Returning to her own room within the Hyuga Clan Compound, the interior felt like a world of its own. The concentration of Spiritual Energy was significantly higher than outside, providing her with an excellent environment to Cultivate.
She sat cross-legged in the room, calming her mind to carefully review and consolidate her seventh-level Qi Refining Realm cultivation.
Spiritual power circulated through her Meridians like a warm stream, being polished and purified to the utmost by her efforts.
The Spiritual Energy nourished her Meridians and Physical Body, making her Foundation even more solid and stable.
Hinata looked inward at herself, calmly analyzing the situation in her mind.
She knew very well that the power she displayed was completely different from Hyuga tradition. During such a sensitive period, this was enough to draw significant interest from the outside.
Hinata opened the System mall, skipping over items she was already familiar with or didn't need for now, her gaze lingering on a few options.
[Name: barrier breaking pill]
[Effect: Assists in breaking through minor Realm Bottlenecks during the Qi Refining stage, increasing the success rate by 30%.]
[Exchange points: 1800]
[Name: Spirit Stone]
[Effect: Contains pure Spiritual Energy, can be directly absorbed to accelerate cultivation or quickly restore spiritual power.]
[Exchange points: 50/piece]
[Name: Wind Control Technique]
[Effect: A basic wind-controlling Spell that slightly increases movement speed and flexibility.]
[Exchange points: 900]
She exchanged for one [barrier breaking pill] and five [Low-Grade Spirit Stones], and also took the [Wind Control Technique].
The [barrier breaking pill] was for pushing her Qi Refining cultivation, while the [Low-Grade Spirit Stones] could provide a quick replenishment of spiritual power at critical moments. Whether for a cultivation Breakthrough or responding to a sudden battle, they were extremely useful.
The [Wind Control Technique] could also improve her physical mobility.
With the Medicinal Pills and Spirit Stones in hand, she was in no hurry to take the barrier breaking pill.
Breaking through a Realm requires an optimal state and the right opportunity. She planned to let things settle for a few more days to adjust her state to its Peak.
In the following days, Hinata's life returned to a surface-level calm.
School, the clan compound, and cultivation—a three-point routine. She still maintained her "aloof Genius" persona, but after the combat class, this "aloofness" naturally took on the color of a "strong person's solitude" in the eyes of others.
She could feel that the surveillance in the shadows had not decreased; instead, it had become more secretive and frequent.
Cold gazes from the Hokage's direct Anbu and that familiar, chilling gaze belonging to the Root appeared alternately.
She ignored them, keeping her true trump cards hidden without a single leak.
Inside the Hokage Office, smoke swirled in the air.
Hiashi Hyuga stood tall with a calm expression, waiting for the Hokage to speak.
He knew perfectly well why he had been summoned.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke, his gaze falling on Hiashi through the hazy mist. His tone was peaceful yet carried an unquestionable weight.
"Hiashi, what do you think about Hinata's performance in the combat class?"
Hiashi was prepared and nodded slightly.
"Sandaime, Hinata has indeed made progress in her taijutsu training recently. Her strength growth has exceeded expectations, which might be a manifestation of her Bloodline potential."
He slightly modified the excuse Hinata had used to brush him off and presented it.
Before figuring out the true source and intention of his daughter's power, he chose the most conservative explanation.
"Bloodline potential?"
The Sandaime repeated noncommittally.
"The Hyuga Clan's Bloodline is known for the Byakugan and precise Gentle Fist. However, the power Hinata displayed was fierce and overbearing, completely different from the Gentle Fist's soft style. As far as I know, there is no precedent in the Hyuga Clan, is there?"
"Hiashi, we both know very well that this form of power, pure to the extreme, reminds me of someone."
Hiashi knew who the Sandaime was referring to and remained silent for a moment.
"Tsunade?"
"The power Hinata is showing now is very similar, yet it is not the same."
The Sandaime's voice lowered.
"Besides, Tsunade hasn't been in contact with you. Hiashi, I hope you can be honest. Where exactly did Hinata's power come from? Is it a new technique secretly developed by the Hyuga Main Family, or are you hiding something?"
Hiashi felt the pressure from the Hokage, but as the Clan Chief of the Hyuga Clan, he had his own dignity. He looked up, his pure white eyes meeting Hiruzen's gaze directly.
"Hokage-sama, I can guarantee that Hinata's power cultivation does not originate from any external Legacy that could pose a threat to Konoha. As for the specific reason, it involves my daughter's personal privacy and the internal affairs of the Hyuga Main Family."
"I apologize for being unable to provide details, but I guarantee on the honor of the Hyuga Clan that Hinata has no ulterior motives toward Konoha. Her power will only be used to protect Konoha and the Hyuga."
This was both a statement of position and an invisible pressure. As long as it didn't involve the Village's safety, the Hokage should not excessively interfere in the training methods of a major clan's core members.
The Sandaime looked deeply at Hiashi for a long time before finally sighing.
"Hiashi, it's not that I don't trust you or that I want to pry into Hyuga secrets. It's just that the Uchiha incident has just passed, and Konoha cannot afford any more internal instability."
"I understand Hokage-sama's concerns."
Hiashi's tone remained unchanged.
"As a father and Clan Chief, I will strictly teach and restrain Hinata to ensure her power is used for the right path. I will personally guide her Heart-Nature."
With things said to this point, the Sandaime knew asking further would yield no more results. He nodded.
"In that case, I will trust your judgment."
Hiashi bowed slightly.
A conversation that seemed peaceful but was actually filled with hidden confrontation thus ended.
After Hiashi left, the Sandaime leaned back in his chair and rubbed his brow.
Hiashi's attitude was firmer and more protective than he had expected. This made him even more certain that the secrets Hinata Hyuga held were likely more complex than the Monstrous Strength she had displayed.
"It seems I'll need to start observing from other angles."
In the Root, the dark underground base.
Danzo Shimura leaned on his cane, a cold light flashing in his single eye.
Intelligence regarding Hinata Hyuga's performance in the combat class was already laid out on his desk.
"Pure strength, similar to Tsunade's Monstrous Strength..."
Danzo muttered to himself, his voice hoarse and cold.
"Could it be that the Byakugan has hidden functions that haven't been developed yet?"
"That old man Hiruzen will probably be brushed off by Hiashi with talk of internal clan affairs."
"Such a dangerous and uncontrolled power. If it could be used by me, if the Root could control this power..."
"The Hyuga Clan..."
Danzo's fingers rubbed his cane.
"If this power could be stripped away, researched, and replicated..."
If he then took Sasuke's eyes, the next Hokage would be him. He had been coveting the Hokage seat for a long time.
He wanted to be Hokage so much he even dreamed about it.
Danzo spoke to the shadows behind him.
"Send someone to closely monitor all of Hinata Hyuga's movements, especially her trajectory after leaving the Hyuga Clan Compound. Also, keep the remaining Uchiha brat under secret observation."
"In addition, collect all details regarding her cultivation and social interactions. Even the smallest abnormality must be recorded."
"Yes!"
A low response came from the shadows... After finishing her cultivation, her father Hiashi Hyuga came to her courtyard.
"Father."
Hiashi was silent for a moment before speaking.
"I heard about the combat class. You can already control that power?"
"Yes, I can control a little bit."
Hiashi gazed at her, trying to see something in those eyes inherited from him, but in the end, he only saw a peaceful clarity.
"The power you displayed is vastly different from the Hyuga style Gentle Fist, and it has drawn the attention of Hokage-sama."
His tone was steady.
"I used the excuse of internal clan affairs to temporarily deal with it. Konoha is not as peaceful as it seems on the surface. Showing your brilliance too early is not necessarily a good thing."
"However, we of the Hyuga Clan must also have the demeanor of Konoha's number one clan. Since you've chosen to reveal your strength, then work hard to become stronger."