Chapter 11
The maid Hyūga Natsuki's voice came from the doorway: "Lord Clan Head, the Hokage has arrived."
"The Third Hokage?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Hiashi's eyes.
Why would the Hokage come to the Hyūga estate at a time when he should be handling security for the incoming Kumo delegation?
"I'll be there shortly."
Hiashi straightened his kimono and turned to Hinata.
She was still catching her breath from demonstrating the technique, but a rare, firm light shone in her pure white eyes—exactly the resolve he had always wanted to see in the main family heir.
Yet…
Thinking that this determination stemmed from wanting to defend that Nine-Tails jinchūriki brat stirred an inexplicable sourness in his chest—an old father's quiet ache.
"That move earlier… regarding the Taiji Bagua Palm—do not mention it to anyone else for now."
Hiashi spoke gravely. "Continue training. Do not slack."
With that, he turned to the maid at the door. "Natsuki, watch over Hinata."
"Yes, my lord."
In the guest reception room, fragrant tea steam curled upward.
One of the main family elders knelt beside the low table, respectfully pouring tea for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
When Hiashi entered, the elder bowed slightly and yielded the head seat.
Hiashi naturally took the central position. The three formed a triangle.
"To what do we owe this unexpected visit, Lord Hokage?"
After brief pleasantries, Hiashi cut straight to the point: "If this concerns the so-called peace ceremony with Kumo, I already made our position clear in the meeting. On that day, all main and branch Hyūga members will attend the clan ceremony here in the compound. We cannot participate in the village festival."
"Or do you have some special directive?"
Hiruzen cradled his hot tea without drinking, eyes crinkling beneath the brim of his hat in that familiar gentle smile.
"Hiashi, you've surely heard what happened today?"
He went directly to the heart: "That child—Uzumaki Naruto—has learned a taijutsu style remarkably similar to Gentle Fist, yet distinctly different."
Hiashi's hand paused on his teacup.
So that was why he came.
He responded calmly: "Indeed. I just witnessed it firsthand through my daughter Hinata."
His tone carried a trace of genuine admiration.
"While I don't know whether it has advanced secret techniques like 'Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven' or 'Eight Trigrams Empty Palm,' even its foundational forms… are more refined than our clan's basic Gentle Fist."
"What?"
The elder beside them jolted, nearly spilling tea.
He looked up in shock, Byakugan wide with disbelief, thinking he had misheard.
A style similar to Gentle Fist—yet more refined?
Hiashi glanced at the elder and briefly recounted what happened in the dojo.
When he mentioned Hinata using that strange technique to actually force him back half a step, the elder's expression shifted from confusion to stunned silence.
"Hehehe…"
Hiruzen let out his signature warm chuckle. "It seems my judgment hasn't dulled."
He then repeated the same theory he had shared earlier with Fugaku and Shikaku: the "dissociative identity / alter personality / possible memory transmission" explanation.
"Since Naruto's 'alter' has demonstrated something so akin to Gentle Fist, I thought… perhaps allowing him to observe authentic Hyūga Gentle Fist could produce interesting results."
Hiruzen looked at Hiashi with sincere eyes. "So I'd like to discuss whether Naruto could… visit the Hyūga compound to observe and learn Gentle Fist."
Hiashi's brows furrowed slightly.
Having a major shinobi clan like Hyūga teach the Nine-Tails jinchūriki? That had always been a strict taboo.
"Lord Hokage." Hiashi set his cup down, tone serious. "The Hyūga clan's Gentle Fist secret techniques have always been transmitted orally within the main family—never to outsiders."
"As for the foundational forms… while less restricted, the core relies on the Byakugan to perceive tenketsu. Without it, outsiders can only imitate superficially—useless in practice."
He paused, then shifted: "However… if Uzumaki Naruto is willing to exchange his 'Taiji Bagua Palm' techniques, the Hyūga clan… would be open to consideration."
As head of one of Konoha's great clans, he was genuinely intrigued by footwork that had made even him lose balance.
"An exchange of taijutsu?"
Hiruzen shook his head. "I cannot bypass Naruto and offer his techniques as trade—even for his benefit."
Disappointment flickered in Hiashi's eyes.
"But," Hiruzen continued, "we can approach it differently."
"The Hyūga have children around Naruto's age. Since direct adult exchanges are inconvenient, why not let the younger generation interact more freely?"
Hiashi blinked. "You mean…"
"Starting today, I will lift restrictions on major clans interacting with Uzumaki Naruto. I also hope this child can make a few friends his own age."
Hiruzen spoke meaningfully: "They're still young. Children naturally enjoy sparring and exchanging techniques—it's normal, isn't it?"
"If Naruto is willing to teach, and Hyūga children are willing to learn, that would be a bond they form themselves."
Hiashi fell silent for a moment, then understood the Hokage's intent.
This was a green light—allowing the secret-technique clans to invest in the limitless-potential jinchūriki.
"Since Lord Hokage has spoken so clearly…"
Hiashi lifted his tea again and took a slow sip. "The Hyūga clan… will not oppose normal interactions among the younger generation."
...
Meanwhile, back at the swing set near the Ninja Academy gates.
The snowfall had long ceased; winter sunlight finally broke through the clouds.
Uzumaki Naruto had no idea that his casual show-off earlier had just triggered a 180-degree shift in Konoha's upper echelons' attitude toward him.
Without Fox Sage constantly "supervising," Naruto's patience quickly ran out.
In the seal space, Xuanming was meditating with closed eyes. He never demanded Naruto train like an ascetic monk.
After all, the boy was only three. Too much pressure would backfire. Keeping interest alive was far more important—let him go at his own pace.
"Phew… so tired."
Sweat-soaked, Naruto finally stopped. His eyes drifted to the swing, and a mischievous glint appeared.
He clambered up—not sitting normally, but crossing his legs in the meditation posture Xuanming had taught, balancing steadily on the narrow seat.
A high-difficulty move.
"Fox Sage said not to train outside in the cold snow… but the snow stopped, so it should be okay now, right?"
Naruto closed his eyes, trying to find balance on the swaying swing.
Xuanming often told him true-and-false stories—like how the world was filled with invisible "natural energy."
If you could absorb it and mix it with chakra, you'd become as powerful as a real sage.
But external energy was violent. Safe use required one thing: a calm mind.
How calm? Naruto wasn't entirely sure.
"If the heart is as clear as ice, even heaven's collapse brings no alarm…" he mumbled the half-remembered scripture.
As long as the mind stayed steady, the body's center of gravity would stabilize—no wild swinging with the ropes.
He trusted everything Fox Sage said.
Gradually, his breathing slowed and lengthened. Over time, he adapted to the swing's rhythm.
His body seemed to merge with the motion, finding balance amid the sway.
But just as he neared that state—
Gurgle—
An untimely rumble from his stomach shattered the calm.
The ripple destroyed his focus. He forgot he was perched on a swinging seat.
Thud!
Center of gravity lost, Naruto toppled backward and landed solidly in the snow.
"Ow… that hurt…"
Fortunately the snow was still deep—nothing serious. Naruto rubbed his head and sat up.
He brushed snow off himself and looked down at the snack box still clutched protectively to his chest.
It was delicious, but this was his very first gift—he couldn't bear to eat it all at once like a meal.
There was still Fox Sage's stewed soup at home, but that was saved for dinner.
Naruto reached into his inner pocket and felt a few crumpled bills.
"Hehe!"
His blue eyes lit up instantly.
"Decided! Lunch is Ichiraku ramen!"
Just thinking of the taste washed away all the training fatigue.
Clutching the precious snack box, Naruto bounded off like an excited little fox—straight toward Ichiraku Ramen.
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