The First Tremor of the Byakugan

Green chakra erupted from within Neji Hyuga. This chakra was refined and brimming with vitality. Neji Hyuga was stunned; for the first time, his pupils experienced a...

"Throb!"

Neji Hyuga's pupils constricted. The previously missing corner of his vision had been restored, and simultaneously, an ability known as Absorption appeared in his mind.

He looked at his own hands and reached toward Hyuga Hiashi. Hyuga Hiashi felt his chakra diminishing. He was startled, looked at Neji Hyuga, and then grabbed his hand!

Instantly, the sensation of his chakra being drained vanished, and he stared at Neji Hyuga in shock!

"How did you do that?" It was the first time Hyuga Hiashi had witnessed such a technique.

Neji Hyuga shook his head; he didn't know either. Meanwhile, Uchiha Izuna, who had just silently activated his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, had seen it all.

"The first throb of the Byakugan? Interesting," Uchiha Izuna laughed.

"The first throb of the Byakugan? Zhan, are you saying!!!"

"Our Hyuga Clan's Byakugan also has the potential for evolution! That's it! That's it!!! No wonder our ancestor Hyuga Tenin could stand on equal footing with the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara! It must be for this reason!" Hyuga Hiashi was so excited he became incoherent.

Uchiha Izuna understood him. After all, it was common knowledge that while the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan was as famous as the Uchiha Sharingan, its practical application in combat was inferior to the Sharingan.

It was only out of respect for the Hyuga family's status that no one said it aloud, though private discussions certainly existed.

Now, the ability Neji Hyuga gained from the first throb of his Byakugan made Hyuga Hiashi realize there was another path for the Byakugan to grow.

"Clan Leader Hiashi's guess is correct. The Byakugan has three throbs in total. Each throb brings a special ability. After the third throb, one can even use techniques like the Silver Wheel Reincarnation Explosion and the Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion."

"It is said that the Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion can split the moon in two!" Uchiha Izuna laughed.

Hyuga Hiashi trembled. His first reaction to Uchiha Izuna's words was excitement and thrill, but the next moment, he realized something. He stepped in front of Neji Hyuga, assuming a combat stance.

Uchiha Izuna realized what was happening and shook his head with a smile: "Indeed, it is not easy for the Hyuga family to produce such a genius, but don't forget, true powerhouses do not strike at children."

"Besides, I am only 10 years old. Do you really think I won't grow in the future?" Uchiha Izuna smiled.

Hearing this, Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui also realized what was happening; it turned out Hyuga Hiashi was worried that they might target his family's genius.

However, his concern was justified, as this was their only treasure.

Hearing Uchiha Izuna's words, Hyuga Hiashi frowned and did not immediately respond, but Hinata Hyuga spoke up: "Father, I don't think Brother Zhan would hurt Brother Neji."

"After all, it was Brother Zhan who pleaded for Brother Neji to be freed from the Caged Bird!" Hinata Hyuga tilted her head against Uchiha Izuna's shoulder, blinking her large eyes as she looked at Neji Hyuga and Hyuga Hiashi.

Hyuga Hiashi was stunned, then immediately reacted, bowing to Uchiha Izuna: "I am sorry, Zhan. Please forgive my rude behavior just now!"

"It's fine, it's fine. After all, this is the only genius the Hyuga family has for the next sixty years! If I were you, I would have done the same." Uchiha Izuna glanced at him and continued teasing Hinata.

Hinata blushed, but she did not refuse.

Neji Hyuga suddenly walked to Uchiha Izuna's bedside, then with a thud, knelt on both knees and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Zhan-kun. If it weren't for you, I might never have known my own talent until the day I died."

"I might have even continued to resent my uncle, my father, and..." His eyes turned toward little Hinata in Uchiha Izuna's arms, revealing deep self-reproach and guilt.

"In short, I, Neji Hyuga, swear that from now on, I will follow your lead, Brother Zhan!" After saying this, Neji Hyuga raised his finger and swore to the heavens.

Uchiha Izuna's expression softened: "Neji, get up. Actually, from the beginning, I felt that you were a genius who shouldn't be buried by the shackles of the Caged Bird."

"You are an eagle; you should be released from the cage to spread your wings and soar, not remain a bird in a cage, a canary."

Uchiha Izuna's words made Neji Hyuga's eyes turn red. Uchiha Izuna was his mentor! His soulmate!

He then looked at Uchiha Izuna and the Hinata in his arms, silently making a resolution: in this life, he would definitely protect Zhan and his own sister!

Uchiha Izuna set little Hinata down and helped Neji up: "From now on, you must train hard and not slack off. I will be checking your progress every month."

"Oh, right. Now that your Byakugan has experienced its first throb, you can try to absorb more chakra to widen your meridians."

"When that time comes, you will be able to perform any ninjutsu! However, the process will be very painful. Can you endure it?"

Uchiha Izuna looked at Neji Hyuga, who broke into a tearful smile and nodded: "I can! Of course I can. I am not afraid of hardship."

"Good, very good. In the future, I will need you to accompany me in conquering the world!" Uchiha Izuna patted his arm.

"It's getting late, time to sleep!" Uchiha Izuna laughed, then placed little Hinata on the ground: "Little Hinata, it's time for you to go back too!"

He patted Hinata Hyuga's little head, and she pouted, saying "Okay."

Hyuga Hiashi looked at Uchiha Izuna with complex emotions. This person possessed immense charisma; with just a few words, he had made his daughter and Neji follow his every word.

In a sense, Uchiha Izuna gave people a feeling of security—that no matter what happened, one could go ahead and do it, and if there were problems, he would handle them.

Coupled with the fact that his daughter seemed to have a crush on Uchiha Izuna, he had a strange thought: what if the two were to marry...

He shook his head vigorously. Where was this coming from? Hinata was only 5 years old! She was still a child; a young girl's admiration might be forgotten after a while!

But watching Hinata look back every few steps as she left, Hyuga Hiashi's heart felt like it was breaking!

Closing the door.

Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Itachi came before him: "Zhan, are you really at ease with such a genius appearing in the Hyuga Clan!"

Uchiha Itachi did not speak, but his eyes were fixed on Neji Hyuga. He also couldn't understand why his brother wouldn't nip the problem in the bud.

With the capabilities of the three of them, killing Hyuga Hiashi, Neji Hyuga, and Hinata Hyuga silently would have been no problem at all.

"Politics is not about killing and fighting; it is about human relationships. It is about making your enemies few and your friends many. Suspicion and striking first are the lowest forms of strategy."

"Although they are effective, they also make others feel that you lack the capacity to tolerate others. When that happens, no one will come to rely on you. Is that the result you want?"

"In the end, we Uchiha are the Uchiha of Konoha. Our vision cannot be limited to just the Uchiha; it must encompass the entire Konoha," Uchiha Izuna laughed.

He knew his words were profound, but as long as he understood the logic, he didn't need everyone else to grasp it.