Hinata hadn't seen Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi for a long time.
If nothing unexpected happens, Sasuke should be training Chidori with Kakashi right now, and Naruto should be Jiraiya into that lecherous old man Jiraiya.
A few days ago, Hinata, Sakura, and Ino visited Rock Lee at the Konoha Hospital. He was recovering quite well.
After all, unlike in the Original Story, Gaara didn't break her arms and legs.
If it's just a muscle or tendon strain, Konoha Hospital can treat it.
When they returned, Hinata specifically reminded Sakura and Ino not to go to hot springs for the next month, because there were perverts around.
Neji has recently been training with his father Hizashi Hyuga, and he's rarely seen.
With the Third Match Chunin Ninja Exams approaching, everyone is making the most of their time for a final push.
Those who pass the exam want to achieve better results, while those who fail don't want to fall behind others.
Hinata sneaked out to play several times, but didn't meet anyone she could chat with. Instead, she ate dumplings with Anko, that strange older sister, and their relationship became much closer.
Tokuma Hyuga also brought back a Gambling Arts expert for Hinata, and Hinata learned a lot from him during her free time in the evenings.
Although... the probability of winning a bet with Tsunade is almost 100%.
Hinata, having never encountered this kind of knowledge before, needed to learn the most basic rules and gameplay.
As the Tenten went by, Hinata's new ninjutsu was put on the agenda.
In the Training Room, Hinata and Hyuga Hiashi suddenly separated with a 'snap'. Hinata looked somewhat disheveled, while Hyuga Hiashi was panting heavily from exhaustion.
Although Hyuga Hiashi could still suppress Hinata with his experienced Gentle Fist technique, his chakra reserves were Hinata's, and over time, Hyuga Hiashi would be unable to continue the fight.
Furthermore, Hinata's progress has been accelerating recently. While Hyuga Hiashi could hold back before, now that he's fighting Hinata, holding back would be suicide.
Looking at Hinata, who was calm and composed, Hyuga Hiashi felt a mix of helplessness, resentment, and relief.
His daughter's cultivation of spirituality for less than ten years surpassed his decades of arduous practice.
Even though it was his own daughter, he still felt a little uneasy.
Tsk tsk tsk!
Hinata looked at Hyuga Hiashi, who was exhausted, and felt a little smug.
This is the difference between a regular player and a cheater!
Decades of hard work and skill training are often less effective than a single use of cheats by a cheater, especially when the cheater Pay-to-Win Cheat.
After a long pause, Hyuga Hiashi calmed his breathing and said calmly, "It seems you've also reached this level... Threshold every Hyuga clan member must face!"
Hinata nodded slightly; she knew what Hyuga Hiashi was referring to.
Gentle Fist has limitations, which are also limitations of Taijutsu.
Hyuga Hiashi's strength hasn't improved for a long time, and his daily training now only ensures that his condition doesn't decline.
The same applies to Hizashi Hyuga.
The two brothers were evenly matched, but they both stopped there.
Hyuga Hiashi explained, "Although our Hyuga Clan Gentle Fist is known as the strongest Taijutsu style, combining defense, close-range attack, and long-range attack, it also has certain limitations."
Hyuga Hiashi and Minato Namikaze were ninjas of the same generation. He had experienced the Second and Third Shinobi War Second Shinobi World War and was very knowledgeable.
In addition to the intelligence gathered by the Hyuga Clan over the years, Hyuga Hiashi has a clear understanding of the strong Shinobi World.
Every top-tier ninja in the Shinobi World possesses one or more trump cards.
These trump cards are called forbidden techniques, or super ninjutsu that reach S-rank in terms of practicality and power.
The Hyuga Clan's strongest ninjutsu is the Mountain Breaker. While it is extremely powerful, it is only effective against ordinary ninjas. However, when facing top-tier ninjas, its destructive power is ultimately somewhat weak.
Of course, most ninjas are assassins with high attack power but low defense; ninjas who master defensive ninjutsu are still a very small minority.
This is why the Hyuga Clan is considered the 'strongest'.
Because no monsters appeared in the Shinobi World during this period.
But Hyuga Hiashi knew very well that the Jinchuriki of each village, the Kage of each village, and those ninjas who possessed powerful forbidden techniques... these were all powerful individuals that he could not match.
At most, it means remaining undefeated for a certain period of time.
The Hyuga Clan's so-called "strongest" is only the strongest in terms of ordinary ninjas.
Hyuga Hiashi continued, "All forbidden techniques either push the Five Elements Ninjutsu to its extreme or involve the cultivation of Yin-Yang Release... You should be very clear about this by now."
"The Hyuga Clan specializes in Taijutsu and rarely trains in ninjutsu. Although they progress very quickly in the early stages, it is difficult to advance further once they reach our level."
"Your Twenty Gods Vacuum Attack looks powerful, but it is ultimately just a support-type ninjutsu."
Hyuga Hiashi is right. The Twenty Gods Vacuum Attack only becomes powerful when combined with Mountain Breaker and Air Palm; its power on its own is actually not very strong.
After all, Hinata's move wasn't a true, degraded version of the Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack...
Hinata earnestly inquired, "So, is this really the limit of our Hyuga Clan's training?"
Hyuga Hiashi shook his head and explained, "Ninjas of the Taijutsu can be roughly divided into three types: Gentle Fist, Steel Fist, and Nintaijutsu."
"Actually, at our level, we are no longer limited to Taijutsu, but have integrated ninjutsu into Taijutsu."
Hinata nodded.
In fact, Might Guy's Eight Inner Gates, Tsunade's Monster Strength Fist, and the Raikage's Nintaijutsu are no longer simple Taijutsu, but ninjutsu that emphasize Taijutsu.
Hyuga Hiashi continued, "And the power of our Hyuga Clan comes from the Byakugan."
What Hyuga Hiashi next was similar to what Hinata had analyzed before.
The Byakugan and Gentle Fist complement each other. The Byakugan can not only assist Gentle Fist in combat, but also change the nature of Gentle Fist chakra.
The Byakugan can influence Gentle Fist chakra, and training in Gentle Fist can make the Byakugan even stronger.
Hyuga Hiashi looked at Hinata with a serious expression and said solemnly, "Hinata, your talent is extremely strong. You have reached this level at the age of twelve. As your body grows, your strength will increase rapidly."
"As for me and Hizashi, our talent is ultimately lacking. When Gentle Fist reaches its peak, it is also the time when our bodies begin to age."
Hinata replied with equal seriousness, "So, I'm the hope of the Hyuga Clan?"
I really am the best.
Hyuga Hiashi ignored Hinata's narcissism and said with a serious expression, "In our Hyuga Main Family, there is a secret passed down orally through generations, known to no one except the head of the clan."
Hinata immediately became interested and pressed for details, asking, "What exactly is this secret?"
Hyuga Hiashi a deep breath and activated his Byakugan to look around.
Even though there were no spies around, Hyuga Hiashi still lowered his voice and said, "That's the ultimate secret about the Shinobi World, involving the secrets of the Sage of Six Paths and the Tailed Beasts... and also the ultimate secret of the Byakugan."