Training Plan
Chi Yu explained to Hyūga Neji why Hinata Hizashi had chosen to refuse the chance to lift the Caged Bird Curse Mark.
After listening quietly, Neji remained silent for a long time before bowing his head.
"I'm sorry, Teacher… I still can't understand. I don't get it."
Chi Yu spoke gently, his tone calm.
"You can't be blamed for that, Neji. Hizashi is not like you. No matter how the Hyūga Clan treated him, he chose to endure it and remain loyal to the clan."
He paused before continuing.
"But you are not bound by that same loyalty. That's why you can't understand Hizashi's choice. Hizashi isn't trying to change his own fate anymore… but he hopes to change yours. In fact, this may be the first time he has truly defied the Hyūga Clan's iron rules."
Chi Yu's gaze softened.
"Your father loves you deeply, Neji. He hopes you will seize control of your own destiny one day. That's why you must work hard—not just for yourself, but so you don't disappoint his wishes."
Neji's fists clenched, his eyes burning with conviction.
"I will work hard. And I will find a way to change my father's mind! The Hyūga Clan does not deserve his sacrifice—or the sacrifice of all branch family members!"
Chi Yu smiled faintly.
"That's a strong resolve. But remember, spirit alone is not enough. Without strength to back it up, resolve is just empty talk."
Neji blushed slightly, then straightened his posture.
"I will work hard, Teacher!"
As Neji finished, Chi Yu's eyes shifted to his own son.
Whirlpool Cangna had been sitting cross-legged, watching everything with the carefree expression of a child at a play. Chi Yu felt a headache coming on. This boy had been far too well-protected—his greatest "hardship" so far was enduring Uzumaki Kushina's strict lessons.
But Cangna was only two years old. No matter how he wished to, he couldn't experience real hardship yet. Chi Yu sighed inwardly. When he grows older, he'll understand. Then he'll find his own dreams and goals.
"Cangna, what have you been studying recently?"
The boy puffed out his chest.
"I'm learning Sealing Techniques."
Chi Yu blinked in surprise. Already? Kushina's starting him with sealing? The Uzumaki clan's sealing arts were notoriously difficult—even adult shinobi struggled with them.
"And… how far have you gotten?" Chi Yu asked carefully.
Cangna frowned, his small face twisting in frustration.
"I don't understand anything at all! So I haven't made any progress!"
Then he looked up pitifully at his father.
"Dad, can you tell Mom to teach me other ninjutsu instead? I don't want to learn sealing anymore."
Chi Yu twitched the corner of his mouth.
"Well… that's not entirely your fault. But sealing is something you'll have to learn eventually. For now, I'll teach you personally. Just remember this—when your mom teaches you again, pretend you understood it thanks to her. It'll make her happy. Got it?"
Cangna's eyes lit up.
"I understand!"
Chi Yu nodded.
"Still, sealing is too advanced for you right now. Let's set that aside. Have you learned the Three Basic Techniques yet?"
Cangna answered proudly.
"I've mastered the Clone Technique! But I still can't do Transformation or Substitution."
"Then your next task is clear," Chi Yu decided. "You will master all Three Basic Techniques first. After that, I'll start teaching you the fundamentals of the Body Flicker Technique. Once your movements are standardized, we'll add some basic ninjutsu to build your foundation."
With his son's training plan set, Chi Yu turned back to Neji.
"Now, about you, Neji… I plan to teach you the Gentle Fist's Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms, as well as the Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven. Both require mastery of the Byakugan."
Neji's eyes widened in shock.
"Teacher… those are Hyūga main family secret techniques. You… you know them too?"
Chi Yu shook his head.
"No. I can't perform them myself—I don't have the Byakugan. But I've copied the movements with my Sharingan. I can provide you the training methods. The rest, you'll have to comprehend on your own. My help is limited."
Neji lowered his head respectfully. "Even so, I'll do my best."
Chi Yu smiled faintly.
"But that's not all. I also want to teach you a sword style. You've heard of my Thunder Breathing, haven't you?"
Neji nodded.
"Yes, Father told me about it. But Teacher, I don't have Lightning Release chakra."
Chi Yu chuckled.
"That's why I won't teach you Thunder Breathing. It's too fierce for you. Instead, I'll show you another sword style—one that flows more naturally with your temperament. Watch carefully."
He spent 10,000 exchange points to unlock Water Breathing.
The system's voice rang in his mind:
[Detected exchange: Water Breathing. Shall the system take control to simulate the Full Sword Forms?]
Chi Yu agreed, and the system took over.
Drawing his ninja blade, he exhaled slowly, like a steady stream of water.
"Water Breathing: First Form—Water Surface Slash!"
A ripple of water seemed to flow from his blade as he swung, felling a tree in a single strike.
…
"Water Breathing: Third Form—Flowing Dance!"
Chi Yu's movements became fluid and continuous, like a current, leaving afterimages in every direction.
…
Finally, the tenth form.
"Water Breathing: Tenth Form—Constant Flux!"
His body spun and surged like a torrent. Each strike grew heavier, sharper, until the arc of his blade formed the shape of a dragon. The water dragon roared forward, toppling several trees and carving a pit into the ground that filled with water.
Then came the last.
"Water Breathing: Eleventh Form—Dead Calm."
Chi Yu stood perfectly still. No outward motion, yet an oppressive stillness spread from him, sharper than any blade.
[Simulation complete. Control returning to host.]
Chi Yu released a quiet breath and sheathed his sword. Thanks to his mastery of Water Release chakra, the forms had manifested with real power under the system's control.
Walking over to Neji, he asked with a smile:
"Well? What do you think? Do you want to learn?"
Neji's pale eyes sparkled with excitement. He could barely contain himself.
"Yes! Teacher—I want to learn!"
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