Naruto: Cultivating to Immortality

Chapter 225 Introduction

Time flies like an arrow, and several months have passed in the blink of an eye. Hyuga Kanan's injuries have fully healed, and he has even benefited from the misfortune, making further progress in his training. Meanwhile, in the past few months, Hyuga Neji has finally succeeded in forgetting all his habits and methods related to chakra. This was no easy feat for him, but it was a new beginning.

Hyuga Hizashi had visited Hyuga Neji more than once, but each time he came, he found Hyuga Kanan doing something very strange.

For example, right now, Hyuga Kanan is actually demanding that Hyuga Neji completely forbid him from cultivating chakra! This is utterly absurd, and could even be considered a betrayal of the Gentle Fist training method passed down through the Hyuga clan for thousands of years. Because for Gentle Fist, the control and use of chakra is a crucial element; without sufficient chakra support, Gentle Fist cannot unleash its true power.

What surprised Hyuga Hizashi even more was that Hyuga Kanan not only forbade Hyuga Neji from refining chakra, but also scattered the chakra that Hyuga Neji had painstakingly gathered. This behavior was tantamount to destroying Hyuga Neji's foundation, and it was intentional!

"What do you mean by this?" Hyuga Hizashi couldn't help but ask.

“I need to make him give up the habit of actively refining chakra so that he can better adapt to future training,” Hyuga Kanan explained. “Haven’t you noticed the problem with chakra? Is chakra really your power? Chakra is produced by the combination of physical energy and mental energy, but why can’t many people refine chakra? Don’t they have physical energy and mental energy? If you want to transcend the realm of ninjas, chakra is not suitable for Neji.”

“But…” Hyuga Hizashi wanted to object, but couldn’t find a suitable reason. After all, Hyuga Kanan’s words made sense. But was doing this really the right thing to do?

Hyuga Kanan seemed to sense Hyuga Hizashi's worry, and he smiled and said, "Don't worry, Hizashi, I won't harm Neji. On the contrary, I'm doing this precisely to protect him."

"Protect him?" Hyuga Hizashi asked, puzzled.

“Yes, protect him.” Hyuga Kanan nodded seriously. “You know, Hizashi, the Hyuga clan, while possessing a long history and profound foundation, is also the most troublesome clan. Especially those with the Byakugan, who are considered the core and hope of the clan. However, precisely because of this, their chakra contains more fragments of other people's will. Neji, as one of the best among the younger generation of the Hyuga clan, wants to break free from the limitations of his chakra. If he continues to train according to traditional methods, he will remain confined to the world of ninjas for his entire life, without any chance of transcendence. Therefore, I must teach him a unique training method that allows him to become stronger without even realizing it, without attracting too much attention.”

Hyuga Hizashi was taken aback by these words. He hadn't expected Hyuga Kanan to have thought so far ahead, considering even such details. However, he still said with some concern, "But, won't doing this affect Neji's growth rate? After all, chakra is the foundation of a ninja's power."

“Of course not.” Hyuga Kanan smiled confidently. “As long as Neji masters the right method, his growth rate will only be faster. Moreover, I will use my method to train him, which is the true path of cultivation, making his Gentle Fist even stronger. Believe me, Hyuga, I will definitely train Neji into an outstanding strongman.”

Seeing the resolute look in Hyuga Kanan's eyes, Hyuga Hizashi finally nodded in agreement. In truth, he understood that Kanan was doing this for Neji's own good. After all, Kanan was an extremely intelligent and talented person, and her ideas must have their merits. Perhaps, Neji truly needed a new training method to break through his limitations and achieve greater heights.

"Alright, since you insist, then let's do it your way." Hyuga Hizashi sighed and said, "I hope Neji can grow up well."

"Don't worry, Hizashi," Hyuga Kanan replied with a smile. "I will do my best to make Neji a strong person that he can be proud of." After saying that, he turned to look at Hyuga Neji, who was practicing, a hint of expectation flashing in his eyes.

Hyuga Hizashi gazed at Hyuga Neji in the distance, watching him train diligently, sweat streaming down his forehead, his eyes filled with determination and unwavering resolve. However, when his gaze fell upon the Caged Bird Seal on Neji's forehead, Hyuga Hizashi felt an indescribable surge of sorrow and anger.

He turned his head and looked earnestly at Hyuga Kanan beside him, a glimmer of expectation in his eyes: "The Caged Bird Seal on Neji's forehead... do you really have a way to completely remove it? I sincerely hope that this child can live a free and unrestrained life."

Hyuga Kanan smiled slightly and nodded confidently: "Don't worry, Hizashi. Although the Caged Bird Seal is powerful, it is not invincible. What we need now is for Neji to increase his soul power to a certain level, and then I can help Neji break free from this restraint."

Hyuga Hizashi breathed a slight sigh of relief, a hint of gratitude flashing in his eyes: "Thank you, Kanan. Without you, I don't know how I would face Neji. I just hope he can break free from this cage and pursue his own destiny."

Hyuga Kanan gently patted Hyuga Hizashi on the shoulder, indicating his understanding: "I understand how you feel, Hizashi. But to successfully remove the Caged Bird Seal, we need more time and patience. After all, Neji is still too young, and his soul power is very fragile. If we forcefully help him remove the Caged Bird Seal, his soul will not be able to hold on."

Hinata Hina nodded, his expression serious as he agreed: "Alright, Kanan. This concerns the soul, so we must be careful. If something goes wrong with the soul, the consequences would be unimaginable. We must be extremely cautious and ensure that nothing goes wrong."

Hyuga Hizashi's gaze was fixed on his son Neji, who was training not far away. He knew that the road ahead would be difficult and fraught with danger, but he firmly believed that for Neji's future, all the sacrifices would be worthwhile.

Looking at his older brother Hyuga Hizashi's expression, Hyuga Kanan knew that the latter genuinely cared about Neji. He deeply hoped that the child could truly gain freedom, instead of being bound by the Caged Bird Seal.

Time flies, and three years have passed in the blink of an eye. During these three years, Hyuga Kanan has been dedicated to his own training and breakthroughs, spending most of his time in seclusion. At the same time, he has not forgotten to keep an eye on Hyuga Neji's growth, and has devoted the remaining time to guiding and helping this young junior.

During this period, Hyuga Kanan lived an exceptionally fulfilling and busy life. Every morning, he would rise early to meditate and practice breathing exercises to enhance his mental strength. Afterward, he would spend time teaching Neji, continuously deepening Neji's foundation. In addition to his training, he would also take time to exchange insights with Neji, sharing his experience and techniques.

For Hyuga Neji, Hyuga Kanan was not only a powerful senior but also a trustworthy mentor. Under Kanan's careful guidance, Neji gradually mastered many physical training and taijutsu skills, significantly improving his strength. Furthermore, Kanan frequently participated in practical training with Neji, allowing him to accumulate experience in actual combat and enhance his ability to handle various situations.

In short, for the past three years, Hyuga Kanan has been working tirelessly to achieve his goals. He believes that as long as he perseveres, it won't be long before he achieves his breakthrough.

Neji Hyuga lived up to his reputation as the most talented child in the Hyuga clan. Following Kanan Hyuga's tutelage, he began his training with the most basic physical conditioning. Every morning, he would get up early to run, do push-ups and sit-ups, and then proceed with weight training. He put all his effort into each movement, his clothes soaked with sweat, but he never complained.

In addition to his morning training, he would continue his practice in the evenings. Every night, he would meditate and train his chakra control in his room. He would close his eyes, concentrate, cultivate his soul power, and try to guide it to various parts of his body.

His efforts paid off. Over time, his physical abilities improved, with significant increases in strength and speed. His mental control also became stronger, allowing him to release soul power and use the Byakugan more precisely.

However, Hyuga Neji was not satisfied with this. He knew that talent alone was not enough to become a truly powerful shinobi. Therefore, after completing the training required by Hyuga Kanan, he would also privately intensify his practice after finishing the basic training.

Sometimes, he would sneak into the woods and find a quiet spot to practice. He would mimic his enemies' attack methods, constantly honing his reaction speed and combat skills. Sometimes, he would research the more complex uses of soul power, trying to master even more skills.

Hyuga Neji knew he still had a long way to go, but he believed that with persistent effort, he would one day achieve his dream. He looked forward to future challenges and was prepared to face all difficulties. In just three short years, he had essentially completed the most basic training for a cultivator!

For the past three years, he has been in seclusion cultivating without the slightest slackening. And now, he is finally about to break through to the next realm—the Qi Refining Realm.

His progress in the Body Refinement Realm was faster than he had imagined, far exceeding the cultivation speed of Hyuga Kanan back then.

Although he hasn't officially broken through yet, he has already sensed the realm that Master Hyuga Kanan spoke of, and the power about to surge forth in his mind. Given a little more time, he will be able to successfully break through to the Qi Refining Realm and become a true cultivator.