Massive Improvement

The next morning, Yuzuru Hyuga, who had slept well, stretched lazily. The first thing he did upon waking was habitually glance at his system.

Now, he could be said to have been reborn, a completely different person from a year ago.

In terms of pure strength, becoming a Jonin would be absolutely no problem at all!

What was Kakashi Hatake? A Chunin at age six? Pathetic!

[Rotation (A): MAX (Breakthrough Available)]

[Body Flicker Technique: Flash (A): Level 2 (321/3200)]

[Gentle Fist: Minor Gods Vacuum Attack (A): Level 2 (721/3200)]

[Rotation: Consecutive Flashes (A): Level 2 (611/3200)]

[Substitution Technique: Shadow Fold (B): Level 5 (1210/3800)]

[Genjutsu: Unaffected (B): Level 1 (422/800)]

[Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms (A): MAX (Breakthrough Available)]

These were the tempting fruits Yuzuru Hyuga had accumulated over the past year, practically by risking his life.

Among them, Gentle Fist had been broken through in one go. Out of some twisted sense of fun, he had added the four characters "Minor Gods Vacuum Attack" as a suffix.

As for Substitution Technique: Shadow Fold, it was a technique Yuzuru Hyuga had obtained after breaking through the most basic Substitution Technique. Its application was very simple: it eliminated the simple log substitution and replaced it with a clone similar to a Shadow Clone. It could not only be used to avoid fatal damage but also to confuse the enemy during an attack.

Rotation: Consecutive Flashes wasn't a technique he had broken through; rather, it was an A-rank technique he had developed himself after breaking through the Body Flicker Technique and letting his imagination run wild, replacing his original consecutive striking taijutsu.

The breakthrough direction for the Body Flicker Technique was also very simple: greatly increase short-burst speed for closing in, chasing, and dodging.

Genjutsu: Unaffected was a breakthrough based on Genjutsu: Release, transforming the active release of a genjutsu effect into a passive technique. Once a genjutsu was cast on him, Genjutsu: Unaffected would automatically activate and dispel it.

Just these techniques and improvements alone were enough to show how hard Yuzuru Hyuga had worked over the past year.

Facing an opponent far stronger than himself, fighting until exhausted every single day, being sent to Konoha Hospital by Medical Ninjas more than once—the hardship of it all had finally watered and produced beautiful fruit.

Besides that, there were also many low-level techniques he had maxed out but temporarily had no plans to break through.

[Kunai Throwing Technique (E): MAX (Breakthrough Available).]

[Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique (C): MAX (Breakthrough Available)]

[Genjutsu: Binding Paralysis (D): MAX (Breakthrough Available)]

He glanced again at his Free Experience Points.

[Current Free Experience Points: 67952.]

"Hmph... as long as I gather 200,000 Free Experience Points, I can give Rotation or the Sixty-Four Palms a major breakthrough."

"At that time, should I go for Shinra Tensei first, or a move like Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Gods Vacuum Attack?"

Yuzuru Hyuga's good mood didn't last long.

He then thought of the somewhat irritating reality.

The wonderful father-son bonding time was over.

For the next event, he would have to go to the Elder Hyuga and put on an act of being an 'ordinary genius.'

A genius is a genius, but if the Main Family discovered that his displayed abilities had exceeded their imagination...

The best outcome would probably be like a Tailed Beast: sealed away by the Hyuga Clan, only to be let out when needed, right?

Using the Caged Bird to tightly control him, and even his family, never giving him any chance to turn the tables or any room for freedom.

Tch.

Fortunately, it wouldn't be much longer.

Yuzuru Hyuga slowly tidied up his appearance, stretched, and walked outside.

At most three years, and his plans should be complete.

To overthrow the Hyuga Clan's long-standing 'tradition,' Yuzuru Hyuga had only one chance.

And what he would face was by no means just the pressure from the Hyuga Clan.

Neither the Third Hokage nor Danzo would sit idly by while the Hyuga Clan was in turmoil, especially not wanting to see this constantly infighting clan break the Caged Bird and become a united front from top to bottom.

Once the Main Family system was abolished, it would mean even Branch Family members of the Hyuga Clan could learn the complete Hyuga Style Body Technique and even more knowledge. The number of Hyuga Jonin doubling in the blink of an eye was no joke.

It was important to remember that the Hyuga Clan had no lunatics and no lack of prestige. In Konoha, when talking about noble clans, besides the Uchiha, people thought of the Hyuga. And in comparison, they didn't dislike the Hyuga Clan, especially with the Uchiha Clan as a contrast.

The Hyuga Clan might have some arrogant people, but they were nowhere near as extreme as the Uchiha. The Uchiha seemed trapped in a strange cycle of "if you don't give me the Hokage position, you're looking down on the Uchiha." They wanted respect, status, and power, but disdained playing politics, and many couldn't even be bothered to put on a show.

What was even more frightening about the Uchiha Clan was that they had both these radical madmen and an extremely conservative faction. These people were loyal to Konoha above even their clan, treating the so-called Will of Fire as their faith, willing to sacrifice even themselves or their families without hesitation, worrying about more things than the Hokage himself.

This made the Uchiha Clan's image even more twisted in outsiders' eyes—were these people all reincarnated as binary switches?

This also meant that the villagers were destined never to oppose the Hyuga the way they opposed the Uchiha. Even if the Uchiha were gone, that sentiment would be hard to direct at the Hyuga Clan, because everything about the Hyuga Clan still seemed understandable and acceptable.

Therefore, for the sake of 'peace' and to avoid a situation where one clan dominated, how could the Third Hokage and Danzo possibly let the Hyuga Clan walk toward a bright future?

If he was too slow, he might be labeled as 'sowing chaos in Konoha,' 'murdering the innocent,' or 'a Subordinate Overlords Superior without justice or shame.'

Then Hyuga Hiashi would seize the moral high ground, actively seek help from the Hokage, and the Third's faction would be able to intervene logically and 'quell the internal strife.'

To Yuzuru Hyuga, this was no small probability event.

It was a high probability!

If the Uchiha Clan were wiped out a little sooner, the probability of this event would become one hundred percent.

Thus—

A meticulous plan.

And overwhelming strength.

Both were indispensable.

Only then could he crush everything with irresistible force, seal the matter conclusively before anyone had time to act, and completely resolve the Hyuga Clan's affairs.

Moreover, Yuzuru Hyuga's ambition was clearly greater. What he envisioned was not a bloodbath of the Hyuga, but as few deaths and as little bloodshed as possible—a peaceful transition.

After all, every Hyuga clansman could become a part of his future strength. Apart from the stubborn elements and those deeply guilty of crimes who needed to be swept into the trash heap, most of the Main Family were not beyond saving.

Even Hyuga Hiashi might not necessarily have to die—he could be spared to showcase the new Hyuga Clan Head's breadth of vision and spirit, to reassure the people.

As long as Lord Hiashi was willing. To be a dog, as his father had done and still did.

A good dog that stayed obedient even without the Caged Bird.

Yuzuru Hyuga pondered the matters he needed to prepare at hand, while following a Branch Family ninja toward the residence of the Hyuga Clan's elder.

Soon, his steps halted before a spacious building. To be precise, this was the Hyuga Clan's "training hall"—a room large enough for dozens of people, empty save for the flat, sturdy wooden floor. It was the room used by the Main Family for practice.

Compared to Yuzuru Hyuga, who could only practice Gentle Fist on an earthen training ground, the Main Family's treatment was far better—of course, Yuzuru Hyuga could also come here as a sparring partner, but... was he crazy?

The Hyuga Clan elder and Hyuga Hiashi stood at the center of the hall.

"You're here, Yuzuru."

Hyuga Hiashi wore a gentle, kind smile and waved at Yuzuru Hyuga.

Though only a year older, Yuzuru Hyuga's height had noticeably increased—from reaching Lord Hiashi's thigh to now reaching his waist.

Looking up, Yuzuru Hyuga smiled slightly: "Lord Hiashi, Elder, it's been a while."

He bowed politely to Lord Hiashi and the elder, the picture of a proper Branch Family member.

Even the stern elder wore a faint smile, warmly greeting Yuzuru Hyuga: "Little Yuzuru, come here."

They both subtly activated their Byakugan, instinctively scanning the Chakra within Yuzuru Hyuga's body.

His abundant Chakra made them nod with considerable satisfaction, not deeming such an act the least bit intrusive.

Yuzuru Hyuga took it in stride, smiling: "I heard from my father that the elder summoned me?"

"Yes." The Elder Hyuga glanced at Lord Hiashi, and seeing his slight nod, understood that he would have to explain this himself.

He gestured for Yuzuru Hyuga to come closer, looking down at him with an appreciative gaze: "In this past year, little Yuzuru seems to have grown stronger?"

"My father never holds back when he beats me," Yuzuru Hyuga said humorously, then smiled: "And I also have to thank Lord Hiashi for taking over many of my father's duties, so he could find the time to train me."

Hyuga Hiashi's smile grew a touch more genuine at those words.

In truth, he had always worried that as Yuzuru Hyuga grew older, he would become more resentful over the Caged Bird.

But now, it seemed Yuzuru Hyuga had been raised quite well by his father.

Looking at Yuzuru Hyuga's gentle, quiet smile and the serene eyes behind his black-rimmed glasses, still as a lake, Hyuga Hiashi felt somewhat reassured.

"For the time to come, I will be responsible for teaching you. Whether it's ninjutsu or taijutsu, you will receive the same resources as the Main Family."

The Elder Hyuga's words were startling, but then he revealed his true nature, smiling as he leaned down slightly and patted Yuzuru Hyuga's head: "I will also inform the Branch Family ninja of this, so you only need to focus on growing stronger. Don't worry about anything else."

Was the goal division, or motivation?

But it had to be said, this was a clever move. On one hand, it soothed the slightly restless hearts of the Branch Family; on the other, it inexplicably placed Yuzuru Hyuga in a difficult position.

The Main Family wouldn't be pleased that a Branch Family member could receive the elder's personal instruction, even breaking the rules.

The Branch Family, due to Yuzuru Hyuga's special treatment, would subtly distance themselves from him.

Further down the line, when Yuzuru Hyuga achieved success, others would no longer say he was a self-taught genius who broke free of the Hyuga Clan's constraints, but rather that the Hyuga Main Family had keen eyes and nurtured him well.

"Thank you, Elder." Yuzuru Hyuga smiled, expressing his gratitude.

In short—if you dare to give, I dare to take.

The Elder Hyuga looked at Yuzuru Hyuga's calm smile, unsure if he had guessed anything. But since he didn't refuse now, the matter was settled.

And, though uncertain whether Yuzuru Hyuga had caught on to some of the implications, out of habit, the elder still offered some reassurance and a trade of interests, saying calmly: "The connections in ANBU have been arranged. Even your captain and teammates in ANBU have been set up. You just need to study in peace, join ANBU after graduation, and don't worry about the risks."

This was essentially playing his cards face-up—ANBU was just a resume-builder for you. Just obediently get stronger and develop steadily.

Yuzuru Hyuga made no comment. The person they were likely striking a deal with now was Minato Namikaze, but Minato's time was short. Once the Third Hokage took over again, he would be far more troublesome than Minato. This wasn't something the Elder Hyuga could guarantee.

"Thank you, Elder. Thank you, Lord Hiashi."

But he still put on a grateful expression.

"Yuzuru, we're family. No need to be so polite." Hyuga Hiashi smiled, pointing to the center of the hall: "More than that, I'm looking forward to seeing your progress."

Yuzuru Hyuga was not surprised. He smiled, tightened the black headband tied around his forehead, gathered his hair—now long enough for a small ponytail—and walked quietly to the center of the hall, spreading his palms: "Forgive my rudeness, Lord Hiashi. Please guide me."

Hyuga Hiashi assumed a stance, his eyes gleaming with curiosity: "Make your move."

Yuzuru Hyuga raised his hands, a faint blue light flickering around them. His expression was extremely serious—in truth, he was giving it his full, twelve-out-of-ten effort.

Knowing how to show weakness was also a fine art.