Sensing

In the hourglass of time, grains of sand continued to fall. The last day of Shiwasu quietly arrived, bringing another bright and breezy morning.

With the new year just around the corner, the clan head had sent someone to announce that the Hyuga Clan's year-end gathering would be held tomorrow.

Come to think of it, among all of Leaf Village, only the Hyuga Clan and the Uchiha Clan valued tradition as much as this.

As usual, Hyuga Iwa lay in a wooden chair at home, relaxing his body and emptying his mind.

As time passed, Hyuga Iwa's thoughts gradually settled, and his heart became tranquil, like a lake without a ripple.

That sensation he had felt at noon that day appeared again!

The noisy sounds around him gradually faded, as if the entire world had suddenly fallen silent. He seemed to slip into a state between sleep and wakefulness.

A strange feeling suddenly rose from the depths of his heart—natural yet intense—as though something were drawing him in!

Hyuga Iwa slowly opened his eyes within that "feeling," and an astonishing sight appeared. It was as if he had gained a body and had truly arrived atop a lake!

Yes, literally—a lake stretching beyond sight!

As though he weighed nothing, Hyuga Iwa stood upon the surface of the lake.

Where was this?

Hyuga Iwa had some guesses, yet he still found it wondrous.

Hyuga Iwa took a step forward. As he moved, ripples spread from where his foot touched the water, rapidly extending into the distance before the lake returned to calm.

Hyuga Iwa took another step, and another circle of ripples stretched into the distance.

Hyuga Iwa took step after step, gradually moving faster until he broke into a jog.

He ran faster and faster, as if there were no limit, while the lake seemed equally endless, with no shore in sight.

More ripples spread across the lake as Hyuga Iwa ran, yet they quickly settled again.

Suddenly, as if completely defying inertia, Hyuga Iwa stopped abruptly without the slightest warning.

As he stopped, the lake swiftly calmed once more.

Hyuga Iwa's gaze sharpened as he slowly closed his eyes. The moment he did, the tranquil lake began to change.

At first, there was only a gentle breeze. Then the wind gradually strengthened, and waves began to rise on the lake.

The wind grew fiercer, and the waves larger, until the entire lake seemed to boil.

Yet strangely, though fierce winds howled and waves surged across the lake, not a trace of it touched Hyuga Iwa.

Suddenly, Hyuga Iwa snapped his eyes open. A sharp glint flashed through them before gradually fading back into calm.

Then, the raging storm on the lake vanished in an instant, disappearing almost in the blink of an eye.

Next, with a thought from Hyuga Iwa, the lake instantly vanished. In its place appeared an endless grassland, which disappeared just as quickly as countless towering buildings rose from the ground.

Hyuga Iwa stood atop one of the buildings and gazed into the distance, like an emperor surveying his kingdom.

Then he stepped forward. Unexpectedly, he did not fall, but stood in empty space.

Hyuga Iwa gave a light leap, and as if pulled by gravity, his body rapidly flew toward the sky.

He flew higher and higher, passing through thick clouds before finally reaching outer space.

The distant stars flickered, boundless and endless.

Abruptly, everything vanished once more, and Hyuga Iwa found himself standing atop that lake again.

"So this is the deepest part of my mind?!"

"Then how do I return to reality?"

The instant the thought arose, Hyuga Iwa's vision went black. When he became aware again, he knew he had returned to his original state.

However, when Hyuga Iwa tried to enter that state again, he found that he could not do so no matter what!

But Hyuga Iwa did not panic. He slowly closed his eyes again.

One minute, two minutes...

Time slowly passed. Suddenly, Hyuga Iwa felt something indescribable. He did not open his eyes, but stood up at once.

One step. He firmly took a step forward.

Then two steps, three steps...

Hyuga Iwa moved slowly but steadily, wandering around the backyard. He was not walking quickly, but his eyes remained shut the entire time!

"Ow~"

Hyuga Iwa kicked a protruding rock and cried out in pain.

Sitting on the ground, Hyuga Iwa foolishly chuckled.

He had succeeded!

He had finally succeeded!

Hyuga Iwa rubbed his toes, then stood up and closed his eyes again.

A hazy sensation emerged in his mind. He experienced it carefully for a while, doing his best to remember that feeling. Then Hyuga Iwa slowly opened his eyes. No emotion could be seen in his pale eyes, but the delight on his face was unmistakable.

Without using the Byakugan, Hyuga Iwa had sensed everything around him!

However, perhaps because of his emotional fluctuations, that sensation instantly vanished.

"Ah, it still isn't stable enough." Hyuga Iwa sighed. "But this is a good start, isn't it?"

"Iwa, why are you still at home? Didn't you say you were going out to play with your classmates?" Hyuga Yuko reminded him as she passed through the backyard and saw him still at home.

"Huh? What time is it? I almost forgot!" Hyuga Iwa froze for a moment before hurriedly asking.

"It's already nine."

Before his mother could answer, Hyuga Iwa had already dashed out.

"Hey, put on a coat! Don't catch a cold."

"Got it~"

By the time Hyuga Iwa arrived at Might Guy's house, Might Guy had already grown impatient from waiting.

"Iwa, why are you so late!"

"Sorry, something came up and I lost track of time. Sorry, sorry!"

"Fine, since you apologized, I'll forgive you. But you have to treat me to ramen!"

"No problem!" Hyuga Iwa patted his chest. "Leave it to me. Today, we're going to Ichiraku Ramen!"

"Ichiraku Ramen? Iwa, you should keep showing up late next time."

"..."

"Oh, right, Guy. Before we go find Kakashi Hatake, I want to show you what I accomplished today. What do you think? Want to see?"

On one hand, Hyuga Iwa said this because he wanted to share the joy of success with his friend. On the other, he wanted to strengthen Might Guy's confidence and prove that his plan was sound!

"Oh? What is it? Did you develop a new ninjutsu?"

"Heh, you'll find out soon enough."

Hyuga Iwa kept him in suspense, then borrowed a strip of cloth from Might Guy and blindfolded himself.

"Guy, I'll blindfold myself now, and I won't use the Byakugan or chakra. Then you can stand anywhere around here."

"That's all?"

"Yes, that's all!"

As he spoke, Hyuga Iwa blindfolded himself and plugged his ears with earplugs.

"No matter what happens, don't talk or make any sound. I'll count to ten, then I'll come find you. Let's begin." Hyuga Iwa spoke confidently.

After saying that, Hyuga Iwa began to count. "One, two, three... nine, ten! Here I come!"

After speaking, Hyuga Iwa stood completely still.

One minute, two minutes, ten minutes...

Just as Might Guy was about to speak, Hyuga Iwa took a step forward. After pausing for a moment, he took another step with his other foot.

One step, two steps. Hyuga Iwa was not fast, but he was steady and resolute as he walked toward Might Guy step by step.

Watching Hyuga Iwa's movements, Might Guy inexplicably grew nervous. While Hyuga Iwa was still some distance away, he quietly shifted position.

Hyuga Iwa sensed that Might Guy seemed to be moving, but he did not stop him. He simply changed direction and continued walking.

"Huh~"

Might Guy was so shocked that he nearly jumped. Gritting his teeth, he darted several times and hid somewhere behind Hyuga Iwa.

Hyuga Iwa's body paused, then he reacted swiftly. He turned around on the spot and headed behind him, moving faster and faster!

Hyuga Iwa became faster and faster, while Might Guy dodged faster and faster. Several times, in order to avoid making a sound, Might Guy nearly got caught by Hyuga Iwa!

Finally, after dodging once more, Might Guy could not help but ask, "Iwa, you didn't use the Byakugan to see, did you? Otherwise, how could you guess so accurately!"

Hyuga Iwa stopped at his words. He removed the blindfold and looked at Might Guy with a smile. "Guy, I told you I wouldn't use the Byakugan or chakra!"

"Then why..."

"This is the effect of Zen Meditation! I did it, Guy!"

"Really? Can I do it someday too?"

"Of course. I believe in you, Guy. You'll be able to do it someday too!" Hyuga Iwa paused, then continued, "You don't think that's its greatest use, do you?"

"According to my predictions, meditating through Zen Meditation can help you control the chakra inside your body—perhaps even better than ordinary people can!"

"Really, Iwa?" Might Guy's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Mm."

After receiving Hyuga Iwa's affirmation, Might Guy excitedly jumped up. He threw his arms around Hyuga Iwa, and tears immediately streamed down his face.

For quite a while, Might Guy showed no sign of letting Hyuga Iwa go.

"Hey, Guy, can you let go of me now?!"

"Let me cry a little longer..."

"..."

"..."

"Hahahaha..."

The friendship of youth was simply so pure and beautiful!

Inside the house, Might Duy watched the two of them in the open space, lost in thought...