Under the astonished gazes of the Hyuga clan, Kirito calmly examined his body using the Byakugan's see-through function. The chakra flow in his body, once smooth and uninterrupted, was now blocked at numerous points by Hizashi's precise strikes during the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.
Kirito focused on identifying these blocked points, using the sensation of Hizashi's earlier attacks to map out the affected areas. This strategy was why Kirito had willingly taken the full force of Hizashi's attack instead of avoiding it. Only by forcing the main family to confront him directly could he gather the critical information he sought.
If you want to master the Gentle Fist, understanding the body's chakra points is as essential as the Byakugan itself.
"This… how is this possible?" one of the elders muttered, his voice laced with disbelief. "How can a mere child from the branch family possess such talent?"
Though the Byakugan did not require the same emotional triggers as the Uchiha's Sharingan to awaken, no one in the Hyuga clan had ever opened their Byakugan at such a young age. Kirito's innate talent defied all precedent.
After memorizing the positions of the blocked chakra points, Kirito turned his attention to Little Leopard, who was buried under debris from the earlier fight. He retrieved the creature with practiced ease, patted its plump body, and placed it on his shoulder. Then, with a calm expression, he addressed Hizashi:
"I haven't lost yet."
The murmurs among the Hyuga clan grew louder.
"Is he insane? How can he stand after taking all 64 palms?"
"His chakra should be completely sealed off. How is he moving?"
"Even with the Caged Bird Seal, such a talent shouldn't be wasted."
Neji, standing nearby, observed in silence. As someone who frequently sparred with Hizashi, Neji knew better than anyone how devastating the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms could be. Yet this child—barely three years old—was still standing. Neji's admiration grew.
Meanwhile, Hiashi, who had been watching from the back, stepped forward. He addressed Kirito with a measured tone:
"Kirito, you are undeniably gifted. If you agree to the Caged Bird Seal, I will personally oversee your training. You will become the hope of the Hyuga clan."
Without hesitation, Kirito replied, "Thank you for your offer, but as I said, unless you defeat me, I will not accept the seal. Goodbye."
Before anyone could react, Kirito turned and sprinted through the crowd with agility far beyond his years. His movements were swift and precise, slipping through the throng like a shadow.
"Stop him!" the elder barked, but Kirito was already gone, leaving the stunned Hyuga clan in his wake.
Outside the Hyuga Clan Compound
It was a bustling day in Konoha. The Nine-Tails Rebellion was a distant memory, and the villagers were eager for peace. Cloud Village, Konoha's former wartime adversary, had sent envoys for peace negotiations. The streets were lined with cheering crowds as the Cloud emissaries paraded through the village.
Standing atop a rooftop, Kirito observed the crowd with arms crossed, a faint smirk on his lips.
So I was right. Today is the day the Cloud envoy arrives.
By now, the Hyuga clan's pursuit was well behind him. Despite the clan's powerful tracking abilities, Kirito's Byakugan allowed him to spot and avoid their attempts to surround him. Using the bustling activity of the village to his advantage, he slipped into blind spots and escaped their reach.
His body, though affected by Hizashi's strikes, was no longer a hindrance. Kirito had forced his chakra to break through the blocked points, an act of sheer willpower and control.
Now comes the real dilemma, Kirito thought, scanning the parade below. Should I intervene?
He weighed the decision carefully. On one hand, he owed the Hyuga clan some gratitude for housing him over the past three years. On the other hand, saving them might irreparably alter the timeline, leaving him without the advantage of foreknowledge.
If I don't intervene, the incident will unfold as it did in the original story. If I do… well, it depends on how I handle it.
As Kirito deliberated, he sensed movement in his periphery. The Hyuga ninja were closing in again, their chakra signatures giving away their positions. Kirito leapt from rooftop to rooftop, keeping just ahead of their pursuit.
Back at the Hyuga Compound
The pursuit had not gone unnoticed. In the Hyuga compound, Hiashi sat in the training dojo, listening to a report from one of his ninja.
"Lord Hiashi, we've engaged Kirito several times, but he continues to evade capture. Even now, two of our ninja are still trailing him."
Hiashi's expression remained composed. "An extraordinary child," he remarked. "The Hyuga clan's future may depend on such talent. He will understand this eventually."
Hiashi reflected on the state of the Hyuga clan. Though his daughter Hinata was kind-hearted, her talents were unremarkable. Neji, on the other hand, was shaping up to be a prodigy, though not on Kirito's level.
Kirito will yield eventually. He's still a child, and the Hyuga clan's methods are relentless. He won't escape for long.
At that moment, a faint sound interrupted their conversation. A Hyuga ninja retrieved a crumpled ball of paper from the corridor and handed it to Hiashi. Using his Byakugan, Hiashi inspected the paper carefully before unfolding it.
The message inside caused his brows to furrow. It warned of potential treachery from the Cloud envoys, specifically targeting the Hyuga clan's children.
Hiashi destroyed the note after reading it. Though the message was unverified and suspiciously timed, his instincts told him it was not baseless. He decided to remain cautious, though the weight of the information lingered.
Hiashi sat in silence, contemplating his next move until his wife called him for dinner.
Evening in Konoha
As the village settled into the calm of the evening, Kirito continued his game of cat and mouse with the Hyuga ninjas. Though his pursuers were persistent, their efforts failed to corner him.
Standing on yet another rooftop, Kirito surveyed the village. The streets were quiet now, the festivities of the day replaced by the muted hum of families preparing for the night.
No more running for now. Time to plan my next move, Kirito thought, his resolve unshaken.
(End of Chapter 6)