Hyuga Neji

Chapter 13: Hyuga Neji

After school, Kagami arrived at the training grounds, where Shisui was waiting for him as usual.

Today's training began.

As soon as he walked onto the training grounds, Kagami saw Shisui and couldn't help but smile slightly. He raised his hand and instantly threw four kunai at Shisui.

"Clang!"

Two kunai, thrown at a clever angle, simultaneously struck Kagami's four kunai, nullifying his attack.

He's still too fast!

Kagami hadn't even seen Shisui's movements when he threw the kunai; it was too fast!

However, this was normal. After being beaten so many times by Shisui, Kagami had gotten used to it.

Snake - Monkey - Rooster - Boar - Horse - Tiger!

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

A fireball about one meter in diameter appeared in front of Kagami and burned towards Shisui.

"Oh? You learned this one?"

Shisui seemed surprised.

Just the day before yesterday, Kagami had finally mastered the nature transformation. He hadn't expected him to be able to use the Great Fireball just one day later.

Moreover, Shisui, with his Mangekyo Sharingan, could clearly see that Kagami's hand seal speed had likely reached two seals per second.

"Interesting."

"Buzz!"

Body Flicker Technique!

Shisui vanished from his spot and reappeared to Kagami's left, dodging Kagami's Great Fireball.

At the same time—

Snake - Monkey - Rooster - Boar - Horse - Tiger!

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

A fireball three meters in diameter appeared, three times larger than Kagami's previous one, roaring towards Kagami.

"Hmph!"

Kagami raised his hands in surrender. The giant fireball automatically dissipated as it neared him.

It was always like this. Kagami and Shisui's sparring sessions happened every day, and the frustrating part was that whatever attack Kagami used against Shisui, Shisui would counter with an even more refined technique.

For example, just now, Kagami attacked Shisui with four kunai, and Shisui countered with two kunai to nullify Kagami's attack. When Kagami attacked Shisui with a Great Fireball, Shisui retaliated with a Great Fireball three times larger than his.

Shisui heard Kagami's unconvinced "Hmph!" and couldn't help but burst out laughing. He walked over to Kagami and looked at him teasingly.

"Stop being so grumpy and tell me, what's your current record?"

Kagami turned his head away, unwilling to speak.

Shisui tilted his head, looking at him with a playful expression.

"Oh my, our little genius Kagami, you're not afraid to admit your record, are you?"

Kagami rolled his eyes and reluctantly replied.

"302 losses, 0 wins."

Shisui couldn't help but laugh heartily, patting Kagami's shoulder as he "comforted" him.

"Ah, it's better like this today. Use more ninjutsu in the future, and I can make you surrender faster. If you keep using kunai like before, it'll take me a long time to make you surrender, which is so boring."

Kagami: "..."

Indeed, Kagami had already mastered the use of kunai to a very high level. Shisui had even said that if it weren't for the fact that he taught Kagami his kunai techniques and knew some of Kagami's habits, even Shisui might not have been able to win against Kagami in terms of kunai skills.

But with ninjutsu, Kagami had only just started learning and couldn't compare to Shisui at all. As soon as Shisui used ninjutsu, Kagami was bound to be defeated.

However, Kagami also knew that this was Shisui's unique teaching method. Since Shisui would use whatever Kagami used against him, then what Kagami didn't know how to use could be used to fight Shisui.

Shisui's intention was clear: he was no longer actively teaching Kagami anything but passively waiting for Kagami to learn. Whatever you don't know how to use, use it against me, and I'll personally demonstrate how to use it correctly.

Of course, this was something they both understood implicitly. In words, Shisui would still tease Kagami daily. For example, the next second, Shisui spoke.

"Well, well, I heard you're fighting that Hyuga Neji tomorrow."

Kagami's eye twitched.

"Didn't you tell me that? Do I need to hear it?"

Shisui looked at Kagami teasingly.

"No, no, that's not the point. The point is, if you lose, yesterday... that Yamanaka Ino, right? The little girl who wanted to see you, she'll probably be very sad! Hahaha."

Kagami glared at Shisui through gritted teeth.

"We agreed not to bring that up."

Shisui spoke with righteous indignation.

"What I'm discussing with you now is tomorrow's match against Hyuga Neji. I'm not talking about whether Yamanaka Ino might have a crush on you, so don't say random things."

Kagami didn't want to get too caught up with Shisui on this issue, and said concisely.

"I will win."

Shisui, however, suddenly burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, see? You do care about that girl after all. You said something so certain just to avoid disappointing her, hahaha."

Kagami: "Brother Shisui, get lost."

After some teasing, Shisui let Kagami go and began to discuss things seriously with him.

Shisui analyzed things seriously with Kagami.

"Hyuga Neji, the genius of the Hyuga branch family. The Hyuga clan's biggest characteristic is the Byakugan, which Hyuga Neji naturally possesses. You also need to be wary of his Gentle Fist. The Hyuga's Byakugan can see a person's meridians, nerves, and chakra points. If you're not careful, he could seal your acupoints, rendering you unable to use chakra. Although your taijutsu is also formidable, now that you know ninjutsu and have chakra, it's a huge safeguard. Therefore, you absolutely cannot let him seal your acupoints.

Also, the Hyuga's Byakugan has incredibly strong perception! It even surpasses our Uchiha Clan's Sharingan. So, genjutsu and the like probably won't be very effective. If possible, it's best to defeat him fair and square; that would be more reliable."

Kagami nodded as he listened.

"Mhm, okay."

Hyuga Neji, Kagami naturally knew him. In the original story, during the Chunin Exams, among that batch of participants, the ones with the strongest raw power in Konoha were Neji, Rock Lee, and Sasuke Uchiha. Hyuga Neji, as one of the three, relied on his exceptionally outstanding talent. He was a true genius.

And the Byakugan, needless to say, was a pair of eyes on par with the Sharingan, so it couldn't be weak. Moreover, Kagami didn't even have the Sharingan yet.

The Gentle Fist was also known as Konoha's strongest taijutsu style, directly attacking the meridians. Because it could damage internal organs, even a glancing blow could be fatal.

Therefore, Hyuga Neji was definitely a formidable opponent. Although Kagami was confident he could win this fight, victory wasn't solely dependent on confidence.

From Shisui's objective perspective, this fight was likely a 4-6 split, with Neji at 4 and Kagami at 6.

Because Shisui knew Kagami inside and out, he gave Kagami a slightly higher evaluation. But who knew if Hyuga Neji might be holding something back?

Shisui looked at Kagami with a grave expression.

"In short, do not underestimate this battle!"

Kagami replied.

"Of course not!"

Several hours later, after finishing a day of training, night had fallen, and Kagami finally returned home late.

At the doorstep, a woman in an apron stood holding a coat, constantly looking outside as if searching for something.

Upon seeing Kagami, the woman's face lit up with joy. She ran to Kagami's side, draped the coat over him, and said with concern.

"Kagami, you don't need to train so late every day. Be careful not to catch a cold."

Kagami smiled slightly.

"It's fine, Mother. I can endure it. I won't let you and Father down."

Yuko Uchiha said with heartache.

"Let you down? How could you let us down? Mom is already so proud. I'm proud of you. Besides, even if I were let down, what does it matter? It can't compare to you being safe and sound. Come home earlier from now on. I've kept your food warm for you. Go eat quickly."

Kagami nodded repeatedly.

"Mhm, mhm."

No matter what he went through, no matter how much time passed, this home was still as warm as ever. That was why Kagami had to fight desperately to protect it.

I will. I will definitely protect you, Father, Mother.

In his heart, the young boy silently made a vow.