Hinata Hyuga and Hyuga Neji

Inside the dining hall of the Clan Head Residence, Hinata's family of four was having breakfast together.

While taking care of Hanabi, Hyuga Keiko looked at her eldest daughter in astonishment, as though she were meeting her for the first time.

Even Hyuga Hiashi, who sat upright and ate his breakfast with meticulous formality, was staring wide-eyed in disbelief. He did not even realize his chopsticks had stopped halfway.

Hinata had already eaten three servings' worth of breakfast and was now finishing the last serving. None of them knew how her unchanged, flat little stomach could possibly hold so much food.

Guilt appeared in both Hyuga Hiashi's and Hyuga Keiko's eyes. Their daughter had such a huge appetite, yet they had failed to notice it all these years.

"Father, I'm done eating."

Hinata's face flushed red as she set down her porcelain bowl. Her hesitant voice brought Hyuga Hiashi back to his senses. After nodding slightly, he put down his own bowl and chopsticks and looked at Hinata with a solemn expression.

"F-Father..."

Seeing her father suddenly turn serious, she thought he was unhappy because she had eaten too much. She lowered her head in fear, but she did not reflexively apologize as she would have in the past.

Hyuga Hiashi nodded again, somewhat gratified. After exchanging a look with Hyuga Keiko, he said apologetically, "Hinata, we're sorry we never noticed."

"Huh?" Hinata had yet to understand.

"Hinata, Chakra generally refers to the product of spiritual energy and physical energy being evenly combined," Hyuga Hiashi said seriously. Seeing the tiny Hinata wearing such an earnest expression, his own expression softened slightly.

"But when physical energy and spiritual energy first combine, they produce stamina. Stamina is the foundation for using taijutsu, and it can be converted into Chakra within the body. Once a ninja extracts Chakra, they can use ninjutsu."

Seeing Hinata's half-understanding, confused expression, Hyuga Hiashi continued explaining.

"The Gentle Fist of the Hyuga Clan is taijutsu that combines Chakra and a Kekkei Genkai. Using taijutsu consumes stamina, and when stamina is consumed, the body needs more physical energy. Eating is the best way to replenish physical energy."

Hinata finally understood what her father was trying to say, but she still lowered her head shyly. She seemed ready to steam up at the slightest provocation.

Hyuga Hiashi was somewhat helpless about his daughter's personality, but he no longer disliked it as much as he once had. If she truly changed completely because of some blond brat, then as her father, he would have nowhere to cry.

Hyuga Hiashi continued patiently, "You don't need to feel embarrassed about eating a lot. A larger appetite than ordinary people means you have better stamina than others and can extract more Chakra than they can. This is your talent for training."

"So, Hinata, if you need anything, say it boldly. And as the eldest daughter of the Hyuga family, it's fine to be a little greedier."

As the clan head, Hyuga Hiashi unconsciously put on the demeanor of one even while showing concern for his daughter. The stern expression on his face made Hinata so nervous that she could not speak. Her awe of her father had accumulated over many years; even if Hinata wanted to change, it could not happen overnight.

And now, it was Hyuga Keiko's turn.

She placed the soothed Hanabi in Hyuga Hiashi's arms, then leaned close to the still-hesitant Hinata and whispered softly.

"Hinata, was breakfast still not quite enough today?"

She had noticed that even after eating three additional servings, Hinata did not look much different from usual.

Hinata hesitated for a moment before finally nodding shyly. If eating more could make her stronger, then if she still refused to admit it out of embarrassment, wouldn't she be no different from before?

A gentle smile appeared on Hyuga Keiko's face. "Then how much do you think would be enough?"

"If you truly want to become stronger, then the first thing you need to do is fill your stomach. You can't become stronger on an empty stomach."

Hinata touched her little stomach and considered it briefly before saying softly, "A-another three servings should be enough."

Hyuga Keiko's eyes widened slightly, and her rims could not help reddening. Looking at how sensible her eldest daughter was, she did not know what to say. She must have felt awful, going hungry every day.

She could not help shooting a fierce glare at the equally stunned Hyuga Hiashi. He always looked so stern at home that their daughter had not even dared say she was hungry. Only after he turned his head away did Hyuga Keiko withdraw her gaze, filled with self-reproach as well.

"I'm sorry, little Hinata. Mommy never noticed."

"It's okay, Mom. It won't be like this anymore..."

After breakfast, Hyuga Hiashi strengthened the protection around Hinata, Keiko, and Hanabi, then left again with several jonin.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had ordered the Hyuga Clan to use the Byakugan to monitor the entire village at all times. Any suspicious people or events were to be reported to the Hokage.

For any ninja village, a Kekkei Genkai was the village's bottom line, not to mention one that had been brazenly stolen within its own borders.

Hyuga Hiashi did not tell his family about it. He only told Keiko and the girls not to leave the house for the time being. The village higher-ups did not want the matter leaked, either. Anbu had been killed and a bloodline limit stolen; it concerned the reputation of a major ninja village as well.

Within the Hyuga Clan compound.

Dust swirled across the training ground as two small figures clashed fiercely. Hinata and Neji exchanged blows, their footwork nimble and swift.

Hinata's face was filled with determination. She gave it everything she had, using the Gentle Fist to fend off Neji's attacks.

However, Neji's talent for the Gentle Fist was displayed to the fullest. Although he was still young, his fist techniques, footwork, rhythm, and use of the Byakugan all far surpassed those of children his age. Using the Byakugan to observe the flow of Hinata's meridians, he attacked precisely with the Gentle Fist, each strike hitting a vital point.

Hinata, on the other hand, was clearly struggling, at least in their current spar. A careful look would reveal scattered red marks on her arms, special traces left behind by Neji's Gentle Fist strikes.

Although Hinata had sworn to change, the difference in their years of training and their ages meant it was still impossible for her to catch up to the Hyuga Clan's greatest prodigy, Hyuga Neji, in such a short time.

Yet Neji was still quite surprised. He had been Hinata's sparring partner since childhood, so he knew every characteristic of her Gentle Fist.

Two words described it best: indecisive and sluggish. Her forms were rigid and mechanical, as though she were merely copying a cat from a tiger, performing prescribed movements. She was full of openings and lacked any soul. Her moves looked fierce enough, but they were all surface and no substance.

But Hinata was different today. Neji could clearly feel that her movements had become sharper and more agile. Her defense had also grown more flexible. Unlike before, when she only knew how to block, she now seized openings to counterattack.

Neji did not understand why Hinata had suddenly changed, but seeing Hyuga Hinata before him, so utterly resolute and no longer weak and timid, he could not help feeling irritated.

She clearly had no talent at all, yet merely because of her birth, she was destined to stand above him. No matter how gifted he was or how hard he worked, he could never escape his fate.

The son of a scapegoat might one day have to die for someone from the main family.

"Lady Hinata, give up. As you are now, you're no match for me."

The force in Neji's hands unconsciously increased slightly, and he knocked Hinata back with a blow. His gaze was cold, and his tone carried impatience.

Out of consideration for Hinata's status as the main family's eldest daughter, he had already held back. He only hoped she would end this boring fight quickly.

She was from the main family, yet so weak.

And someone like her required countless members of the branch family to give their lives to protect her.

Looking at Hinata, who stood before him gasping for breath, Neji felt even angrier, yet equally helpless.

Hinata shakily got to her feet and assumed the opening stance of the Gentle Fist once more.

"Brother Neji, I hope you'll use your full strength."

Neji clenched his fists at her words, his brows deeply furrowed. He did not know what had gotten into Hinata today.

He looked toward Keiko, who stood nearby holding Hanabi. She too had her brows knit, her face full of worry.

"Mom, this is my own battle."

Hinata looked at Keiko with a serious expression. Before the other woman could speak, she continued, "I want to know exactly how great the gap between Brother Neji and me is. That way, I can have a true goal. That way, I won't keep being helpless."

Hinata's words did not improve Neji's mood in the slightest. Instead, they made him even more agitated.

She's already the main family's eldest daughter. Why can't she just obediently be a useless person protected by the branch family? Why does she have to wear that expression?

Neji clenched his fists. Keiko's expression became even more worried and conflicted. She wanted to refuse, but upon seeing Hinata's resolute expression, she could not bring herself to say the words. In the end, she silently nodded.

The two began fighting again. This time, Neji's attacks came like a raging storm, and the force in his palms grew even fiercer. In only a moment, Hinata fell once more.

This time, she could not get back up. The Gentle Fist was a palm technique that drove Chakra into the enemy's body. Neji had used his Chakra to block all the meridians in Hinata's body, leaving her unable to stand again for the time being.

Hyuga Keiko hurried forward to examine Hinata's injuries.

"Let's end it here for today. I'll take my leave first."

Seeing Hinata lying in Hyuga Keiko's arms with blood at the corner of her mouth, Neji spoke coldly. He gave the pale-faced Hyuga Keiko a slight bow, then turned to leave.

"Brother Neji."

Hearing the sudden voice behind him, Neji stopped and frowned as he looked at Hinata.

"See you tomorrow."