Starting with Naruto, I'll become stronger through my own efforts.

Chapter 220 The Ineffective [Caged Bird - Devour]

"The True Explanation of the Five Elements Battle" is a work written by the Five Elements Fairy of the cultivation world, based on Xia Zuo's ninja knowledge and the experience gained from its practical application and promotion in the Qingyan Sect.

Although this technique is also a longevity technique, it is extremely difficult to cultivate. Not only must you complete the fusion of two of the ten five elements, but you must also complete the fusion of three of the five elements.

Finally, by merging the two into a single ring and altering their fundamental essence, one can embark on the path to immortality.

This is far too complicated; no cultivator has a long enough lifespan to complete such an intricate cultivation process.

However, the "Five Elements Battle True Explanation" is very popular in the Qingyan Sect because this technique is extremely powerful and consumes very little energy during battle, truly deserving of its reputation as a battle method.

Almost every Qingyan Sect disciple practices one or two techniques as a means of self-protection, making the Qingyan Sect almost resemble the Five Spirits Sect.

Even Fairy Jin Shunyao's title of "Five Spirits" came from "The True Explanation of the Five Spirits Battle".

Following this technique, Xia Zuo completed ten bloodline limits and five bloodline eliminations, and formed the Bloodline Limit Ring and the Bloodline Elimination Ring, successfully changing his own root marrow.

After that, Xia Zuo's self-proclaimed goal was to obtain the last three bloodline limits involving organs in the cultivation method: Byakugan, Sharingan, and Tokotsumyaku.

In fact, he had already made preparations, including collecting blood from Itachi Uchiha, taking the Sharingan from Danzo Shimura, and collecting Kimimaro's blood from Orochimaru.

The blood of the Motomu clan comes from Motomu Neji.

During her final year at the Ninja Academy, every time Tenten broke Neji's head, not a single drop of blood was wasted.

After becoming the Fifth Hokage, he even used a medical examination as an excuse to directly obtain Hinata Hyuga's blood.

Although this little girl is not very strong, her bloodline purity is even higher than that of Hyuga Neji. She is just a bit timid and lacks aptitude for combat.

But after today's forging, Xia Zuo was surprised to find that his preparations seemed to have been wasted.

When Xia Zuo arrived at the gate of the Hyuga residence, he did not knock on the door and enter immediately, but patiently waited for Might Guy to arrive.

After Might Guy led the way in bowing, Shaza smiled and dismissed Guy and Rock Lee. Then, he looked at Neji Hyuga and asked seriously, "Neji, are you ready to face your destiny?"

Hyuga Neji reached out and removed his headband, openly displaying his forehead and the ugly "Caged Bird" scar that had been hidden.

Without flinching, he looked at Xia Zuo and said, "Fifth Hokage, I've finally waited for this day."

"Please grant me freedom, grant freedom to all the ninjas of the Hyuga branch family, I beg you."

Xia Zuo's lips curled slightly: "I am the Fifth Hokage of Konoha Village. My responsibility is to protect the ninjas of Konoha, not to protect any Konoha clans."

He stopped smiling and called out seriously, "Hyuga Neji!"

Neji stood at attention, his body taut, and loudly replied, "Here!"

Xia Zuo stretched out his right hand, pointed at the tightly closed gate of the Hyuga residence, and commanded, "Break down this gate!"

"As a reward, I will dismantle that damned cage for all Hyuga ninjas!"

Hyuga Neji shouted excitedly, "I am willing to die for the Fifth Hokage!"

Having said that, he took a stance, treating the heavy door as the most hateful enemy, and unleashed the [Soft Fist Technique - Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms].

"Two palm strikes!"

"Four palm strikes!"

"Eight Palms!"

'

'

"Sixty-four palm strikes!"

Hyuga Neji slammed his fist against the door again and again. He controlled his power perfectly, channeling all his chakra and strength into the door with exquisite precision, yet the door didn't shake or make a sound.

In front of the Hyuga residence's gate, only this boy shouted with resentment and unwillingness.

When the sixty-four palm strikes were finished, the power accumulated on the gate was nearing its limit, and it could knock down the gate and its frame at any moment.

But Hyuga Neji couldn't stop. His emotions were incredibly turbulent, and his thoughts were clearer than ever before. His hands moved involuntarily, unleashing a technique he had never learned before.

"One hundred and twenty-four palm strikes!"

This time, the thunderous applause resounded through the sky, like an explosion after being suffocated to the limit, shaking the entire Hyuga mansion.

After delivering the 124 blows, Hyuga Neji felt weak all over, and even his legs and feet felt shaky.

But he held firm to his resolve, and after a moment of pent-up anger, it erupted into a resounding roar: "Open—!"

boom-!!

The gate to the Hyuga mansion exploded as the power of the Eight Trigrams Hundred and Twenty-Four Palms erupted, shattering the massive wooden gate into fragments.

The power accumulated a bit too much, and the explosion was too fierce; it didn't even have time to reach the door frame.

Clearly, Hyuga Neji had poor control over the Eight Trigrams 124 Palms, wasting most of his power and failing to unleash its full potential.

But does it matter?

He's only 13 years old and he's already mastered the advanced Gentle Fist technique that only Hyuga Shinobu can master. What's the point of talking about control?

Most importantly, as a branch family member of the Hyuga clan, Neji could only learn the Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms. The sixty-four palms that followed and the one hundred and twenty-four palms that he just used were all things he comprehended on his own from the previous fist techniques.

This is an extremely rare combat talent, which is an important reason why Xia Zuo values ​​Hyuga Neji.

Most importantly, Hyuga Neji has a very stable personality and is extremely loyal, making him the perfect subordinate.

In some ways, he has the potential to become the second Uchiha Shisui, and Xia Zuo has the ability to train him to reach that level.

Not to mention that there are many Jonin in the branch families of the Hyuga clan, even just to gain Hyuga Neji's loyalty, it would be worthwhile for Xia Zuo to destroy the Caged Bird Seal system of the Hyuga main family.

Neji Hyuga's destruction of the gate caused a great commotion, naturally alarming the entire Hyuga clan.

The Hyuga branch family ninjas who rushed out were surprised to find the Fifth Hokage treating Hyuga Neji. They looked at each other, none of them daring to step forward and ask questions, and could only stand awkwardly in the courtyard waiting for the main family ninjas to come out.

Soon, Elder Hyuga Ningde of the main family arrived at the front yard with his guards.

Having grown accustomed to lording it over the Hyuga clan, Hyuga Ningde's voice preceded his arrival: "Who dares to provoke the Hyuga clan, a powerful family in Konoha?"

Pushing through the crowd, Hyuga Ningde's guards were startled to see the debris scattered everywhere. They whispered to the elder, "This is the destructive effect of the Eight Trigrams Palm technique; the chakra attached to the fragments hasn't dissipated yet!"

"Elder Ningde, this was caused by a Jonin from the Hyuga clan."

Upon hearing the guard's explanation, Hyuga Neitoku flew into a rage: "Who was it? Which bastard from which branch family did this? Step forward and accept your punishment!"

Without a second thought, he knew it was Inui, a ninja from the branch family, because the Hyuga main family only had one Jonin, namely the head of the family, Hyuga Hiashi.

Hiashi Hyuga is a steady and reliable person. Even when the Third Hokage forced his younger brother to his death, he didn't break a single cup. He would never damage his own front door.

If it's not the Hyuga Hiashi's Hyuga ninja, then it must be a ninja from the Hyuga branch family.

Although Hyuga Neitoku was only a Chunin in strength and had never fought an enemy before, he was not afraid of the Hyuga branch family ninjas at all.

He is a senior member of the Hyuga main family who wields the [Caged Bird - Devour] technique. With just a thought, he can kill any or all of the branch family ninjas.

As the saying goes: "With a sharp weapon in hand, the desire to kill arises naturally."

If a child finds a straight stick, he can break all the grass in his sight; how much more so would a pampered noble of the ninja clan?

Hyuga Netoku is the worst kind of bastard. He's always thinking about how to torment the branch family, and today, since a branch family ninja made a mistake, he didn't hesitate to take advantage of the situation.

[It's been a long time since I've killed anyone. Today I'm going to use the Caged Bird Seal to kill one of the branch families!]

Xia Zuo, who had been ignored by Hyuga Ningde, heard the bastard's thoughts through the [Heart Network], and a strong killing intent suddenly rose in his heart.

Xia Zuo winked at Hyuga Neji, then cast an illusion spell on himself, [Invisibility], and disappeared into thin air.

Thanks to the Fifth Hokage's treatment, Hyuga Neji has recovered from his exhaustion and weakness.

For some reason, when Xia Zuo winked at him, Neji instantly understood what the Fifth Hokage meant: he wanted Neji to step forward and bear the wrath of Hyuga Netoku.

Hyuga Neji frowned slightly. He didn't understand why the Hokage was making him suffer, but he didn't hesitate at all. He stood up and shouted, "I'm the one who broke the gate."

Hyuga Neitoku turned his head and looked over. When he saw that it was Hyuga Neji, a trace of fear flashed in his eyes. He did not immediately activate the Caged Bird to punish him as he had planned.

Neji Hyuga is no ordinary member of the Hyuga branch family. His grandfather was from the main family, and his father, Hizashi Hyuga, was the younger brother of the head of the Hyuga branch family, Hiashi Hyuga.

Hyuga Hizashi not only had a high reputation in the branch family, but also had extensive connections in the main family. He even committed suicide for his elder brother, the head of the family, thus giving his life to the Third Hokage.

Most importantly, Hiashi Hyuga values ​​Neji Hyuga very much, frequently inquiring about his training progress and showing concern for his daily needs.

Killing Hyuga Neji would definitely incur punishment from the head of the Hyuga clan, Hiashi Hyuga.

Unlike killing other branch family ninjas, which at most resulted in a few words of scolding and a few days of confinement—a rather insignificant punishment—this time it would be the stripping of their property and rights, causing them immense suffering and pain.

Just as Hyuga Netoku was considering how to punish Neji without incurring the wrath of the clan head, he suddenly noticed that Neji looked different.

After careful observation, Hyuga Neito was surprised to find that Neji had actually taken off his headband, openly revealing the "Caged Bird" scar on his forehead, and his eyes no longer held the humility and resentment they once had.

Neji Hyuga's eyes were filled only with anger, determination, and hope.

In Hyuga Ningde's view, this was not a good thing. When a member of the Hyuga branch family had such a vision, it proved that he was no longer afraid of the main family and had even begun to take revenge on the main family in secret.

Because of his love of pleasure, he trained only sporadically, and it wasn't until he was over 20 that he reached the Chunin level.

As the head of the Hyuga clan, Hyuga Neitoku's heart was filled with guilt and an indescribable sense of inferiority.

But this feeling did not motivate him to work harder; instead, he intensified his abuse of the branch family ninjas. He derived unprecedented pleasure from torturing his fellow clansmen who were stronger than him.

But once the pleasure fades, feelings of guilt and fear will return in double the intensity.

[I was so humiliated by the separation that I completely lost my dignity. He must hate me to death. Will he suddenly attack me next time?]

[That guy's a Jonin, and he's so fast. Can I really activate the seal before he kills me?]

With so many branch families, if I activate the seal, will I miss one and get killed by them?

Such thoughts never disappeared, so when Ningde saw Neji's fearless eyes, his fear and anger erupted uncontrollably, instantly overwhelming his rationality.

Hyuga Netoku made a hand seal with one hand. That seal was not any of the twelve hand seals, but in the eyes of the Hyuga branch family, it was the most memorable and the most terrifying hand seal.

【The Caged Bird - Devouring】

However, Hyuga Ningde did not immediately activate the seal. The fear, apprehension, and pleading of the branch family ninjas around him restored his familiar absolute confidence and an indescribable sense of pleasure.

His will was so weak that he couldn't control his desire to enjoy pleasure, so he paused the sealing and looked at Hyuga Neji.

As expected, Hyuga Neji's eyes were filled with fear. His hands were trembling, and his legs were shaking so badly that they were almost blurry.

Hyuga Neji was extremely smug, and he opened his mouth wide to laugh loudly: "Hyuga Neji, where did your eyes go just now? I thought you weren't afraid at all!"

"So what if you're Hizashi's son? You're still a branch family member, an insect I, the main family, can crush with a flick of my wrist!"

"Now, kneel down! Apologize to me for your rude look just now!"

Hyuga Neji closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, the fear was still there, but it had been suppressed by anger.

His body was still trembling, but not from fear, but from the stimulation of adrenaline.

A murderous aura, an intense murderous aura, emanated from Hyuga Neji, leaving Hyuga Neto speechless with fright.

For a moment, he forgot about the [Caged Bird - Devour] technique and the hand seals he had formed, shouting incoherently, "What are you doing? What are you doing? Don't come any closer!"

He then looked at the Hyuga branch family ninjas around him, as well as his own guards: "Take him down, or I'll make you all experience what it's like to be a caged bird!"

But the Hyuga ninjas did not take any action; they were all terrified by the caged bird and did not hear Hyuga Neitoku's words at all.

But the main branch ninja was reminded of his own words, and he grinned maliciously at Hyuga Neji: "Damn branch family member, damn Neji, how dare you look at me, a member of the main branch, like that? You're a damned bastard!"

"And you damned branch families, you dared to disobey my orders, you are all damned traitors."

"You should all die!"

Hyuga Neitoku's chakra emanated through hand seals, releasing a strange fluctuation.

Sensing this most painful prelude, all the Hyuga branch family members present involuntarily closed their eyes, tensed all their muscles, and prepared to endure the pain.

However, nothing happened.

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