Yun Xi's Trump Card

"How could this be possible!"

As Hyuga Hiashi watched the flow of chakra within Yun Xi's body, he began to doubt everything he knew about life.

The chakra of an ordinary ninja is typically concentrated in the abdomen, from where it flows through the meridian system; once those meridians are damaged, it is possible for the individual to lose the ability to use chakra entirely.

One of the Hyuga Clan's primary combat styles, the Gentle Fist, utilizes this very characteristic to strike at enemies.

By using the Byakugan to see through to the precise location of a target's meridians, they inject their own chakra into the target's body through the Gentle Fist, effectively rendering them temporarily unable to fight.

Hyuga Hiashi had intended to use this exact method to teach Yun Xi a lesson.

But...

What he never expected was...

The youth before him simply did not play by the rules!

Although Hyuga Hiashi had not injected much chakra into Yun Xi's body earlier, some chakra had indeed entered Yun Xi's meridians.

Even if Yun Xi were gifted with an extraordinary physique capable of resisting some degree of meridian damage, there should still have been some reaction, such as numbness or pain.

Yet, as Hyuga Hiashi carefully observed the area where he had launched his attack through his Byakugan, he saw that while the chakra had indeed entered Yun Xi's body and struck the corresponding acupoints...

Yun Xi's body showed absolutely no reaction.

Furthermore, what Hyuga Hiashi had not anticipated was that what flowed through Yun Xi's meridians was not chakra at all!

Under normal circumstances, chakra viewed through the Byakugan appears as a pale blue color.

But not for Yun Xi...

The color appearing within Yun Xi's meridians was actually a mysterious red energy flowing through his body.

And his true chakra...

Had been driven by this red aura into the secondary meridians...

"Kid, who exactly are you?"

Even if Hyuga Hiashi were slow-witted, he could still realize that the youth before him was different.

The bizarre chakra pattern...

The peculiar abilities.

The words that sounded utterly inconceivable.

All of these things...

Instantly made Hyuga Hiashi feel the mystery surrounding this youth.

"I've already told you my identity; I am just a commoner of Konoha. My purpose in coming here is simple: I merely want you to be my ally."

As Hyuga Hiashi questioned his identity, Yun Xi did not dwell on the matter.

Instead, he got straight to the point and stated his purpose for coming.

"Do you know the current state of the Uchiha Clan?"

Unlike Yun Xi's expression, when Hyuga Hiashi heard the purpose of Yun Xi's visit, he merely spoke in a tone of disdain: "Although you are indeed different in some ways, such arrogance will inevitably make you pay a painful price, perhaps even with your life..."

"That is my own concern."

Yun Xi smiled, then continued to ask: "Are you really not going to consider it?"

"Once the two great clans of Konoha unite, I can guarantee that the high-level officials of Konoha would never dare to treat you with their current attitude."

"And..."

"Your clan..."

"Everything related to you..."

At this moment, the chips Yun Xi laid out were like the whispers of a demon, constantly stirring Hyuga Hiashi's heart.

But unfortunately...

Hyuga Hiashi had no intention of agreeing; instead, he looked at Yun Xi with a strange gaze.

After a long while, Hyuga Hiashi finally spoke: "Many people say that countless geniuses have emerged within the Hyuga Clan."

"But I think that among all the younger generation I have seen, you are the true genius."

"If the words you spoke earlier had been said by Uchiha Fugaku himself, I might have agreed..."

"But you..."

"No."

The string of indifferent words did not actually mask the inner turmoil Hyuga Hiashi was feeling at that moment.

Indeed, Hyuga Hiashi had been tempted earlier.

If the Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan were to truly unite.

They would effectively control two-thirds of the power within Konoha.

Such a temptation was incredibly sweet.

But...

Hyuga Hiashi had no way and no reason to gamble on a youth he had never met before.

"Go back. Let today be as if you never came here, and I never saw you. Some matters are not for you to decide or participate in."

After delivering his advice, Hyuga Hiashi prepared to turn and leave.

This guy is cautious indeed.

Watching this scene, Yun Xi looked thoughtful.

In truth, before coming, Yun Xi had already anticipated that the Hyuga Clan would not simply agree to his request.

After all, as a typical representative of the conservative faction, Hyuga Hiashi was certainly cowardly enough!

However, Yun Xi was not prepared to give up on this matter...

Because he still had a trump card!

A trump card sufficient to drive the entire Hyuga Clan into a frenzy!

After a long silence, Yun Xi suddenly smiled.

"So, Uncle still doesn't trust me. Then, what if I add a secret regarding the evolution of the Byakugan within the Hyuga Clan?"

"Will you form an alliance with me..."

The devil's whisper echoed once more, and this time, Yun Xi's words were like a giant net waiting for Hyuga Hiashi to fall into it.

"What did you say?!"

Hyuga Hiashi subconsciously swallowed, trying to ease his own tension.

If the chips Yun Xi had offered earlier were merely about honor, status, and power.

Then now.

The secret regarding the Byakugan was something that could drive Hyuga Hiashi, and even the entire Hyuga Clan, into a frenzy!

Why was it that the Hyuga Clan could never surpass the Uchiha Clan in terms of reputation, status, or influence?

Population? As a clan with both a branch and a main house, the Hyuga Clan had far more people than the Uchiha Clan.

Wealth?

Pardon me, but the Hyuga Clan was the leading financial magnate in Konoha!

Ultimately, it all came down to the fact that the Byakugan was inferior to the Sharingan...

Although in the early stages of awakening—that is, from the Genin to Chunin level—the Byakugan could rely on its x-ray vision, penetration, and coordination with Gentle Fist attacks to temporarily surpass the enhancements the Sharingan provided to its users.

But once the Sharingan reached the two-tomoe state.

The advantages of the Byakugan ceased to exist, and in some aspects, it even paled in comparison to the Sharingan.

Not to mention that the Sharingan had even more powerful states, such as the three-tomoe and the Mangekyo.

Now, someone was telling Hyuga Hiashi that they knew the secret to the Byakugan's evolution...

How could Hyuga Hiashi refuse?

It was as if Yun Xi had directly seized the deepest desire within Hyuga Hiashi's heart...

"Are you telling the truth?"

At this moment, Hyuga Hiashi had stopped in his tracks. While staring at Yun Xi, attempting to discern what he was thinking by looking at the expression in his eyes, he...

Said, "If you are only saying this to trick me into an alliance, I will absolutely make you wish you were dead..."

"Rest assured, I am a person who never lies..."