Ever since the practical lesson with Class A, Ishii Ichiro had been grim-faced in class. The students of Class B also knew they had lost disgracefully, so they became much more serious in subsequent lessons. From this perspective, Ishii Ichiro's efforts were not in vain.
Hyuga Mirai, who performed the best, although he ultimately lost to Hyuga Kiyomi, his decisive Taijutsu and Gentle Fist would rank him among the top students even in Class A.
As for not defeating Hyuga Kiyomi, Ishii Ichiro believed that Hyuga Kiyomi, being from the main family, had made much faster progress in Gentle Fist training than Hyuga Mirai, which resulted in him not seeing through Hyuga Kiyomi's feint.
If the students were willing to study hard, Ishii Ichiro would receive less criticism. If all the students in Class B passed the Genin assessment a few years later, he would also earn a merit.
Hyuga Mirai naturally didn't need anyone's urging; he was always the most diligent student at the Ninja School.
No matter when, as long as he was at school, Hyuga Mirai was always reading.
Hyuga Mirai had already used his break time to study many theoretical courses that he would learn in the coming years, such as 'Ninja Ciphers and Trap Setting,' 'Ninja World Geography,' and 'Five Great Nations Topography and Ninja Differences.'
Once he had learned all the theoretical knowledge taught at the Nin school, Hyuga Mirai planned to study basic Medical Ninjutsu.
As for Taijutsu and Ninjutsu training, Hyuga Mirai usually did it alone after school.
He rarely practiced Gentle Fist in the Uchiha Clan Land. To avoid revealing his mastery of Gentle Fist, Hyuga Mirai usually trained in the slightly more remote forests of the village. As for the unified training of the clan children, the level Hyuga Mirai displayed would definitely not exceed that of Hyūga Kiyomi from the main family.
After returning home, Hyuga Mirai would only practice Chakra control and the Three Body Technique.
Medical Ninjutsu requires extremely precise Chakra control. If one cannot even achieve that, they cannot even begin to learn it.
One of the reasons why Tsunade, one of the Sannin, found it difficult to popularize Medical Ninjutsu in the village was that Medical Ninjutsu demands a high level of talent. If one's Chakra control is not up to par, they can only learn some battlefield first aid knowledge.
"It's time to learn the basic Three Body Technique."
Hyuga Mirai opened the scroll, which contained detailed annotations from his original father. Following the annotations would make practice very easy, as it was left by a Jonin.
After reading the scroll, Hyuga Mirai began to practice the Three Body Technique.
In fact, Hyuga Mirai had many unanswered questions about the Three Body Technique; for example, whether the Transformation Jutsu could change the transformed body's size by increasing Chakra, and whether the Substitution Jutsu was related to space, and why it could instantly swap the body with a log.
However, these questions were too distant for Hyuga Mirai. Only after he could firmly establish himself in the Ninja World would he be qualified to slowly ponder these issues.
Now, he needed to quickly improve his strength.
"Hoo~!
"
After practicing the Three Body Technique for half a day, Hyuga Mirai sat directly on the ground, slightly panting.
"I've barely learned the Three Body Technique. Next, I need to continuously practice it, making hand signs and Chakra control instinctive, and also learn to make good use of the Three Body Technique."
In battles among Genin and Chunin, if the Three Body Technique is used well, it can be considered a killing move; even a Jonin can be deceived by the Three Body Technique if they are not careful.
Hyuga Mirai had temporarily learned all of the Three Body Technique; the next step was a continuous process of practice.
"Time to eat, time to eat. Every time I use up my Chakra, I get a huge appetite."
After propping up his tired body, Hyuga Mirai originally planned to treat himself today by going out for a barbecue. But as he walked to the door, he remembered that if he ate barbecue, his budget for the month wouldn't be enough. Besides food and drink, he also needed to buy some training Ninjutsu tools.
"Never mind, plain boiled chicken with soy sauce tastes pretty good too..."
Hyuga Mirai comforted himself, then turned around and walked towards the kitchen, preparing to quickly eat something, and then begin training his Chakra control.
Hyuga Mirai always performed wall-climbing training indoors. At first, he wouldn't use too much Chakra, as that might damage the walls. Hyuga Mirai practiced by trying bit by bit, trying to complete the wall-climbing training without damaging the walls.
Therefore, Hyuga Mirai's daily training time after school involved taking some cold rice balls to the remote, uninhabited forest in the village to train Gentle Fist Taijutsu for three hours. After dark, he would return home, eat another meal, and then train his Chakra control and study Medical Ninjutsu.
As for Shuriken throwing, this was not Hyuga Mirai's main focus. He didn't need to perform fancy tricks with Shuriken like the Uchiha Clan; it was enough to get a perfect score in the school's Shuriken assessment.
"Hyuga Mirai!"
On a rest day, as Hyuga Mirai was about to head to the forest behind the mountain to train, he was suddenly called out by the branch family guard captain.
"Sosuke, is there something you need?"
Hyuga Mirai quickly greeted him. This ancient and old clan had many rules, and even within the branch family, it could be said that the hierarchy was strict.
Hyuga Sosuke walked closer, his Byakugan eyes full of questions as he looked at Hyuga Mirai and said, "You've been going to remote places a lot lately. What are you doing?"
"I'm practicing Gentle Fist and Shuriken, Sosuke. Sometimes when I'm tired, I rest outside for a while." After saying this, Hyuga Mirai showed the food and training Ninjutsu tools he carried with him.
"Why don't you come to the clan training ground?"
"Because..." Hyuga Mirai feigned hesitation, paused, and then continued, "Besides practicing Gentle Fist, I also fish by the river, because I eat a lot, and sometimes I don't feel full."
This wasn't a lie, but something Hyuga Mirai had prepared in advance, possibly related to his physique; Hyuga Mirai would get particularly hungry after tiring, and his appetite would also grow larger and larger.
However, fortunately, the more he ate, the faster his energy recovered; this was a good thing for the hardworking Hyuga Mirai, but it was a bit expensive.
Although it hadn't completely spread yet, every time Hyuga Mirai returned after purchasing supplies, it would surprise his clansmen.
"Hmm."
Hyuga Sosuke nodded after listening. He had also heard about Hyuga Mirai. Then, Hyuga Sosuke's expression became serious as he said to Hyuga Mirai:
"Starting tomorrow, you will serve as Hyūga Kiyomi's guard. You must follow and protect Hyūga Kiyomi every day when she goes to and from school."
"This is... I understand, Sosuke!"
Although he was extremely unwilling, Hyuga Mirai immediately agreed. There was no point in him being unwilling now; he had no power to resist, and showing his emotions would only incur the main family's displeasure and hostility.
"Sosuke, about the time after school..."
"After you escort Hyūga Kiyomi home, you can do as you please, but you must participate in the clan's unified training and accompany Hyūga Kiyomi in her training."
After Hyuga Sosuke finished speaking, he slowly walked forward, patted Hyuga Mirai's shoulder, and said,
"After you become Hyūga Kiyomi's guard, your monthly clan allowance will increase by five thousand ryo; remember, our branch family's mission is to protect the main family's adults. For the branch family, being able to give their lives for the main family is a great honor!"
"Yes, I understand, Sosuke!"
Hyuga Mirai promised loudly with a grin, but no emotion could be seen in his pure white pupils, and Hyuga Sosuke had no idea what he was thinking in his heart.