Those present without a Byakugan only saw a blur when Shiro moved, while those with a Byakugan saw all of Shiro's movements.
That scene was too outrageous.
The sheer power made Hyuga Hiashi think of Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin of Konoha.
It was once mentioned that ninja generally have high offense and low defense, where "low defense" is relative to "high offense."
Even a ninja's "low defense," meaning their physical strength, is significantly stronger than that of ordinary people.
To achieve a one-punch headshot or a one-punch heart pierce, rather than just sending someone flying, requires an extremely terrifying amount of strength and speed.
A fist is a blunt weapon, not a sharp one like the Lightning Blade.
Even the AB brothers had to use the Lariat, both exerting force simultaneously, to sandwich the target and have a chance to achieve a similar effect.
Of course, the AB brothers' target that time was Kisame, but Kisame in his normal form didn't have special defensive traits.
The Hyuga Clan's taijutsu is Gentle Fist, which doesn't mean Hyuga Hiashi doesn't understand Strong Fist.
Shiro's punch just now was terrifying in its power, but even more terrifying was that this punch wasn't meant to kill; instead, in an extremely short time, it located Hanabi's Caged Bird Seal and took it away.
As for the never-before-seen "time reversal" at the end, Hyuga Hiashi could only assume it was Shiro's unique Bloodline Limit.
"Your strength is already on par with the Sannin, so why are you so fixated on the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan?"
Hiashi asked with a bitter smile.
"Who's fixated on the Byakugan? Clan Head Hiashi, don't be so conceited. Even if you were to gouge out your eyes right now and offer your Main Family Byakugan in exchange for Hanabi, I wouldn't agree."
"Hmm?"
Hanabi, hearing their conversation, looked up at Shiro, her eyes wide.
"Without the Caged Bird Seal, without restraint, but also without protection, I hope you can protect Hanabi. This is a father's request."
Hyuga Hiashi bowed to Shiro.
As a father, Hyuga Hiashi naturally wished his two daughters could have special privileges and not be branded with the Caged Bird Seal.
But he clearly couldn't achieve that on his own.
Now that Shiro had helped Hanabi remove the Caged Bird Seal, Hiashi felt somewhat happy inside.
At least in Hiashi's heart, Hanabi's talent and future achievements would definitely surpass those of his eldest daughter, Hinata.
Not many members of the Hyuga Clan came to see them off today. The Great Elder was old, and due to his status and position, he naturally didn't come.
This gave Hyuga Hiashi room to maneuver.
Regarding Hanabi, his daughter who was already confirmed as a Branch Family member, and whose Caged Bird Seal was broken, Hiashi chose to let it go.
Even when the other party suggested, "Do you want to engrave it again when you go back?" Hiashi pretended not to hear.
When the Great Elder and others asked about it later, Hiashi only needed the Hyuga Clan members who came with him today to recount how Shiro broke the Caged Bird Seal.
—Even if it were engraved again, the person would just break it again after leaving Konoha. The result would be the same.
When Hyuga Hiashi bowed, Shiro looked at the Hyuga Branch Family members behind him.
Aside from Neji, who was somewhat agitated, the other Hyuga Branch Family members didn't show overly strong emotions.
This was normal.
Hyuga Neji wanted to defy fate; he had talent and dreams.
But the other Hyuga Branch Family members either lacked talent and dreams, or their dreams had long been crushed by reality.
For them, the Caged Bird Seal was indeed a "cage" that "protected" them.
The Caged Bird Seal merely entrusted their lives and freedom into the hands of the Main Family.
According to the method Shiro used to help Hanabi break the Caged Bird Seal, to remove the Caged Bird Seal, one would need to entrust their life into Shiro's hands.
—Otherwise, if Shiro punched their heads off, what would happen if they couldn't recover?
For the Hyuga Branch Family members, Shiro was like Orochimaru. Unless there was someone among them like Sasuke, who yearned for power, they would still be content with the status quo.
"Um."
Hanabi tugged at Shiro's sleeve, "Why are you so amazing? Did you train harder than my sister and me?"
"Hmm, effort is needed, but it's mainly because of 'bloodline,' I suppose."
Shiro stroked his chin, saying something very much at odds with the "Will of Fire."
"B-bloodline? Is it a Bloodline Limit?"
Hanabi was confused.
"Something like that."
"I know the power I've gained is something others can't replicate, it's unique to me. Isn't that 'bloodline'?
Even if I did put in effort for it, I wouldn't tell others that they can become as strong as me just by trying hard."
"Oh."
Hanabi nodded thoughtfully.
Compared to Hinata, Hanabi was younger but more intelligent and astute, and also more rational.
Shiro's words were cruel, but they were the truth.
On the other side, Sasuke, who had been lost in thought, subconsciously glanced at Naruto beside him after hearing Shiro's words.
He guessed Shiro was probably talking about Naruto.
He certainly put in effort, but the most crucial factor was "bloodline."
The ninja world was not averse to the "bloodline theory."
After all, before Shiro appeared, even Daimyo could rely on bloodline inheritance to rule a country's lifeline for generations.
"Brother Shiro, I don't think what you said is right..."
"Adults are talking, children shouldn't interrupt."
Naruto, hearing Shiro's words, took a step forward, about to retort, but was glared back by Hanabi with a Byakugan.
Naruto instinctively let out an "Ow" and stepped back.
Then he realized something was wrong.
—Who called him a child? Who was the child here?
"I... Mmph!"
Naruto still wanted to say something, but Sasuke, next to him, used a shuriken jutsu to throw a military ration pill into his mouth, choking him.
"Effort is good, but effort in the right direction is key."
"Two cavemen go to cut wood. One caveman persistently smashes the tree with his fist, while the other uses branches and stones to make an axe.
In the eyes of the first caveman, the second person didn't put in effort, didn't have a spirit of perseverance.
Effort cannot change fate, but knowledge can."
After Shiro finished speaking, he bid farewell to the Konoha people and left Konoha with Konan, Karin, and Hanabi.
"Effort in the right direction..."
Sasuke stood there, pondering the meaning of Shiro's words.
Was staying in Konoha really putting effort in the right direction?
"Strange."
Kakashi picked at his teeth, feeling a bit odd after waking up from his unconsciousness.
After a slight hesitation, Kakashi bid farewell to the three-person team, returned to the medical department, found the hospital bed he had been lying in that morning, and lay back down.
Closing his eyes, he took a nap, and waited to see... Sure enough.
After a while, footsteps approached. Kakashi woke up, but didn't open his eyes.
"Kakashi-senpai, I'm here."
The masked Anbu, codenamed Tenzo, named Yamato, quietly walked in and then pried open Kakashi's mouth.
—What is he doing?
Kakashi was bewildered.
The next second, a thick, hard piece of wood was shoved into his mouth.
"Kakashi-senpai, I couldn't think of any other way. Just try some of my Wood Release."
"Mmph!!!"
....
The journey continues right now for our Jade Dragons! 🐉
For just $6/month, you can step into the advanced chapters and never face a cliffhanger again. Gain instant access to 50+ chapters immediately, support the story you love, and help decide its course.
🔗 Become a Jade Dragon:
patreon.com/J_Dragon