With Akira Ren's assistance—
Anko and Kurenai Yuhi, having obtained their "cheat-mode trial cards," were passionately training in the Forest of Death.
Meanwhile—
Within the Hyūga Clan compound, on the spacious training grounds—
Two figures, one large and one small, continuously exchanged blows.
From time to time, their palms clashed as they attacked one another.
Advancing, defending, evading…
Although both moved with incredible speed—
Their seemingly plain exchanges—
Lacked the explosive visual impact of steel-fisted combat and crushing blows.
There was none of that visceral sensation of punches landing against flesh.
To outsiders—
The battle might even have seemed somewhat dull.
Yet on the spectator platform nearby—
None of the Hyūga clansmen present appeared bored.
Instead, every single one watched intently.
Extremely focused.
Filled with amazement.
Aside from more than a dozen branch family guards—
Several elderly men with graying hair were also observing the match.
And the smooth foreheads they possessed—
Clearly displayed their superior status.
All of them were elders of the Hyūga main family.
"What beautiful Gentle Fist…"
"Truly worthy of being the heir of the main family!"
"Her movements flow as smoothly as water. She's clearly become extremely proficient!"
"As the rumors said, Young Lady Hinata's strength has improved tremendously these past days!"
One after another, the main family elders exclaimed in admiration and nodded with satisfaction.
Ordinary people—
Would only see Hiashi Hyuga deliberately restraining his strength while sparring with his daughter.
But experts like them—
Saw something completely different.
Hinata, the young lady of the main family—
Possessed an incredibly solid foundation in Gentle Fist.
Even Hyūga clansmen who had trained diligently for ten or twenty years—
Might not necessarily reach this level.
She was merely limited by her age.
Her body had not fully matured yet, preventing her from perfectly displaying the full power of Gentle Fist.
This once-fragile heir of the main family—
Had finally begun to reveal the potential worthy of inheriting the position of clan head.
"Big Sister, do your best!!!"
On the spectator seats nearby—
A little black-haired girl with straight long hair and pale white eyes, around four years old—
Clenched her tiny fists and quietly cheered for her older sister.
However—
She failed to notice—
The beautiful woman kneeling beside her.
While feeling gratified and proud watching her eldest daughter display such strength—
The woman unconsciously revealed a trace of helplessness and worry in her gaze toward her younger daughter.
Because Hinata, as the eldest daughter of the main family, had become this outstanding—
It meant Hanabi, as the younger sister, no longer had any chance.
She could only become part of the branch family.
"Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams…"
On the field—
Veins bulged around Hinata's eyes.
Her Byakugan had already been activated.
Her pale eyes locked firmly onto her father, Hiashi Hyūga.
Her movements were agile like a swimming dragon, incredibly swift.
As she continuously struck with her palms—
"Thirty-Two Palms!"
Bang! Bang!
Opposite her—
Hiashi also used Eight Trigrams: Thirty-Two Palms.
Effortlessly neutralizing the storm-like barrage of attacks from his daughter.
Casual and completely at ease.
"Huff… huff…"
Looking at Hinata, who was already breathing somewhat heavily—
Hiashi Hyūga was filled with astonishment.
"You've reached your limit?"
This eldest daughter of his—
Had truly awakened.
In merely a few short days—
She had grown to this extent.
Although she had yet to master Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms—
She had already achieved this level.
Her mastery of Thirty-Two Palms—
Was incredibly refined.
At her age—
There was absolutely nothing to criticize.
"That's enough for today—"
Just as Hiashi began speaking—
Before he could finish—
Hinata suddenly shouted loudly:
"No, Father! It's not over yet… Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"
Her palms suddenly thrust forward fiercely.
"Whoosh—!"
An invisible chakra shockwave blasted forward like lightning.
Thanks to the Byakugan's nearly flawless perception and his own immense strength—
Hiashi Hyūga's expression changed.
The hairs on his body stood upright as he barely twisted aside in time to evade Hinata's strike.
BOOM!
Without warning—
The instant Hiashi sidestepped—
Several meters behind where he had originally stood—
A wooden training post exploded violently.
Wood splinters scattered everywhere.
The scene was terrifying.
"What!?"
"This is… Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm?"
"Incredible! She's even mastered this technique already!"
Not only Hiashi Hyūga—
Every observing main family elder was utterly shocked.
They cried out in disbelief.
"Hinata…"
Hiashi Hyūga found it difficult to remain calm.
He never imagined—
His eldest daughter had actually mastered Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm.
It was simply unbelievable.
"Father, forgive me!"
Hinata showed no intention of stopping.
Her body moved swiftly like a nimble fish as she rapidly closed the distance toward Hiashi.
Assuming her stance—
An invisible Eight Trigrams domain enveloped her father.
"Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams…"
With Akira sparing no effort to help her—
Her physique had undergone complete enhancement.
Her chakra pathway system had become wider and tougher.
Her chakra control had risen to another level entirely.
The flow of chakra through her body was now smooth and unobstructed.
She was completely different from before.
She had even mastered the Hyūga Clan's signature technique, Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm.
Originally—
She still lacked enough skill to complete Sixty-Four Palms.
She had only intended to perform Thirty-Two Palms.
But at this moment—
She suddenly recalled Akira Ren's teachings over the past days:
"Believe in yourself. Unwavering determination itself is a form of strength."
At once—
Her eyes became filled with conviction.
Akira Ren-niisan… from now on, I won't run away anymore.
Bang! Bang!
Her palms became afterimages.
Continuously striking forward.
"Two Palms, Four Palms, Eight Palms…"
"Sixteen Palms!"
"Thirty-Two Palms!"
Hinata panted heavily.
Clenching her teeth, unwilling to give up.
She—
Was not doing this merely to prove to others that she was some kind of genius.
Because she had always known very clearly—
That she was not a true genius.
Nor was it solely because she didn't want to disappoint Akira Ren-niisan—
Who tirelessly guided and encouraged her again and again—
Who even used the miraculous Spirit Transformation Technique and his extraordinary chakra control to transform decay into something miraculous, improving her physique and drawing out her latent potential.
Rather—
She simply did not wish—
For herself to remain forever in some unnoticed corner, only capable of silently gazing at his back from afar.
She liked Akira Ren-niisan!
And one day—
She hoped to fight alongside him.
During their brief time together—
She had already deeply realized—
Just how dazzling he truly was.
For that sake—
No matter how much effort and sweat it required—
She would willingly endure it all.
And gladly so.
"Believe in yourself. Unwavering determination…"
Her eyes revealed an unprecedented strength of will.
Gone entirely was the hesitation and timidity she once possessed.
Instead—
They carried limitless hope and determination.
Hinata realized—
She had never been this resolute before.
Persisting with her strikes—
She continued attacking without hesitation.
"It's not over yet… Sixty-Four Palms!!!"
Bang bang bang!
Relying on his overwhelming strength—
Hiashi dissolved his daughter's attacks one after another.
But his entire face was filled with emotion.
He stared at Hinata, who was breathing heavily from exhausting her chakra and approaching her limits.
"You've already reached this level?"
Never before—
Had he seen this daughter of his—
Who had always been overly timid since childhood—
Who lacked confidence—
Who normally didn't even dare meet his eyes directly—
Display such determined eyes.
What gave you such powerful conviction, Hinata?
"So amazing! Big Sister actually performed Sixty-Four Palms!"
On the nearby spectator seats—
Hanabi's eyes sparkled brightly with admiration.
"This…"
"How is that possible?"
"Gulp! This has to be a joke, right?"
Meanwhile—
Those main family elders of the Hyūga Clan were utterly shaken.
Collectively stunned speechless.
They stared at the small figure on the training grounds—
Unable to believe their own eyes.
Each one widened their eyes and opened their mouths so far their jaws nearly dropped to the floor.
Was this really the same timid and submissive young lady of the main family they once knew?
"It seems the rumors were true. Young Lady Hinata truly is a once-in-a-century genius of the Hyūga Clan… a buried jewel covered in dust."
"She remained silent for years, only to astonish the world with a single feat!"
You can read extra chapters ahead on Patreon if you're interested:
patreon.com/Luna023