Chapter 131: The Hyuga Clan

Deciding on this, Shikamaru reached the Hyuuga clan at top speed. Unlike the past Uchiha, this clan isolated itself and did not mind this course of events at all. They may have aspired to an important position in Konoha, but they also did not allow strangers to approach them. In addition, they were not oppressed, therefore, with faith and strength, now this clan was considered the strongest in the village. The Hyuugas are not very numerous and mostly devoted all their time to training. Although the clan was not huge, all the streets on their territory were empty no worse than on the territory of Uchiha. Only special persons could enter their land, or at the invitation of the main branch.

The Hyuuga Quarter was very similar to the typical aristocratic family quarter represented by all with old traditions and laws. Well-groomed streets and neatly located houses, no frills, but tasteful at the same time. Many dojos and training grounds were located between the large residences of various important figures of the clan. Silence and tranquility reigned everywhere. The Hyuga clan simply embodied the serenity and purity of Konoha. It is sad that behind all this was a blood-obsessed family, ruthless to their own descendants, especially to important heirs.

Shikamaru had only been here a couple of times when he was researching the entire village to create a detailed defense structure for the village. As a last resort, such information can come in handy. Every time he visited this place, he admired the beautiful Hyuuga garden filled with cherry blossoms. One sight of this place brought peace and tranquility. At the same time, catching up with longing and sadness ... Only the desolate lands of the Uchiha could compare with this.

Of course, there was no need to be mistaken - maybe the territory of the Hyuuga looked so harmonious and serene, in fact it was a lurking tiger. Many Chūnin guarded the clan's lands hiding in the foliage, and this, not to mention the lurking couple of Jonin. After the incident of stealing the dojutsu, both parts of the clan, separated by a long street, were guarded by the Chūnin and Jnins of the main branch. But the divided lands of the main and side branches did not differ at all. The clan was united, even with this outdated tradition of keeping blood pure.

Forged in constant war, shinobi have come up with many rules to maintain the strength of the bloodline and the rule of the clan. There was no point in blaming the Hyuuga for that. They embodied the essence of the shinobi world - a monopoly on military power and complete control of this power. In their case, that power was the Byakugan. Without the utmost ruthlessness, they simply would not have been able to keep this gift. If not for the years of constant preservation of the purity of blood, the Byakugan would simply degenerate, and the family turned into dust. Seen from this side, the Hyuuga is a clan of true shinobi.

In any case, Shikamaru did not come to enjoy the species. He came for a completely different ... He is no longer that weak boy unable to get to the land of the Hyuuga. Therefore, now he was just looking out for someone he knew.

Hinata Hyuga trained in only one place and her current training was much tougher than in the past. Shikamaru had a significant impact on the girl. Although she retained the same kindness, she still acquired a bit of confidence and determination. Now she looked much more like the future head of the clan. Especially after defeating her younger sister. Unfortunately, even if she trained with the most persistent method, she still lacked confidence in defeating Neji. Since childhood, she no longer fought with him after that unpleasant incident. But, she knew, he was very strong, the strongest genius of the generation. Comparing with him and then defeating the goal is not an easy one. Every time she thought about it, Hinata always thought of Shikamaru and every time she wondered how strong was he? Will he be able to match Neji? If so, how inferior is her cousin to him ...

Shikamaru narrowed his eyes and activated the power of his eyes. After examining several silhouettes in the thicket, he only shook his head.

"Using the Byakugan in the Hyuuga territory, yeah, I'm a risky guy ... Well, I'm not going to let her go so easily. If I have to leave the Leaf, I simply have to leave my mark in her heart. I have probably already done this, but I need to take one more step. Who knows this fate, she can throw out something like that "- with a slight laugh, Shikamaru moved. It is useless to use Ninjutsu here, it will only attract attention. If this happens, the Hyuuga will immediately activate their eyes, and without the skillful use of Ranmaru's Dojutsu, it will not be so easy to get away from them. They are still Jonins, and that's a problem. Therefore, one could simply bypass them. It was not so difficult to do this thanks to the Byakugan. But in any case, you have to be noticed. Hinata was guarded, and one unpleasant Tokubetsu, Jonin, did not take her eyes off her. Shikamaru had little information about the village's shinobi, but he did manage to find out a few things over the years. Sometimes even shinobi chatted, especially in a safe village, filling their mouths with food and drink. The Hyuuga in this case is no exception, even with its proud nature. This Tokubetsu-jonin watching over Hinata is a master of his craft. Guarding and protecting the target is his specialty. Unfortunately for him, he was definitely not a great master in opposing strong genjutsu ... Therefore, everything went a little easier than usual. Shikamaru knew that acting from behind could be dangerous. Jonin is Jonin, especially the defense-focused Hyuuga. Therefore, you need to make him lose vigilance.

On the very edge of the Hyuuga territory, not far from the head of the clan's residence, there was a small training ground. It was there that a short, dark-haired girl trained.

Hinata had been practicing striking with the edge of the palm for almost an hour, her hands already had noticeable abrasions from constant training, but she continued to strike with decisive perseverance on a strong felled stump of a tree wrapped in a thick straw rope. But, this time the princess of the clan was not alone here. Not far from the petite beauty, her younger sister watched Hinata with a carefree smile and continued to talk about something rather. In the shadows, a concentrated Tokubetsu-jonin watched the sisters. His task is to protect, he performed it in the best possible way.

Shikamaru studied the area, waited after deactivating his eyes, then folded his hand seals and sent the clone to work. Wading into Hyuuga territory is not entirely forbidden - rather, no one wanted to do it unnecessarily. The Hyuugas could be too violent with intruders, even if they were from the same village. After the Byakugan incident, they became even more distant and suspicious. Don't bother the Hyuuga, rather an unspoken rule. But, Shikamaru was not afraid, the Hyuuga fighting style may be dangerous, but not for the owner of the absolute taijutsu ability.