Can My Newly Upgraded Substitution Technique Take This Humiliation?

Back when he had sparred with Kaimon Hyuga, Mikami Yu's Transformation Technique and Substitution Technique had already been on the verge of breaking through.

Now, he began [practicing] again.

Before long, he smoothly farmed the last few points of affinity and pushed both Ninjutsu into their next stage—

[Transformation Technique Affinity +4, Current Affinity: 75/100 (Yearning)]

(Stage Reward Obtained: Constitution +1, Trait and Spirit (Your Transformation Technique forms are flawless and vividly detailed. You can alter your own shape to a certain extent -> a great extent. Sensory-type ninja below Jonin level can hardly see through it))

[Substitution Technique Affinity +4, Current Affinity: 52/100 (Friendly)]

(Stage Reward Obtained: Constitution +1, Trait-less Instantaneous (Your Substitution Technique requires no deliberate preparation. Within 5 -> 15 meters, with a single thought, you can complete the exchange with a substitution medium within 0.2 seconds))

[...]

By now, Mikami Yu had accumulated a total of 7 points of Constitution.

Moreover, all four of his Ninjutsu had gained trait enhancements.

The Transformation Technique, in particular, seemed to be advancing toward physical manifestation. At the third stage of 75 affinity, it could already alter his own form "to a great extent." Judging from the description, it somewhat resembled a certain monkey's "Seventy-Two Transformations."

Mikami Yu was curious whether transforming himself into an animal such as a bird or fish with this technique would grant him the same ability to fly or breathe underwater. In theory, a transformation that rewrote one's shape should be able to create wings and gills.

He could try it when he had the chance.

As for the Substitution Technique, its range had simply increased from the original 5 meters to 15 meters, giving it a certain degree of practical combat value.

—A Substitution Technique with a 5-meter range had very harsh conditions for use. It could basically only be used in an arena. On an actual battlefield, against large-scale AOE Ninjutsu or enemies with quick reactions, using it or not made little difference. But at 15 meters, at least some people would be unable to react in time.

"Alright, that should be about enough... Time to find Might Duy!"

Mikami Yu let out a long breath and prepared to set off.

Suddenly.

A series of soft footsteps came from the side, drawing his attention.

Mikami Yu immediately stopped and turned around. He saw a Hyuga clansman wearing a Konoha Forehead Protector standing at one side of the training ground, arms folded and watching him with an indifferent gaze. The man's face looked somewhat familiar.

"?"

Mikami Yu glanced around, confirmed that the other man had come for him, then turned to face him. "You are?"

"...Your senses are quite sharp."

The Hyuga clansman gave a slight nod and called out from afar, "Are you Mikami Yu?"

"So what if I am?"

"I am Hizashi Hyuga, Kaimon Hyuga's cousin. I heard from him that he encountered a civilian genius at the Ninja Academy, someone who defeated him, even with his Byakugan, through nothing but the coordination of the Three Techniques... I was curious, so I came to take a look."

"..."

Mikami Yu raised an eyebrow.

No wonder the man had looked familiar. He was Neji's father.

Just the youthful version of him.

According to the original plot, Neji Hyuga should be born four or five years later, one year before Naruto. As his father, Hizashi Hyuga was still just a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old youth at this time. He probably was not even married yet, much less had a child.

But...

Why had he come here?

Mikami Yu drew a deep breath and brought his hands slightly closer together, ready to form hand seals at any moment. "So, you're a senior from the Hyuga Clan. Now that you've seen it, I'm the one who defeated Kaimon Hyuga. And then..."

"What do you plan to do? Avenge your cousin and teach me a lesson?"

This sort of thing—where the older one came after the younger one got beaten—was actually quite common.

When Kushina had first arrived in Konoha, she had once beaten up a classmate at the Ninja Academy. After school, that classmate's Genin older brother had blocked her path, forcing her to beat up the brother as well. Later, Naruto and Hinata... their stories were even more textbook examples.

When it came to bullying, Konoha's rabble had always treated everyone equally.

But...

Did a major clan like the Hyuga Clan play this game too?

"Not at all."

Hizashi Hyuga shook his head, his eyes still fixed on Mikami Yu. "Conflicts between students are normal. There will be winners and losers. If someone cannot even accept that, then there is no need for them to become a ninja. However..."

"I heard that your Three Techniques can even fool the Byakugan. If possible, I would like to see it for myself."

"...Can I refuse?"

Mikami Yu asked.

"Of course. That is your freedom."

Hizashi Hyuga nodded again. "But if you agree, I can offer you some guidance in Taijutsu as a Chunin of the Hyuga Clan. Although our clan specializes in the Gentle Fist, the principles of Taijutsu are interconnected. I should still be able to give you some useful advice."

"..."

Mikami Yu pondered for a moment.

How should he put it? He had a decent impression of Hizashi Hyuga.

After all, judging by the original work, the man should have been an honest and loyal person. The way he spoke just now did not sound as though he harbored any ill intentions either.

Even if he really was some two-faced, black-hearted schemer...

At worst, he would just beat Mikami Yu up. It was not as though he would make a huge issue out of something involving Kaimon Hyuga.

"Then let's do it!"

Can my newly upgraded Substitution Technique take this humiliation?

At once.

Hizashi Hyuga took several steps forward, stopped in the middle of the training ground, and assumed the opening stance of the Gentle Fist. "Come. Attack me as you please."

"..."

Mikami Yu took a deep breath, hooked a Kunai out of his ninja tool pouch with his right hand, spun it once in his palm, then flicked his wrist and hurled it forward! At the same time, he stepped forward and charged!

Across from him.

The veins around Hizashi Hyuga's eyes bulged slightly as he instantly activated his Byakugan. He stepped half a pace forward and lightly flicked his right hand like a willow branch in the wind, knocking aside the incoming Kunai.

Just as he kept his eyes locked on Mikami Yu and prepared to meet him with the Gentle Fist—

"Puff!"

With a soft sound.

The charging Mikami Yu abruptly vanished. In his place, a Kunai appeared in midair and fell. Then, Hizashi Hyuga felt an intense sense of danger. Within the Byakugan's field of vision, a gray figure appeared behind him and launched a side kick after a short step!

"This..."

Isn't this that blond kid's Flying Thunder God!? What kind of Substitution Technique could be used like this!?

Though shocked, Hizashi Hyuga was still a Chunin and the second son of the current clan head. He reacted almost instinctively, twisting at the waist as he turned around while bending his right arm to block diagonally behind him!