The changes on the skill panel were remarkable. Compared to a month ago, Riku had mastered several new abilities.
Of course, if everything were categorized separately, the number of Taijutsu techniques Riku had learned would be far greater. However, once the total number of Taijutsu entries on the panel reached a certain threshold, they began to merge automatically—combining into a single, advanced skill.
That newly fused skill was Taijutsu: Konoha Style Hard Fist.
Even more surprising, the merged ability began at a B-rank rating, with all the experience points from the individual techniques automatically transferred to it.
The sudden transformation caught Riku off guard, but after thinking about it, it actually made sense.
The panel's intelligent integration wasn't a flaw—it was a gift. The merge function didn't cause any loss; it only enhanced his overall mastery. The new skill not only retained every advantage of the old techniques but fused them into something greater—a cleaner, sharper, more refined Taijutsu style.
Riku even had a bold theory about this phenomenon.
If he continued to merge more Iron Fist-style Taijutsu techniques, would the skill evolve again?
It was currently at B-rank, but could it one day reach A-rank, or even S-rank?
If that happened, would every punch and kick he threw carry the force of a missile—or worse, a nuclear explosion?
With this kind of system, nothing felt impossible.
Even now, with just a B-rank Hard Fist, Riku's physical ability had improved immensely.
Even without the near-broken abilities of Eight Gates Released Formation or Byakugan: Intimidation, he could already fight at a level close to an Elite Jonin using only his Taijutsu and a few low-tier elemental Ninjutsu.
If he added those two hidden trump cards on top, he might not reach Kage level yet—but he could definitely take down a standard Elite Jonin in battle.
This past month had been the most peaceful and enjoyable time of Riku's life. Training daily with Might Dai and his son required no deception or false pretense.
They were simply a group of people who shared the same passion, the same spirit. Every day felt easy, bright, and full of laughter.
At some point, Riku realized that chasing experience points wasn't the most important thing anymore.
Being around such honest, fiery people had changed him. Their simplicity and enthusiasm rubbed off on him, and for the first time in a long while, he felt genuinely happy.
But just as he began to think this calm, fulfilling life could last forever, a shadow started to loom over him.
That morning, Riku woke up early as usual.
He grabbed a piece of bread, took a few bites, and was about to head out to meet Might Dai for training when he froze—because standing right at his door was a figure he hadn't expected to see.
"Teacher Seisai? Why are you here?"
Hyuga Seisai's expression was cold and distant. He didn't answer Riku's question. Instead, he said in a clipped tone, "Hyuga Hoshimi, Lord Katyu wants to see you. Come with me."
Without waiting for a reply, Seisai turned and walked away.
The message was clear: Riku's response didn't matter.
Riku frowned. "What's wrong with this guy? He wasn't like this before. Why the sudden hostility?"
He scratched his head, thinking. "And why does Hinata Katyu want to see me now? Is he planning to lecture me again?"
He couldn't figure it out, but as a member of the Hyuga Branch Family, Riku had no choice. When a Main Family elder summoned you, you went—no matter what.
Even if you were in the middle of giving birth, you still went.
After walking for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Riku arrived at Hinata Katyu's mansion.
Several Branch Family servants were moving about, busy with chores. When they noticed Riku, they only cast him indifferent glances before turning away, not even bothering with a greeting.
Inside the main hall, Hinata Katyu sat upright, holding a scroll. His eyes moved slowly along the text.
When Riku entered, the elder didn't even lift his head. It was as if Riku weren't a person at all—but an object, something that didn't deserve acknowledgment.
So Riku stood there quietly.
Time crawled by. The morning light grew harsh, and sweat trickled down his forehead. The sun rose higher, and the heat pressed down. He remained silent, waiting.
Finally—after nearly three hours—Katyu slowly set the scroll aside.
He looked up at Riku with cold, emotionless eyes.
"Hyuga Hoshimi, do you know your mistake?"
Riku's throat was dry, his tongue heavy. He hadn't had a sip of water all morning, but he still managed to answer, "Lord Katyu, I don't know what I did wrong."
"Hmph. You don't even know what you did wrong. Foolish Branch Family member! Seisai—remind him!"
Katyu's voice dripped with disdain. Apparently, speaking too much to a Branch Family child was beneath him.
With his master's permission, Hyuga Seisai stepped forward eagerly—like a well-trained dog waiting to be unleashed.
"Hyuga Hoshimi, for the past month, you haven't attended the Ninja Academy. Do you know what that means?"
At Seisai's reminder, the realization hit Riku like a rock.
That's right—he was only six years old, a student at the Ninja Academy. He was supposed to attend classes every day.
But after spending so much time training Taijutsu with Might Dai, he'd completely forgotten about it.
No—perhaps "forgotten" wasn't quite right. His soul was still that of a twenty-year-old adult. In his mind, he'd already long since graduated from school. Going back to class probably just never even crossed his mind.
Riku muttered to himself, "So that's what it was. No wonder I felt like I was forgetting something important."
He quickly bowed and admitted his mistake. "Lord Katyu, I was wrong. I shouldn't have skipped school."
Katyu gave a dismissive snort. "Skipping school? If that were all, I wouldn't have bothered summoning you. Your greatest sin is something far worse—learning Taijutsu from a Genin. You've shamed the entire Hyuga Clan!"
"Ah—this—"
Riku froze, dumbfounded. How had this become such a big deal?
All he'd done was train with someone outside the clan—why was that a crime? It wasn't as if he'd been learning forbidden Ninjutsu or secret seals.
But he didn't dare speak his mind. He could only stand there silently, waiting for judgment.
Katyu's voice grew louder, sharper.
"Our Hyuga Clan pioneered the Gentle Fist style and stands as the foremost Taijutsu family in all of Konoha—no, in the entire Ninja World! With such an inheritance, you abandoned your training and went to learn from a mere Genin who knows nothing but crude brawling? What were you thinking? Do you hold no pride in our clan's name?"
Riku almost laughed out loud.
The foremost Taijutsu family in the entire Ninja World? Was this old man serious?
If Lord Madara were still alive, he'd beat this arrogance right out of him.
Riku had a thousand things he wanted to say, but he bit his tongue. He already knew—today was going to be a very, very bad day.
All he had done was train harder to better himself, to strengthen his abilities. He had never once acted against the clan. But as a Branch Family member, even that was forbidden unless the Main Family approved.
The Main Family didn't care about his intentions. The moment a Branch Family child stepped even an inch beyond his "place," punishment would follow.
"Riku, you've greatly disappointed this Elder. I personally selected you as Yuto's future guard, believing you had potential. Yet you've proven unworthy. Mistakes must be punished."
Katyu raised one hand.
Riku's heart sank.
That gesture—he knew it well.
The Caged Bird Seal.
Pale blue light flickered at his forehead as the cursed seal ignited.
And then—pain.
A raw, searing, indescribable agony erupted inside his skull. It felt as though countless steel needles were being driven into his brain, stirring and twisting with every breath.
"Ah—ahhh!"
Riku screamed. The sound tore from his throat, raw and broken.
No matter how much pain he'd endured through training, nothing compared to this. The seal didn't just attack the body—it crushed the mind, burned the soul.
He could feel his thoughts scattering, his nerves on fire, his vision blurring. Every instinct screamed for him to fight back, to strike out—but he couldn't move.
Because the Caged Bird Seal was absolute.
It was the shackle of the Branch Family. The curse that bound their lives and deaths to the will of the Main Family.
Every moment felt like an eternity.
When the light finally faded, Riku collapsed to the floor, gasping for air. His body trembled uncontrollably, sweat soaking through his clothes.
Katyu looked down at him with cold detachment.
"Let this pain remind you of your place, Hyuga Hoshimi. You are a Branch Family member. Never forget it. Never again disgrace our clan."
Riku could barely hear him. The elder's voice sounded distant, echoing through the haze of agony that still pulsed behind his eyes.
Somewhere deep inside, rage stirred.
Not just at Katyu, but at the entire system that allowed this.
The Caged Bird was not a symbol of loyalty—it was a mark of slavery.
And now, for the first time since he came into this world, Riku felt its full cruelty.
He clenched his fists weakly, nails digging into his palms. His vision swam, but a quiet thought took root in his mind—a dangerous, defiant spark.
One day… he would break this curse.
No matter what it took.
Outside, the sky was painfully blue. Birds chirped softly, their wings free and bright against the sunlight.
Riku tilted his head upward, eyes filled with pain and longing.
He couldn't help but think—how wonderful it must be to fly without chains.
And somewhere deep within the Hyuga estate, beneath that endless, suffocating order, the caged bird cried.
A cry of sorrow—
and the faintest whisper of rebellion.
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