Byakugan



The Byakugan is a genetic trait that is shared amongst the members of the proud Hyuga Clan. Those that inherit the blood of this clan have almost featureless white eyes, which are the focus for many of their dojutsu. Although it is not stated directly in the manga, it is presumed that all members of the Hyuga family possess the Byakugan, unlike the members of the Uchiha, who are not all born with the Sharingan. It is a common belief that the Sharingan is a genetic offshoot of the Byakugan.

Hinata and Neji Hyuga are among the 2 main characters who use the Byakugan.

Abilities
The Byakugan, as stated above, is the primary focus of the Hyuga's special arts. After awakening the Byakugan, which is denoted by veins along the user's temples surfacing to just under the skin, the Byakugan allows for the user to see with near 360º vision, meaning that they can literally see everything around them, save for one blind spot, which differs from user to user. They also have the ability to see through solid objects, and can use a degree of telescopic sight to see things from a great distance.

However, one of the greatest uses of the Byakugan is the ability to see the chakra circulation system inside of another's body. It is from this paticular ability that they are able to employ their ultimate attack style: Gentle Fist or juken. Much in contrast with typical Taijutsu style of goken, or ferocious fist, which is focused on being insanely fast and strong, the Gentle Fist style focuses on being quick and precise, not focusing on damage. Each strike, when placed correctly, strikes along the keirakurei, which is the network of vessels that carry chakra. This network is closely intertwined with the functioning of the body's organs, and so when the keirakurei take damage, the organs suffer as well. The Byakugan is the dojutsu most suited to the Juken style, since its vision can penetrate the body. There is no defense against the gentle fist, since one cannot train one's internal organs to become stronger.

The gentle fist also has a nearly impregnable defense, which defies reality. The users of gentle fist are able to emit chakra from every opening in the body; this is the prerequisite to this defensive technique. Called the kaiten, or Eight Trigrams Heavenly Spin (or just Rotation), the user follows a simple three-step pattern. First, they observe that they are surrounded by an inevitable attack. Second, they begin to emit a large amount of chakra. The final step is to spin themself like a top, creating a field of rotating chakra that knocks away physical objects. For chakra to deflect a physical object is astounding, and the rotation is essential for the success of the technique. The users of this technique are the Hyuga main branch, although in theory a skilled Byakugan user could perform it through self-training, as did Neji.

Particularly skilled users of the Byakugan, which appear only rarely, such as Neji Hyuga, can take the juken attacks one step further. Along the keirakurei are 360 pinprick-sized nodes called Tenketsu, or chakra points. When struck, these tenketsu will seal off, which close the opening points from which chakra is emitted. The chunnin exams between Neji and Hinata is an example. Thus, with precision, all those points along the victim's body can be sealed, stopping the chakra flow to those areas. Most of the Hyuga clan cannot even perform this because the Tenketsu are too small to see. Neji Hyuga is the rare exception, having taught himself the ultimate Hyuga technique, Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. Able to strike without force, and yet do more damage to a ninja than some of the most powerful Ninjutsu, the Gentle Fist is the greatest Taijutsu style known in all of Konoha.