Years Later

Time passed in a hurry. Years slipped by in the blink of an eye.

Konoha year 58, spring.

The trees in the courtyard had sprouted delicate, tender leaves, and the air was filled with the scent of damp earth and fresh vegetation. In the morning light, a figure was practicing on the training ground behind the Hyuga estate.

"Hah... hup!"

The youth continuously condensed ice needles in his hands, throwing them one after another at a target marked with acupuncture points beneath a tree.

This person was Hyuga Ningxue.

At only six years old, his frame was much straighter than it had been a few years prior. Though he still appeared somewhat slender, years of training had made his movements more coordinated and powerful.

Thud—

With a faint, muffled sound, a slender, inch-long ice needle pinned itself precisely into an acupuncture point on the wooden dummy.

"Hah... hup!"

Ningxue's breathing remained steady. Without pausing, he flicked his hands repeatedly.

Swish... swish... swish.

Three consecutive ice needles embedded themselves into different acupuncture points with unbelievable precision.

After two years of bitter cultivation, his ice needle technique had been completely transformed.

Not only was his condensation speed incredibly fast, but he had also perfectly integrated his insight with his throwing technique, achieving true marksmanship.

Both in terms of stealth and accuracy, he had reached an extremely high level.

However, he remained unsatisfied.

He furrowed his brows, observing the wooden dummy closely, and muttered to himself.

The force is still lacking...

The penetrating power of the ice needles was sufficient for trees and test targets, but against a ninja flak jacket or other protective gear, it was clearly not enough.

It seems relying solely on the hardness of the ice is reaching its limit. I must find a way to incorporate Wind-style chakra.

Or perhaps...

He touched the herbs in his bag. Most of these were paralytic herbs; he could grind them into powder, mix them into water, and keep them in a thermos for backup.

These were all treasures he had picked himself.

Just then, his keen eyes detected someone approaching rapidly from a distance. He immediately dispersed the ice needles forming at his fingertips and, with a swift motion, threw them behind him.

The movement was fast and clean.

The newcomer quickly used a piece of wood in his right hand to block the flying needles.

His left hand was already poised and ready to strike.

Seeing the newcomer block the attack, Ningxue switched to the most basic Gentle Fist techniques, clashing head-on with the visitor.

With that single palm strike, both of them stumbled back a few steps.

The newcomer was none other than Hyuga Neji.

He was taller than Ningxue, with a cold expression and eyes as sharp as a hawk's. His body radiated a powerful chakra and an aura of pressure far beyond that of his peers.

He shook his left wrist and glanced at the wood in his right hand.

The ice needles were firmly embedded in the wood, slowly melting away.

"Your ice needles are as tricky as ever." Neji's voice remained flat, yet it was no longer entirely indifferent; it sounded more like an objective assessment of something worthy of note.

"Facing you, I have to give it my all."

Ningxue said solemnly.

He knew that his ice needles didn't pose much of a threat to Neji anymore. Over the past few years, Neji had gradually grown accustomed to his ambush style, so he decided to change tactics.

Ningxue assumed the starting stance of the Gentle Fist once more and took the initiative to attack Neji.

"Come." Neji also took his stance to meet Ningxue.

He activated his Byakugan, his gaze locked tightly onto Ningxue's hands and the acupuncture points on his body.

As long as he was on guard, it was difficult to land a hit.

Ningxue struck with a palm, but it hit nothing but air.

Ningxue twisted his waist to throw another palm, but Neji's movements were faster.

He moved like lightning, lunging forward. His palms aimed directly for Ningxue's chest and abdomen, the wind of his strikes sharp and merciless.

Ningxue's eyes narrowed. He shifted his feet, narrowly dodging the blow.

Neji pressed his advantage, his left hand turning to strike. Ningxue blocked with one hand to deflect the force.

But his strength was indeed inferior to Neji's; every collision left his arm numb and his body trembling slightly.

Just as Neji's momentum paused for a split second, preparing to change his move, a cold glint reappeared at Ningxue's fingertips!

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two ice needles shot out with extreme stealth. They weren't aimed at vital points, but rather sealed off the path where Hyuga Neji might move next, their angles incredibly tricky.

Neji's pupils constricted, but he seemed to have anticipated this. He didn't panic, instead forcing his body to twist in an awkward yet highly efficient posture.

"You really are..."

Neji muttered a complaint.

"Can't help it, you're just too strong."

Over the past few years, the two had often sparred together. At first, Neji had completely dominated, but that changed one day.

After being caught off guard by one of Ning Xue's ice needles during a sparring session, Neji never dared to be careless again. Because of that, both of them began to spar with 120 percent of their focus, constantly guarding against the other.

That one sneak attack had truly stung Neji, leaving him unable to muster any strength.

From then on, Neji was no longer the one doing the crushing; instead, he was always on guard against Ning Xue's ambushes.

Interestingly, there was one time when he was nearly hit by a sneak attack and instinctively unleashed something similar to Rotation—it was like... a prototype of Rotation?

Neji didn't even know how he had done it; he had suddenly projected something akin to a wall of wind.

Returning to the present, the two were now in a state of mutual learning, with Ning Xue studying Neji's taijutsu and various techniques.

Meanwhile, Neji was reacting to the other's sneak attacks, forced to respond and counter in an instant.

Their figures intertwined on the training ground, the sound of whistling palms mixed with the faint, mosquito-like hum of projectiles cutting through the air.

They both knew that the other was a rare opponent within the clan capable of pushing them to improve.

After a hearty yet tacit exchange, the two retreated, both covered in dust and sweat, breathing slightly heavily.

"I'm leaving."

Neji straightened his clothes, returning to his usual cold and arrogant demeanor, and turned to leave without another word.

"Mm."

Ning Xue didn't say anything either; he had finally gotten a handle on Neji's personality.

Over these past few years, the two could be considered to have a fairly good relationship.

However, Ning Xue noticed that Neji no longer possessed the same hostility and sharp edge he had when they first met.

He no longer spoke of things like fate being unchangeable; those pessimistic remarks were not quite the same as before.

It seemed as though he had compromised with something.

Well, looking at him like this, maybe I should try to talk some sense into him one day.

Today's training was over, and it was time to head back.

"I'm home."

Ning Xue opened the door and called out into the house.

His mother, Hyuga Yuki, was not busy as she usually was; instead, she sat by the window, mending a piece of clothing in her hands.

Hearing his voice, Hyuga Yuki looked up and smiled gently.

"Welcome back, Ning Xue. Is training over? You seem a bit later than usual today."

Her gaze caught the dust and light sweat on Ning Xue's clothes.

"Yeah, I had a little spar with Neji," Ning Xue replied simply while taking off his shoes.

"Mm, then remember to take a bath first," Yuki reminded him.

"Got it, Mother," Ning Xue answered as he walked toward his room.