"You praise me too much, Uncle. It is the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist style, which is unmatched in the entire ninja world, that is truly enviable."
Seeing that Kusuo had already drawn his sword, Hiashi's body also leaned forward slightly. "If that's the case, why don't we have a little spar? It would be a good opportunity to see the difference between the famous Hatake sword style and our Hyuga's Gentle Fist."
"Hehe."
"Hehe."
The two of them exchanged false smiles, but both were ready. Hiashi called over a clansman who had been kneeling at the door, whispered a few instructions in his ear, and soon a group of Hyuga clansmen in training clothes arrived. Most of them were the backbone of the Hyuga clan. Elite chunin, and there was no shortage of jonin among them.
"Genichiro, you go and have a little exchange with our guest in the courtyard. Remember to display the style and grace of our Hyuga clan. Do not let our guest look down on us!" The tone of his voice rose sharply at the end. He bit down on the words "look down on us," enunciating them with force. The honor of the Hyuga would not be tarnished.
The two walked into the courtyard, and Kusuo stood with his sword in hand. He had no intention of holding back; there was no point. Looking at his opponent's serious and earnest posture, his face tense as he stared, Kusuo let out a yawn.
"My name is Hyuga Genichiro. I am currently a member of an elite chunin squad in Konoha. Please be so kind as to instruct me!"
An elite chunin? Is that all.
"How about this, let's not waste time. I will only use one slash. If you think you can block this one slash, then I, Hatake Kusuo, will admit defeat."
Arrogance! Utter arrogance!
What an incredibly presumptuous thing to say! And to say it in the headquarters of the Hyuga clan, to be looked down upon like this. All the Hyuga clansmen present were enraged. They all turned to look at their clan head, not understanding why Hiashi would invite such an ignorant and conceited person as a guest. A boy in his early teens. On what grounds did he dare to utter such boastful nonsense in front of the great Hyuga clan?
Hiashi's face was grim, but he showed no reaction. He looked around at the faces of his people, each one filled with anger. It was like the powerless rage of children.
Since you are all still immersed in the dream of being the number one clan, then let me be the one to shatter it with my own hands.
Hoo-shhh!
"Sun Breathing, First Form—Dance!"
One slash! In an instant, it was like a fierce wind sweeping away fallen leaves. A circular slash spun outwards. The crimson sword aura kicked up the dust and sand from the ground, scraping off layer after layer of the Hyuga ancestral home's floor.
BANG!
The sword aura howled forth. Wind, flames... the entire Hyuga main courtyard was destroyed in an instant. The opponent, Hyuga Genichiro, stood there dumbfounded, completely stunned.
Not just him. The entire Hyuga clan was dumbstruck, a raging sea of shock crashing through their hearts. They were stunned. Everyone was stunned.
Including Hyuga Hiashi, they all turned their heads with difficulty, looking towards the endpoint of Kusuo's slash. Smoke filled the air. Shattered stones and tiles were scattered everywhere. The few decorative green plants had caught fire and were burning to charcoal.
Only the handsome boy in red clothes with a high ponytail stood there, smiling faintly.
"So, what do you think? Was my casual slash alright?"
Gulp.
The sound of swallowing filled the courtyard.
They were懵了 (měngle) - dumbfounded.
Was it... alright?
Alright?
Al...right?!!
Lazily sheathing his sword, Kusuo walked up to Hiashi. "Well, Clan Head Hyuga, what do you think? My slash was passable, right?"
Hiashi had gradually come back to his senses. At this moment, besides the lingering shock in his heart, there was also a deep sense of admiration. Looking at Kusuo, the more he looked, the more pleased he became. That handsome appearance, that outstanding strength, and that undeniable charisma in his every word and action.
This child... is worthy of my Hyuga clan!
Seeing Kusuo's calm demeanor, all of Hiashi's previous arrogance vanished. "A hero emerges from the young. It can't help but remind me of the White Fang of Konoha in his prime. I'm afraid even he was not your equal at this age. The elegance of that slash... it truly makes one shrink back in awe! For the Hatake clan to have you is truly enviable."
With a sigh full of emotion, the two parties moved to another location to talk in detail. They had no choice; the main plaza had been completely destroyed, and it was now nothing but ruins and rubble.
"The reason I invited you here this time was mainly about the matter between you and my little girl," Hiashi began. "I know my daughter's personality. She's a bit too soft and not suitable for the main family. Sigh."
Hinata's eyes dimmed considerably at his words. The disappointment from her father had been tormenting her every moment for a long time. To carry the expectations of the entire clan, yet to always disappoint... this sense of disparity was the easiest way to crush a person.
"You jest, Clan Head," Kusuo said, shaking his head. To be a father, yet not understand your own daughter... what a failure. His gaze towards Hiashi was even tinged with a hint of pity.
"Hinata is not weak in character; she is gentle and kind. She is so kind that she is unwilling to harm anyone close to her. So gentle that she can treat any villager as an equal, not looking down on them because of their status, nor fawning over them because of their strength."
"At the same time, she can step forward at the most critical moments to protect the person she cares about. Hinata... she is not a useless failure. She is a flawless, precious jade!"
Kusuo's voice was clear and resonant. It entered the ears of the dejected Hinata, making her heart tremble. It was like a shot of adrenaline, brightening up her gray world.
Kusuo...
-------
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