"Rotation?!"
The realization hit them, but it was already too late.
A massive wave of Chakra surged outward. Neji's spin accelerated violently. It was the real deal—the authentic Eight Trigrams: Heavenly Rotation!
Gintoki and Aota were instantly sucked into the Chakra vortex before being blasted away.
This wasn't a move a member of the Branch House was supposed to know—especially not the "dead-last" loser of the family!
They flew nearly twenty feet before hitting the ground hard—Thud! Thud!
"Damn it... you..."
Gintoki had attacked with more force, so the recoil hit him harder. He was winded, struggling to speak.
"Rotation? How the hell did you learn Rotation?" Aota shouted, struggling to get back on his feet.
Not far away, Neji's expression remained calm.
It was a move he knew inside out. He had drilled this against a wooden training post at least twenty thousand times!
The System had a strict rule: repeat a move ten thousand times just to unlock it. After that, increasing its power required even more grinding...
"I've seen my grandfather use it. There's no mistake," Aota said, frowning as he realized they were in actual trouble. "That is the Hyuga Clan's secret technique. Eight Trigrams: Heavenly Rotation!"
Gintoki, however, was in denial. "How could a loser like you learn that? No one would teach you! Unless..."
Neji's breathing leveled out. It had been a long time since he'd been in a real fight, but handling two Genin-level opponents was easier than he expected.
Damn it. He had acted on impulse. The true strength he'd been hiding for so long was about to be exposed.
Neji felt a twinge of annoyance at his lack of self-control.
Ding!
The familiar System chime rang in his head.
Training Session Complete.
Total Basic Ninja Skills Proficiency gained: 496 points.
Gentle Fist Basic Style Proficiency: +142 points.
Eight Trigrams: Heavenly Rotation Proficiency: +110 points.
Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms Proficiency: +42 points.
...
Combat Detected.
'Eight Trigrams: Heavenly Rotation' Proficiency skyrocketed: +800 points!
Achievement Unlocked: First Defeat of a Genin-level Opponent.
Reward: Wind Nature Chakra Infusion!
"Wait, actual combat gives bonus rewards? Why didn't this damn System tell me that sooner?"
---
"Hey! You two!"
A deep voice boomed across the yard.
It was Tokuma Hyuga, a Special Jonin of the clan.
Neji smartly took a step back. As the clan's resident "failure," a high-ranking officer wouldn't bother with him; he was here for the troublemakers.
"You two again? Are you causing problems?"
"No! Uncle Tokuma, let me explain!"
"Save it. You're coming back with me!"
Tokuma ignored Gintoki's excuses, grabbed both of them by the scruff of their necks, and dragged them off.
Before they disappeared, Neji caught the look of pure hatred in their eyes. They were probably furious that the "garbage" of the family could use a high-level technique they couldn't even grasp.
Let them snitch. It didn't matter now. Neji was far more interested in the results of his training.
---
After dinner, Neji went back to his room and pulled up his System Status Panel.
[Host: Neji Hyuga]
Age: 13
Basic Ninja Skills: 80% (Includes throwing weapons, stealth, etc. Reach 100% to complete the Novice Phase and unlock the Stamina/Proficiency System.)
Rank: Genin (Hidden Leaf Village)
(Note: Proficiency Levels breakdown. 10k = Novice, 30k = Adept. Higher tiers: Expert, Master, Grandmaster.)
[Ninjutsu]
None
[Taijutsu]
Gentle Fist: Tenketsu Striking: (26,500 / 30,000)
Eight Trigrams: Heavenly Rotation: (17,420 / 30,000)
Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms: (11,960 / 30,000)
Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Palm: (4,740 / 10,000)
Eight Trigrams: Body Blow: (8,976 / 10,000)
[Genjutsu]
None
[Bloodline Limit]
Byakugan: (19,558 / 30,000)
[Inventory]
Special Item: Wind Nature Chakra Infusion (Injectable)
"Wind Nature Chakra?" Neji muttered.
System Prompt: Compatible Jutsu detected for Wind Nature Infusion: Heavenly Rotation. Do you wish to infuse?
"Infuse it!"
Neji didn't hesitate. Grinding levels the honest way wasn't enough anymore. He needed to experiment.
---
Later that night, in a clearing nearby.
A blinding light flashed as the rotation came to a halt, but the wind continued to whip through the air, lingering like a physical force.
Neji panted, looking down at his trembling hands.
"I managed to fire off ten in a row... is that my limit?"
After adding the elemental change, the Rotation felt godlike—lighter, faster, and much more natural to control. He felt his current defense was at least ten times stronger than before.
Once he caught his breath, he steadied himself.
One more time.
He activated his Byakugan—and froze.
"Who's there?!"
"I-It's me... Neji."
It was Hinata's voice.
Hinata stepped out timidly. She was wearing a fluffy jacket, looking absolutely adorable from her shy eyes down to her haircut.
"Hinata? Why aren't you in bed?"
Neji's gaze softened.
Since he arrived in this world, the whole clan had treated him like garbage. Only Hinata had been kind to him. That was why he couldn't stand Gintoki insulting her earlier.
Hinata stood in front of him and whispered, "Brother Neji... did you really master the Heavenly Rotation?"