Chapter 207: Cutting Leaves & Jonin Exam
"Takuma, how does it feel without the Caged Bird Seal's restraint?"
"Well... very clear. It's like piercing through a thin veil that had always obscured my vision. The entire world has become unprecedentedly bright. Previously when practicing Gentle Fist, there was always an indescribable sluggishness. Every time I reached key junctures in circulation transformations, I could never precisely control it—always felt inadequate."
"But now this sluggishness has completely disappeared. Chakra manipulation flows exactly as I wish. Before, practicing Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists always went poorly—chakra shape transformation proved especially forced. But now I can complete shape transformations very smoothly."
Hyuga Takuma pondered for two seconds, elaborating his feelings in detail.
Hyuga Ritsu listened very seriously.
He'd already asked quite a few people the same question, receiving largely similar feedback. The changes brought after erasing the Caged Bird Seal weren't merely making artificially created blind spots disappear. After losing interference and obstruction from others' foreign chakra, control over one's own chakra also rose another level.
Undeniably, the Caged Bird Seal truly protected the Byakugan bloodline limit from flowing outward. But simultaneously, all clan members who'd received the Caged Bird Seal had their talents shackled. Even geniuses danced while wearing chains!
Therefore—
The Hyuga clan had remained so mediocre all these years. Before Hyuga Ritsu, no top-tier formidable figures had emerged. Main Family members lacked the Caged Bird Seal's restriction, but the Main Family numbered so few people. Moreover, the Main Family was protected by the Branch Family, lacking sufficient tempering—difficult to achieve greatness.
Now, after removing the Caged Bird curse seal, birds caged within were spreading their wings freely one by one, doing their utmost to radiate their own brilliance.
Hyuga Takuma exemplified this.
Even while restricted by the Caged Bird Seal, he'd passed the assessment at age fourteen, possessing jonin-level strength. Now his talent was completely liberated—his overall strength rapidly improved and strengthened!
"So you've completely mastered Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists?"
"That's right."
"Planning to learn anything new next?"
"Well, haven't decided yet. But isn't Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists already our clan's most formidable fist technique? The other secret advanced fist techniques are all roughly equivalent. I'm temporarily not interested."
Hyuga Takuma shook his head.
"I'm not talking about those things. I mean the Gentle Fist Style: Wind Chakra Mode I developed myself. Takuma, if you're interested, I can teach you."
"Hm? I can learn it?"
Hyuga Takuma's eyes widened.
Their Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist Style maximized shape transformation abilities. Even secret advanced fist techniques like Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists monopolized by the Main Family all explored within shape transformation's domain, never breaking from this rut.
So after learning Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists, he'd shown little interest in the remaining secret advanced fist techniques.
But if it was the Gentle Fist Style: Wind Release Chakra Mode created by Hyuga Ritsu—now that sparked tremendous interest. The clan head had introduced Wind Release chakra nature transformation, combining it with their Gentle Fist Style, enabling the practitioner to gain comprehensive enhancement and strengthening in speed, attack power, defense, and numerous other aspects.
This was a technique that broke through their Gentle Fist Style's rut.
Hyuga Ritsu picked up the teapot, pouring himself another cup of ice-cold barley tea. He slowly drank while looking at Hyuga Takuma seated opposite. "Nothing wrong with it. I've stored this technique and all accompanying techniques in the clan's library. However, this technique poses considerable danger during training. One careless mistake could injure or cripple yourself. So I've set a threshold."
"Only after mastering any secret advanced fist technique like Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists—polishing chakra shape transformation to extremes—can one attempt learning this technique."
"I'm not afraid."
Hyuga Takuma answered very decisively.
Without the Caged Bird Seal, he was currently riding high, his whole body brimming with inexhaustible energy. He feared no hardships or dangers whatsoever. No risk could stop his heart that wanted to grow stronger!
As one of Minato's Kage Guard Platoon's twelve members, he absolutely didn't want to be outdone, tarnishing his Hyuga clan's prestige. His competitive spirit urged him to exert utmost effort to become stronger!
Hyuga Takuma said with a smile, "It just so happens I naturally possess Wind and Earth chakra natures."
"Then first go polish your Wind Release chakra nature transformation."
Hyuga Ritsu extended his hand toward the air, catching a verdant leaf that had been shaken loose. He handed this leaf before Hyuga Takuma. "This is your assignment."
"A leaf?"
"Place the leaf in your hand. When you can use Wind Release chakra to cut through the leaf, I'll tell you the next step. Of course, if I don't have time, you can also go to the library yourself to examine the scrolls."
"Cut through a leaf?"
Hyuga Takuma placed the leaf in his palm, attempting to mobilize chakra to cut the leaf. But this wasn't an easy matter—the chakra failed to damage the leaf whatsoever.
Chakra nature transformation remained an unfamiliar domain for Hyuga members. Everyone had practiced Gentle Fist since childhood, circling entirely within shape transformation's confines, never researching chakra nature transformation at all.
Hyuga Takuma's brow furrowed slightly, muttering, "Somewhat difficult. Don't know if I can finish before leaving for the Land of Iron. Speaking of which, that Land of Iron place is supposedly frozen year-round—probably can't find leaves..."
"Land of Iron? You're going to attend the Five Kage Summit?"
"To avoid unnecessary conflicts, this Five Kage Summit agreement stipulated each Kage only brings two guards. Hokage-sama said he's currently planning to bring Shisui-kun and me to the Land of Iron. I was preparing to mention this earlier, but... I forgot."
Hyuga Takuma explained.
Because Hyuga Ritsu had suddenly shifted topics to the Caged Bird Seal, he'd failed to promptly convey this matter. However, he certainly couldn't blame the clan head for mental jumping—could only blame his own clumsy tongue for not completing his report in time.
"Bringing you and Shisui?"
Hyuga Ritsu raised his eyebrows. This arrangement proved quite solid. Shisui's strength was unquestionably Kage-level. Takuma also ranked among jonin-tier elites. Within Minato's Kage Guard Platoon, Uchiha Shisui and Hyuga Takuma firmly occupied the top two positions.
Though Kakashi was a genius, age-wise he remained somewhat young—not as seasoned and steady as Hyuga Takuma. Moreover, now that Hyuga Takuma had escaped the Caged Bird's restraints and learned secret advanced fist techniques like Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists, within Minato's Kage Guard Platoon, only genius among geniuses Uchiha Shisui could surpass him.
Hyuga Ritsu said with a smile, "Takuma, then work hard. Try to complete this leaf-cutting assignment before departure. Otherwise, in the Land of Iron's environment with perpetual unmelting snow, finding a single leaf won't prove easy. Of course, if absolutely necessary, you can also bring some leaves."
Hyuga Takuma's mouth corner twitched. "I'll try to accomplish it before departure."
He absolutely didn't want to travel carrying a bag of leaves.
At this moment—
"Ritsu-nii, we're back... Eh, Takuma's here too! Your mission finished? When did you return?" The young women's figures appeared in the courtyard.
They were Akiba, Aika, and Rin respectively.
Hyuga Ritsu's three direct subordinates.
"Just returned today. Also, I've said this countless times—won't call me big brother? At least call me elder brother!" Hyuga Takuma glared at the boisterous, especially talkative young woman.
"You're just Takuma."
Akiba didn't buy it at all. She tilted her head back, smiling brilliantly. "Once I pass the jonin exam, I'll have caught up with you!"
"Talk after you pass first!"
"Hmph hmph, I have Ritsu-nii helping me with supplementary lessons. Passing the jonin exam poses absolutely no problems." Akiba brimmed with confidence. She placed both hands on her hips, smiling from ear to ear—giving the impression she'd emit villainous laughter any second.
Hyuga Ritsu helplessly covered his face.
Though having confidence was good, she wasn't confident in herself but rather placed confidence entirely on him. This truly left one not knowing what to say—could only emit helpless sighs.
Hyuga Takuma momentarily found himself speechless.
"Takuma, if there's nothing else, hurry up and make space. I'm starting supplementary lessons. You're not allowed to peek." Akiba pressed both hands on Hyuga Takuma's body, pushing outward as if expelling something dirty.
"Really, the older you get the less cute you become. You used to call me big brother when you were little!"
Hyuga Takuma emitted heavy sighs. He helplessly looked toward Hyuga Ritsu. "Clan Head, I'll take my leave!"
"Go ahead!"
Hyuga Ritsu also waved goodbye, additionally instructing, "Takuma, don't train too diligently to excess. Remember to balance work and rest. Training the Wind Release Chakra Mode can't be accomplished overnight."
Hyuga Takuma departed.
Only Hyuga Ritsu and three young women remained in the courtyard.
"Ritsu-nii, has that Takuma guy already started learning your Wind Chakra Mode?" Akiba stared wide-eyed at Hyuga Ritsu.
"That's right."
"Damn it! Thought passing the jonin exam meant catching up with that Takuma guy. Didn't expect he's already started learning your Wind Release Chakra Mode, Ritsu-nii..."
Hyuga Ritsu extended his hand, knocking the young woman who'd leaned close. He scolded without good humor, "Akiba, quiet down. Why must you compare yourself with Takuma? Instead of wasting energy on wild thoughts, you should hurry and begin today's assignments! The jonin exam is less than one month away."
"Alright!"
Akiba hugged her head, shrinking her neck. "But Ritsu-nii, hit lighter! My head really hurts from your knocking."
Hyuga Ritsu didn't respond. His gaze turned toward the two young women standing beside.
"Ritsu-senpai, sorry to disturb again."
Nohara Rin greeted politely.
"Senpai, we meet again!"
Uchiha Aika smiled as she greeted him, not as reserved as Nohara Rin.
Hyuga Ritsu nodded in response, a gentle smile surfacing on his face. He said softly, "Rin, Aika—thank you for accompanying this idiot Akiba!"
"What? Ritsu-nii, saying that is a bit excessive!"
Akiba protested indignantly.
"No problem! We're all idle with nothing to do anyway." Aika waved her hand with a smile, appearing genuinely not to mind at all.
"Very sorry. Because of me, everyone can't leave the village." Rin's face showed apologetic coloring.
However—
No one denied Hyuga Akiba was an idiot.
"Hey hey! What's that supposed to mean? You guys are too much. Even I'll get angry!" Akiba puffed her cheeks, huffing indignantly.
Hyuga Ritsu stood up, extending his hand to pat his cousin who resembled an angry ruffled cat, coaxing, "Akiba, don't be angry. Let's start quickly! Same rules as always—have Aika spar with you. I'll watch. If there are problems, I'll point them out. Once you've mastered Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists, passing the jonin exam will pose absolutely no problems."
This naturally wasn't deception.
Ninja assessments actually weren't complicated. Whether chunin exams or jonin exams, fundamentally they were identical.
Naruto's cohort's chunin exam only became so complicated primarily because it was a joint exam held with Sand ninja—political significance outweighed the exam's own function. In the end, only Nara Shikamaru alone advanced to chunin.
If chunin exams were always handled this way, counting through the entire Konoha Village probably couldn't even gather one hundred chunin.
In fact—
Ninja exams were usually very simple.
Divided into written test and practical combat aspects.
Nothing much to say about written tests—merely used for reference, screening those with intelligent minds. They didn't eliminate people.
Practical combat divided into various situations. But regardless of circumstances, what was assessed was the ninja's personal combat strength. As long as your strength truly reached jonin level, even losing in practical combat assessment still allowed passing the exam.
Conversely—
If examination participants' overall quality proved low, situations also emerged where everyone failed the exam.
As for whether examiners would go easy... that was impossible. Deliberately going easy during reviews wasn't helping people but harming them.
Because different-rank ninja received different-tier missions. Executing high-difficulty missions without sufficient strength meant sending oneself to death.
And Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists, as one of the Hyuga clan's secret advanced taijutsu techniques—
Merely mastering this fist technique meant, strictly speaking, ranking as an elite even among jonin. Passing the jonin exam could be called a foregone conclusion.
Moments later—
Hyuga Akiba and Uchiha Aika stood in the courtyard's center. With Hyuga Ritsu's single word "begin," the two immediately clashed fiercely. This sparring session held no mercy whatsoever. The gleaming kodachi in Aika's hands thrust blade after blade entirely toward Akiba's vital points. Meanwhile, Akiba similarly employed somewhat awkward Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists attempting counterattacks.
Though Hyuga Ritsu watched from the side—definitely wouldn't allow fatalities—suffering injuries and eating some bitterness remained unavoidable. They'd both suffered before.
Therefore—
Both remained extremely serious, not daring the slightest carelessness.
Nohara Rin knelt on the corridor, holding her teacup, quietly watching two good friends spar and struggle. Her lips couldn't help slowly curving upward. Feeling the gently blowing early summer breeze, momentarily she felt time peaceful and good. How wonderful if life could always remain this easy and leisurely!
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