Teaching

After reading through the proposal several times, even Hiashi, as the head of a clan, found it quite astonishing.

He kept studying Neji, genuinely curious how this child's mind worked to produce something so thorough and comprehensive.

"Is this the result of your year-long investigation into Konoha's food and beverage industry?"

Neji nodded lightly. How could he possibly expose a flaw?

As for Hiashi knowing his whereabouts, that was hardly surprising. It would have been stranger if he had not known.

As for the only suspicious point—his premature maturity—Uchiha Itachi was there to take the heat. If anyone wanted to be suspicious, they could go question him first. That monster was far too exceptional.

"So, what is your decision, Clan Head?"

Neji looked at Hiashi without any urgency. He could not possibly swallow all the profits this proposal would bring by himself.

So why not make use of the Hyuga Clan as a powerful backer? Hiashi's guilt might have been unexpected, but the outcome was good.

His declaration two years ago had only been to avoid being branded with the Caged Bird Seal.

After pondering for a long while, Hiashi finally made his decision.

"Neji, I approve of this matter. But if the clan joins in, your share will be quite small."

Neji naturally understood. As long as it worked out, that was enough. Even if the dividends were low, he would essentially become a hands-off owner.

Neji said directly, "Then I'll leave it to you, Clan Head!"

There was no need to say more. Given Hiashi's guilt toward him, he would certainly secure the greatest possible benefit for Neji.

Just as expected!

Hiashi said, "Don't worry, Neji. I definitely won't let you suffer a loss. This plan is enough to shut their mouths."

With a son like this, how could the Hyuga Clan fail to prosper? It was just those eyes... what a pity.

"Clan Head, then I'll take my leave!"

"Not so fast!"

Hiashi smiled and beckoned to Hinata, who had been peeking from outside the door. Her little face reddened as she walked in and sat on her knees beside Neji.

"Father."

Hiashi nodded, then looked toward Neji.

"Hinata has now entered the Ninja Academy. You must teach her well."

"Of course!"

Neji would not refuse this. Hinata was so adorable—he certainly could not let others bully her.

Naturally, he would be the one to bully her!

If he bullied her, Hinata would grow stronger and beat everyone else into a rout.

So there was nothing wrong with that!

"Then I can rest assured. But as for you, without the Byakugan, your Gentle Fist training has suffered greatly. Still, if you wish to learn, I can continue teaching you."

"Thank you, Clan Head. I will not give up Gentle Fist. After all, I am still a member of the Hyuga Clan."

There was no way he would stop training Gentle Fist. It was not as if his Byakugan had truly disappeared. Besides, he needed the Chakra circulation methods within its techniques; they were one of a kind.

With Armament Haki added in, knocking out little brats one punch at a time would not be a problem.

And he had to maintain his persona. Gentle Fist was the only thing he could use to crush weak opponents.

Hiashi nodded, very satisfied with Neji's attitude. It also made him feel a little better inside.

"Teach Hinata today. Later, I will test you again and teach you new Gentle Fist techniques."

"Hinata, Neji will be responsible for your training. I will inspect your progress regularly."

Hinata lowered her head and softly replied, "Yes, Father."

After giving his instructions, Hiashi left with Neji's proposal in hand.

Clearly, he needed to discuss it with the others in the clan and finalize the plan.

Only Neji and Hinata remained in the dojo.

Hinata raised her head to look into Neji's eyes, but they were covered by a thick blindfold. A trace of guilt showed in her pale eyes.

Because she felt that it must have been her fault that Brother Neji had dug out his own eyes.

"Brother Neji, please guide me from now on!"

Neji smiled. Noticing Hinata's guilt, he gently rubbed her head.

Under Hiashi's teaching, Hinata had developed this personality because she was simply too sensible.

She took every burden upon herself until it left her unable to breathe.

He had seen many smart, well-behaved children like this. Most of them grew up tightly bound by that upbringing and sense of responsibility.

Some became immersed in their own worlds, quiet and withdrawn, unwilling to speak with others, clinging to their own hobbies.

Others became even more isolated, mildly socially anxious, rigid and unable to let things go, extremely stubborn.

"From now on, you should rely on me more."

Hinata's little face turned red. She gave a soft hum, enjoying Neji's head pat as she thought that Brother Neji was still Brother Neji after all.

After indulging her for a while, the warmth in Neji's expression faded, replaced by a serious look. It was time to bully her.

He pulled Hinata to her feet and said in a deep voice, "Let's begin training. I won't go easy on you, Hinata!"

"Yes, Brother Neji."

Her crisp, soft voice carried an unexpected hint of determination, making Neji nod.

The two assumed Gentle Fist stances!

Neji's expression turned serious as Observation Haki spread out in an instant. Hinata's presence was completely revealed before him, leaving no secrets to hide.

He beckoned with his hand.

"Come on! Let me see how far your Gentle Fist training has progressed."

Hinata looked at Neji, gathered her courage, let out a delicate shout, and swung her little fists at him.

Seeing such straightforward Gentle Fist, Neji shook his head inwardly. He simply redirected her force and caught her, watching her little face turn startled.

Then he flicked her right on the forehead.

"Ugh~"

Hinata immediately cried out in pain and staggered backward.

Neji instructed, "You're putting too much force into it and making no adjustments. That makes it easy for others to see through you."

"Remember: use seventy percent force and hold back thirty percent. Your strike must go past the target, not stop exactly on it. Otherwise, if your opponent dodges when your force is at its peak, you will miss completely. Whether you try to change direction or transition into another move, you'll become stiff and expose an opening."

Hinata seemed to understand only vaguely. "Yes, Brother Neji."

What Neji was actually teaching was not Gentle Fist, but something closer to Jeet Kune Do.

Yet the Gentle Fist of this world resembled Jeet Kune Do as well. It was more forceful and fierce, without the slightest softness.

Every palm strike targeted the Chakra pathways, emphasizing speed, precision, and ruthlessness. Its softness formed into arrays that restrained the opponent.

In any case, he truly could not see anything soft about the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist. It was vastly different from what he understood.

Following Neji's instruction, Hinata steadied herself and attacked again, keeping back thirty percent of her strength and using only seventy.

When Neji dodged, she did change her moves a few times. Unfortunately, Neji's Gentle Fist shifted.

He redirected her force like a whirlpool, and Hinata felt her punches being led along by Neji.

Brother Neji easily tapped points all over her body without showing the slightest restraint.

"Every time I strike you, it means you have died once, because I could easily kill you with that strike!"

"Yes, Brother Neji."

The training continued, but Hinata's little face flushed bright red. Brother Neji truly had no consideration for her—he poked everywhere.