Can the Byakugan Evolve Further?

Look closely, this man is Genye, and he is currently undergoing grueling physical training with his companions.

Just as they reached the critical moment where they were about to collapse, a man's voice suddenly came from behind them.

"Alright, let's call it a day for training."

Thud.

The three of them couldn't care less about their image; they lay flat on the ground in a neat row, running through every happy memory they had in their lives.

Exhausted. They were damn exhausted.

In the month they had spent training under Shimura Hofu, they had never once finished a session on their feet; every time, they were pushed until they were too tired to move.

After catching his breath for a moment, Genye noticed that Hofu hadn't left as usual, so he curiously asked:

"Hofu-sensei, why haven't you left yet? Are you staying behind to treat us to a meal?"

If not, then hurry up and leave. Don't ruin our venting session! Genye thought to himself.

Shimura Hofu glanced at Genye and said indifferently.

"I have something to announce. I've accepted a mission on your behalf to test the results of your recent training."

Upon hearing this, Asuma rolled over on the ground in excitement: "We can finally start going on missions!"

It had been a month. Aside from training, they did nothing but train, while other squads had already completed numerous missions.

...Although they were just D-rank tasks like finding lost cats or chasing dogs, it was still more interesting than training every single day!

"Mm, it's a B-rank commission. We depart tomorrow," Shimura Hofu nodded.

B-rank?!

Yuhi Kurenai's breath hitched. She sat up, looking at Hofu in shock:

"Sensei, we haven't had any experience with missions yet. Isn't it a bit dangerous to jump straight into a B-rank mission?"

"Yeah, Hofu-sensei, if you take too big a step, you might tear a muscle!" Genye chimed in.

B-rank missions usually involve participating in wars, assassinating ninjas, or delivering intelligence, and there is a high probability of clashing with enemy ninjas.

They hadn't even completed a single D-rank mission, so jumping straight to B-rank was indeed a significant risk.

After all, everyone knew the massive gap between B-rank and D-rank.

"I am not asking for your opinion," Hofu stated firmly.

"Go back and prepare as soon as possible. I will not intervene in this mission; I hope you all manage to survive."

Hearing this, Yuhi Kurenai wore a worried expression, while the stubborn Asuma remained excited.

As for Genye, after the initial panic, he started to look on the bright side.

Think of it this way: as long as it's not a death-trap C-rank mission, even an A-rank would be fine!

As everyone knew, Konoha's C-rank missions were actually just S-rank missions with half the label covered up.

Sigh.

Watching the three of them with their varying expressions, Shimura Hofu sighed to himself.

The flames of war are intensifying and will eventually consume the entire ninja world. There is no time left for you to progress step by step.

That evening, as Genye was packing his ninja tool pouch, he heard a knock at the door.

Opening it, a familiar, graceful figure came into view. Genye was surprised: "Mei, why are you here?"

Mei stepped forward, grabbed Genye's hand, and stuffed a small pouch into his palm, saying earnestly.

"Brother Genye, this is an amulet I sewed for you. Keep it on you; it will ward off disaster and bless you so you return safely."

Genye examined the pouch in his hand closely.

It was embroidered with pink cherry blossom patterns and the characters for "Peace." It was clearly made with great care, and he could still smell the pleasant, faint fragrance of the young girl.

"Haha, a little pouch like this won't do much," Genye said with a grin, fiddling with the pouch.

"According to the tropes, you're supposed to give me a thick book or some iron object, and then I'd tuck it into my chest so it could block a fatal blow at the critical moment."

For some reason, as Genye spoke, he noticed Mei's face growing darker and darker, and he could faintly hear the sound of her grinding her teeth.

Uh, is this joke not funny? Genye was utterly baffled.

"Hyuga Genye! If you don't want it, give it back!"

Mei suppressed her grievance, snatched the pouch back from Genye's hand, and turned to leave.

"Hey, Mei, why are you getting angry?"

Though Genye was confused, he hurriedly stepped forward to block her path, smiling sheepishly: "I didn't say I didn't want it! I want it, I really do!"

Genye pried open Mei's small hand, took back the pouch, and carefully tucked it into his chest.

"Mei, don't be angry, just listen to me..."

Genye coaxed Mei for quite a while, and only after promising to use his mission reward to treat her to a grand meal did she finally forgive him.

"Uh, I don't think I'm jinxing myself by saying this, right?"

Seeing Mei's little face clear up from cloudy to sunny, Genye rubbed his hands together, a look of anticipation on his face.

"Instead of a charm, it's much more practical for you to give me a skill."

That was right; with a mission imminent, Genye intended to get one more replication out of Mei before they set off.

"System, copy it for me!"

As Genye gave the order, a series of prompts immediately popped up before his eyes.

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the Kekkei Genkai "Byakugan"!]

[Since the Host already possesses the "Byakugan," it has automatically upgraded to the Kekkei Genkai "Flawless Byakugan"!]

Kekkei Genkai could be upgraded?

And what exactly was a "Flawless Byakugan"?

Genye was stunned. He clicked on the description, and after just one glance, he stood frozen in place.

[Flawless Byakugan: Flawless and perfect; it fills the visual blind spot of the original "Byakugan."]

No way!!!

Genye's breathing grew rapid.

The Byakugan of the Hyuga branch family, restricted by the Caged Bird seal, possessed a divergent visual blind spot located behind the thoracic vertebrae.

In the heat of battle, this tiny weakness could easily become the reason for Genye's demise.

Yet, with just one replication and one upgrade, the system had effortlessly perfected this flaw.

Did this mean that with the system's help, he could gradually break free from the shackles of the Caged Bird?

Could he even unlock the legendary "Tenseigan" by continuously upgrading his Kekkei Genkai?

"Mei, you are my goddess!"

Just thinking about these possibilities made Genye so excited he could barely contain himself.

He wanted nothing more than to scoop Mei up right there and then and plant a couple of kisses on her.

"Brother Genye, if... if there's nothing else, I'll be going now. Please be careful on tomorrow's mission."

Genye's scorching gaze was more than Mei could handle; she fled in a hurry, her face flushed red.

The next morning.

Genye and his two teammates, fully prepared and led by Shimura Hofu, stepped out of the gates of Konoha for the first time.

"Your target for this mission is to eliminate a Konoha rogue ninja. The relevant information is in the scroll; read it yourselves."

After tossing a scroll to the three of them, Shimura Hofu vanished without a trace.

Just as he had said, he would not be participating in this mission.

"Let me take a look." Genye was the first to open the scroll and read through it.

[Top Secret: Former Konoha Special Jonin, Luren Murata.]

"Hah, this guy's appearance is as plain as can be; his name really does suit him," Genye muttered as he read.

"This individual excels in taijutsu, particularly swordsmanship. His weaknesses are a lack of mental fortitude and poor resistance to genjutsu."

"Because he deserted during a mission, causing the deaths of two teammates, Konoha has issued a kill order..."

After memorizing all the information, Genye handed the scroll to Asuma.

As a ninja, rapid memorization was a skill that had to be mastered.

"It's our first mission, and we're already up against a Special Jonin. I can't help but feel a bit uneasy," Yuhi Kurenai said with concern while Asuma was reading the scroll.

Genye patted Kurenai on the shoulder and looked her straight in the eyes. "Don't worry, Kurenai. I'll protect you."

"Mm." Seeing the earnest look on Genye's face, Yuhi Kurenai gave a shy response, feeling a warmth spread through her heart.

Seeing the two of them practically glued together, Asuma felt a lump in his throat, and then...

"You two, stay away from me! Don't distract me while I'm memorizing the intel!" Asuma waved his hand, sounding annoyed.

The Land of Fire was rich in natural resources; lush, verdant forests were everywhere, and the chirping of insects and birds was constant.

Genye and his two teammates swung their arms behind them, moving through the sea of green in the standard ninja posture.

After an unknown amount of time, the three stopped at the edge of the forest, gazing with solemn expressions at an abandoned village not far away.

"According to the intel, Luren Murata has appeared in nearby markets multiple times. Based on cross-referencing, there is a high probability he is hiding here."

Asuma looked at Genye. "Genye, I'm counting on you."

"No problem... Byakugan!"

The veins around Genye's eyes bulged. After "inadvertently" glancing at Kurenai, his gaze locked onto the village without a moment's hesitation.

"How is it, Genye? Have you found any traces of the enemy?"

A moment later, Asuma asked in a low voice.

Genye didn't speak; he stared blankly at the village, as if he had seen something truly incredible inside.