The Hyūga Clan
Before a set of buildings steeped in old Konoha tradition, Uzumaki Renka took a deep breath and knocked on the main house's heavy doors.
"Hello. I'm Uzumaki Renka. Please inform Lord Hiashi that I've come specifically to thank him for saving my life."
The thick wooden doors swung open. The gate attendant took one look at him and immediately stepped forward to receive him.
"Lord Renka—Clan Head Hiashi already gave instructions. You don't need to report yourself. Please go in directly and meet him. This way, Lord Renka."
"Heh, thank you."
Judging by that attitude… the Hyūga really do think they owe me one.
Fair enough. I nearly died dealing with those three. Gratitude is the least they can offer.
Renka made the calculation silently.
As the attendant led him down the corridor, they spoke a few words here and there—mostly thanks.
"Lord Renka, thank you for bringing the young lady back. The Hyūga clan will never forget this debt!"
"I'm a shinobi of Konoha," Renka replied evenly. "No matter who they kidnapped, I would've stepped in. There's no need for that. Besides, you've already paid me more than enough. And in the end, Lord Hiashi saved my life—if anything, I'm the one who should feel ashamed."
"Lord Renka, you're too modest. The young lady isn't just the clan head's child—she represents the foundation of the Hyūga. If anything happened to her, even our clan's roots would be shaken. You don't need to downplay it. This is your merit."
Renka was starting to run out of ways to respond when the corridor finally opened into an outdoor training area—and beyond it, a residence with its doors wide open.
Inside, two little girls were sparring in a solemn atmosphere. The sharp smack-smack-smack of fists and feet echoed from within.
Renka narrowed his eyes.
Taijutsu split into two broad styles: hard-fist and gentle fist.
Might Guy—and Renka, along with most taijutsu shinobi—trained hard-fist: direct external damage.
But the Hyūga's Gentle Fist, as far as Renka knew, was something only the Hyūga truly mastered in Konoha.
Unlike hard-fist, which crushed from the outside, Gentle Fist targeted the body's inside. Even a glancing strike could be devastating—at best sealing tenketsu (chakra points) and stripping someone of combat ability; at worst damaging the chakra pathway system and killing through internal injury.
Either way, it spoke to its terrifying strength.
That said, Gentle Fist was built to pair with the Hyūga's kekkei genkai—the Byakugan.
Without it, you couldn't fully draw out the art's true power. Strong early, but harder to push to higher ceilings.
"Clan Head, Lord Renka has arrived," the attendant reported respectfully.
Hyūga Hiashi gave a small nod and flicked his hand. The attendant withdrew.
"Lord Hiashi," Renka greeted.
"You've recovered?"
Hiashi asked a simple question, then turned toward the two children training.
"That's enough for today. Hinata—come here."
"Thank you for your concern. The doctor said I could be discharged, so it shouldn't be an issue."
"Father…"
Hinata stepped forward timidly, her eyes wary.
Whether Hiashi didn't notice—or simply didn't care—he pointed at Renka and spoke to her in a firm tone.
"He is the reason you were rescued. As the Hyūga clan's young lady, I shouldn't need to teach you proper thanks."
"Th-thank you, Lord Renka!" Hinata's voice was soft and delicate, like porcelain.
Renka couldn't bring himself to be harsh to a girl like that. He smiled and gently ruffled her hair.
"No need to thank me. I saved you—your father saved me. That makes us even, right?"
"And besides… something like that happening to a girl as cute as you? It never should've happened. Don't blame yourself. It's the bad guys' fault."
Maybe Renka's tone was too gentle.
Hinata actually looked up—straight at his face.
Short crimson hair. Clear black eyes. A warm smile and an even warmer hand.
For the first time, the shy little Hinata didn't feel the usual panic rise in her chest.
"Lord Renka is… very pretty," she said after thinking hard for a long moment.
Hiashi's expression shifted at once.
"Do not use pretty to describe a man. That is an insult."
Renka felt his mouth twitch.
And when he saw Hinata stiffen like a startled rabbit—her eyes filling with anxious unease—he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
This is why I hate big clans. Rules stacked on rules… it squeezes people until there's no room left to breathe.
He pulled himself back from the wandering thought and chuckled lightly.
"Heh. Lord Hiashi, you're being too serious—no harm done. But Hinata… 'pretty' is usually for cute girls like you."
He tapped his own chest with a grin.
"For someone rough like me, handsome is plenty."
Hiashi fell silent—possibly because Renka's skin was far too thick.
But Hinata and the other little girl nearby, Hanabi, both giggled.
The heavy mood vanished in an instant.
Renka seized the opening and steered things back to business.
"Lord Hiashi. Hokage-sama said you wanted to see me. Is there something you need?"
Hiashi had his daughters leave the room. Only then did he speak.
"You saved my daughter. The Hyūga clan owes you a debt. If you need something, say it."
…Is he seriously offering himself up as a free reward?
As expected of the Hyūga clan head—smooth, deliberate, and socially sharp.
Renka straightened, putting on a righteous expression.
"Lord Hiashi, you saved my life. I'm already grateful beyond words—how could I dare ask for more? As for Hinata, there's nothing to mention. Even if it weren't me, any Konoha shinobi would've acted the same. The village is our home. Everyone in it is family."
Hiashi studied him for a long moment, then said quietly, "Then I was presumptuous. In that case, allow me to thank you once more on my daughter's behalf."
Renka's eyes widened.
Wait—no no no. That's not how this goes. I refuse three times, you insist harder, and then I "reluctantly" accept—
Why are you ending the scene early?!
Seeing the treasure trove about to walk away, Renka panicked and immediately backpedaled.
"Of course—uh—Lord Hiashi, the Hyūga clan has always refused to let benefactors take a loss. And to prevent petty people from slandering the Hyūga name…"
He coughed, shamelessly.
"I'll… boldly make one request."
Hiashi's gaze locked onto him. "You're sure?"
Renka nodded seriously. "I want to learn the Hyūga clan's pressure point technique."
"You're certain that's all?" Hiashi asked again, eyes sharp.
Renka understood that pressure point striking was far from the clan's deepest secrets—most Hyūga learned it early.
Hiashi's tone wasn't particularly alarmed.
That gave Renka confidence.
"Yes, Lord Hiashi. I couldn't accept anything more. Just that."
Hiashi stared at him, as if trying to see through his bones.
"Pressure point striking works best when paired with the Byakugan. On its own, it will have limited effect for you. Do you understand?"
"Thank you for your generosity," Renka said sincerely. "I don't deserve more. This is already precious."
Seeing Renka's expression didn't look fake, Hiashi said no more. He turned and returned with two scrolls, placing them into Renka's hands.
"One contains pressure point techniques. The other is Gentle Fist chakra control training—with clearly marked tenketsu locations. Take them back and study them carefully."
Renka's expression shifted. He hadn't expected Hiashi to go this far for Hinata's sake.
Father's love really is heavy as a mountain…
"Lord Hiashi—these are Hyūga secret arts. I—"
Hiashi turned back, and—surprisingly—smiled faintly.
"I didn't misjudge you."
He waved a hand.
"Take them. Don't worry. The Eight Trigrams palm techniques are the true foundation of the Hyūga in Konoha. What I'm giving you is only the basic layer of Gentle Fist."
He paused, then added, voice calm but carrying weight:
"To learn pressure point striking, you must understand the fundamentals first."
Renka straightened again, solemn.
"If the Hyūga clan ever truly needs me… I will give everything I have."