Returning to the Family

Time flies, and several days later, the two of them were still diligently training in front of the waterfall.

Namikaze Minato had reached a point where there was little left to teach him regarding ninjutsu; once he was shown the scrolls recording the techniques, he could almost replicate them shortly thereafter.

The remaining challenge was how to fuse different types of chakra to see if it could trigger a Kekkei Genkai, but progress on this front remained slow, and they had yet to grasp the key to it.

Combined ninjutsu, at the end of the day, was merely the complementary integration of two elemental releases to increase the power of the technique; trying to use this to touch the threshold of a Kekkei Genkai was still too difficult.

As for the Flying Thunder God technique, it gave them even more of a headache; despite several days of painstaking study, they only knew a little about its theory.

However, this was merely the tip of the iceberg of what the scrolls contained.

Yet, whenever Hyuga Shinichi and Namikaze Minato finished studying the tutorials in the scrolls, Namikaze Minato would always suddenly find the back pages, as if lost in thought, searching for records regarding the development insights of the Flying Thunder God.

Immediately afterward, he would reveal an expression of sudden enlightenment, clearly having grasped some key points.

Hyuga Shinichi still did not understand what Namikaze Minato had seen; when he asked what he had discovered, Namikaze Minato said he wasn't quite sure how to express it, perhaps he would know once he finished researching this Flying Thunder God.

Hyuga Shinichi couldn't help but think that Namikaze Minato's talent was indeed very high, even surpassing his own.

By comparison, he was merely relying on the mature mindset brought by his status as a transmigrator, supplemented by that pair of Byakugan with near-perfect purity, as well as that surging wind-attribute chakra, and it was only through diligent training that he was crowned a "genius."

In this world, countless people were training desperately, longing to break through themselves and reach the pinnacle.

However, those who could truly achieve significant results through effort were few and far between.

After studying the Flying Thunder God scrolls with Namikaze Minato for a while, he still hadn't gained much insight after a long time.

Thus, Hyuga Shinichi decided to get up and practice his swordsmanship; after all, while teaching Namikaze Minato, he must never neglect his own path of cultivation.

With a few light leaps, he arrived above the waterfall, gathered chakra at the soles of his feet, and stood steadily on the water surface above the rushing current.

Located upstream of the waterfall, the current here was exceptionally turbulent, which was perfect for honing one's control over chakra.

With a light draw of his right hand, the Listen-to-Wind Sword on his back came out with a crisp sound, and immediately, Hyuga Shinichi began to practice the Taiji Sword.

This method of training not only required precise control of the chakra at the soles of his feet to stand in place without being washed away by the surging water, but also required him to be fully focused on every sword move, paying attention to details such as the force-generating points of various parts of his body.

Moreover, when Hyuga Shinichi practiced the Taiji Sword, he relaxed his whole body and paid great attention to rhythm, slowing down or speeding up his movements as required, and the same went for his power.

The turbulent water rushed forward like a wild horse that had broken its reins, yet this surging, powerful torrent did not cause the slightest interference to Hyuga Shinichi.

When the waves rose, his whole body rose with them; even when standing on one foot, his balance was not affected by the current.

Before long, Hyuga Shinichi finished his set of sword forms, sheathed his sword, and turned to look at Namikaze Minato on the shore.

He had noticed Namikaze Minato come to the shore to watch him silently halfway through his practice, but he did not let it distract him, remaining fully focused on his training.

Now that the sword practice was over, he walked slowly on the rushing water, leaped onto the shore as he neared it, and stood steadily beside Namikaze Minato.

"What's wrong, Minato? Has there been any progress?"

Hyuga Shinichi asked with a hint of concern in his eyes.

Namikaze Minato smiled slightly and replied.

"It's nothing, I just wanted to watch Brother Shinichi practice the sword."

Hyuga Shinichi had previously tried to teach Namikaze Minato swordsmanship techniques, but he didn't seem to have much talent in this area.

After some attempts, Namikaze Minato found that he was better at using short weapons like kunai.

Consequently, Hyuga Shinichi stopped forcing it and switched to guiding him in some close-quarters combat techniques that could be used when fighting hand-to-hand with a kunai.

Even so, Namikaze Minato still had a strong interest in the way of the sword, especially when Hyuga Shinichi was practicing; he would always watch quietly.

Afterward, he would also express that he could learn many things from it; perhaps it was this constant desire to learn that allowed Namikaze Minato to grow and progress.

Hyuga Shinichi sat on a wooden stake on the shore to rest, watching Namikaze Minato still researching the Flying Thunder God scrolls, thinking to himself that he seemed to have forgotten something.

Oh! Right! He had promised Hiashi and Hizashi to visit the Hyuga Clan compound; he had forgotten because he had been busy guiding Namikaze Minato's training lately.

"Minato, will you be okay training here by yourself?"

"Hm? I'll be fine, is there something up, Brother Shinichi?"

"Actually, yes. Do you remember those two brothers from the Hyuga Clan we met when we went to the Bathhouse to soak in the hot springs last time?"

"Hm, I remember. I recall now, those two brothers also said you should come back to the clan compound to visit, right?"

Hyuga Shinichi nodded, and seeing this, Namikaze Minato said with a smile.

"Brother Shinichi, don't worry about me. I'm just researching the Flying Thunder God right now, I don't need you watching over me."

"That works. Anyway, you've been training for so many days, Minato, you should take a break too. How about we rest for two days and start training again the day after tomorrow in the afternoon?"

"That works."

After agreeing with Namikaze Minato, Hyuga Shinichi set off for the Hyuga Clan compound, while Namikaze Minato also packed up the Flying Thunder God scrolls, preparing to head home.

After a long journey, he finally arrived at his destination: the Hyuga Clan compound.

Standing before the main gate, Hyuga Shinichi stared at the familiar yet strange scene before him. Inside the outer walls, the clansmen were living their lives in a busy and orderly fashion, and the sight of them helping and supporting one another was heartwarming and harmonious.

"Phew, it's been a long time since I've been back..."

Hyuga Shinichi said softly, his eyes revealing a sense of nostalgia for his family.

The Hyuga guards at the gate recognized him and smiled, letting him enter the gate. Along the way, he encountered many clansmen, all of whom greeted him warmly.

Hyuga Shinichi nodded in response, a deep sense of warmth spreading through his heart.

At this moment, a childish voice rang out.

"Is that Big Brother Shinichi?"

He turned to see a little girl, barely over three years old, tilting her head with her right index finger pressed against her chin. Upon realizing he was indeed the person she had called for, she shrieked with excitement.

"Ah! Ah! Ah! It's Big Brother Shinichi!"

She lunged straight at Hyuga Shinichi as she shouted. Hyuga Shinichi crouched down to catch the little girl, then stood up and lifted her high into the air, making her giggle with delight.

After the game of lifting her up, he cradled the little girl in his arms and asked with a smile.

"Kaede, did you miss your big brother?"