Publicly Provoking the Clan Leader?

Genye tentatively performed a single draw.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining "High-Level Comprehension"!]

[Merging with the host's original comprehension, automatically upgrading to...!]

Upgrading to...? Genye felt a flicker of anticipation.

However, the system interface before his eyes suddenly glitched. After a string of garbled code, a new pop-up appeared.

[...Apologies, a system error occurred. After merging with the host's original comprehension, it remains "High-Level Comprehension."]

[The host's current comprehension is comparable to Hyuga Neji!]

"Tch, comprehension—what's the use of that?" Genye curled his lip in disdain.

So what if his comprehension was on par with Hyuga Neji? No matter how strong one's comprehension was, when faced with a cheater, there was no way to "turn the heavens."

"No need to show the process from now on, System. Just display what I've obtained."

It would save him the trouble of hurting his own self-esteem.

"System, again..."

Just as Genye was about to continue, Mei said with a hint of shyness:

"Brother Genye, it's a bit cold out here. Why don't we go inside to talk?"

"No need, no need." Genye waved his hand. "Mei, just stand there and don't move. I'll be done in a second."

"Oh." Mei blinked her large eyes and nodded, not quite understanding.

"System, one more... no, make it three times!"

The reason Genye was drawing in succession wasn't because he was addicted to gacha, but because with war looming, he urgently needed power to "overcome" his difficulties.

Yes, that was exactly it.

[Ding! Replication complete. The host has obtained the new skill "Gentle Fist: Triple"!]

"What the hell, Triple?" Genye's eye twitched.

Twice the explosive power was already enough for him to handle; every time he used "Gentle Fist: Double," his arms would ache to the point of agony. Triple... he feared his arms might just explode!

The replication continued.

[Ding! Replication complete. The host's Bloodline Limit has upgraded to "Pure Byakugan"!]

[Ding! Replication complete. Host's physique +1!]

A warm current surged from the depths of Genye's soul, like a basin of perfectly tempered hot water poured from the crown of his head down to every part of his body.

Comfort—that was Genye's only sensation at this moment.

This warm current flowed back and forth through his body, constantly reshaping every part of him, strengthening his tendons, bones, meridians, and cells...

Soon, the system popped up a new notification.

[The host's bloodline is now comparable to the purest of the Hyuga Main Branch!]

[The host's current physique is 7, approximately equal to the level of an average Jonin!]

As the transformation concluded, Genye felt his body brimming with power. Moreover, the shackles that had bound him in the dark had weakened!

No, it was his "bird" that had grown stronger!

The Caged Bird Seal of the Hyuga Clan was like a wooden cage; it could lock up an ordinary bird, but it could not contain a vigorous eagle.

And he was now that eagle. With a single flap of his wings, he could easily shatter the cage that had imprisoned him for years!

The Caged Bird Seal was now fragile and useless to him, a mere formality!

"Thank you, Mei!" Genye stepped forward and gave Mei a big hug.

Every time he replicated Mei, he managed to pull out something good, which meant he must be very important to her.

So, thank you.

Mei was stunned for a moment, then patted Genye with her small hands, a faint smile appearing on her delicate face:

"Although I don't know why Brother Genye is thanking me, well, you're welcome."

The next morning, at the Hyuga Main Branch estate.

All the branch family members knelt in orderly rows in the courtyard, listening to the New Year's blessings delivered from the high-and-mighty Main Branch.

After a series of messages that sounded more like commands, the "Clan-wide Celebration" New Year's event moved to the next phase—the martial arts demonstration.

The branch family members took turns rising to engage in a "friendly" spar with the Clan Head, Hyuga Yuansheng, to showcase their cultivation progress over the past year and request criticism and guidance from the Clan Head.

So, what is the point of this event, anyway? Genye thought, yawning in the crowd, bored out of his mind.

The branch members were timid and restrained when they fought. Before they could even make a show of two moves, Hyuga Yuansheng would call a halt, only to offer some hypocritical, offhand comments.

"It's a complete waste of everyone's time. Whoever came up with this event must be purely brain-damaged," Genye thought with a look of contempt.

However, as the initiator of this event, Hyuga Yuansheng did not think so.

In his view, this activity could strengthen the cohesion of the Hyuga Clan and urge the branch family to better serve the main family.

Just imagine, the clan leader, usually so high and unreachable, personally guiding the training of every clansman—this was a tremendous honor and a gift!

The members of the branch family must be moved to tears in secret by now!

"Hyuga Yuansheng is such a moron," Hyuga Genya muttered, still complaining.

As for whether this method of bestowing favor felt a bit condescending?

Hyuga Yuansheng did not care.

With the Caged Bird Seal in place, what could the branch family possibly do to turn the tables?

"Next, Hyuga Genya!"

Sigh.

Hearing his name, Hyuga Genya sighed, stood up, and walked toward Hyuga Yuansheng with a complete lack of interest.

"Lord Clan Leader, please enlighten me." Hyuga Genya took his stance, intending to throw a few random punches and end this boring farce as quickly as possible.

He hadn't slept all night due to excitement and had been dragged here early in the morning; he was currently fighting off sleep and was annoyed to the point of misery.

"Come on, young man, let go and give it your all." Hyuga Yuansheng also assumed an opening stance and beckoned to Hyuga Genya.

"Give it my all? What if I hurt you?" Hyuga Genya asked, dazed.

As soon as these words left his mouth, the entire arena fell silent, and even Hyuga Yuansheng froze in place.

"Arrogant!"

In the crowd, Hyuga Takashi was the first to react. He stood up, pointed at Hyuga Genya, and rebuked him, "Hyuga Genya, how dare you speak to the Lord Clan Leader like that!"

"Exactly! The Lord Clan Leader's strength is peerless and unmatched; how could he possibly be hurt by you?!" someone chimed in.

"Ah, this..." Hyuga Genya felt awkward.

He had accidentally spoken his inner thoughts out loud while sleepy; what was he supposed to do now?

"It's over, Brother Xuanye is in trouble again," Mei said, covering her face with her small hands in agony.

"Your name is Hyuga Genya, correct?" Hyuga Yuansheng said with a cold face. "You don't need to have any reservations; just attack me with all your might."

It's over, this old geezer is clearly angry! He's at that age, why is he so petty!

Mei looked at Hyuga Genya and thought to herself, Brother Xuanye, hurry up and apologize to this old... Lord Clan Leader, there's still a chance to turn this around!

On the field, a strange glint flashed in Hyuga Genya's eyes: "Are you sure you want me to use my full strength, Lord Clan Leader?"

He still remembered the grudge from the last time Hyuga Yuansheng had tortured him half to death.

"A leader does not go back on his word. Hurry up, I still have other clansmen to guide!" Hyuga Yuansheng urged impatiently.

A mere branch family genin, wanting to hurt him?

What a joke!

Back in the day, he had led a hundred clansmen to raid Sunagakure, charging in and out of the Suna army seven times, and he hadn't even been scratched!

Since the boy dared to defy him in public, he would definitely teach this brat a lesson.

"This Hyuga Genya is done for!"

"Indeed, to dare challenge the authority of the main family..."

Many branch family members in the crowd sighed.

Didn't they see that the clansmen capable of hurting Hyuga Yuansheng were all obediently playing along with his act?

A mere genin like him... sigh, he truly didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth.

"Lord Clan Leader, then I really am going all out?" Hyuga Genya loosened his shoulders, eager to move.

"All out! Stop the nonsense and hurry—"

"Alright!"

Hyuga Genya took a step forward, lunged violently in front of Hyuga Yuansheng, twisted his waist, and drove his elbow forward, his fist exploding outward like a cannonball.

Gentle Fist—Triple!!!