Main Family Guard

Ever since the practical combat class with Class A, Ishii Ichiro had worn a dark expression during lessons. The Class B students also knew they had lost disgracefully, so they became much more serious in the classes that followed. From that perspective, Ishii Ichiro's efforts had not been in vain.

Hyuga Mirai had performed the best. Although he had ultimately lost to Hyuga Kiyomi, his crisp, decisive Taijutsu and Gentle Fist were enough to place him among the best even in Class A.

As for why he had lost to Hyuga Kiyomi, Ishii Ichiro believed that, as someone from the Main Family, Hyuga Kiyomi had progressed much further in her Gentle Fist training than Hyuga Mirai. That was why he had failed to see through Hyuga Kiyomi's feint at the end.

If the students worked hard, Ishii Ichiro would receive less criticism. If every Class B student passed the Genin assessment a few years from now, he would earn some merit as well.

Hyuga Mirai naturally needed no one's urging. At the Ninja Academy, he was always the most diligent student.

No matter when it was, as long as he was at school, Hyuga Mirai was reading.

"Ninja Codes and Trap Setting," "Ninja World Geography Basics," "Five Great Nations: Terrain and Ninja Differences"—Hyuga Mirai had already used his breaks to study quite a few of the theory courses he would be taking over the next few years.

Once he had mastered all the theoretical knowledge taught at the Ninja Academy, Hyuga Mirai planned to study basic medical knowledge.

As for Taijutsu and Ninjutsu training, Hyuga Mirai usually practiced alone after school.

He rarely practiced Gentle Fist at the Hyuga compound. To avoid exposing his level of mastery, Hyuga Mirai usually trained in remote forests around the village. As for the clan children's group training, the level he displayed would absolutely not exceed that of Young Miss Hyuga Kiyomi from the Main Family.

After returning home, Hyuga Mirai only trained his Chakra control and the Three-Body Technique.

Medical Ninjutsu required exceptionally precise Chakra control. If one could not even achieve that, there was no way to get started.

The reason Tsunade, one of the Sannin, had found it difficult to popularize Medical Ninjutsu throughout the village was that it demanded great talent. If one's Chakra control was not up to standard, one could only learn some battlefield first-aid knowledge.

"I should start learning the basic Three-Body Technique."

Hyuga Mirai opened the scroll. Inside were detailed annotations left by his Original Father. Training according to those notes would be quite easy, considering they had been left by a Jonin.

After reading the scroll, Hyuga Mirai began practicing the Three-Body Technique.

In truth, Hyuga Mirai had many questions about the Three-Body Technique. For example, could the Transformation Technique alter the size of one's transformed body by increasing Chakra? Was the Substitution Technique actually related to space? Why could it instantly switch one's body with a log?

But those questions were far too distant for Hyuga Mirai. Only after he had thoroughly secured his footing in the Ninja World would he be qualified to slowly ponder them.

For now, he needed to increase his strength as quickly as possible.

"Hah!"

After practicing the Three-Body Technique for half a day, Hyuga Mirai dropped directly onto the floor and began panting lightly.

"I've barely learned the Three-Body Technique. Next, I need to keep practicing until hand seals and Chakra control become instinctive, while also learning how to use the Three-Body Technique properly."

In fights between Genin and Chunin, the Three-Body Technique could be a killing move if used well. Even a Jonin could be deceived by it if he was careless.

Hyuga Mirai had temporarily learned all three techniques. What remained was a process of constant practice.

"Time to eat. Every time I use up all my Chakra, my appetite goes wild."

Supporting his exhausted body, Hyuga Mirai had initially planned to treat himself to some barbecue today. But when he reached the door, he remembered that if he ate barbecue, this month's budget would not be enough. Besides food and drink, he still needed to buy some ninja tools for training.

"Forget it. Plain boiled chicken dipped in soy sauce is pretty good too."

Hyuga Mirai comforted himself, then turned around and headed back to the kitchen. He planned to fill his stomach with something simple before beginning his Chakra control training.

Hyuga Mirai did his Wall Climbing training indoors. At the beginning, he did not use much Chakra, since that might damage the walls. He trained through trial and error, little by little, trying to complete the Wall Climbing exercise without damaging them.

Thus, Hyuga Mirai's daily training schedule was to bring some Cold Rice Balls to an uninhabited forest in a remote part of the village after school, where he practiced Gentle Fist Taijutsu for three hours. After dark, he returned home for another meal, then trained Chakra control and studied medical knowledge.

As for Shuriken throwing, it was not Hyuga Mirai's focus. He did not need to make fancy tricks with Shuriken like the Uchiha Clan; getting full marks in the Ninja Academy's Shuriken assessment would be enough.

"Hyuga Mirai!"

On a rest day, just as Hyuga Mirai was preparing to head to the forest behind the mountain to train, he was suddenly called out by the Branch Family Guard Captain.

"Lord Sosuke, may I ask what this is about?"

Hyuga Mirai hurriedly greeted him. This ancient, outdated clan had countless rules; even within the Branch Family, its hierarchy could be called strict.

Hyuga Sosuke walked over, his Byakugan-filled eyes fixed on Hyuga Mirai in questioning. "You've been going to remote places often lately. What have you been doing?"

"I've been practicing Gentle Fist and Shuriken, Lord Sosuke. Sometimes, when I get tired, I rest outside for a while." After saying that, Hyuga Mirai displayed the food and training ninja tools he carried with him.

"Why don't you train at the clan training grounds?"

"Because..." Hyuga Mirai pretended to hesitate. After a pause, he continued, "Besides practicing Gentle Fist, I also go Fishing by the river. My appetite is rather big, and sometimes I don't get enough to eat."

That was not a lie, but a preparation Hyuga Mirai had made in advance. Perhaps it was related to his physique; after becoming exhausted, Hyuga Mirai would become especially hungry, and his appetite had been growing larger and larger.

Fortunately, the more he ate, the faster his energy recovered. That was a good thing for Hyuga Mirai, who trained so hard, though it did cost quite a bit of money.

Although it had not fully spread yet, every time Hyuga Mirai returned from purchasing Supplies, he drew astonished looks from his fellow Clansmen.

"Hmm."

Hyuga Sosuke nodded after hearing this. He had heard a little about Hyuga Mirai as well. Then, his expression turned stern as he spoke to Hyuga Mirai.

"Starting tomorrow, you will serve as Young Miss Hyuga Kiyomi's Guard. Every day, when going to and from school, you must follow her and protect Young Miss Kiyomi."

"This... I understand, Lord Sosuke!"

Though he was intensely unwilling inside, Hyuga Mirai immediately agreed. It was useless for him to refuse now; he had no power to resist. Besides, displaying his emotions would only invite the Main Family's dissatisfaction and hostility.

"Lord Sosuke, what about after school?"

"After escorting Young Miss Kiyomi home, you may do as you please. However, you must attend the clan's group training and practice alongside Young Miss Kiyomi."

After Hyuga Sosuke finished speaking, he slowly stepped forward and patted Hyuga Mirai on the shoulder.

"After becoming Young Miss Kiyomi's Guard, your monthly clan allowance will increase by Five Thousand Ryo. Remember, the mission of us Branch Family members is to protect the Main Family's lords. For the Branch Family, being able to give one's life for the Main Family is the greatest honor!"

"Yes, I understand, Lord Sosuke!"

Hyuga Mirai bared his teeth and declared loudly. Yet no emotion could be seen in those pure white pupils, and Hyuga Sosuke had no way of knowing what he truly thought.