Konoha Notes

Chapter 397 Completed
Neji originally thought that Hiashi Hyuga sent him to the main family after special training so that he could start over as a sparring partner for the main family children.

This will waste his time and deplete his energy.

But he still went. However, this time his training partner was not Hinata Hyuga or Hanabi Hyuga, but Hiashi Hyuga himself.

This is absurd. Neji knew his own strength was worlds apart from that of the Hyuga clan leader and a Konoha Jonin.

Such training sessions will not improve the Japanese national team in any way.

Why?
Neji didn't ask. The branch family shouldn't inquire about the main family's will, and Hyuga Neji didn't want to ask either.

He would only choose to use this opportunity to try to discover the Soft Fist Technique - Bagua Sixty-Four Palms, which should have been a secret of the main family.

This part was not open to the branch family, but he relied on his previous status as a sparring partner for the main family to learn some of it from the Gentle Fist training that Hinata received.

Now, Neji is trying to explore the rest through training with Hiashi Hyuga.

He can do it, and he is capable of doing it.
-
Before Neji's Sage Mode training began, he was first taken to a laboratory in the western suburbs for a physical examination.

After his first training session with natural energy, he was scheduled for another examination.

Stepping off the cold medical equipment, Neji asked Kabuto, "Do Guy-sensei and the others also need to come here for a checkup?"

Kabuto, who was recording data, pushed up his glasses: "No, they don't need it."

"That Karin, is she also a trainee in Sage Mode?" Neji, who is usually not very talkative, asked a few more questions than usual.

"Karin's mission is currently limited to sensory training," Kabuto replied. "Her physical condition is far from being suitable for safe energy contact training at this stage."

"At this stage, you are the only trainee among the students."

physical fitness……

Neji fell silent. In the special training class, in terms of physical strength and resilience alone, Rock Lee, who regarded physical skills as everything, was definitely no less than himself.

Two detailed physical examinations were conducted, and the treatment received was completely different from that of Kai and his group.

And then there's Hiashi Hyuga's sparring session with someone whose purpose is unclear...

Perhaps the reason I am able to stand on this seemingly advanced path is not because Hyuga Neji's talent has been uniquely recognized.

Neji answered softly, "The reason you chose me... is because I'm from the Hyuga branch family, right?"

He felt a sense of relief when he said it.

The head of the main family's training progressed slowly, so a control group with similar bloodlines and abilities was needed. To make this control group more valuable, Hiashi personally provided him with the best physical techniques and judo instruction.

Those who separate from the family ultimately cannot escape the fate of becoming stepping stones or experimental subjects for the main family. This was true for his father, and it was true for him as well.

Dou finally put down the data tablet and pen in his hand.

"You overestimate Hyuga-kun's importance in this matter, Neji-kun."

Neji remained silent.

Kabuto raised his gaze slightly, landing on the bandage on Neji's forehead.

"I've heard about the Hyuga clan."

"It is said that the Hyuga clan is divided into the main family and the branch family, and very strict rules are enforced. Members of the branch family are marked with a cursed seal."

“That cursed seal is called Caged Bird.” “What a cruel name,” Kabuto said. “However, Neji-kun, perhaps the reason the Hyuga main family gave the cursed seal such a name is also a form of self-mockery.”

"What?" Neji couldn't hide the astonishment in his voice.

"Because of the cursed seal, the life and death of the Hyuga branch family are all tied to the main family."

"Because the main family possesses the authority of the cursed seal, and because of those unrestricted Byakugan, they cannot move freely for most of their lives, living under the gaze and covetousness of countless eyes." Kabuto Yakushi said calmly, "They can only rely on the branch family as a cage to protect themselves within that cage."

"Even if it weren't for Lord Shuji, the head of the Hyuga clan probably wouldn't be able to wield such a powerful department as the police department even now."

"Instead of focusing your mind on your own destiny, you should concentrate on cultivating immortal arts."

“When your wings are long enough to spread, open the cage that binds the bird…” Kabuto’s voice softened, “It will not be difficult for that person.”

Neji hadn't yet understood what Kabuto meant when he was told he could leave.

"Today's data is very valuable. Thank you for your hard work, Neji-kun."

After seeing off the thoughtful Hyuga Neji, Kabuto entered the core area of ​​the building's underground.

Compared to last month, the mother plant is now thicker and stronger.

Shuji stood in front of the mother plant, looking up at it.

“Lord Shuji.” Kabuto stepped forward and respectfully lowered his gaze. “The data from Hyuga Neji’s first adaptive training has been fully recorded. Subsequent physical examinations showed that all indicators were normal and no hidden injuries were found.”

"Ah."

"In addition, the Four-Tails' chakra sample was successfully imported yesterday." Kabuto's report turned to another core topic, "Current observations show that its fusion process with the existing One-Tails' chakra is smooth, and no unexpected rejection or conflict has occurred."

"Based on the current progress, once the fusion state of the One-Tailed and Four-Tailed chakra is completely stabilized, we can then import chakra samples from the Five-Tailed, Seven-Tailed, and Eight-Tailed in sequence to gradually complete the chakra nature change map."

“However,” Kabuto paused slightly, “according to the current model, even if we add the chakra properties of all the tailed beasts, it would probably still be difficult to raise it to the power level we envision.”

"It needs more nutrients to grow."

Shuji finally turned his gaze away from the mother tree and towards Kabuto.

Dou lowered his voice: "On the other hand, if we let it absorb natural energy on its own and return it to its original growth trajectory, it is very likely to induce an uncontrollable explosive growth."

"At that time, not only will its existence be impossible to conceal, but more importantly..."

"It may escape your control."

"After all, you do not yet possess the Rinnegan and do not have the eye power of the Otsutsuki clan to directly control the Ten-Tails."

Shuji frowned slightly and said, "Do you need me to get my eyes replaced?"

He also obtained three Sharingan eyes from Danzo.

“A Sharingan with three tomoe is not worthy of your power,” Kabuto said. “You need the highest level of eye to have that ability.”

“Or,” he suggested another path, “after collecting chakra samples from all the tailed beasts, we can try to harmonize the nature changes directly inside the mother tree.”

"With the connection you have already established with it, you may be able to become its jinchūriki directly."

"Take the unfinished tree into your body. Then, seek to replenish the energy that is ultimately missing and drives qualitative change."

(End of this chapter)