Hiashi Hyuga smiled.
He watched these clan patriarchs, who had always held themselves in high regard, anxiously questioning and sighing over this painting. He couldn't help but recall his own reaction the first time he saw it!
Even he had initially been left speechless by the painting's depiction. He could almost believe it was a treasure left behind by the clan's ancestors!
Yet this painting was truly created by Ye Liang!
That's right—a twenty-year-old youth's personal cultivation insight!
Realizing they'd probably figured it out anyway, Hiashi saw no reason to hide it anymore.
"This painting," he announced, "is a gift from that lost branch of our family. He claimed that our Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist technique actually had great potential for further development. However, many techniques have been gradually forgotten in our current lineage, while his branch has preserved the complete Hyuga heritage. This painting only represents one of those techniques."
"Gulp!"
Upon hearing Hiashi's words, all the elders unconsciously swallowed hard.
At this moment, Ye Liang noticed that even more gazes were now directed at him.
He naturally guessed who the 'lost branch descendant' was that Hiashi was referring to...
"No wonder Hiashi Hyuga went crazy—he's the one who received the modified Gentle Fist techniques from my System!" Ye Liang suddenly understood!
Although he didn't possess the S-rank Gentle Fist techniques, Ye Liang had already reached an extraordinary level with the Gentle Fist techniques ranked A and below.
His System could endlessly stack rewards, and since Gentle Fist was a low-tier skill, Ye Liang practically received Gentle Fist rewards every few days.
Repeatedly acquiring the same Gentle Fist technique allowed for infinite reinforcement!
"Everyone, please don't stare at me like that," Ye Liang gave an embarrassed chuckle. "Helping the clan develop is something every young Hyuga should contribute."
Of course, none of the elders were fools. Since Ye Liang had been introduced in this manner, they naturally understood who the 'lost branch descendant' was. Many of them now looked at Ye Liang with admiration.
However, not everyone shared that sentiment.
What could a twenty-year-old child possibly accomplish? And without the Byakugan? Even if he truly was a lost branch of the Hyuga, he wouldn't be genuinely accepted by everyone.
A Hyuga without the Byakugan would only be mocked!
"Everyone, please note," interjected Clan Head Hiashi Hyuga, seeing the odd looks some people were giving, "Ye Liang's ancestors gradually diluted their bloodline through long-term intermarriage with outside clans. But please believe me—he is truly one of us."
At that moment, an elderly clan member with gray temples stood up. He belonged to one of the oldest branches of the family—one tracing back to the founding of the clan. Unfortunately, he and Hiashi had never seen eye to eye.
Hiashi had always advocated for peaceful coexistence between the main and branch families, but this elder stood firmly against him, stubbornly holding onto his own views. Naturally, he did not wish to see Hiashi's power grow.
Sure enough, Hiashi's expression immediately darkened.
"Please, everyone, quiet for a moment!" the elder with gray hair waved his hand to silence the crowd.
"There's no doubt this young man, Ye Liang, is one of us!" he began. "Only a true Hyuga could possess such deep understanding of the Gentle Fist!" He began by showering Ye Liang with praise, then hesitated and swallowed hard before continuing.
"However!"
We Hyuga have always made a distinction between the main and branch families. Although this young man has brought forth ancestral techniques, he clearly hasn't awakened the Byakugan, so it's evident he must come from the branch family's lineage. I suggest we keep him here in the main family for observation first. If he truly has something valuable to offer, we can then entrust him with important responsibilities—what do you think?
This was a well-phrased statement.
It genuinely sounded like something an old geezer in his seventies or eighties would say.
But Ye Liang was displeased.
Most likely, this elder wanted to prevent Hiashi Hyuga from rewarding him prematurely, so he intentionally said this.
He had already determined Ye Liang's status from the start, using the branch family as an excuse—if everyone agreed, Ye Liang would become nothing more than a test subject under the main family's observation, used until all his value was extracted and then discarded.
"You're overstepping! Brother Ye Liang is clearly one of our main family members. Otherwise, where could he possibly acquire such extraordinary skills? Moreover, even if he were an outsider, we should still treat him with respect!"
"He deserves that respect just for presenting these ancestral techniques today!" Hiashi Hyuga immediately retorted, glancing meaningfully at Ye Liang's eyebrows while speaking.
He feared Ye Liang might walk out right then and there!
Losing someone who mastered such techniques would be a huge blow—not just to the Hyuga main family, but to the entire clan!
If Ye Liang left today, Hiashi Hyuga himself would be branded a traitor to the entire clan!
"Alright, alright. Since both of you insist on your own views, let's see whether this distant relative has any other insights. If he can share one or two insights on the [Secret Techniques] of the main family, then his true identity will become clear," another clan elder stood up to mediate. Clearly sensing the tension, he offered a compromising suggestion.
Hiashi Hyuga and the elder with graying hair both exhaled in relief.
Yet at this moment, as the central figure involved, Ye Liang suddenly stood up.
"Since none of you believe I'm truly part of the Hyuga family, I'll just leave! There's no need to cause internal conflict within your clan leading to life-or-death battles."
Ye Liang turned abruptly toward the exit—it was such a sudden action.
Other Hyuga clansmen were stunned!
Their Hyuga clan was a mighty family. In their minds, Ye Liang should feel fortunate just being allowed to suck up to them. Now they'd given him such a favorable proposal; he ought to accept joyfully—but instead, he was leaving?
Hmph!
Like I'd stick around just to argue with you people.
Ye Liang mentally rolled his eyes.
He had originally come merely because of a misunderstanding.
To put it even more bluntly—he was paying the price for mindless drunken talk.
But now, hearing what the gray-haired elder had said, he felt too annoyed to pretend politeness anymore. Would a soul that had transcended dimensions still waste time on empty pleasantries?
I won't throw a punch at your face—consider that me showing you some respect!
"Don't go yet! You haven't shared the [Secret Techniques] yet!" The elder with white temples instantly stood, having opposed Ye Liang mainly because he didn't want Hiashi Hyuga to gain more power.
Ye Liang was someone Hiashi had brought along, so instinctively, he assumed this was a pawn placed by Hiashi.
But now Ye Liang was walking out?
If he failed to leave behind those techniques, this elder opposing Ye Liang would truly go down in history as a disgraceful traitor to the entire Hyuga clan!
"Brother Ye Liang, please forgive me! It's truly my fault for not properly managing these old fellows. Please don't get angry. I'm willing to compensate you with property, or better yet, I could arrange an important position for you within Konoha village!"
"Must be rolling in dough."
Hmph, like I care about your crap?
Ye Liang snorted disdainfully.
"You thought I was just some clan family lackey, didn't you? Fine—here's my card. I *am* from the clan family. Still want me now?"
"Even if you were a member of the Hyuga clan family... heck, even if you were a non-Hyuga, it wouldn't matter one bit! We beg you—please save our Hyuga clan!" The elder with streaks of gray in his hair grew desperate too. He hastily grabbed Ye Liang's hand, terrified he'd vanish any second.
"Fine! Since you've begged me like that, I can consider forgiving you—all you need to do is grant one request."
"What request?"
"I want to be Hinata Hyuga's sensei."
"..."
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