Combat Talent

Ryosuke's Byakugan possessed Genjutsu abilities and could confuse and control part of a person's nervous system. Hyuga Hiashi knew this.

He had mastered the Three Body Technique and was exceptionally proficient in the Clone Technique among its three techniques. His hand seal speed was enough to fool most people, and Hyuga Hiashi had witnessed that as well.

Yet even under such circumstances, Ryosuke had still used methods Hiashi knew about to set this trap, and had nearly injured him.

All he had used in the process was Hiashi's own mindset.

An exceptionally meticulous talent for combat—this was Hyuga Hiashi's assessment of Ryosuke after this practical combat drill, and it was the highest assessment he had given him in all their drills.

So-called combat talent was not about how powerful one's strength was or how swift one's speed was.

It referred to whether one could react to the situation at the very first moment in battle and deal the enemy the greatest possible blow.

Today's fight had greatly pleased Hyuga Hiashi. Even after dinner was over, the smile never left his face, despite how embarrassing his own performance had been today.

His reaction this time was stronger than every previous time he had discovered something extraordinary about Ryosuke.

Even when Ryosuke had learned the Gentle Fist Style in one go, it had not brought him such a great surprise.

Because there were far too many ninjas in this world who possessed strength but had no way to bring it out. Even Hyuga Hiashi himself was no exception.

As the head of a clan, he could see far more than many ordinary ninjas.

Many ordinary ninjas believed that the number of ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and taijutsu one mastered, or factors such as Chakra reserves and physical fitness, could determine a person's strength.

That was why they desperately sought achievements and merit in exchange for opportunities to learn powerful techniques.

But in truth, many people at the top, like Hyuga Hiashi, understood that talent for cultivation was not actually all that important in this world.

The time needed to learn or develop ninjutsu, taijutsu, and Genjutsu, Chakra affinities, and such—these things that seemed capable of determining a person's talent were really only the foundation of being a ninja.

The predecessors planted the trees, and those who came later enjoyed the shade.

Leaving aside the smaller nations, the five great countries and their five great ninja villages each basically had a complete educational system.

In Konoha, for example, ordinary people could study at the Ninja Academy for at least six years. Those with exceptional talent could complete all their studies early and apply to graduate by passing the examination.

During that period, all ninja trainees would learn all the knowledge a ninja needed. After graduating from the academy, they would be led by Jonin, reducing the death rate among Genin.

This period of time was very long. If it was an era of peace, then so long as nothing unexpected happened, the transition from Genin to Chunin was absolutely safe.

Only upon reaching Chunin, after becoming proficient in one or two ninjutsu, Genjutsu, or taijutsu techniques sufficient to preserve their lives, would they face real danger.

With such a long training period, basically anyone who studied seriously could master ways to win in battle.

But in reality, very few people could apply everything they had learned in combat. Most ninjas could only bring out five to ten percent of what they had learned at the start of a battle.

After that, the situation would improve as they continued fighting and accumulated combat experience, but their upper limit would not exceed fifty percent.

Only those with exceptional talent in battle could bring out what they had learned, reaching over fifty percent or even one hundred percent of their ability.

The Fourth Hokage was one such combat genius. Starting as a commoner, he had relied on his outstanding combat talent to carve out his own path step by step.

In most cases, this kind of combat talent could only be inherited at birth. Only a small number of people could undergo a transformation through accumulated combat experience and raise their upper limit.

That was why Hyuga Hiashi's reaction had been so intense.

Ryosuke could very well be a genius with extraordinary talent in both cultivation and combat—a born ninja!

But he quickly calmed down again.

He still needed actual tests to determine whether Ryosuke truly possessed talent in combat as well.

After all, his fight with Ryosuke could only be called a practical drill, a simulated battle. It was not a true life-and-death struggle.

But when he thought about how Ryosuke might encounter uncontrollable danger if he left the village, perhaps dying halfway down the road of his growth, Hyuga Hiashi hesitated.

Ryosuke knew nothing of what Hyuga Hiashi was thinking.

At that moment, he was wandering around Konoha with Hinata.

Training and exercise were very dull.

Though dullness did not mean Ryosuke disliked them, he still needed to relax once in a while.

"Why are you keeping such a straight face? You scared the owner of that dango stall."

Ryosuke looked helplessly at Hinata beside him, who was staring straight ahead with a blank expression.

Ever since they had left the house, her expression had remained the same, and she had barely spoken.

Though she had not talked much in the past either, this time was completely different.

Yet whenever she spoke, there was a trace of the time Ryosuke had used Genjutsu to control her body and speak through her. She sounded somewhat cold, though she lacked that air of having everything under control.

She was studying and imitating that version of "herself." She wanted to become someone like that.

Hearing Ryosuke's words, Hinata turned toward him. The blankness on her face eased slightly as she leaned close to his ear and explained softly, "I don't know how to become a qualified clan head, but I think Father is a qualified clan head."

Without a doubt, she had attributed her earlier behavior to instinctively imitating her father in a moment of panic.

"...So you're pretending to be an expert by not talking? I guess that works."

Ryosuke looked at her, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, but he still accepted this approach.

It really was not a bad method.

There were many ways to be a clan head, but without question, all of them required a powerful bearing, whether fierce or cold.

If Hinata could use this method to explore what kind of clan head she wanted to become, he would not interfere.

In any case, this was only how she behaved outside. At home, her emotions were still quite normal. At least she did not keep such a stiff face or speak without emotion.

Along the way, Hinata drew plenty of attention from people on the street, naturally because of her identity and her changes.

What had happened at the park earlier had already been brought home by many children, who told their parents about it as an amusing story during their free time.

Then their parents, much like the diners at the Restaurant back then, spread it around again while discussing the children of great clans.

But a person's changes could not be truly felt from just one event.

"It's about time for the Ninja Academy to let out. We'll be enrolling next year too, so maybe we can take this chance to familiarize ourselves with the school first. And while we're at it... see how strong the students in Neji's year are, and figure out what it takes to become first in the grade."

Ryosuke looked at Hinata beside him and made the suggestion.