The Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist (Jūken) is a formidable taijutsu style that relies on the Byakugan's enhanced perception. This technique allows users to directly inject chakra into an opponent's tenketsu (chakra points), damaging their chakra circulatory system and causing severe internal injuries.
Since internal organs cannot be trained like muscles, even the most powerful shinobi can suffer fatal injuries from a well-placed Gentle Fist strike.
Some highly skilled Gentle Fist practitioners can even seal an opponent's chakra flow completely by targeting their tenketsu, effectively rendering them unable to use ninjutsu or genjutsu.
The Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist style is renowned across the ninja world. Although this was the first time a Sunagakure Jōnin had faced a Hyuga in battle, he remained extremely cautious. He clearly feared being struck by the Gentle Fist, knowing that such an attack could lead to a humiliating defeat at the hands of a few young shinobi.
However, a Jōnin is still a Jōnin. Strength and experience were on his side, making him far superior to Keita Hyuga. After several exchanges, the Sunagakure Jōnin saw through Keita's abilities and regained the upper hand.
"So this is the Hyuga's Gentle Fist? It's not that impressive!" the Sunagakure Jōnin scoffed before quickly forming hand seals.
"Wind Release: Thousand Blades of the Gale!"
If Keita Hyuga knew Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven (Hakkeshō Kaiten), he might have been able to counter this technique. However, Kaiten is an advanced technique restricted to the Hyuga Clan's main family, and branch family members are forbidden from learning it.
Among past generations of the Hyuga, only Neji Hyuga managed to master Kaiten purely through his own talent.
But Keita Hyuga was not Neji. Without Neji's natural genius, he couldn't block the oncoming attack.
A torrent of razor-sharp wind blades shot from the Sunagakure Jōnin's mouth. Keita had no choice but to dodge clumsily. Deep cuts appeared across his body as blood splattered everywhere.
The Hyuga Clan's branch family system was truly cruel. Not only were branch members restricted from learning powerful techniques, but the main family could also control them through the Cursed Seal of the Caged Bird (Juinjutsu: Sōke no Juin), forcing them into lifelong servitude.
"Chakra! Just a little more chakra!"Chao Yanqian gritted his teeth, mentally willing himself to push forward.
In truth, Chao Yanqian, Keita, and Hoshinohara had been teammates for two years. At their weakest moments, they had struggled together at the bottom of the ninja world.
For Chao Yanqian, the bond they shared was too deep. He could never allow Keita Hyuga to die in front of him.
Shing! Shing! Shing!
Six shuriken flew out from the shadows, aimed at the Sunagakure Jōnin from both sides.
It was Hoshinohara's attack.
However, a shinobi of this level wouldn't be fazed. The Sunagakure Jōnin easily evaded with a Substitution Jutsu (Kawarimi no Jutsu) and counterattacked instantly.
"AAAHHH!"
A piercing scream followed as Hoshinohara was sent flying from the trees, blood gushing from his left shoulder. The Sunagakure Jōnin had found his hiding spot and nearly killed him.
Hoshinohara had acted recklessly. Seeing Keita struggling, he attacked without thinking. Instead of helping, he ended up injured himself.
Had Hoshinohara stayed hidden, he wouldn't have been able to support Keita directly, but at least his presence would have put pressure on the Sunagakure Jōnin. Instead, exposing himself had only worsened the situation.
At this rate, all three of them would be taken down one by one. Their opponent was still an elite Jōnin.
"Keita! Chao Yanqian! Are you guys alright?!" Hoshinohara called out.
"Hoshinohara! Go check on Chao Yanqian's injuries!" Keita shouted.
"Got it!" Hoshinohara, knowing he couldn't contribute much in combat anymore, forced himself to his feet and ran toward Chao Yanqian's position.
But Chao Yanqian understood what Keita was really doing—this was a setup to give him a final chance to strike.
Despite his depleted chakra,Chao Yanqian smiled bitterly and steadied his breath.
This might be his only chance to turn the battle around. No matter what...
"Ninjutsu: Chakra Scalpel (Chakura Tō no Jutsu)!"
Chao Yanqian focused what little chakra he had left into his hands, forming a razor-sharp chakra blade. He patiently waited for the right moment to strike.
The Chakra Scalpel was a medical-nin technique, capable of cutting through internal organs without leaving external wounds. However, with his current chakra levels,Chao Yanqian needed direct contact with the target for it to be effective.
"DIE!"
Seeing that Keita was now isolated, the Sunagakure Jōnin took his chance, dashing forward in a blur.
Chao Yanqian moved at the same time.
With his remaining strength, he sprinted toward Keita Hyuga. His only hope was to make contact with the enemy, even for a split second.
The Sunagakure Jōnin was fast—almost too fast.
In an instant, he delivered a powerful roundhouse kick, sending Keita Hyuga flying. He smirked, turning to face the approaching Chao Yanqian.
"Too late?"
The Jōnin prepared to finish off Keita, but then—
His body suddenly froze.
An expression of shock, pain, and disbelief twisted his face. His entire body convulsed violently, as if struggling against an unseen force.
Chao Yanqian didn't hesitate.
His Chakra Scalpel extended slightly, and he sliced deep into the Jōnin's chest.
"It's not a clone!"
Feeling the blade sink into real flesh,Chao Yanqian knew this was no illusion.
"What… is happening… to me?" the Jōnin rasped, his breathing ragged.
His lungs had been severed, making even a single word unbearably painful.
"DIE!"
Keita Hyuga, barely standing, staggered forward and drove a kunai straight into the enemy's throat.
The battle was over.
As the Jōnin collapsed lifelessly, Keita finally explained:
"During our fight, I struck multiple tenketsu across his body. At the very end, I sealed his chakra completely."
Chao Yanqian's vision blurred.
A wave of exhaustion crashed over him, and he collapsed unconscious.
The fight was won—but at what cost?