A World That Has Nothing to Do with Me

Hyuga Sousuke's gentle smile remained, but a turbulent undercurrent surged deep within his eyes.

Was the advantage of "seeing far" being wasted?

These words pierced the depths of Sōsuke's heart.

It's not that no one in the tribe has thought about similar issues.

The clan's ancient records also document the ancestors' attempts to explore long-range attack methods. Techniques such Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm and acupoint striking from a distance do exist.

But that's all.

The Hyuga Clan's bloodline seems to be bound by some invisible shackles.

They are naturally immune to most of the Five Elements Escape Techniques, and the nature transformation of Chakra is extremely difficult for them.

This is a fact that has been proven by countless predecessors through failure.

Therefore, combining the unparalleled insight of the Byakugan with the honed Gentle Fist Taijutsu, and pursuing the ultimate close-range offense and defense as well as pressure point strikes, became their only option.

This is the cornerstone of the Hyuga Clan's standing in the Shinobi World, a fighting tradition written into the Clan Rules and ingrained in their blood.

However, at this moment, when a foreign boy pointed out the "waste" in such a naive and straightforward tone, Sōsuke could not feel pure anger.

Izuna's words reminded him of a sensitive issue.

Branch Family.

The Byakugan of the Branch Family, due to the suppression of the Caged Bird Seal, have a permanent loss of vision at a certain angle.

This might be a minor weakness in close combat, but what if... what if a long-range tactical system based on the Byakugan's ultra-long-range vision and perception were truly developed?

The shortcomings of the Branch Family perspective are no longer shortcomings.

But puppets...

Sōsuke's thoughts drifted involuntarily to the Land of Wind.

He had seen the puppeteers of Sunagakure. Those puppets were exquisite and deadly, capable of launching attacks from extremely long distances under the puppeteer's control of Chakra Threads.

Puppet Technique itself is not a particularly profound technique. Given the Hyuga Clan's exquisite control over Chakra, mastering and improving it is not difficult.

If the Hyuga Clan members didn't need to rush to the front and use their bodies to perform Gentle Fist, but instead sat safely in the rear, using their Byakugan to lock onto the enemy's vitals several miles away, and then controlled their puppets to carry out attacks beyond visual range...

The image flashed through Sōsuke's mind, sending a chill down his spine.

Uchiha Izuna did it on purpose.

If he were to say these things publicly...

What will those Branch Families, who have long harbored resentment towards the Main Family system and whose reputations have soared due to their performances in Kyoto, think?

Those forces that have been suppressed for too long under the rigid hierarchical system will likely burst forth.

The balance between the Main Family and the Branch Families will be immediately broken. The conflict will no longer be an undercurrent, but will turn into a raging storm that tears the clan apart.

That's terrifying.

This man.

With just a pair of clear eyes and a few seemingly harmless questions, one can easily expose the truth.

He doesn't need to push anything; he just needs to let the seed of this question fall into the already cracked soil, and then the land will naturally be broken apart by the seedlings that break through the soil.

But...

Sōsuke's fingers tightened slightly around the teacup, his fingertips turning slightly white from the pressure.

But wasn't what Izuna pointed out also an opportunity?

An opportunity for the Hyuga Clan to break free from its millennia-old ways, truly unleash the Byakugan's potential, and become even more powerful.

If a long-range tactical system can be established, coupled with the Byakugan's insightful abilities, the strategic value of the Hyuga Clan will undergo a dramatic transformation.

They will no longer be merely the "strongest defensive shield," but will become a truly invincible race in the skies above the battlefield.

This temptation was too great for him, who aspired to lead his family to a more prosperous future.

However, the idea that could lead the Hyuga to a completely new future must never come from the mouth of an Uchiha.

The transformation of the Hyuga must be a realization made within the Hyuga itself, and the Main Family must firmly control its direction.

Otherwise, where is the dignity of the Hyuga Clan? Where is the authority of the Main Family?

In a flash, Sōsuke made his decision.

"Izuna is truly insightful and observant."

Sōsuke put down his teacup, his tone carrying the praise of an elder for a junior's intelligence, "The evolution of the combat system is indeed a topic worthy of deep consideration. Our clan's ancestors also explored it extensively, but limited by their bloodline talents, it ultimately took its current form."

"However, your words today have reminded me. Times are changing, and Ninjutsu is evolving. My Hyuga Clan should naturally learn from others and consider how to make the most of the Byakugan's advantages."

Sōsuke changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious, "This matter concerns the clan's inheritance and reform; it requires careful consideration and prudent action."

He stood up and nodded slightly to Izuna: "I have benefited greatly from today's conversation with you, Izuna. I would have liked to discuss more artistic insights with you, but I suddenly remembered that there are urgent matters in the clan that need to be dealt with, so it is really inconvenient for me to stay with you any longer."

This is practically an invitation to leave.

Izuna blinked, looking at Sōsuke's impeccably gentle smile, and secretly curled her lip in her heart.

After leaving the Hyuga Clan's territory.

Izuna waved goodbye to Kasuga and then walked home along the road.

Well, that was to be expected.

The Hyuga is, after all, a large family with a thousand-year history. If it were so easy to change, it wouldn't have dragged on until today.

That deeply ingrained clan system and its stubborn understanding of combat methods—couldn't they be shaken with just a few words?

However, Izuna didn't really want to change anything.

In the end, everything he did was simply going with the flow.

If you see someone in need of help, lend a hand if you can; if you see something that could potentially improve, give it a push.

If there's no opportunity, or the obstacles are too great, then forget it.

Ultimately, Uchiha Izuna never truly had the resolve to become "Uchiha Izuna" in his heart.

Although the "role-playing level" in the system had long since jumped to 100%, the so-called "Return Home Points" were still increasing slowly.

The string of numbers was so long that there was almost no hope of going home, but he still felt like a detached spectator.

He has a home, brothers, friends, and a village here that he helped build and sincerely hopes will get better and better.

But deep down, he always had a taut string.

He was afraid.

Hokage fans often say, "I'll be Konoha resident again in my next life," but only those who have truly experienced it will understand that Ninja... is really not a good profession.

At least, it's not a profession that someone like him, from a peaceful era who has never even killed a chicken, could accept comfortably.

In the past, he could rely on Madara's protection and the "defect" in his left eye to comfortably stay in the village, handling internal affairs, doing construction, and studying Ninjutsu and art, euphemistically calling it "making use of his talents."

Now, taking advantage of his Kyoto trip, he has forged a new path for Konoha and for Ninjas like himself, one that allows them to survive without constantly fighting and killing.

However, without the absolute Strength and prestige of figures like Hashirama and Madara, this path would be nothing but a pipe dream, Suigetsu.

And what about himself?

If one day he really needs to take on assassination, guard, and espionage missions like other Ninjas, and needs to personally end other people's lives...

Just imagining that scene made Izuna feel a tightness in his stomach and a chill creep up his spine.

Why... did I have to be transported to the world of Hokage?

A world where battle, killing, hatred, and power are the main themes.

A world that seems passionate, but is actually cruel to the core.

Izuna looked up. The afternoon sun shone brightly, its dazzling light shining in all directions, yet it couldn't penetrate the depths of his eyes.

That face, which always wore a smile, was now unusually blank with indifference.

His expression was blank, revealing only a deep weariness and boredom.

He stood quietly on the deserted road for a while before slowly lowering his head and walking towards the bustling main road.