The Byakugan's Strange Movement!

It wasn't just Nawaki who had gotten ideas; Hiashi's thoughts also began to stir at that moment.

Granted, from the family's perspective, the stronger Shuji became, the better. But if he could stand on the same level as Shuji—or even surpass him—Hiashi found that hard to refuse as well.

Seeing that Nawaki and Hiashi had both been sufficiently encouraged, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to Shuji.

"But Shuji, you can't slack off either. While ninjas have their limits, as a ninja, you can still develop in other directions.

Mastering more techniques is also a very good way to improve your strength."

"Mm, I'll work hard."

As he thrust out a palm, Shuji nodded to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Did ninjas have limits?

Perhaps they did, but that wasn't important.

After all, Nen Energy existed to raise the limits of the human body.

According to Shuji's estimates, once he mastered Steel Muscles and Iron Bones and could circulate Nen Energy through his body without the slightest obstruction—

The day the Eight Inner Gates Formation took shape within him—

Even if Six Paths Madara appeared before him, Shuji was confident he could kick him to death in three strikes!

He had even come up with the name already: Night Tiger Extreme Martial Emperor Triple Kick!

"By the way, I heard you got a taijutsu technique from Might Duy before, called the Eight Inner Gates. How many Gates can you open now?"

Watching Shuji practice the Gentle Fist with single-minded focus, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled in satisfaction and continued questioning him.

"Ah... I'm almost at the Eight Gates."

Shuji raised a brow upon hearing that and replied to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Huh?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen froze, looking at Shuji in surprise.

Sarutobi Hiruzen knew of the Eight Inner Gates.

And he had learned about it because of Shuji. When he saw the documents submitted by the Konoha Military Police Force, he had learned that there was actually a Genin in the village who specialized in taijutsu.

At the time, Sarutobi Hiruzen had specifically gone to the Hyuga Clan to discuss the matter.

Otherwise, it would have been nearly impossible for Might Duy to live long enough to meet Hyuga Shuji.

Honestly, if Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't acted quickly enough back then, Might Duy would have nearly been branded a spy sent by Kumogakure to Konoha.

Even so, Might Duy had only been released after spending a month in Konoha Prison, and only after Shuji chose to forgive him.

It was because of that incident that Sarutobi Hiruzen gained some understanding of the Eight Inner Gates.

Today, he happened to be supervising Shuji's training, so he had casually asked about it.

He hadn't actually expected Shuji to have trained the Eight Inner Gates to any great extent.

But... he was almost at the Eight Gates?

Don't be ridiculous!

"Which Gate have you opened now?"

Blinking, Sarutobi Hiruzen even held his breath unconsciously.

Honestly, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already thought Shuji was talented enough.

But he hadn't expected Shuji's talent to reach such a level.

If he truly opened the Seventh Gate, Shuji might even be stronger than him.

"The Gate of Opening."

Shuji immediately grinned at that, cheerfully answering under Sarutobi Hiruzen's grave gaze.

"Huh?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen froze again, staring at Hyuga Shuji in astonishment.

So you called opening the first Gate "almost at the Eight Gates," did you?

Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen's stunned expression, faint smiles appeared at the corners of Nawaki's and Hiashi's mouths.

Though they didn't really know what kind of technique the Eight Inner Gates was, seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen like this felt rather satisfying.

"Good, good, good. Keep working hard."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded speechlessly as he looked at Hyuga Shuji.

This brat...

Hmph!

"I will."

Shuji nodded and continued practicing the Gentle Fist.

Until...

"All right, we'll stop here for today."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood and spoke to the three brats.

"No, I think I can keep going a little longer."

Nawaki wiped the sweat from his forehead. Even though his movements had already begun to lose form, he still stubbornly persisted.

"I'm fine too."

Hiashi said the same from the side, even though the Gentle Fist he was performing now was worse than that of a Hyuga child who had only just begun learning it.

"Then do as you please."

Sarutobi Hiruzen laughed, turned around, and walked out with his hands behind his back.

What a bunch of... adorable brats...

Really, constantly dealing with those old fellows made the occasional time spent with these children quite relaxing.

After watching Sarutobi Hiruzen leave, Shuji looked at Hiashi and Nawaki.

"If you two keep this up, I'll have to visit you in the hospital tomorrow."

Only then did Nawaki and Hiashi stop moving.

"It's too late now. Stay here and rest tonight."

As Nawaki sat on the ground, panting heavily, he raised his head to look at Hyuga Shuji.

"All right."

Shuji nodded, formed hand seals with both hands, and dispelled his Shadow Clone Technique.

A massive amount of information flooded into his mind, and Shuji's brows rose involuntarily.

He processed the results of his shadow clones' studies over this period.

After a brief rest, Hiashi and Shuji found a guest room and went to sleep.

Sitting cross-legged on the tatami, Shuji began circulating the Nen Energy within his body along the path of Steel Muscles and Iron Bones.

After completing all his training each day, he spent one hour cultivating Steel Muscles and Iron Bones and another accumulating Nen Energy. It was a habit Shuji maintained without fail every day.

Just as in his previous life, after finishing a day's work, he had written for two hours without fail every day.

Shuji had long since grown accustomed to such a life.

In fact, compared to it, cultivating Nen Energy in this life fascinated Shuji even more than writing web novels had in his previous life.

Because the progress from cultivating Nen Energy could be felt with absolute clarity.

"Hm?"

Suddenly, Shuji raised a hand in confusion and pressed it against his still-closed eyelid.

The Byakugan... was twitching?

Frowning slightly, Shuji waited for the strange sensation to fade before slowly opening his eyes.

His eyes...

With a slight furrow of his brow, Shuji felt that his Byakugan was somewhat different from before.

Or rather, the Byakugan now gave Shuji an urge to release something.

Like someone who had never had legs suddenly gaining them and wanting to take a few steps.

But Shuji still restrained the impulse to activate his Byakugan.

This was the Senju family's home, after all. Activating the Byakugan recklessly would be extremely impolite.

Closing his eyes again and resuming his Steel Muscles and Iron Bones cultivation, Shuji decided to find a chance tomorrow to test exactly what his Byakugan could release.