Chakra Training (1)

Early the next morning, Hyuga Yuko had prepared a lavish breakfast.

Sitting at the table, Hyuga Iwa happily ate the delicious food, his face full of enjoyment.

"By the way, Mom Yuko, do you know where I can learn chakra training?"

Hyuga Yuko froze at his words. She said nothing and silently cleared the table.

Hyuga Iwa could tell that something was off, but after thinking it over, he roughly guessed the reason.

His father, Yuko's husband, had died in this Shinobi World War. Perhaps that was why Hyuga Yuko did not want him to become a ninja.

But in this Shinobi World, where human lives were treated like grass, how could there be so many choices? Especially for someone born into the thousand-year-old ninja clan, the Hyuga Clan!

Without strength, how could he protect himself in the future Nine-Tails' Rebellion or Pain's Assault, let alone protect his loved ones?

Hyuga Iwa did not ask further. He did not want to touch upon his mother's pain. Besides, there was no rush. He would find out sooner or later. At worst, he could ask Hyuga Hiashi the next time he saw him.

"At the beginning of every year, the clan teaches ninja training together." Hyuga Yuko's voice came from the kitchen, carrying a faint loneliness and sorrow.

"Thanks, Mom. I'm done eating. I'm heading out."

Hyuga Yuko did not reply, but Hyuga Iwa still saw her shoulders tremble slightly. Intermittent sobs reached him through the silence.

Hyuga Iwa's hand paused on the doorknob, but he still resolutely opened the door.

It was nearly November now. Hyuga Iwa planned to ask around and see whether someone could teach him chakra training early.

In fact, Hyuga Iwa had long tried extracting chakra himself. Following methods he had seen in his previous life, he had experimented for a long time, yet he still had not felt anything.

It looked quite easy when others did it, but when it came to him, he discovered that chakra extraction alone had already stumped him.

Jogging all the way, Hyuga Iwa arrived at Hyuga Hiashi's residence, panting heavily.

As the residence of the Hyuga Clan's head, every brick and tile within displayed the Hyuga Clan's deep foundations.

Although the Hyuga Clan had only moved here after the founding of Leaf Village, the heritage of a thousand-year-old clan was unmistakably revealed in the estate's architectural style.

Even from the outside, the residence had blue bricks and tiles, stone foundations, and upturned eaves, steeped in ancient elegance. Deep courtyards, willows wreathed in mist, curtains beyond counting.

He had never paid attention before, but now that he looked carefully, it truly had a unique charm. In his previous life, it would definitely have been a protected historical building.

Hyuga Iwa looked at the two stone lions by the gate. They were impressively lifelike. Two ninjas stood at the entrance, surveying their surroundings.

When they saw Hyuga Iwa running over, they looked at him curiously.

Hyuga Iwa hesitated for a while before ultimately deciding not to go in. The two Genin watched him turn and leave, but did not meddle, only watching as his figure disappeared around the corner.

Hyuga Iwa had not gone in because he truly did not know how to bring it up. Was he supposed to run in and say, "I want to learn chakra training?" They were not familiar with him, so why would they teach him?

Hyuga Iwa walked while thinking. Suddenly, he remembered that the Ninja Academy seemed to only accept students at the age of five. If so, he still had two years to wait, and what the Ninja Academy taught was not even as good as the clan school.

Without realizing it, when Hyuga Iwa came back to his senses, he had already returned to his doorstep.

Just as he was about to push open the door, it opened from inside. With an "ow," Hyuga Iwa pushed at empty air, lost his balance, and with a smack, fell between the legs of an "acquaintance."

It could not be helped. Hyuga Iwa was only a little over three years old, so he was simply too short.

"Ah, Iwa, are you all right?" Hyuga Yuko cried out in alarm.

Just as Hyuga Iwa was about to get up, he felt himself caught by a large hand, lifted up, and placed on the ground.

"Are you all right, Hyuga Iwa?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm fine, I'm fine." Hyuga Iwa stared at the man before him in surprise, hurriedly shaking his head. "Oh, right, why are you in my house?"

This was somewhat beyond Hyuga Iwa's expectations. He had been planning to visit Hyuga Hiashi's home, yet he had not expected to run into him in his own house.

What Hyuga Hiashi said next surprised Hyuga Iwa even more.

"Hyuga Iwa, I came today to formally inform you that tomorrow, you are to go to the clan training grounds. The clan is preparing to teach you chakra training. All right, I have delivered the notice. Remember not to be late tomorrow." After speaking, Hyuga Hiashi did not wait for Hyuga Iwa's reply and turned to leave.

"Thank you, sir, for coming all this way to inform me." Hyuga Iwa gave a slight bow.

"Don't overthink it. I was only passing by."

"Actually, I just came back from your house."

Hyuga Iwa did not know how Hyuga Hiashi felt, but his own mood was absolutely wonderful.

What was this called? Planting willows without intending to, only for them to grow into shade? No, it should be that coincidences make stories... That did not seem right either. Hyuga Iwa had not even done anything.

Well, fortunately, he had not gone into Hyuga Hiashi's house.

Hyuga Iwa was actually not very good at dealing with people.

With a hint of excitement, Hyuga Iwa spent a somewhat long day, and the next day quietly arrived.

Hyuga Iwa did not know how everyone else felt, but his own heart was conflicted. He was excited, nervous, and somewhat expectant. Perhaps having lived two lives allowed him to face it more calmly.

Without having his mother accompany him, Hyuga Iwa went to the training grounds alone.

By the time Hyuga Iwa arrived, other adults had already brought their children and were waiting nearby.

Hyuga Iwa swept his gaze around and spotted Hyuga Tetsu and his father, Hyuga Gangzi, among the crowd.

Not a single member of the Hyuga Main Family was in sight.

Soon, the appointed time arrived. The remaining members of the Hyuga Main Family and Hyuga Branch Family gradually came to the training grounds. Even several clan members without children had come.

Hyuga Iwa spotted several ninjas among them wearing ninja forehead protectors.

As the ninjas arrived, the atmosphere in the training grounds gradually became solemn.

With the arrival of the Hyuga Main Family, the crowd naturally split into two groups. A few Hyuga Branch Family members even glared angrily, their hostility toward the Hyuga Main Family impossible to miss.

How stupid!

Ignoring the gazes of the Hyuga Branch Family members, Hyuga Iwa stood alone in a corner of the training grounds.

"The clan head is here."

Hyuga Tenka led the way into the training grounds, followed by his two sons, Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga.

With their arrival, the training grounds fell completely silent.

Hyuga Tenka swept his gaze over the crowd and said in a deep voice, "All right. The children will stay. Everyone else, go back."

The clan head's authority was still formidable. The Hyuga Clan members present said nothing more, left their children behind, and departed in twos and threes.

Before long, only a dozen or so children and several Hyuga Genin remained in the training grounds.

After receiving Hyuga Tenka's signal, Hyuga Hiashi began giving orders.

"All of you, listen carefully. Remember every word I say next, because I am about to teach you the chakra training method unique to our Hyuga Clan. If anyone leaks it, this will be your fate!"

As Hyuga Hiashi spoke, he gave a soft shout and struck the ornamental rock beside him with his palm. A tremendous boom rang out, and the rock shattered instantly.

With a collective cry, the young Hyugas present were frightened out of their wits. Some of the children were even scared into tears.

"Quiet!"

Hyuga Hiashi bellowed, frightening the crying young Hyugas into silence at once.

Hyuga Hiashi nodded slightly in satisfaction. In truth, everything he had just done was to establish his authority and prestige, laying the groundwork for his future succession as head of the Hyuga Clan.

However, when Hyuga Hiashi looked at Hyuga Iwa, his expression stiffened. Hyuga Iwa wore a faint smile and looked at them calmly, as though mocking them.

But Hyuga Hiashi quickly returned to normal, so quickly that it was almost impossible to notice.

Without any unnecessary words, Hyuga Hiashi carefully explained the chakra extraction method unique to the Hyuga Clan. Before long, he had gone over it once.

"All right, I'm done. Now follow what I said and do it." Hyuga Hiashi crossed his arms and stood off to one side like a stone statue.

"Huh?" All the young Hyugas were instantly dumbfounded, including Hyuga Iwa.

Most of them had not remembered it at all. More importantly, they had not understood it. Hyuga Iwa had understood what he heard, but when it came to actually doing it, he was still completely lost. He could only say, too young, too simple.

Well, they were children to begin with. It was understandable that they did not get it after hearing it only once. Understandable...

Hyuga Iwa glanced at Hyuga Hiashi and guessed inwardly, Could this be a test? Testing our comprehension?

With that thought, Hyuga Iwa stopped overthinking it. He would try first and see.

Thus, ignoring everyone's astonished looks, Hyuga Iwa sat down cross-legged on the ground, closed his eyes halfway, and decided to give it a try according to his own understanding.