand strong for hundreds of years, but has it ever changed during that time?"
Mizuki thought for a moment. "The Gentle Fist has undergone some evolution since its inception, but it has remained largely unchanged, becoming the most suitable technique for our clan to handle any situation for centuries."
"Since it can handle any situation, may I ask, Clan Leader, can the Gentle Fist handle a tailed beast?"
"This…"
Mizuki was momentarily speechless.
"I've heard that the neighbouring Uchiha clan has the ability to contend with tailed beasts, yet despite being on par with the Uchiha, we Hyuga don't have such capabilities."
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Mizuki's tone grew more impatient.
Satoru paused and then spoke softly, "The Gentle Fist has its limits."
"Insolence!"
As soon as Satoru finished speaking, a powerful aura erupted from Mizuki, filling the hall with a heavy sense of oppression.
The branch family guard beside Satoru trembled and bowed deeply, a bitter smile on his face, and a cold sweat trickled down his forehead.
He couldn't understand why Satoru would bring up such a sensitive topic. The main family elders were extremely sensitive about this issue.
"The Gentle Fist may have its limits, but do other abilities not have limits? Our Hyuga clan has stood strong for so long because of the foundation of the Gentle Fist and the Byakugan. Don't think that just because you've awakened the Magnetic Release, you can follow another path. Let me tell you, compared to the Gentle Fist, the Magnetic Release is worthless!"
Satoru sneered internally. He had only spoken half of his thoughts. The full version was: The Gentle Fist has its limit so thato I won't practice it!
If Mizuki had heard the second half, he would probably have been furious.
Not to mention that the Gentle Fist lacked long-range capabilities. The only technique, Air Palm, was still close-range, limiting the Gentle Fist's potential. The rigid training of the Gentle Fist also hindered Hyuga ninjas from developing other abilities of the Byakugan.
The Gentle Fist might have once been the foundation of the Hyuga clan's strength, but now it had become a shackle, like the Caged Bird seal.
It might have been well-intentioned initially, but over time, it had turned into a double-edged sword.
Mizuki impatiently waved his hand. "Enough, this discussion ends here. You may leave."
"Yes."
As Satoru and the branch family guard left, Mizuki looked at the young man standing behind him and asked sternly.
"Hiashi, what do you think of Hyuga Satoru?"
Hyuga Hiashi, whom Mizuki valued highly as a successor, had been brought along to observe and learn.
Hiashi thought for a moment. "Since he's the first double bloodline ninja in our history, his future development is undoubtedly promising. However, his lack of focus on the Gentle Fist may become an obstacle in his path."
Mizuki snorted coldly.
"Abandoning the study of the Gentle Fist to pursue some obscure abilities will limit his achievements. He is, after all, just a branch family member."
Hiashi opened his mouth to say something but ultimately remained silent.
...
Outside the hall, the branch family guard wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking at Satoru with concern.
"Satoru, you were too bold, daring to criticize the Gentle Fist in front of the Clan Leader."
Satoru shook his head. "I was just telling the truth."
"You… Do you know that if the Clan Leader had wanted to punish you, you could have been subjected to the Caged Bird punishment?"
"I understand."
"Then why did you say it?" The guard looked at him in confusion.
Satoru's eyes flickered. This was his first encounter with the main family's leadership. He had to probe them, but the results were disappointing. The clan was too rigid and stubborn, with no hope of change.
If he remembered correctly, there was a plot in the Naruto anime where a ninja from the Hidden Cloud tried to kidnap Hinata, leading to his death by Hiashi. To appease the Cloud, a high-ranking Hyuga elder suggested that Hiashi's brother, Hizashi, should be a scapegoat. That elder was likely Mizuki, the current clan leader.
Hiashi and Hizashi were probably his sons. Persuading one son to have his brother be a scapegoat showed how rigid and corrupt his mindset had become!
Thinking this, Satoru scratched his head and smiled at the guard.
"Thanks for your concern, Uncle. By the way, I don't even know your name."
Since his transmigration, he had been living alone. Today, at least this guard had shown him some kindness.
"Hyuga Hiiragi. You can call me Uncle Hiiragi."
"Alright, Uncle Hiiragi."
Hiiragi seemed to remember something and looked into the distance with a nostalgic expression.
"Before your father passed away, he and I used to go on missions together. We didn't talk much, but I could tell he was a very honest man."
"My daily duties are many, so besides delivering your stipend, I haven't been able to interact with you much. But if you have any training questions, feel free to come to me."
"Thank you, Uncle Hiiragi."
Satoru smiled. As an upper-class ninja, even if he didn't follow the Gentle Fist, there should be things to learn from him.
"By the way, Uncle Hiiragi, I have a favour to ask." Satoru hesitated.
"What is it?"
"I'm a bit tight on money lately. Can you advance me this month's living expenses?"
"Is that so?"
Hiiragi thought for a moment. The Hyuga clan had a monthly budget for clan members' stipends. The Clan Leader had just tripled Satoru's stipend. He was planning to go to the finance department, so taking it now shouldn't be breaking any rules.
"Sure."
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