On the wide open-air training ground, the figures of one large and one small intersect with each other, condensing chakras in the palm of their palms, and swinging at each other with seemingly soft force, which is a physical technique called 'soft fist'.

Unlike the rigid fist, which is direct and mainly damages from the outside, the soft fist focuses on the implementation of technique, which is the so-called soft to overcome the rigid.

The seemingly soft attack is surging and endless, and once hit by a soft fist, it will cause internal damage that is invisible to the naked eye.

Among them, the soft fist of the Hyuga clan is the most.

In addition, there is a white eye, which is a blood inheritance limit that observes the meridian system of the human body, and in the soft fist, it has been developed to the extreme by the ninjas of the Hyuga clan. And soft boxing has gradually become the signature physical technique of the Hyuga family. When it comes to jutsu, the first thing ninjas think of is the wealthy Hinata.

Standing under the corridor of the eaves, Hirizu, who is the head of the clan family, is only wearing a thin coat and holding a light green teacup in his hand, and there is half a cup of hot tea in the teacup, steaming white.

His eyes stared unblinkingly at the large and small figures on the training ground not far away.

Hinata Hanabi, and a special shinobi of the Hyuga family.

Looking at the two figures in the field where the body is staggered back and forth, the two figures with sharp steps, the eyes of the sun foot show the color of approval, and the occasional chin posture represents his recognition of the growth of the second daughter Hanabi, and he has no dissatisfaction.

"Hizoe-sama."

A relatively immature voice came from his ears.

Hizoku turned his head, and a white-eyed boy of thirteen or fourteen stood in front of him and bowed respectfully to himself. It was his nephew Hinata Ninji.

As a very famous genius of this generation of the family, he has shown a talent that many ninjas of the clan have envied since he was a child, and if he hadn't grown up in the family, maybe there would have been a very great ninja in the Hyuga clan.

But since he is a member of the family, no matter how good his talent is, no matter how much he regrets the other party's ability, he can only be locked in a birdcage by the Zong family and bound by the iron laws of the family.

"You're here, Ningci."

"Yes. I don't know if Hinazu-sama came to me and had any orders? ”

There was a hint of complexity in Ning Ci's gaze when he looked at Rizu, but he quickly disappeared and lowered his head to avoid being seen by Rizu.

As he grew older, Ning Ci's perception of the worldview became more and more mature, and the more he grew up, the more Ning Ci could feel the restrictions and constraints of his family on him.

This kind of restraint is not only the usual code of conduct, but also the priority of the clan in everything, and even if you want to go further, you will be suppressed.

Because in the Hyuga clan, only the clan is qualified to learn advanced jutsu techniques, and the clan wants to learn, but the clan needs extremely harsh conditions, and the clan can only learn with the consent of the clan.

This is to prevent the division of the family from wielding too much power and thus threatening the virtuous rule of a family. Because only when the clan occupies the absolute dominant position, can the Hyuga clan continue steadily.

However, the clan often asks for protection from the clan, and instead of giving them more powerful jiuquan techniques, they restrict the growth of the clan ninja at every turn...... So what's the point of such protection?

For Ning Ci, the more time he spent in this family, the more he could feel the strangeness of his family.

Not only the rules of the family, but also the people of the family, and every existence of the family with 'history', seems extremely absurd and strange.

But his father told him to learn to 'forbear', to learn to hide his true emotions, and not to show hatred and dissatisfaction with everything in the clan.

Because resistance will die.

Betrayal will die.

Ning Ci thought of the 'caged bird' planted on his forehead when he was young, Even in the face of relatives like Rizu, on the one hand, he wanted to be close, and on the other hand, he felt that such relatives were too strange and alienated.

Because we are in two worlds.

There is such a division as a 'personality hierarchy' between them.

Not only Hinazu, but even his cousins Hinata and Hanabi, who were very fond of him when he was a child, also felt strange after graduating from the ninja school.

What is their cousin in their eyes?

Tool? Bodyguard? Or a loved one?

"You should know about the joint juninja exam in the near future."

Although Rizu was questioning, he was sure that Ning Ci knew about it.

Ning Ci also put away his thoughts from his thoughts, nodded, and replied, "Yes, Lord Hizo, Teacher Kai has already told us about this matter. ”

"Kai Shang Shinobi? He's an excellent shinobi. ”

The sun foot showed a look of admiration.

Rizu's praise, Ning Ci also agreed.

His mentor Shinobi Maitkai is indeed a powerful Shinobi.

Although he is good at the opposite of jujiquan, he can also give him a lot of inspiration in jutsu in many cases.

After all, soft boxing and rigid boxing are still very similar in some places, but the way of transportation is a little different.

"In this joint Zhongnin exam, the elite of the six major countries will gather together. On the family side, it was decided that you and Hinata would participate. ”

Hinata stared in the direction of the training ground and said in a calm tone.

"Hinata-san?"

Ning Ci's face moved slightly.

"Any questions?"

"With all due respect, Miss Hinata...... Not suitable for such an exam. ”

Ning Ci hesitated for a moment, but finally said this.

Whether it is the concept of 'master' for Hinata, or because of the unspoiled family affection in childhood, it is reasonable, Ning Ji feels that a gentle lady like Hinata is not suitable for a cruel elimination competition like the middle ninja exam.

Especially this joint middle ninja exam, it was not held by Konoha alone, which also means that the mortality rate of this middle ninja exam is far higher than that of previous sessions.

As a member of the clan, it would be too risky to let Hinata participate in such an exam. If the other party made any mistakes, Ning Ci felt that he couldn't take such a responsibility.

“…… Actually, this is Hinata's own request. ”

Hizoku was silent for a moment, picked up the teacup, took a sip of tea, and said slowly.

Ning Ci raised his head slightly, his eyes flowing with surprise and incomprehension.

Miss Hinata-sama...... Own will?

"Hinata was something I grew up watching, and I know her personality very well, sometimes she is very weak, but sometimes she is stubborn and it is a headache."

Hizoku smiled bitterly.

"But ......"

"That's why I called you over, just hoping that you can help me take care of Hinata during the exam. You don't need her to pass the shinobi exam, just keep her safe. ”

Hinazu said.

"Yes, I see."

In fact, Ning Ci did not have the right to refuse.

Rizu is not only his elder, but also the head of the clan. This is both a request from the elders, but it is also a command.

Just like Hinata's dual identity, she is both his 'master' and his sister.

The purpose of the existence of the division is to protect the clan. This rule, even in today's era, must be resolutely implemented.

"Also, there's one more thing. This time, on behalf of me, Hanabi will visit the country of ghosts during the period of the Chunin exam. ”

Hizuzu remembered something, and then said to Ning Ci.

Ning Ci's eyes widened, and his expression was incredulous.

"Visiting the Land of Ghosts? Why did Miss Hanabi ......"

Not only Hinata, but even Hanabi, who is the second daughter, has to leave Konoha during the middle ninja exam, isn't the Zong family worried about the safety of these two at all?

"Before I do that, I'd like to ask a question."

Hizoku turned his head to stare at Ning Ci's shocked face.

"Questions?"

"Do you know Hinata Ayane?"

“……”

Ning Ji frowned, tried his best to think in his head, and found that he didn't have any memories of 'Hinata Ayane' in his mind, so he shook his head.

"For people of your generation, it's normal not to know."

Hinata sighed softly.

Not only did the Konoha high-level blockade of news, but within the Hyuga clan, it was also forbidden for any clansmen to discuss the name 'Hinata Ayane' in private.

It's as if the name is erased and nothing happens.

But alas, even if the scars are hidden, sooner or later the day will come when the truth will be revealed.

"She's ......"

"The Hyuga clan is a rebellious sinner. However, since you don't know, forget it, anyway, after you go to the land of ghosts, you will understand everything that has happened. I'll arrange it for the fireworks side, and I'll leave it to you here. If you can't do anything, you'll destroy Hinata's eyes. ”

Ning Ci, who heard Rizu's words, stiffened his body, slowly raised his head, and saw Rizu's indifferent and calm face, and his heart was cold.

“…… Be. ”

There was a heartache for no reason, and Ning Ci didn't know what this feeling was.

But for the first time, he developed an extremely disgusted feeling for his family, so that he didn't want to stay by Higazu's side for a moment.

◎

"Father."

"What?"

At the dinner table, hearing Ning Ci's shout, Riza raised his head slightly and looked at his son.

"What is the meaning of the existence of the clan and the branch family?"

When Ning Ci asked this, there was confusion in his eyes for the first time.

When he came back from the Zong family, he fell into this confusion.

In the past, he would never ask these topics that had nothing to do with cultivation.

Hiza sensed that something was wrong with Ning Ci's emotions, and knew that something had happened to the other party that he didn't know.

"Can you tell me what you heard?"

As a person who has come over, it is clear that Ning Ci is aware of some 'dirty' in the family, although this kind of consciousness awakens very late, but Ri Jia hopes that Ning Ci will not think about this kind of thing.

Because the more I understand, the more I can feel how depressed and confused I am as a member of the family.

"Hizo-sama asked me to protect Hinata-sama in the middle ninja exam."

"What else?"

"If it really doesn't work, let me destroy Hinata-sama's eyes."

Ning Ci told the truth, because his father was the only person he could confide in his bitterness. He also wanted to get an answer from his father.

After hearing this, Hisashi fell silent for a while.

“…… Did he say it himself? ”

"Yes."

"This is the 'love' of the clan family for their children."

Hisashi replied.

"Love?"

"This is the only way to avoid white-eye loss. It's like...... The Zongjia carved the same curse mark on our foreheads. Now it's just a way to engrave the curse seal in another form, presented to the sect's own people. ”

Hisashi sighed.

If you want to live in the Hyuga clan, you must suppress your feelings. Especially between the clan and the separated family, the existence of family, friendship, and love beyond the 'hierarchy' means the birth of tragedy.

When the life of one party is completely in the hands of the other, even if the dominant party gives kindness, in the eyes of the dominant party, it is nothing more than a false mercy of the other party.

When emotions need mercy and charity, it means injustice, and it also means that such feelings are gradually distorted in the process of growing up.

That's not 'love,' it's dominance.

Even if it wasn't meant to be this way, it will eventually lead to such domination.

Ning Ci's heart was mixed for a while.

"Ningji, don't have the so-called brother and sister feelings for Hinata and Hanabi in the future. Think of them as 'superiors' and you'll have an easier life. The clan has the way of living of the clan, and the division of the family also has the way of living of the family. Although they are of the same race, they are also enemies. ”

Hinata warned Ning Ci like this, biting the word 'enemy'.

Ning Ci ate the rice, and the taste was as uncomfortable as chewing wax.

"Father...... Accept it all? ”

Ning Ci asked a little unwillingly.

Hizashi sighed, took a bite of food, and said with a smile: "Everyone who has been separated from the family has wanted to rebel against this world, but in the end they have been changed by this world. We're not losers, we're just born to do that. ”

"Well, if you get a voice in the village......

"Do you think a person whose life is controlled by someone else is qualified to be the decision-maker of the village? From the very beginning, the ninja who split up did not enjoy the power that a normal ninja should have. ”

The day difference did not hesitate to deny.

"However, the separation has also made a lot of contributions to the village over the years, if the village is willing to intervene......

Looking at Ning Ci, who was getting more and more excited the more he talked, Richa still had a calm face, and asked Ning Ci:

"Ningci, what do you think...... Do we really love this village? ”

"What...... Meaning? ”

Ning Ci looked at his somewhat unfamiliar father, and his breathing was a little suffocated.

"Just as the same village doesn't care about us, the ninjas who are separated from the family will not have any sense of identity with this village. The separation of the family to carry out the task of life and death for the village is only subject to the orders of the clan family. You have to make it clear that the Will of Fire is something that the sect may believe, but our family does not have the qualifications to believe in the Will of Fire. ”

I don't even have human rights, how can I have the qualifications to have time to believe in the will of fire.

The division only needs to follow behind the Zong family.

For example, it is impossible for a split family to have the opportunity to make decisions in the village, so naturally, the will of fire has nothing to do with splitting the family.

The reason why the split family fought for Konoha was only because of the clan.

The division relies on the existence of the clan, and the clan relies on Konoha to exist, but it does not mean that the division belongs to Konoha. The division is just the private property of the clan family, and it has nothing to do with Konoha.

Ning Ci felt that his original three views were valued, and he was trampled on the soles of his feet, and then picked them up again and shaped a new outlook on life.

But because this new outlook on life is too rough and straightforward, he now feels a little unreal.

Looking at his father, who fought bloodily for the village and fought on the front line, in fact, the true feelings hidden in his heart were complete indifference and disregard for the village.

Only a fledgling like him, who can't see the truth clearly, will be complacent there, try to integrate into the village, and have a good relationship with his companions.

And there are probably many such split ninjas.

If most of the ninjas who split up their families were enthusiastic about the village on the surface, but extremely indifferent in their hearts, Ning Ci shuddered when he thought about it.

"If you want to deceive the enemy, you must first deceive yourself, Ning Ci...... I don't want to interfere too much in your path, but I want you to live well. ”

For Richa, who has become numb to the future, the only motivation to survive is Ning Ci's child.

He once hoped for brotherhood, father-son love, but in the end he got an extremely desperate fact.

That's why he hopes that Ning Ci will break off his brother and sister relationship with Hinata and Hanabi as soon as possible, and regard them as his 'superiors', which is the best choice for himself and them.

"I see, father, I'll think about it seriously."

Ning Ci put down the dishes and chopsticks, left the dining table, and walked into his room.

Hinata looked at the leftover food from Ning Ci, sighed lightly again, and didn't say anything, just hoping that Ning Ci could recognize his status in the family as soon as possible and do what he should do.

Whether it is a village, a companion, or a family member, they can only huddle together to keep warm.

Because only from here can people who are separated find a trace of warmth that belongs to the world and prove the fact that they are still alive.

◎

Morning, September 11th.

Four days before the opening of the joint Zhongnin exam.

Although there are still four days before the official start of the joint Zhongnin exam, the lower ninja of all countries participating in this joint zhongnin exam has already been prepared in advance.

The first exam will be held in Konoha, in other words, it will be in Konoha by September 15th.

Ninjas from countries far away from Konoha in the Land of Fire either started to leave yesterday or start their journey today, arriving at Konoha Ninja Village the day before or two days before the exam to take the first test of the joint ninja exam.

Because it was a joint exam of various countries, the shinobi who participated were very excited. For some of the strength and self-confidence of the lower ninja, I can't wait to fly to Konoha immediately, show my strong strength, and win glory for my ninja village.

The situation on the side of the Oni Country is similar.

At the train platform of the capital city of Ziyuan City, there are already a sea of people, and there are scenes everywhere.

Parents who can't worry about their children traveling to other countries say goodbye to their children here on the platform.

In such an atmosphere, even powerful ninjas like Shiraishi, Ruri, and Ayane are just ordinary parents who have come to see off their children at this time.

"You two remember, although the first test of the Zhongnin exam is a competition, it is usually not difficult, but if you are not careful, you will also fall into the trap of others."

Looking at Asuka and Aya standing in front of him, Shiraishi said earnestly.

Although he is very confident in the strength of his children, at this moment, Baishi, like an ordinary father, is beginning to suffer a little bit from gains and losses.

The mentality of not being afraid of 10,000 is exposed.

It also makes sense for Shiraishi, who is accustomed to doing everything before he acts.

"Got it, Dad, you've been saying that since last night. I and Aya have memorized. ”

Asuka sighed.

This is the first time I have seen my father who has suffered from gains and losses in my memory.

Obviously, as the parties concerned, they don't feel nervous, but as the elders of outsiders, they are worried.

After training from the outside a few days ago, they had already adjusted their state to perfection.

Even if I go to an unfamiliar country to take the exam, my heart does not fluctuate.

No matter how difficult the exam was, it would definitely be as difficult as the previous experience of them fighting to the death with the two Shangninja.

"After all, the old man is also old, and it is inevitable that he likes to look ahead and look backward in doing things over the years. Don't care. ”

Yiji on the side said in an unceremonious tone.

Shiraishi glared at him dissatisfied.

But being ignored by Kazuhime, she continued to say to Asuka and Asai, "Before the third exam begins, I will go to the Land of the Wind to pick you up. If you are eliminated in the first or second exam, don't blame me for writing the word 'miscellaneous fish' on both of your faces with an oil-based pen and showing it to everyone. ”

Whether it's Asuka or Cai, when they hear Yihime's words, they can't help but shudder.

They know that Kazuhime is the kind of person who absolutely does what he says.

In other words, if the two of them are eliminated in the first and second exams, the other party will definitely write the word 'miscellaneous fish' on both of their faces.

"Gee, it looks like it's fun. Well, I'll punish you too, and if you fail the first two exams, write some funny words on your foreheads. ”

Ayane walked over with a smile, looking like she didn't think it was a big deal.

"Don't come here to join in the fun, Aunt Ayane."

Asuka had a headache.

"You don't have to listen to them, you two just do your best."

Liuli said at this time.

Before Asuka and Cai were moved, Liuli came again:

"If you lose, your personal accounts will be frozen."

“……”

Asuka and Aya began to tremble with fear.

Compared to being written with some strange words on the face, no matter how you look at the punishment of having your personal account frozen, it can be called a devilish act.

Asuka and Aya glanced at each other, and they could both see the seriousness in each other's eyes.

In order to prevent the bank's personal account from being frozen, it is not possible to take out 100%, you must show 1,000% enthusiasm to take this Zhongnin exam seriously!

"Then I'll go first, it's almost time to start."

Asuka looked at the time, it was time for the train to leave.

"Go ahead, be careful in the second exam. If you can beat it, cut the grass and eradicate the roots, don't leave any hidden dangers, run directly if you can't beat it, don't feel ashamed. ”

Shiraishi finally asked.

As the original initiator of the joint Zhongnin exam, he naturally knew what the specific content of the three exams was.

Compared to the written part of the first test, the second test is the real knockout round. And the process of elimination will inevitably be accompanied by fighting and death.

It's just that because of the rules, he can't tell Asuka and Aya the specific content of the exam, so they can only be careful about it.

"Yes."

Asuka and Cai Zheng nodded, and under the gaze of Shiraishi and others, they carried their travel bags and slowly boarded the carriage.

"Then, it's time for me to leave for the Land of the Wind. At that time, the handover work before the third exam should be done. ”

Although he was not the chief examiner of the third exam, Kazuhime also served as an extradition mission in the third exam.

Candidates who pass the first and second exams will gather in the Land of Wind, and then transfer from the Land of Wind to the Land of Ghosts, and at that time it will be Kazuhime who will be in charge of the extradition of candidates on behalf of the Country of Demons.

The three of Shiraishi didn't say anything about being careful, with the strength that Ichihime had already formed, as long as they didn't encounter some special situations, they basically wouldn't encounter any danger.

After saying goodbye to the three of them, Kazuhime and Shiraishi walked towards another train, where several Oni Kuni Shinobi were already waiting for her to act together and go to the Land of Wind.