Chapter 37 - Dissatisfied! Tenten's challenge
Early in the morning, in the Hyuga clan's training grounds.
Familiar figures performed familiar movements, day after day.
"Hmph!"
"Ha!"
Neji repeatedly practiced the Gentle Fist technique.
"Ding! This practice is complete. Proficiency increased: Eight Trigrams Palms: Gentle Fist +4799! Eight Trigrams: Empty Palm +1433! Eight Trigrams: Revolving Heaven +2978!"
Neji exhaled and leaned backward.
His eyes narrowed slightly, and his body no longer felt fatigue or soreness from the long hours of intense training.
On the contrary, it felt both sore and invigorating.
Although his actual strength could improve faster through real combat, experience had shown that strength doesn't come instantly.
Every time he engaged in a fight, he exposed himself to danger.
In real combat, opponents were becoming stronger and stronger. One day, Neji might have to face shadow-level opponents.
Perhaps even more formidable foes than Orochimaru.
He couldn't afford to overlook any opportunity to grow stronger.
Each day, even through practice alone, Neji gained considerable proficiency.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host! Your proficiency with Eight Trigrams: Revolving Heaven has reached 30,000! You have earned a reward: an optional A-level ninjutsu!"
"Optional?"
Neji furrowed his brow and muttered to himself.
"You may choose one A-level ninjutsu: Wind Style: Breakthrough! Wind Style: Palm Storm! Water Style: Water Barrier!"
Not many options...
"Wind Style: Palm Storm!"
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, on successfully acquiring Wind Style: Palm Storm! Your mastery has reached the 'First Glimpse' stage!"
Neji opened his stats panel:
**Host:** Hyuga Neji
**Age:** 13 years old
**Ninja Basic Skills** (including all basic skills like throwing): 87.8% proficiency (Reach 100% to complete the novice stage and activate the proficiency consumption system!)
**Rank:** Genin of Konoha Village
**Ninjutsu:** Wind Style: Palm Storm (10,000/30,000)
**Taijutsu:** Gentle Fist: Pointing (62,199/100,000), Eight Trigrams: Revolving Heaven (31,903/100,000), Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms (28,834/30,000), Eight Trigrams: Empty Palm (17,945/30,000), Eight Trigrams: Single Strike (13,698/30,000)
**Genjutsu:** None
**Kekkei Genkai:** Byakugan (36,638/100,000)
**Byakugan Purity:** 12%
**Basic Items:** Weapon Pills x1, Detonation Charms x10, Ujue Trait Herbs x4
**Advanced Items:** None
**Special Items:** None
"Byakugan purity? What's this?"
Neji asked, and the system immediately responded: "Once the Host's Byakugan is advanced to the fusion level, its purity will be displayed and can be further improved."
Neji frowned slightly. So, his Byakugan purity was only 12%?
No wonder the Hyuga clan had fallen into such decline over the years. With Byakugan at this level, how could they call themselves descendants of the Ōtsutsuki clan?
Sighing, Neji stood up, ready to resume training.
"Coo!"
The sound of a messenger pigeon caught Neji's attention.
A ninja pigeon had perched on the wooden fence nearby, cooing continuously.
"Coming," Neji responded impatiently, thinking about how even messenger birds had become frequent visitors.
Neji walked over, retrieved the letter from the pigeon's foot, and the bird flew off with a "coo."
Ninja pigeons were used for short-range communication within the village. For longer distances, ninja dogs or eagles were preferred, given their superior abilities.
Without even reading it, Neji guessed that it was probably a summons from Guy's team.
Sure enough.
"Before sunset today, meet at the usual spot behind the mountain."
Neji murmured. It was clearly written by his teacher, Guy, informing him of a special training session for tomorrow.
"If it's just a notice, why not state it more clearly in the letter?" Neji muttered, hesitating before resuming his training.
---
**Hokage Building, Hokage's Office.**
*Knock, knock, knock!*
"Come in."
Hiruzen adjusted his Hokage hat and looked up.
It was Hyuga Hiashi. After gently closing the door, he bowed to Hiruzen.
"Lord Third."
Hiruzen nodded calmly. "Hiashi, you seem quite preoccupied with your clan's matters."
Hiashi stiffened slightly but smiled. "Apologies, Lord Third. As the clan leader, I have responsibilities..."
"Hiashi!" Hiruzen's sudden sharp gaze made Hiashi even more cautious.
"Yes, Lord Third?"
Hiashi bowed his head lower, not daring to meet the Third Hokage's eyes.
Even the esteemed elders of the Hyuga clan's branch house wielded less power before the Hokage. Hiashi, the young clan leader, was no exception.
"It's been 60 years since the founding of Konoha, not the Hyuga clan. I hope you understand that clearly!"
Hiashi froze, unsure how to respond.
After his reprimand, Hiruzen continued, "Though your clan has its internal rules, as long as you reside in Konoha, everything you do must prioritize the village's well-being."
Hiashi's gaze showed hesitance.
---
Neji continued to train, only to be interrupted by kunai flying toward him.
With a few swift movements, Neji blocked the attacks with ease.
"Tenten, this is your last chance," Guy warned, stepping back.
Tenten unrolled a scroll, her face serious.
"I'll be your sparring partner for training, but you have to beat me here first!"
Neji looked at Guy suspiciously. Was this the reason he had been called here?
"Neji, consider this special training," Guy said, his voice heavy.
In the last Chūnin exams, Tenten had struggled against Temari, another female ninja of her type.
Meanwhile, Neji had defeated Gaara, who was regarded as Sand's strongest.
This disparity left Tenten doubting her abilities.
"Alright, if that's the condition, then don't hold back," Neji replied, getting into a fighting stance, ready to honor his opponent.
Tenten scoffed angrily, "Who said I'd hold back against you?"
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