Can My Newly Upgraded Substitution Technique Take This Insult?

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 gained the last few points of affinity, pushing both Ninjutsu into their next stages—

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

(Phase Reward Obtained: Constitution +1, Trait · Form and Spirit (Your Transformation Technique forms are perfect and lifelike in detail. You can alter your own shape to a moderate -> significant extent. Sensory ninja below Jonin level can hardly see through it))

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

(Phase Reward Obtained: Constitution +1, Trait · Seal-less Instantaneous (Your Substitution Technique requires no deliberate preparation. Within 5 -> 15 meters, with a mere thought, you can complete a swap 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.

Among them, the Transformation Technique appeared to be advancing toward physical manifestation. At the third stage of 75 affinity, it could already alter his form to a "significant extent." Judging from the description, it was somewhat like a certain monkey's "Seventy-Two Transformations."

Mikami Yu was curious whether transforming himself into animals such as birds or fish with this Transformation Technique would grant him their ability to fly or breathe underwater. In theory, a transformation capable of altering his form 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 initial 5 meters to 15 meters, giving it a certain degree of practical combat value.

—A Substitution Technique with a range of 5 meters had extremely harsh usage conditions. It could basically only be used in an arena. On a real battlefield, against large-scale AoE Ninjutsu or enemies with fast 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 it... 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, catching his attention.

Mikami Yu immediately stopped and turned around. He saw a Hyuga Clan member wearing a Konoha Forehead Protector standing at one side of the training ground, arms folded and gazing at him calmly. His face looked somewhat familiar.

"?"

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

"...Your senses are quite sharp."

The Hyuga Clan member gave a slight nod, then asked from afar, "Are you Mikami Yu?"

"So what if I am?"

"I'm Hizashi Hyuga, Kaimon Hyuga's cousin. I heard from him that he encountered a civilian genius at the Ninja Academy who defeated him, despite his Byakugan, with nothing but the coordination of the Three Techniques... I was curious, so I came to see for myself."

"..."

Mikami Yu raised his brows.

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

Just a younger version of him.

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

However...

What had he come here for?

Mikami Yu took a deep breath and drew his hands slightly 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, so then..."

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

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

When Kushina had first arrived in Konoha, she had once beaten up a classmate at the Ninja Academy, only to be blocked on her way home after school by that classmate's Genin brother. Left with no choice, she had beaten up the brother too. Later, Naruto, Hinata... those were even more classic examples.

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

However...

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

"Not at all."

Hizashi Hyuga shook his head, his gaze still fixed on Mikami Yu. "Fights between students are normal. There are wins and losses. If someone can't even accept that, there's no need for them to become a ninja. However..."

"I heard that your Three Techniques can even fool the Byakugan. If possible, I'd like to witness it."

"...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 offer you some useful advice."

"..."

Mikami Yu pondered for a moment.

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

After all, judging from the original story, the man should have been honest and kind. The way he spoke just now did not seem like he harbored any ulterior motives either.

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

At most, he would beat Mikami Yu up. It was unlikely that 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 insult?

At once.

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

"..."

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

Opposite him.

The veins around Hizashi Hyuga's eyes bulged slightly as he instantly activated the Byakugan. Then he took half a step forward and casually flicked the incoming Kunai aside with his right hand, as lightly as brushing a willow branch.

Just as he stared unblinkingly at Mikami Yu, preparing to meet him with the Gentle Fist—

"Puff!"

With a soft sound.

The charging Mikami Yu suddenly vanished, replaced by a Kunai that appeared in midair and fell. Immediately afterward, Hizashi Hyuga sensed an intense threat. Within the Byakugan's field of vision, a gray figure appeared behind him and launched a side kick after a quick step!

"This..."

Wasn'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 current clan head's second son. He reacted almost instinctively, twisting his waist to turn around while bending his right arm and blocking diagonally behind himself!