No One Would Still Lack the Byakugan at Five, Right?

Early that morning, Shuji's father, Hyuga Kiyosada, was guiding Hinagiku through the Eight Trigrams Palms in the family dojo.

Kiyosada had returned to Konoha last night, and he had begun guiding Hinagiku's training first thing this morning.

In this family of four, only Hinagiku belonged to the Branch Family.

Not only was Hinagiku not neglected, she instead received exceptional attention from her family.

Back then, Hyuga Kiyosada and Hyuga Chinatsu had intended to have only one child.

That way, some of the Hyuga clan's rules would have been meaningless to their family.

But Chinatsu had become pregnant with twins, so there was nothing they could do.

What, were they supposed to abort them?

"Yo, training? Keep it up~"

Just as Hyuga Hinagiku was drenched in sweat from practicing the Eight Trigrams Palms, Hyuga Shuji's lazy voice suddenly rang out.

Hyuga Hinagiku looked up and saw Shuji carrying a huge pile of gifts in both hands.

This guy... he definitely did that on purpose.

If Shuji wanted to go out, he did not need to pass through the dojo at all.

"What? All healed up? Want to join her?"

Hearing that, Hyuga Kiyosada glanced helplessly at Shuji and asked softly, his hands clasped behind his back.

Shuji had great talent and was willing to work hard, but his personality...

"My chest... still hurts..."

Shuji immediately grinned and slowly wandered out of the dojo as he spoke.

Strolling through the Hyuga Clan Compound, Shuji headed toward the home of Hyuga Tokuhiro, head of the Hyuga Main Family.

"You're about to enter the Ninja Academy! You still haven't awakened the Byakugan?!"

Before he could knock, Shuji heard Hyuga Tokuhiro's hysterical roar from inside the courtyard.

Knock, knock, knock!

Shuji raised a brow and knocked on Hyuga Tokuhiro's door with a smile.

Oh, Hyuga Hiashi had not awakened the Byakugan yet?

That was... wonderful!

"Shuji, you're here? How is your recovery?"

The gate opened, revealing Hyuga Tokuhiro with a gentle smile that made him seem somewhat kind and benevolent.

"Yes, I'm much better. Uncle, thank you for taking such good care of me before."

Shuji bowed to Hyuga Tokuhiro.

"We're family. No need to be so polite."

Tokuhiro chuckled, opened the gate wider, and helped Shuji back up.

"Have Chinatsu and Kiyosada returned?"

As they walked toward the living room, Tokuhiro asked Shuji.

"Yes, they returned to the village yesterday. They're going to report the mission to the Hokage today, but Uncle, you were so busy helping me at the hospital before. Now that I've been discharged, I wanted to come pay you a visit. I hope I haven't disturbed you."

Shuji spoke with a light smile. In the Shinobi World, there was more than fighting and killing—there were also human relationships and social customs.

There was a reason clans of shinobi existed in this form.

Most obviously, because Shuji was part of the Hyuga Main Family, he did not need to worry about pressure from the village.

The Hyuga clan was truly cruel to the Branch Family, but it also truly treated the Main Family well.

Well, I'm lucky to have been born into the Main Family.

"You've grown up, Shuji."

Tokuhiro chuckled and patted Shuji on the shoulder.

"Go call Hiashi and Hizashi."

When they reached the entrance to the living room, Tokuhiro instructed the maid standing by the door.

"Yes."

The maid bowed, then turned and left.

"Will these injuries affect your future training?"

Once they were seated in the living room, maids brought out pastries and black tea without Tokuhiro needing to say a word.

"Lady Tsunade said I should avoid training as much as possible before entering the Ninja Academy. After that, there shouldn't be any problems."

Shuji answered Tokuhiro. She had said two months, but in truth, he did not need to rest for that long at all.

After two full months of accumulation in the hospital, the Nen Energy in Shuji's body had already begun to take shape.

This had also greatly increased his efficiency in training Steel Muscles and Iron Bones.

From Shuji's own estimate, he could resume taijutsu training in a month at most.

Although Steel Muscles and Iron Bones itself could raise the upper limit of Shuji's physical capabilities.

That was simply too slow.

The most efficient method was to focus on taijutsu training, with Steel Muscles and Iron Bones as support.

"Don't rush your training. Your talent has already been proven. Rest properly, and don't let it affect your future."

Tokuhiro nodded and spoke to Shuji.

"Yes, I'll take care of my body."

Shuji nodded to Tokuhiro.

"By the way, regarding that matter with Might Duy, I heard you took one of his ninjutsu?"

Seated in the place of honor, Tokuhiro took a sip of black tea and asked Shuji.

"That's right. It's a taijutsu technique."

Shuji nodded, unsurprised that Tokuhiro knew about it.

"Is Gentle Fist not enough for you to train?"

Tokuhiro laughed helplessly and asked in return.

This could be called confidence carved into his bones. In Tokuhiro's eyes, there were only three kinds of ninjutsu in the Shinobi World.

One was Gentle Fist, one was Lightning Release Armor, and one was every other ninjutsu.

"Exactly. Isn't Gentle Fist enough for you? Have you even awakened the Byakugan? You actually have time to train other taijutsu?"

Just as Tokuhiro finished speaking, Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga arrived.

"Hyuga Hizashi pays respects to Lord Shuji."

As Hiashi's words fell, Hizashi's voice followed.

Having run into Hyuga Shuji alongside his older brother, Hizashi felt it would be better to take the initiative.

"No need for formalities."

Shuji grinned. For the moment, he ignored Hiashi and instead stood to address Hizashi.

"Brother Hiashi is right. Gentle Fist is broad and profound, and there is still much I need to learn and master.

"Especially now that I've only just awakened the Byakugan, I still do not understand Rotation very well. Brother Hiashi must have awakened his Byakugan long ago, right?

"I wonder if you might have time to give me some guidance."

After sitting back down, Shuji asked Hiashi with a beaming smile, his face full of humble eagerness to learn.

"Huh? You awakened the Byakugan?"

Hiashi froze. The features on his face began to twist slightly.

"Huh? Brother Hiashi hasn't awakened the Byakugan? That can't be, right? How could anyone reach five years old without awakening the Byakugan?"

Shuji froze, then asked Hiashi with feigned confusion.

This time, not only Hiashi's expression but even Hizashi's began to twist.

What was wrong with not awakening the Byakugan at five?

What was wrong with it?!

Tokuhiro chuckled but did not speak. Hiashi had talent, but he simply was not hardworking enough.

Now that Shuji was giving him a little pressure, that was a good thing too.

"I have awakened it. Of course I have. As for Rotation, once your body has recovered, I'll teach it to you."

Hiashi casually found a place to sit and spoke to Shuji. After saying that, as if to make his words sound more convincing—

"I just didn't expect you to awaken the Byakugan so quickly. Not bad."