Not Having Chakra Doesn't Mean I Have No Strength

Moonlight flowed like water, its bright glow shining through the window onto Ye Fan's body. Sweat covered the young man's cheeks clearly.

At that moment, Ye Fan sat cross-legged on the wooden bed, drawing in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth in a meditative state.

A sort of vortex seemed to form around his body, sweeping in the pure energy drifting through the air.

Even the gentle moonlight seemed like a school of fish returning home, sinking into Ye Fan's body and coursing through all his meridians along with the circulation of True Qi within him.

Boom!

A sound that only Ye Fan could hear rang out. Some restraint within his body was shattered by the torrent of True Qi, which surged onward like crashing waves.

Ye Fan abruptly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam shooting from them. A powerful aura rapidly spread outward from him.

In an instant, the furnishings in the room were affected. The table and chairs began to shake, while the chandelier hanging from the ceiling swayed...

Fortunately, the disturbance came quickly and vanished just as fast. Within a few breaths, it disappeared without a trace.

A faint smile appeared on Ye Fan's lips.

After that round of cultivation, his strength had risen to a new level, bringing him another step closer to breaking through to the Beast-Taming Stage, Second Layer.

Ye Fan had a feeling that he would complete the breakthrough within a few days.

Once he reached the Beast-Taming Stage, Second Layer, there would be many more things he could do. At the same time, he would be able to use a special detection ability.

Leaping off the bed, Ye Fan felt refreshed and comfortable from the inside out. That was one of the additional benefits of making progress in cultivation.

With a casual wave of his arm, the tightly shut window opened under a gentle force. The cool night breeze drifted in from outside, bringing a refreshing chill.

Ye Fan took a deep breath and murmured, "There are still more than ten days until the make-up exam. I wonder how many surprises that so-called genius brat can bring me. I hope he doesn't disappoint me."

The person Ye Fan spoke of was none other than the opponent he would face in the make-up exam—Neji Hyuga.

In a forest within Konoha Village, Neji Hyuga, dressed in white, stood beneath a tree. He assumed a fighting stance and took a deep breath.

"Byakugan!"

With a low shout, the Byakugan Bloodline Limit was activated. Several veins bulged around Neji Hyuga's eye sockets.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

With a flick of his arms, he hurled two kunai, severing two taut ropes some distance away and triggering the prepared trap.

In an instant, countless kunai, shuriken, and hidden weapons rained down from above.

Neji Hyuga's expression turned solemn. Faced with the many hidden weapons rushing toward him, he showed no panic. Instead, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"

Palm shadows fluttered as his arms seemed to blur. With attacks as swift as meteors, he knocked down every incoming hidden weapon.

Clang clang clang clang!

Clang clang clang clang!

Sparks flew everywhere, and the sound of metal striking metal rang without end.

Only after the last five-pointed shuriken was knocked to the ground did Neji Hyuga's hands become visible again. He exhaled a breath of stale air, his expression utterly unchanged.

"Still not fast enough! I must become stronger—stronger than anyone from the main family!"

Neji Hyuga did not pause, once again throwing himself into training.

The world envied geniuses, but how many people knew that behind their brilliance lay efforts far beyond those of ordinary people?

As a member of the branch family, Neji Hyuga refused to accept his fate. He wanted to prove it to the world, and especially to the main family, that even without their resources or learning environment, he, Neji Hyuga, could still become strong!

Just like the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms he had already mastered—he had learned it all the same without guidance from the main family.

Neji Hyuga did not take the upcoming ninja make-up exam seriously at all. In his eyes, Ye Fan did not even qualify as an opponent. There would be no suspense in the outcome that day.

Little did he know that Ye Fan felt exactly the same. He likewise did not think much of Neji Hyuga, who was still only a Genin.

Early that morning, after breakfast, Ye Fan once again came to the veterinary hospital where Hana Inuzuka worked and met Laiyun, whom he had not seen for several days.

Laiyun had recovered very well. He looked much sturdier, his eyes had regained their sparkle, and his fur had recovered its luster.

Since Hana Inuzuka had other matters to attend to, she once again left Ye Fan and Laiyun alone in the room.

A smile rested on Ye Fan's lips as he watched Laiyun eat dog food.

"Finished eating? Then let's have a talk." Ye Fan finally spoke after Laiyun finished the small bowl of dog food.

Laiyun chose a comfortable position on the floor, lay down, and quietly stared at Ye Fan.

"Your body is recovering quickly. I believe you'll be discharged in a few days." Ye Fan paused before continuing, "But there's no need to wait those few days. I can take you away from here right now. I'm sure you've been looking forward to starting training as soon as possible."

Laiyun suddenly raised his head and stared at Ye Fan with burning eyes.

Ye Fan smiled lightly. "After you leave the hospital, you might as well follow me. I can help you rapidly increase your strength. You could even say that only I can give your strength a qualitative leap in the shortest possible time."

Laiyun abruptly stood up and barked twice at Ye Fan.

In the past, Ye Fan might not have understood what Laiyun was saying. But as his strength continued to improve, he had already mastered beast speech.

So-called beast speech was actually the ability to learn what the other party wished to convey by catching and analyzing the thoughts they emitted.

What Laiyun had just meant was: Kid, why should I believe you?

"I'll make you believe me, but first, you need to understand your own situation." Ye Fan's tone suddenly turned serious. "Among all ninja dogs, your strength is already considered above average. But if you want to rely on the Inuzuka Clan's training methods, I can tell you very seriously that your room for improvement is limited. In particular, you cannot rapidly increase your strength in a short period of time."

Laiyun wanted to argue, but what Ye Fan said was true. It was also the question he had been pondering for the past two days—how could he obtain greater strength?

Laiyun stared at Ye Fan and asked, What are you trying to say?

Ye Fan gave an awkward smile and continued, "The Inuzuka Clan's ninja techniques are mostly performed through mutual cooperation, and ninja dogs find it difficult to use ninja techniques alone. That means you need a new master. The purpose of my visit today is to tell you that I can become your new master!"

Laiyun immediately retorted, You don't even have chakra anymore. What gives you the right to become my master?

"Not having chakra doesn't mean I have no strength. Next, I'll prove whether I truly have the qualifications!"

The curve of Ye Fan's smile grew more and more pronounced.