Naruto: I, Shikotsumyaku, Byakugan Princess

Chapter 236 Divine Sky Strike

The Chunin Exams are just around the corner.

Sasuke chose to sign a contract with Hairi in exchange for the precious Lightning Blade and the method to super-evolve his Sharingan, while Naruto, on the recommendation of Hiruzen Sarutobi, inherited Kazama Etsu's still-imperfect Lightning Shuttle.

Meanwhile, others were also making preparations in full swing.

Hyuga Residence.

A Japanese garden decorated with artificial hills and flowing water, filled with shouts and the sounds of bodies colliding.

The two figures moved swiftly, their feet stepping on the Bagua symbol and their hands holding blue light. Each collision produced a muffled sound like rain hitting loquats.

The two attacked and defended, advanced and retreated, their blue light drawing arcs in the space, creating a dazzling effect that complemented their butterfly-like figures.

Hiashi Hyuga stood with Neji Hyuga behind his back in the courtyard, his brows furrowed as he watched his two daughters fight.

Hinata's talent is truly disappointing, considering she is the future heir of the main family.

She was five years older than Hanabi, but their fighting abilities were almost the same, and Hanabi was even slightly better!
Although he didn't activate his Byakugan to observe, he could still notice Hinata's abnormal breathing rhythm. Her stamina and chakra were almost exhausted, and it was only a matter of time before she was defeated by Hanabi.

Despite having the advantage in chakra and age, her stamina was exhausted first due to her rough Gentle Fist technique, loose strength, crude fighting style, and chaotic footwork.

Really...

Hiashi Hyuga shook his head almost imperceptibly, unsure of what to say.

How can someone with such low-level talent inherit the position of head of the main family?
"Who do you think is more suitable to inherit the main family, Hinata or Hanabi?" Hiashi Hyuga suddenly turned to look at Neji.

"It's all right."

Neji didn't even give the other person a proper look; he simply couldn't be bothered with the head of the main family's probing.

As a lowly branch family member, how could he be qualified to discuss the succession of the main family head?

Besides, is it any different for him, a caged bird, whether it's Hinata or Hanabi? It's just a change of master.

Only Gray Glass can give him the sky and freedom he desires!

Thinking of those cold, lifeless eyes, Neji curled up the corners of his mouth into a gentle smile. He couldn't wait to let the Hyuga main family see those eyes.

What will Hiashi Hyuga's expression be like then?

His heart was filled with anticipation.

Having received no meaningful answer, Hiashi Hyuga stared into Neji's cold eyes, his emotions a complex mix of feelings.

The conflict between the main family and the branch family is sharp, and everyone is well aware of it. It is normal for Neji to harbor hatred because Hyuga Hizashi died for him and Hinata.

If the other party is very friendly, he should be wary.

A sigh escaped my lips.

His brother's death was equally unacceptable to him. The strict system of the main and branch families made it impossible for him to personally put either Hanabi or Hinata into the caged bird trap!
He even considered abolishing the caged bird policy because of this.

Of course, he only thought about it for a moment.

Although he is the head of the main family, the main family is not a place where he can have absolute power.

After the "caged bird" system is abolished, everyone becomes a member of the clan. How will the clan's resources be allocated? Who will be responsible for chores such as guarding the clan's territory, training with members, and cleaning?
The main family members, who were used to serving and protecting the branch family, suddenly become ordinary people. Can they get used to this change?
With their interests severely damaged, these clan members will inevitably vehemently oppose it.

The eldest elder, in particular, expelled his daughter, who died in battle, from the main family and even removed her from the Hyuga clan, all so that his youngest son could rightfully become the eldest son and a member of the main family.

If he were to be told at this moment that the system of main and branch families had been abolished, all his efforts would have been in vain... Hyuga Hiashi could hardly imagine how intense the Grand Elder's reaction would be!
Moreover, the family has been enslaved for thousands of years, and anger and hatred are deeply buried in their bones. After the curse of the caged bird is lifted, who can guarantee that internal strife will not be stirred up?
How can you protect your eyes from being rolled back?

All these factors combined made it impossible for Hiashi Hyuga to rashly change the clan rules.

Keeping it as it is would allow this distorted state to continue, but if things are altered too much, the Hyuga ship might sink to the bottom of the sea.

All he could do was protect his daughter.

Fortunately, Hinata's talent was weak, which allowed him to use that as an excuse to delay marking Hanabi with the Caged Bird Seal. If she were marked with that monstrous thing, there would be no turning back!

"You've seen Hinata's strength. This Chunin Exam is quite unusual. I hope you can protect her for me, and of course, protect yourself as well."

Thinking of his younger brother, Hiashi Hyuga added a word of advice: Neji was ultimately much closer to him than the other members of the branch family.

"Yes."

Still expressionless, Neji watched the childish battle unfold before him, his face growing even colder.

Just as the two were talking, the stalemate on the field suddenly changed.

The sounds of flesh colliding were incessant.

Wearing a pure black training uniform, Hyuga Hanabi had disheveled hair and a slightly gloomy aura. Her hands flipped like butterflies, and the Bagua Palm she struck was extremely powerful. Every swing of her palm was full of force and momentum.

Conversely, Hinata, who is in opposition to Hinata, although her control over the rules is solid and orderly, is noticeably sluggish in her actions and has clearly fallen into a disadvantageous position.

boom!
Another palm strike.

The slow-witted Hinata hastily tried to defend herself, but was struck by the immense force and fell into a state of paralysis.

Hinata Hanabi's eyes lit up. Seizing this fleeting opening, she took a half-step forward, her body arching like a bow, and thrust her five fingers together straight at Hinata's face!

Soft Fist Basics: Thrusting Hands!

Call ~
Hinata's four fingers converged, the dark blue light magnified infinitely, and the veins around her eyes bulged. Her deep blue hair stuck to her forehead, clearly indicating that she was already exhausted. Faced with this attack, she was powerless to resist and could only turn her head to narrowly avoid the stabbing hand.

Blue fingertips tore at Hinata's hair by her ear, and Hanabi's shoulder muscles twitched, her stabbing hand instantly turning into a downward chop.

Soft Fist Basics: Clothing and Armor!

Peng!
The palm heel, gathering chakra, struck Hinata's left shoulder like a heavy hammer. Chakra instantly rushed into her pressure points, and Hinata groaned as she tried to resist, but her right arm felt like it didn't belong to her and she couldn't lift it at all.

In the Baguazhang duel, one of his arms was crippled, clearly indicating that the outcome was already decided!

"Sister, are you okay?"

Hinata Hanabi put away her Baguazhang stance, supported Hinata who was clutching her shoulder in unbearable pain, and asked softly.

Hinata's forehead was covered in sweat, but her eyes remained gentle as she faced her sister who had injured her.

"I……"

"waste!"

A cold rebuke interrupted the sisters' conversation, and Hinata instinctively shrank her neck.

After the battle ended, Hiashi Hyuga brought Neji over, and the disappointment and disdain in his eyes made Hinata feel as if something was blocking her heart.

"You can't even beat Hanabi, who's five years younger than you. I think you'd be better off not going to the Chunin Exams this time, so you don't lose face or your life."

Hinata bit her lower lip, lowered her head, and trembled like a frightened rabbit.

Soon after, tears began to drip from the tip of her nose.

Seeing Hinata's weak appearance, Hiashi Hyuga felt a surge of anger. The head of the main family may not be good at fighting, or may have mediocre talent, but he should never act like a doormat.

How can someone with this kind of personality shoulder the burden of the Hyuga clan!

"What a disappointment."

After glancing one last time at Hinata, who was hanging her head, Hiashi Hyuga, along with Hanabi, turned and walked out of the courtyard.

"Little Firework did a good job, but you can't be arrogant. You should learn more from Neji..." The voices outside grew weaker and weaker until they became a completely indistinct jumble of noise.

"Have you found the handkerchief you said you lost last time?"

Neji felt disgusted looking at Hinata's cat-like cowering body.

If he cannot break the curse of the Caged Bird Seal, even if he becomes a ninja comparable to the Hokage in the future, he will not be able to break free of the bondage and will have to risk his life to protect this frail young lady when necessary. How unfair is fate!

"I...I couldn't find it." Hinata shook her head, tears dripping from her nose and wetting the ground.

"Still haven't found it? How long are you planning to search?"

Plop...plop...tears flowed uncontrollably, Hinata's head hung low and her shoulders trembled.

Neji's Byakugan stared intently at Hinata, like a vicious wolf eyeing a white rabbit.

Over the years, he had thoroughly searched the library. With the help of Hinata, the future head of the main branch, he even managed to unlock the seal on the only scroll at the top of the shelf and examine it once.

It was not the Caged Bird Seal he had imagined, but a physical technique called Divine Void Strike.

To be precise, it should be called God's Sky Strike!

It combines Yin and Yang Bagua Palm into one, a legendary martial art that only gods can perform!
At the time, he wanted to copy down the physical techniques inside the scroll and give them to Hui Li, but he found that there was a seal on the cultivation secrets inside the scroll. Even Hinata did not know how to open it. It was likely a secret that only the head of the family was qualified to know.

So, after consulting with Hairi, he urged Hinata, the mole, to search for a way to break the Caged Bird Seal and the Divine Sky Strike in Hiashi Hyuga's room.

But I never expected to have gained nothing after so long.

Logically, it shouldn't be this hard to find.

Even if Hinata is useless, her Byakugan is definitely not useless; finding a scroll at home is already quite easy for her.

"Keep looking, the dirt is hard to get rid of, it's a real hassle!"

Now that they were in the main family compound, Neji could no longer press the matter. The burning seal on his forehead was a constant reminder of his lowly status.

Only by finding the scroll to break the curse on the caged bird can we deal with the main family.

Otherwise, all of them, the branch families controlled by the cursed seal, would die, either from the cursed seal itself or from being controlled to attack Gray Glass and ultimately die at her hands.

Every way of dying is incredibly frustrating!

Not wanting to watch Hinata sob any longer, Neji also turned and left.

As the daughter of the head of the main family who oppressed the branch families, she was born with original sin, even if it was not her intention...

pat!

Tears fell to the ground, splashing mud.

Only a frail figure remained in the courtyard.

Hinata, who looked like a docile rabbit, stopped trembling, raised her head slightly, and the veins on both sides of her Byakugan bulged menacingly. The cowardice in her eyes gradually turned into confusion and struggle.

Neji's coercion, Hairi's threats, her father's disappointment, Hanabi and the caged bird... it was as if mountains were pressing down on her shoulders.

It left her breathless!

Wow!
The sleeves billowed in the strong wind, and the right shoulder, which had been struck by the fireworks, suddenly swelled up, and the chakra in the pressure points burst out like an arrow.

Gently moving her arm muscles, Hinata, whose eyes were slightly red and tearful from exhaustion, assumed the starting stance of Baguazhang, with her arms positioned one in front of the other, resembling a lion opening its mouth.

A few moments.

Rumbling--

The artificial hill collapsed, and the broken stones rained down. Two blue lions roared wildly in the courtyard!

……

"Is this the root base?"

In the desolate woods on the south side of the Death Forest, Mitarashi Anko, Morino Ibiki, and Shiranui Genma looked up and gazed around.

The trees were still sprouting, half-green and half-new, with fallen leaves piled on the ground, but new grass had already emerged, sparsely revealing a hint of green. All was quiet, save for a few birdsongs that drifted from afar, clear but lonely.

As the ANBU within the ANBU, Root is extremely mysterious, both in terms of its internal ninjas and its base itself. If it weren't for Ibiki Morino's familiarity with Root, they wouldn't have been able to find this core base.

"What do we do next? Just wait here?"

Still dressed in that sexy outfit, Anko crossed her arms, her face showing no attempt to hide her disgust. If it weren't for the Third Hokage's order and the fact that it concerned the Super Joint Examination, she would never have stepped into the Root Club.

"Just wait."

Ibiki Morino held a scroll in his hand and stood there patiently waiting.

Outsiders cannot enter the Root base, but there are definitely ninjas on guard outside the base. They are now very close to the core area, and the ninjas who are coming to meet them are probably already on their way.

"You two can come if you want, but why did you have to drag me along?"

Yawning, Genma Shiranui leaned against the slender tree trunk, looking sleepy.

He was just a referee responsible for reading out the rules; he didn't need to come to the headquarters to discuss the exam questions at all. He was dragged here by Hongdou and the other two.

Do you think I wanted to come?

Red Bean habitually licked his lips without giving a direct answer.

The psychological trauma inflicted on her by Root in her childhood was too profound; her fear of Root far outweighed her aversion to them. Having an additional Jonin-level teammate would make her feel slightly more at ease entering Root's base.

Sudden.

Standing silently like an iron tower, Morino Ibiki raised his head, a solemn expression flashing across his scarred face.

"coming!"

Reminded, both Aoko and Genma Shiranui looked up at the same time.

The trees rustled among the towering trees, and a white figure moved swiftly through them like a ghost.

What a great speed.

The three of them sighed inwardly for a moment, but were not particularly surprised. As mysterious Root ninjas, it was only natural that they possessed such speed.

Zizi!

As the approaching figure drew closer, they could even hear the sound of electricity passing through it. Using Lightning Release to enhance muscle strength and reaction speed, this was a master of taijutsu who was proficient in Lightning Release. If they were to fight, they would prioritize using wide-range attacks or tracking beast-form ninjutsu to capture the enemy!
Countless pieces of information flowed through the minds of the three, and they were even already searching for ways to break his ninjutsu.

Unbeknownst to them, the rapid movement of the approaching figure had already awakened their sense of crisis, naturally putting them into battle mode.

Sizzle!

A flash of cold blue lightning appeared, and a handsome young man with black hair and white clothes descended from the sky, landing in front of the three.

The three tomoe spun in the boy's scarlet eyes. Sasuke glanced at the three men who looked like they were facing a formidable enemy, and frowned slightly.

The towering, muscular man reeked of blood; the woman in the sexy black mesh top looked disgusted and seemed to have a grudge against the Uchiha; and there was a lazy man with a toothpick in his mouth. The chakra reactions within them were all those of Jonin!

What a powerful organization!

Sasuke sighed inwardly. No wonder it was a mysterious organization that even Hai Li had joined; a Jonin was only fit to guard the base gate.

at the same time.

The three of them, including Hongdou, looked at Sasuke, their hearts also filled with turmoil.

The iconic three-tomoe Sharingan, the fan-shaped clan crest printed on his robes—the opponent was none other than the Uchiha clan, which had already been wiped out!

Is this the essence of the roots?
The four of them observed each other cautiously, and for a moment no one spoke, and the forest fell into an eerie silence!

　Thank you all for your concern and encouragement. After a break, the story continues...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)