Meeting

Under the gaze of everyone's Byakugan, it would be a lie to say Hyuga Shinichi felt no pressure. Eventually, unable to withstand the scrutiny, he spoke to the group.

"Um, Clan Head, and Elders, are you interested in the Taiji Fist I developed?"

Hyuga Shinichi shamelessly claimed the Taiji Fist—a martial art with a long history and culture from his past life—as his own creation.

No one doubted the truth of his words. After all, such a technique did not exist in this world, and its similarity to the Gentle Fist only led them to believe that Hyuga Shinichi possessed high aptitude, allowing him to intuit a different style of combat.

"Oh, it's called Taiji Fist? A fine name, very fitting for Taiji."

One elder voiced his thoughts. When the Hyuga Clan used the Gentle Fist, a Bagua Taiji diagram would manifest beneath their feet; the Taiji in the center was generally understood to be formed by the Yin-Yang Release of this world.

"If the Clan Head and Elders want the Taiji Fist, I have no objections. It is my honor to contribute to the clan."

After speaking, he considered the characteristics of the Taiji Fist and recalled the expressions of the Hyuga clansmen who had been watching earlier. Hyuga Shinichi finally understood: the effect of combining Taiji Fist with the Byakugan and chakra was unimaginable. He began to ponder how to extract some benefits from the clan.

"Hmm, not bad. To know how to contribute to the clan at such a young age—you should be rewarded. Speak, what do you want?"

Hyuga Nimitsu, sitting in the main seat, and the various elders all wore expressions that suggested they thought the boy was sensible and understood the rules. Hyuga Shinichi stopped hiding his intentions and stated what he wanted.

"Many thanks, Clan Head. This is what I should do, but if you insist on rewarding me, I cannot refuse. Just give me some chakra metal, that will suffice."

The people in the conference room nearly fell out of their seats upon hearing Hyuga Shinichi's words. How could this child be so shameless as to say such a thing?

One moment he was saying it was his duty to the clan, and the next, he immediately changed his tune to say, "If you insist on rewarding me, I cannot refuse."

Of course, they had no intention of denying him a reward. The point was that Hyuga Shinichi wanted chakra metal, and he said "just," treating the material as if it were worthless while putting on a face of reluctant acceptance.

Standing to the side, Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga naturally understood their younger clansman. They exchanged a glance, helpless against Hyuga Shinichi, and could only sigh and laugh while rubbing their foreheads.

Hyuga Nimitsu was the first to recover. He roughly guessed what Hyuga Shinichi wanted the chakra metal for, but he asked anyway.

"What do you want chakra metal for?"

Hyuga Shinichi thought for a moment before speaking his true intentions.

"Clan Head, you should have seen me practicing with a sword earlier. I want to use the chakra metal to forge a blade."

"Hmm, I saw it. But I feel your attainments in fist techniques are higher than your swordsmanship. Was the swordsmanship you displayed earlier derived from the Taiji Fist you developed?"

Ginger is still spicier when it's old. He didn't ask why I wanted a sword, but instead emphasized my mastery of fist techniques to contrast with my swordsmanship. Is he trying to make me know my place?

When they were present, they had seen that the Taiji Fist and the Taiji Sword shared the same underlying principles. In their perception, Hyuga Shinichi had first intuited the Taiji Fist through the Gentle Fist, and only later developed the Taiji Sword, so they all felt his mastery of the fist was superior.

Hyuga Shinichi didn't know how to explain it. If he mentioned the Wind-Riding Sword Technique, he hadn't even successfully developed the wind-flow coating yet; he could only maintain it briefly before his stamina gave out.

Even if he explained it using the talent he had shown while practicing at Nawaki's house, it clearly wouldn't pass muster. The Hyuga Clan was a very conservative family; everyone used the Gentle Fist, and it was impossible for them to let one person be special and break clan traditions.

He couldn't help but think he had messed up. What should he do now?

Standing to the side, Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga also sensed the atmosphere was off and felt worried for Hyuga Shinichi.

Seeing that Hyuga Shinichi couldn't provide a satisfactory answer, Hyuga Nimitsu looked at the elders. Seeing them nod after a moment of silent contemplation, he felt a sense of relief.

Hyuga Shinichi clearly had his own ideas, and he didn't want to be a Clan Head who suppressed the geniuses within his own ranks. Finally, he looked at the Branch House head, who had sat quietly without saying a word since the conversation began.

He sighed inwardly. This Branch House head was his twin brother, Hyuga Nikku. Just because he was born earlier, he had become the Main House, while his brother became the Branch House, destined to serve the Main House for his entire life—even though his brother's talent was far superior to his own.

As an older brother, he could feel his brother's dissatisfaction with the clan system, yet there was no resentment toward him personally; he was still the same familiar brother. Thinking of how his own two children had now become the versions of himself and his brother, he sighed again in his heart.

"I agree. Although I don't know what is in your mind, the clan will support you. Act according to your own thoughts. I will have someone prepare the chakra metal and have it delivered to you tomorrow."

Upon hearing Hyuga Nimitsu's words, Hyuga Shinichi didn't react at first. He looked at the people present and, seeing them all nodding at him, couldn't quite believe the clan had agreed to let him focus on swordsmanship.

"Thank you for the recognition, Clan Head and Elders."

After spending the entire day handing over all the moves and key points of the Taiji Fist, the people in the conference room departed.

Hyuga Shinichi once again sat by the lake next to the training ground. Even now, it felt surreal; he had been acknowledged by the clan and had even obtained the chakra metal he had been longing for.

Suddenly, someone appeared, causing Hyuga Shinichi to stop his daze. Seeing the person's face, he immediately stood up and said respectfully.

"Greetings, Clan Head."

The person who arrived was none other than the Branch House head, Hyuga Nikku. The other party merely grunted in acknowledgment and looked out at the lake. After a long while, he spoke.

"Hyuga Shinichi, the reason you were able to gain the clan's recognition this time is because of your status as a member of the Main House and your superior talent. Do not waste such an opportunity. Do what you want to do, and do not leave yourself with regrets."

Hyuga Nikku squinted at the reflection of the moon on the lake. There was a longing in his eyes that quickly faded, returning to his original expression. He looked at Hyuga Shinichi, reached out to gently pat his head, and prepared to leave.

Hyuga Shinichi watched the back that was slowly being swallowed by the night. He thought of the lonely look on Hyuga Nikku's face when he had gazed at the moon's reflection.

Was Hyuga Shinichi not also a Kyōka Suigetsu to Hyuga Nikku? From the moment he was born, he was a member of the Branch House, destined only to serve the Main House. No matter how hard he worked, no matter how talented or capable he was, he would still remain a member of the Branch House.

"I will! Clan Head! I will work hard and never leave myself with regrets! When the time comes, I will try to make the clan..."

Hyuga Shinichi shouted loudly, seeing Hyuga Nikku turn back to look at him.

The usually cold, wooden face revealed a gentle smile. He shook his head at Hyuga Shinichi, signaling him not to say any more, and turned back to continue into the pitch-black night.

Hyuga Shinichi stood by the brightly lit lake, silent.