For the next five days, Soushu Hyuga's life followed an extremely routine pattern.
Each morning started with him heading to practice Gentle Fist alongside Hyuga Hizashi, who had been guarding his door like a door god. First came the instructional sessions where he would get mercilessly pounded by Hizashi's masterful execution of the Gentle Fist Sixty-Four Palms. Then followed sparring rounds, during which Soushu would use his own techniques to send Hyuga Hizashi sprawling onto the ground.
This cycle continued day after day, relentless as wind that refuses to let a tree stand still.
Though he was well aware that more and more Branch House ninja from the Hyuga Clan were watching with their Byakugan in secret attempts to learn his techniques—and even Hizashi himself sought to uncover the secrets behind his [Flash] and [Counter Storm]—Soushu didn't mind at all.
If someone could truly extract meaningful insights from those completely non-ninjutsu skills, then it could only mean they possessed extraordinary talent. Establishing a good connection that way wouldn't hurt, and besides, his hidden trump cards went far beyond just these few techniques, so he wasn't worried about revealing anything significant.
After all, he was currently only halfway through level five, equipped merely with a [Vampire's Scepter]. He still had a long way to go before reaching his ultimate form with all six skill slots fully upgraded.
Moreover, these training sessions with Hyuga Hizashi genuinely benefited Soushu as well.
At least after five days, he could already fluently complete the entire sequence of Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms Gentle Fist. However, due to lack of proficiency, its application and variations during actual combat still showed noticeable deficiencies.
On the other hand, Hizashi gained tremendous benefits from their sparring matches.
The pride he once carried began to crumble completely after repeatedly getting knocked down during real fights, prompting him to earnestly seek combat advice from Soushu. As a result, his Gentle Fist became significantly fiercer and ruthless, making the sparring phase particularly grueling for Soushu himself.
Of course, aside from mornings dedicated to Gentle Fist training, each afternoon found Soushu sneaking directly over to the Uchiha Compound in search of Mahiru, eventually getting to know most of the Uchiha clan personally.
"Thirty-Two Palms Gentle Fist!"
In one of the small training grounds within the Uchiha Compound, Soushu continued using his relatively proficient Gentle Fist techniques against Uchiha Mahiru—who was still working hard to become accustomed to her newly awakened Sharingan—in their ongoing practice sessions. His intricate variations of Gentle Fist moves left the adorable Mahiru-chan utterly confused and overwhelmed.
However, since awakening her Sharingan, although Mahiru hadn't noticeably improved her taijutsu much because she was still adjusting to predicting motion with her Sharingan, she could still cause considerable trouble for Soushu by combining simple genjutsu techniques during actual fights.
[Magic Lantern Hell Viewing Technique!]
Amidst the fluid attacks of Gentle Fist, despite appearing disheveled, Mahiru seized an opportunity to duck under Soushu's strike. Blinking slightly, she suddenly emitted a crimson gleam from her eyes—
"Hiss!"
As the genjutsu took effect, Soushu once again witnessed that unforgettable scene from his previous life when luck had favored him greatly!
This deeply ingrained memory resurfaced before his eyes anew. Soushu instantly sucked in a sharp breath, his body involuntarily stiffening under the divine intimidation of nearly tipping over completely. His movements faltered instantly!
[Back Crushing Ram!]
As Hyuga Soushu's movements became distorted due to the effects of the genjutsu, Mahiru Uchiha slightly squatted down before explosively springing forward with her shoulders, landing straight into Hyuga Soushu's arms!
Contrary to her expectations of sending him flying, Hyuga Soushu simply hugged her from behind, wrapping his arms around Mahiru Uchiha tightly.
"Are you okay?!"
Mahiru Uchiha immediately cried out dramatically.
While Hyuga Soushu had just freed himself from the genjutsu's influence, Mahiru Uchiha's sudden charge threw off his balance. Combined with his unconscious lack of balance, they ended up falling onto the ground together while still embracing each other.
After a somewhat exaggerated struggle and brief rolling about, Hyuga Soushu used his superior grappling skills and physical advantages to subdue Mahiru Uchiha—who had recklessly charged at him—and pinned her beneath him.
As they locked eyes, Mahiru Uchiha's cheeks turned bright red.
Seeming resigned to the situation, Mahiru Uchiha gently closed her eyes and puckered her red lips slightly, appearing utterly helpless and willing to accept whatever came next.
Yet what followed wasn't quite the scene she had imagined in her mind.
"Someone's approaching!"
Hyuga Soushu whispered softly into Mahiru Uchiha's ear before pushing himself up with both hands and helping her stand as well.
"Eep!"
Instantly flustered, Mahiru Uchiha hurriedly brushed off grass blades and dust from her clothes, though the deep blush across her face refused to fade.
She didn't doubt Hyuga Soushu's words for a moment—after all, as a Hyūga, his vision and perception abilities were far superior to ordinary ninja, even without activating his Byakugan.
Once the somewhat awkwardly composed Mahiru Uchiha forcefully calmed herself down and finally tidied her appearance, a Konoha Policing Division-affiliated Uchiha ninja finally appeared just outside the training grounds. Peeking around nervously, he stared at the two silent figures facing each other inside.
"What do you want?!"
Though noticeably younger than the newcomer, Mahiru Uchiha shouted indignantly.
She'd already made it very clear beforehand that none of the clan's ninja should come disturbing them at this training ground during the afternoon hours. And yet someone dared interrupt her intimate time with Hyuga Soushu!
"C'mon now! Show a little understanding!"
The unfortunate Uchiha ninja groaned, waving his hands frantically. "I was ordered to find Jonin Munekage. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come here at all!"
"What an idiot!"
Mahiru Uchiha became even more furious!
She hadn't shared any details about these prior arrangements with the clan members, but now, one of her own clansmen had shown up and ruined everything right in front of her!
Furious beyond reason, Mahiru Uchiha gritted her teeth angrily. If not for the gap in their abilities and Hyuga Soushu standing nearby making things worse, she would've already drawn her sword and fought this person head-on without holding back at all.
"What's going on?"
Hyuga Soushu then asked calmly.
At the same time, he patted Mahiru Uchiha's shoulder who was still clearly upset, trying to calm her down.
Pouting slightly before finally calming down, Mahiru Uchiha quieted down obediently.
As for the information inadvertently revealed by the Policing Department Uchiha ninja, Hyuga Soushu pretended not to notice anything, preventing the already embarrassed Mahiru Uchiha from losing her temper entirely.
"Well, a Hyuga clansman has come looking for Hyuga Soushu, but he doesn't know his exact location and lacks the courage to enter our clan territory."
A Policing Department Uchiha Jonin said with a grin.
"Is that so?"
Hyuga Soushu raised an eyebrow. While it seemed odd for a clansman to arrive at this moment, he didn't want to ask too many questions in front of others. He looked hesitantly toward Mahiru Uchiha standing beside him.
"We'll continue tomorrow."
Mahiru whispered considerately, then gently patted his back three times.
"Then, Soushu, let's go check out the Policing Department together."
Soushu immediately understood her meaning and nodded. Then, right in front of the Policing Department ninja, he took Mahiru's hand and walked toward the training ground exit.
"Tsk tsk, not even avoiding others anymore."
Barely holding back his laughter, the Policing Department ninja gave a suggestive wink, making Mahiru blush even harder.
Still, Mahiru gripped Soushu's hand more tightly.
Arriving at the entrance of the Policing Department, Soushu instantly spotted Hyuga Ibo—the same clansman who had confronted him on the day he returned to the village and whom he had knocked down.
"Clansman Ibo, why have you come personally?"
Soushu simply curled his lips upward, without showing excessive sarcasm.
"The Clan Head summoned you."
Already visibly uneasy under the concentrated gazes of the Uchiha ninjas from the Policing Department, Hyuga Ibo clearly relaxed slightly when he saw Soushu.
Moreover, although Soushu's tone wasn't very friendly, he didn't seem eager to mock or provoke with sarcasm. This eased Ibo further, prompting him to softly add: "The leader of the secret faction visited the Clan Head at the clan territory before heading here."
"You mean—"
Soushu narrowed his eyes.
"Danzo —"
Ibo whispered the name that Soushu was suspecting.
Mahiru Uchiha's expression shifted subtly — she knew too well how much tension existed between Soushu and Root.
"Don't worry, I'll return now and come find you again tomorrow."
In front of all the Uchiha ninjas, Soushu kissed Mahiru's forehead to calm the visibly anxious girl. Then, along with Hyuga Ibo, he used the Shifting Body Technique to return to their clan territory.
Today, all his abilities were available for use — that was the confidence Soushu possessed.
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