Chinya demonstrated the Water Breathing All Sword Techniques to Neji Hyuga.
Chinya was convinced that Water Breathing would suit Neji well.
Water Breathing required a calm, steady, and tranquil mind—only someone free from distractions could properly cultivate this breathing method. Compared to other breathing techniques, Water Breathing was the gentlest.
Although the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist style relied on the Byakugan to inject chakra into an enemy's body to damage their internal chakra circulatory system and organs, it emphasized precision and technique. It focused heavily on defense and counterattacks; none of its moves carried any offensive force. Its most notable trait was using retreat as advancement, overcoming hardness with softness—an effect similar to that of Water Breathing.
Neji was a genius.
His future self-invented Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms and Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven—which were passed down orally exclusively within the Main Family—clearly demonstrated his talent and compatibility with the Gentle Fist.
Since Neji was already suited to the Gentle Fist, it made sense that he would also be compatible with Water Breathing.
Seeing Neji lost in thought, Chinya asked, "What did you think about my demonstration of the Water Breathing All Sword Techniques just now?"
Neji's mind was still filled with vivid images of Chinya performing those Water Breathing techniques.
Hearing Chinya's question, Neji replied, "It was like watching water itself—gentle, yet firm. Although the attacks seemed harmless at first glance, they unfolded softly and subtly. But precisely because of this seemingly unthreatening nature, when enough pressure built up or reached a certain critical point, they suddenly unleashed tremendous power and speed, causing unexpected damage. That's my most immediate impression from watching your complete Water Breathing sword techniques."
Chinya was secretly amazed by Neji's response.
Understanding Water Breathing so thoroughly upon seeing it for the first time—Neji truly seemed destined for this technique.
Uzumaki Sōnagi curiously asked, "Dad, was that final move you used a failure? Why did you just stand perfectly still?"
Chinya didn't answer Sōnagi directly but turned his gaze toward Neji instead.
Neji hesitated slightly before guessing, "I don't think it failed. I can't explain exactly why, but within a certain radius centered around you, something unusual happened—it gave me a strange sensation."
Only then did Chinya begin to explain, "You sensed it correctly, Neji. [The Eleventh Form – Sōjutsu: Calm] allows the user to enter a state of perfect tranquility, rendering all techniques within the range of one's blade completely nullified."
Chinya continued addressing Neji, "Throughout Konoha Village, many ninja practice Thunder Breathing, but their effects leave much to be desired—high consumption yet minimal impact. This is because they lack the essential breathing foundation.
"If you truly want to master the Water Breathing All Sword Techniques, you must first learn the proper breathing methods to strengthen your lungs. Only then will your blood be able to absorb large amounts of oxygen quickly, significantly enhancing your physical abilities in an instant."
Whether it's me or your senior martial brother Kakashi, we both practice breathing techniques. Breathing technique is the foundation. Without it, any sword techniques you execute are just empty gestures."
Neji gaped at Chinya in shock.
As for Kakashi, he had heard about him from his father, Hizashi Hyuga.
Kakashi had betrayed Chinya and joined Hiruzen Sarutobi's Anbu.
Yet now Chinya could speak so calmly about Kakashi, even calling him his senior martial brother.
Chinya offered no explanations, only watching Neji with a half-smile.
Quick-witted Neji immediately figured it out: "So that's how it is..."
Seeing that Neji had already guessed correctly, Chinya spent 500 Witness Points to exchange for the method to remove the Caged Bird Seal.
Then he spent another 3,000 Witness Points to acquire the Gentle Fist taijutsu.
The story about copying the Gentle Fist taijutsu using Sharingan? That was just something Chinya made up.
Without Byakugan, he couldn't use it even if he copied it. So why would Chinya waste time copying the Gentle Fist?
The removal technique for the Caged Bird Seal was priced normally since Chinya knew sealing techniques, fulfilling the prerequisite conditions.
The Gentle Fist taijutsu was also normal price too—it worked best with Byakugan, but wasn't useless without one.
Like Thunder Breathing, lacking the breathing technique doesn't mean you can't use the sword techniques.
Chinya motioned for Neji to step closer.
Obediently, Neji stepped forward and stood before Chinya.
As Chinya began removing the cloth covering the Caged Bird Curse Seal on Neji's forehead, he explained: "Besides controlling your life, the Caged Bird also causes a flaw in the Branch Family's Byakugan vision.
The Byakugan grants 360-degree vision, but due to the Caged Bird Seal, the Branch Family has a one-degree blind spot extending backward from the first thoracic vertebra.
That one-degree might seem insignificant, but a weakness is still a weakness. As long as it exists, it's like a blade constantly held at your throat. If your enemy discovers this blind spot, they effectively grasp the hilt of the blade threatening your life.
Now I will remove your Caged Bird Seal. Only then can your Byakugan and Gentle Fist training progress smoothly."
Chinya removed the cloth from Neji's forehead, revealing the ugly Caged Bird Curse Seal.
"Shi Xu You Wei..." (Hand Seals for Breaking Seals)
Chinya's hands moved rapidly through complex hand seals.
After completing the sequence, he placed his right hand over Neji's forehead.
[Sealing Release Technique: Caged Bird! Release!]
With a sharp, low command from Chinya, Neji clearly felt a surge of chakra entering his head.
Following that came intense pain—an excruciating agony that overwhelmed his mind.
The unbearable pain caused Neji to cry out involuntarily.
Uzumaki Sōnagi, witnessing Neji's suffering, worriedly asked: "Dad, is Neji okay?"
Shaking his head, Chinya replied: "He'll be alright once it's all gone."
For Neji, every second of the removal felt like endless torment.
Neji Hyuga had experienced this kind of pain once before when the Caged Bird was placed upon him, but the pain of removing the Caged Bird was even more unbearable.
Three minutes later.
Neji felt as if a tightly coiled wire inside his brain had snapped. Although the pain still lingered, he also felt a sense of relief.
This meant that Neji's Caged Bird had finally been removed.
The pain in his head quickly faded away.
Neji pushed himself up with both hands on the ground, panting heavily.
Strangely enough, at this moment, Neji had actually awakened his Byakugan.
Awakening the Byakugan wasn't like activating the Sharingan, which required intense emotional trauma to trigger.
Normally, awakening the Byakugan required years of rigorous training and chakra control before it could be achieved.
Yet now, because of the removal of the Caged Bird, Neji had awakened the Byakugan at merely three years old.
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