"Hizashi-sensei, we don't need to know who our enemies are, only who are not our enemies. Such rumors would only work on those brainwashed by the Will of Fire."
"Rather than wasting time and effort hunting down the culprit, it's better to invest that time and energy into training. In the end, the ninja world is ruled by strength."
Tanaka didn't think much of it. Instead, he took out a scroll from his ninja pouch and handed it to Hizashi.
As for the rumors outside, as well as the Hyūga clan's grievances with the Sarutobi clan, he didn't care at all.
Not to mention that the strength he displayed during the Chunin Exams was enough to intimidate the council and various ninja clans. Just the fact that the next great ninja war could erupt at any moment meant that Konoha could not afford to be without the Hyūga clan.
After all, as long as the Five Villages engaged in conflict, unless a powerhouse on the level of Madara emerged to dominate the battlefield, the Byakugan's role in war was simply too crucial.
Wherever the Hyūga ninjas went, enemy traps, ambushes, and troop numbers were completely exposed before the Byakugan.
At such a critical moment, no matter how much resentment Shinnosuke harbored, even the Third Hokage would have to suppress his son's discontent.
Moreover, under Tanaka's leadership, the Hyūga clan had powerful allies.
On the surface, they had Tsunade, one of the Sannin. In the shadows, they had Orochimaru, another of the Sannin.
It was a stark contrast to the Uchiha, who were isolated and notorious for producing Mangekyō traitors.
"Tanaka, what is this?"
Hizashi took the scroll but didn't open it immediately, instead asking curiously.
"The Rokushiki... are they taijutsu techniques?"
Seeing his teacher's lack of enthusiasm, Tanaka smirked slightly and continued.
"Rankyaku generates vacuum slashes by kicking the air, capable of cutting through gold and iron."
"Shigan concentrates power into the finger to pierce through iron."
"Soru moves at high speed by stepping on the ground dozens of times in an instant, comparable to the Body Flicker Technique."
"Tekkai hardens the body to become impervious to blades and spears, making it nearly indestructible."
"Kamie loosens the body's rigidity, allowing the user to evade attacks like a falling leaf or a thin piece of paper."
"Geppo uses powerful kicks to step on the air, enabling aerial movement as if climbing invisible stairs."
"The Rokushiki, no chakra required to use them."
As soon as Tanaka finished speaking, both Hizashi and Natsu were visibly shaken. They understood better than anyone how valuable the Rokushiki were.
For a clan where every member was a taijutsu specialist, the Rokushiki were practically tailor-made for the Hyūga clan.
Imagine a battlefield scenario where both sides had exhausted their chakra. The enemy could no longer use ninjutsu, taijutsu, or genjutsu, but the Hyūga clan could still use the Rokushiki.
The fact that these techniques required no chakra to perform made them unimaginably valuable in the ninja world.
"Did you create the Rokushiki?"
Hizashi's hands trembled as he held the scroll, as if its weight was overwhelming.
"..."
Natsu remained silent, but as she gazed at the young Tanaka in her arms, admiration burned fiercely in her Byakugan-lit eyes.
"That's not important. What matters is that the Rokushiki belong to the Hyūga clan now."
Tanaka shook his head.
With the power of the Op-Op Fruit as his trump card, he didn't need to claim he created the Rokushiki to elevate his status.
Within the Hyūga clan, his status was already unmatched.
"Just like the Sea Kings? You want to spread the Rokushiki throughout the Hyūga clan?"
Hizashi looked excited.
Sea King meat nourished the body, and the Rokushiki strengthened physical abilities.
The two were a perfect combination.
"Spreading it clan-wide is inevitable, but for now, we must take it step by step. Only those on this list, as well as elite jonin within the clan, will be prioritized. After them, we will teach the special jonin."
"As for the rest of the clan, before they reach the level of an elite chunin, they should focus primarily on Gentle Fist training."
"After all, although this taijutsu style doesn't require chakra, it is extremely demanding on the body."
Tanaka handed a list to Hizashi. Every name recorded on it had at least 90 points of favorability toward him.
For example, those who had followed him since the night the main house was wiped out—Natsu, Iroha, Tetsu, Homon, and Hyūga Tokuma.
These clan members had already met the prerequisites for using the Void Walker's Gate, so of course, Tanaka would prioritize and focus on training them.
He had to be the first to take the plunge.
As for those who hadn't reached 90 favorability points, he wasn't stingy with them either.
For example, even if a clan member at the jonin level didn't have 90 favorability points, he would still teach them the Rokushiki.
As for those below the jonin-level, they would have to wait a bit longer, but they would still gain access to the Rokushiki in the future.
This arrangement wasn't just based on closeness or favoritism—it was because the Rokushiki had training prerequisites.
If someone wasn't even at the level of an elite chunin, training in the Rokushiki would be pointless. Not only would progress be slow, but they could also ruin their body in the process. It would be far better for them to first master Gentle Fist and other secret taijutsu techniques.
If you're not a genius, learn to walk before you try to run.
"Natsu, remember this. After every Rokushiki training session, you must use your Byakugan to check your internal condition, and after training, use medical ninjutsu to adjust your body."
"It's better to progress slowly than to ruin your body."
Tanaka opened his eyes and looked at Natsu, who was currently using medical ninjutsu to massage him and restore his chakra.
"Yes, I will never let you down. I will definitely master the Rokushiki."
"Hizashi-sensei, assign a medical ninja to Natsu, Iroha, and the others."
Tanaka nodded slightly, but he still felt it wasn't enough, so he turned to Hizashi and instructed him.
Hizashi, full of enthusiasm, assured him that he would take care of everything so that Tanaka wouldn't be bothered by such matters.
He could already imagine how the Hyūga clan would view him in the future:
The Hyūga clan Leader who revitalized the branch house.
The mentor who guided the strongest genius in history.
The right-hand man of the most powerful Hyūga clan leader in history.
Just thinking about it made his blood boil.
At one point, he had resigned himself to fate, no longer holding any hope for his life.
But unexpectedly, Tanaka had suddenly emerged, step by step leading him to a position that no branch house leader had ever reached. And as time passed, he was still climbing even higher.
It could be said that ever since he became the Hyūga clan leader, every day had been filled with purpose.
"Mm."
Tanaka nodded. He had absolute trust in his teacher. After all, Hizashi's favorability rating of 95 was no mere decoration.
Just as they finalized these matters and took another step toward making the Hyūga clan even greater, footsteps sounded from outside the door.
A few seconds later, Homon entered. He knelt respectfully before Tanaka and then reported his message.
"Tanaka-sama."
"Hizashi-sama."
"Setsuna and his daughter have come to visit. They say they have something to discuss with you."
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30 Advance chapters!
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