Bloodline Limit Succession, Eight Inner Gates

The moment Genye reacted, Hyuga Hizashi knew his guess was correct.

During the New Year clan meeting, while the main branch was seething with rage and all the branch members were fearfully bowing their heads, he alone had dared to watch the situation unfold from start to finish.

Of course, the members of the main branch were watching as well.

But only those who had personally experienced the Caged Bird Seal understood the soul-crushing agony it inflicted; the main branch would never understand.

Hyuga Hizashi had noticed Genye's abnormality.

Furthermore, despite being restricted by the Caged Bird Seal, Genye was able to unleash talent that transcended those very limitations.

Connecting these dots, a faint suspicion began to form in Hizashi's mind.

Was it possible that this child, through some twist of fate, had broken free from the constraints of the Caged Bird Seal?

This time, Hizashi had volunteered to be the jonin instructor for Team 8 specifically for Genye's sake, wanting to ask him one question.

"What does freedom actually feel like?" Hizashi offered a bitter smile.

"What?" Genye was taken aback.

"I want to ask you," Hizashi said, his eyes brimming with tears, his voice dropping to a near-growl, "to be free from the shackles of the Caged Bird Seal, to no longer be bound by anything—what does that feel like?"

His own fate was like that of a "caged bird," imprisoned within the decaying system of the Hyuga Clan. Even if he fought with his life to break out of the cage, he was destined never to see the sky outside.

"Freedom..."

Watching Hizashi, who was on the verge of losing control, Genye's throat tightened. After a moment of contemplation, he spoke.

"Freedom is hard to describe in words. Besides, only those of us who have lost it can truly understand its value."

"If I had to put it into words, perhaps it is the joy of a caged bird suddenly soaring into the heavens, or a fish in a net suddenly swimming freely into the vast ocean."

"It's truly hard to imagine such a feeling," Hyuga Hizashi murmured, a look of longing on his face. "But it sounds wonderful, truly wonderful..."

Although Hyuga Hizashi had promised repeatedly to keep Genye's secret, Genye remained secretly vigilant, fearing that Hizashi might sell him out to the main branch.

In any case, he now possessed the preliminary strength to protect himself.

If the main branch truly tried to move against him, he would flee Konoha and simply slash his forehead protector to become a rogue ninja.

For several months, the main branch showed no reaction.

Hyuga Hizashi continued to treat Genye exceptionally well, as if he were his own nephew.

However, Genye did not let his guard down completely.

At the beginning of the forty-fifth year of Konoha, Genye obtained five more replication opportunities. He snuck to the entrance of the main branch compound, intending to replicate Hizashi.

Goodwill could be feigned, but favorability could not.

After circling the walls of the main branch compound several times, the icon for Hyuga Hizashi finally lit up on the system interface.

Genye immediately muttered, "System, replicate him for me!"

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for replicating the skill "Gentle Fist"! Because...]

"Stop, stop!" Genye interrupted the system, asking irritably:

"Why is it that whether I replicate Mei or Hizashi, you always give me Gentle Fist? Are you obsessed with Gentle Fist or something!"

System: (;¬_¬) Host, is there anything else your Hyuga Clan can even do?

Genye: (°ー°〃) Ah, this...

After silencing Genye, the system continued its work.

[Ding, replication complete. The host has obtained the new skill "Gentle Fist: Collapse"!]

Genye opened the skill description.

Sure enough, following "Gentle Fist: Triple," this new skill had completely transcended the scope of the standard Gentle Fist.

The original Gentle Fist required aiming at an enemy's chakra points and finding a way to strike chakra into their meridians to cause damage.

But "Gentle Fist: Collapse" was overpowered.

As long as you hit the target, it didn't matter if it was muscle, bone, or meridian—one punch would shatter it all.

"To be able to burst out a proper, high-level skill like this, it seems Uncle Hizashi truly doesn't have any ill intentions toward me," Genye thought to himself.

System: [You were calling him by his name just a moment ago, and now that he's dropped some loot, you're calling him Uncle again?]

Genye: "...Shut up, close your mouth, and give me two more replications!"

The system interface began to scroll again.

[Ding, replication complete. The host's bloodline limit has been upgraded to "Transformed Byakugan"!]

[The host's current bloodline limit has reached a critical threshold and has entered the transformation period. Once completed, it will upgrade to a bloodline elimination!]

[Upon completion of the transformation, the host will awaken a new "Dojutsu"!]

Kekkei Tota!

Dojutsu!

Genye's breathing quickened instantly. These were all top-tier treasures.

Kekkei Tota was a power that surpassed even Kekkei Genkai; those who possessed it across the entire ninja world could be counted on one hand!

As for Dojutsu, it went without saying.

Without an exclusive Dojutsu, one would be too embarrassed to even claim they were from the "Contact Lens Village"!

I'm not asking for dual Kamui, just give me any space-time Dojutsu and I'll be satisfied!

Genye had already begun to make his wish.

A warm current surged from his soul; a small portion flowed throughout his body, but the vast majority poured directly into his eyes.

Genye could vaguely sense that a strange power was gestating within his eyes.

"This is truly something to look forward to." Genye licked his lips.

However, he also knew that the remaining two opportunities would not be enough to carry him through the transformation period.

After a moment of contemplation, Genye made his decision.

"I'll copy Guy. I need to improve my physique as soon as possible, otherwise, I won't dare to use this new skill..."

"Genye, what brings you here?"

Guy opened the door, scratched his head in confusion, and then his expression lit up with joy.

"I came to bring you New Year's greetings. What, aren't you going to welcome me?"

Genye raised the fruit basket in his hand and said with a smile.

"No, no, that's not what I meant!" Guy waved his arms, explaining clumsily.

At that moment, a green-clad man with even sharper features than Guy walked out of the house while doing a handstand.

Without a doubt, this was the true father of Guy—Might Dai.

The moment he saw Genye, Might Dai immediately flipped upright, dashed in front of Genye in a single bound, and began dancing with excitement.

"You, you, you! Are you Guy's friend?!"

Looking at the excited Dai, then at the expectant Guy, Genye nodded.

"Yes, Uncle. Guy and I are good friends who got to know each other through a fight."

"This is youth!"

Might Dai was so moved that he burst into tears, turning to hug his son beside him.

"Guy!"

"Father!"

The two of them stood right in front of Genye, embracing each other and howling with tears.

Genye: ∑(￣□￣;)

"Apologies, Guy isn't very good at socializing. This is the first time a friend has ever visited, so we're just a bit too excited."

Might Dai explained while sobbing.

Ah, that makes sense. Kakashi is still in his rebellious phase, and Guy really doesn't have many friends right now.

Genye nodded in understanding.

"I am truly sorry. Please, come in. The house is a bit humble, so please don't mind it."

Might Dai quickly composed himself and invited Genye inside.

As Konoha's eternal Genin, Might Dai had a meager income, and the Might Household was indeed dilapidated and old—even worse than Genye's own shack.

After having his son and his friend sit on the sofa, Might Dai busied himself happily, boiling water and washing fruit.

"Uncle Dai, there's no need for all this trouble," Genye said helplessly.

"It's no trouble, no trouble at all."

Might Dai placed the washed fruit on the table and bowed deeply to Genye.

"Guy is a bit slow and always does things that are a bit out of the ordinary. Please continue to look after him in the future. I'm counting on you."

Genye was slightly moved and replied solemnly, "I understand, Uncle Dai."

Only then did Dai beam with joy and head into the kitchen to tinker with dinner, insisting that Genye stay to eat.

"Whew..."

Genye let out a long breath. Dai's actions just now reminded him of his own father.

Shaking his head, Genye opened the system interface.

"System, perform one copy!"

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for copying the skill "Eight Inner Gates: Gate of Opening"!]