Practice for Two Years, Then Make Your Debut

[Name: Hyuga Neji]

[Talent: Heavenly Dao rewards diligence (Effort always pays off; it suits ordinary people and geniuses alike.)]

[Age: 6]

[Chakra: Jonin]

[Chakra Natures: Yin, Fire, Earth, Water, Lightning]

[Kekkei Genkai: Tenseigan Lv1 (321/500) Ability: Curse Seal of the Mind]

[Ninjutsu: Lightning Release Chakra Mode Lv4 (3211/4000), Lightning Clone Lv3 (1141/2000), Earth Release: Fish in Water Technique Lv3 (541/2000)...]

[Taijutsu: God Vacuum Attack Lv1 (384/500), Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms Lv3 (687/2000)...]

[Genjutsu: Hell Viewing Technique Lv3 (541/2000)]

After his Byakugan reached Lv5, he successfully awakened the Tenseigan.

Neji also discovered that his Byakugan hadn't disappeared; he could freely switch between the Tenseigan and the Byakugan.

In the original story, Uchiha Madara could also switch his Rinnegan back to the Mangekyo.

But after the Sage of Six Paths infused Sasuke with Six Paths Power, the Rinnegan he awakened became permanent.

The difference probably came down to the Reanimated Body.

After all, Nagato couldn't freely switch Madara's Rinnegan back to the Mangekyo.

Yozuki A laughed a few more times. Only when Dodai and Shoichi appeared at the training ground did he resume his serious demeanor and speak solemnly.

"Neji, the Ninja Academy's graduation is next month. It's time for you to make your debut and become a true ninja."

At that, Dodai looked at Neji, who had grown quite a bit taller, his gaze sharpening.

Geniuses had the privilege of graduating early.

Especially in wartime, when people died every day and the village needed new generations to replenish its forces.

In peacetime, ninja assessments were extremely strict. Even those who graduated early were around ten years old.

Unless they were exceptionally gifted!

Dodai's gaze fell on the wrecked training ground. Then he recalled Shoichi saying that Neji's strength was at least at the Special Jonin level, and was astonished.

Raikage's Office.

Yozuki Fengmu sat upright on a long bench. Facing Yozuki A, he said in a serious tone, "A, are you really planning to let that child make his debut? He's only six!"

Though Neji had lived in Kumogakure for two years, only a handful of people knew he existed, and even fewer had ever met him.

Yozuki Fengmu knew Kumogakure was secretly raising a Byakugan Cub, but he didn't know much about Neji himself.

Over the past two years, whenever he had the chance, Yozuki Fengmu had tried to glean information about Neji from Yozuki A.

When he learned Yozuki A planned to send Neji out as a ninja, he came straight over.

Yozuki Fengmu was a man nearing thirty and Yozuki A's cousin. He also commanded considerable respect within the Yozuki clan.

Yozuki A poured Yozuki Fengmu a cup of hot water, observed the basic courtesies, then replied, "Fengmu, you know I'm a genius too. But in front of that child, I suddenly feel ashamed of myself."

Yozuki Fengmu wasn't entirely convinced.

When faced with things beyond one's understanding, people were naturally skeptical unless they'd seen them with their own eyes.

But Yozuki Fengmu didn't dwell on the subject. He asked, "Have you found a Jonin to lead the team? I think Darui would be a good choice."

"Darui, huh?"

A young man with dark skin and short hair came to Yozuki A's mind. He praised him, saying, "He's certainly capable. My Kage Guard is short one member, so I'll bring him in."

"Oh?"

Yozuki Fengmu raised an eyebrow.

Darui was a leading figure among Kumogakure's new generation. He possessed the Storm Release Kekkei Genkai, and his talent surpassed even Samui's and the others'.

Darui wasn't a member of the Yozuki clan. He came from a civilian family, but Yozuki Fengmu had invested heavily in him.

Even if Darui didn't marry into the Yozuki clan in the future, his interests would remain closely tied to theirs.

The Byakugan was a precious Kekkei Genkai that Kumogakure planned to develop into one of its greatest assets.

Yozuki Fengmu had intended for Darui to lead Hyuga Neji's team, so the two of them could form a bond.

Now that Yozuki A had recruited Darui into the Kage Guard, Yozuki Fengmu couldn't very well say anything.

After all, the Kage Guard was a fast track to power and a coveted position. Most people couldn't get in even if they tried their hardest.

Yozuki A's move showed he intended to develop Darui as a priority.

"A, there's something else I came to see you about."

Yozuki Fengmu hesitated for a moment, uncertain how to proceed.

"Fengmu, quit beating around the bush. That's not like you!" Yozuki A laughed heartily.

Yozuki Fengmu downed a cup of cold water and said, "It's about Neji. I was going to wait another couple of years before bringing it up, but that child is making his debut next month. Once he becomes a ninja, he'll be busy traveling around, and there'll be all kinds of dangers. If anything happens to him, neither of us would want that. So I want to pass on the Byakugan bloodline first."

Yozuki A fell silent.

To be fair, Yozuki Fengmu's suggestion made sense.

People could meet with misfortune at any moment.

Across the vast Shinobi World, countless gifted ninja had fallen.

Hozuki Gengetsu, one of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and the Fourth Hokage and his wife were perfect examples.

When the Grim Reaper came to claim someone's life, it didn't give them advance warning.

That was the first reason.

The second was that Kumogakure had no Kekkei Genkai clans. Establishing the Hyuga clan in Kumogakure was a strategic plan for the next ten to twenty years, unanimously approved by the village's leadership.

In the long run, the Hyuga clan would be no less important to the village than Hyuga Neji himself.

Seeing that Yozuki A didn't object, Yozuki Fengmu continued, "A, I've already found some suitable young women. I guarantee the child won't be getting the short end of the stick."

Yozuki A suddenly fixed him with a stare. "Are they from our Yozuki clan?"

Yozuki Fengmu's expression shifted slightly. Yozuki A had clearly hit the mark.

But only for an instant. He quickly returned to normal.

Fengmu admitted he had a personal motive.

There was no avoiding it. As head of the Yozuki clan, he had to consider his clan's interests.

Besides, the Yozuki clan was the strongest in Kumogakure. It was only right that they contribute to building the Hyuga clan in Kumogakure.

Working for the clan's benefit didn't conflict with serving the village.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Yozuki A tapped his fingers on the table. After a long silence, he shook his head. "Fengmu, I can't agree to that."

Yozuki Fengmu furrowed his brow and asked, "Why? Do the other clans in the village object?"

"No."

Yozuki A sighed and gave a wry smile. "That child Neji is proud. He looks down on the women in our clan."

?

Yozuki Fengmu had been hot-tempered even in his youth, much like Yozuki A.

He'd mellowed somewhat after becoming clan head, but he still had a short fuse.

Hearing what Yozuki A said, Yozuki Fengmu's aura turned abruptly violent. With a crash, the table in front of him shattered into pieces.

"How dare he!"

Yozuki Fengmu's face darkened as he raged, "The Yozuki clan has provided him with training resources for free all these years, and now he dares to look down on us? What is it about the women of Kumogakure that he thinks isn't good enough for him?"

Yozuki A poured Yozuki Fengmu another cup of cold water. "Fengmu, have some water and cool down. That child isn't going anywhere. We'll get the Byakugan."