Chapter 66: Rotation vs. Rotation
Hyuga Takashi did not pause after landing and charged forward once again.
Haruko used various Ninjutsu to keep him at bay, even including some small tricks modified from lifestyle Ninjutsu.
Every time Takashi was about to get close, Haruko would use some kind of Ninjutsu to create an opportunity to pull away.
But the problem was, Haruko was also unable to take Takashi down for a long time.
Takashi had the Byakugan. He could see through the flow of Haruko's Chakra and predict Haruko's next move.
Once the distance was opened, Takashi always had a way to evade or defend against Haruko's long-range attacks.
"This boy has so many types of Ninjutsu... and they activate very quickly..."
"So what? There is nowhere to hide in front of the Byakugan..."
"But Lord Takashi cannot get close either..."
"Shh! Just watch quietly!"
Haruko also realized the problem—if this continued, it would be endless.
The opponent's Byakugan countered long-range Ninjutsu too much. Although his own Taijutsu was not bad, without using Shikotsumyaku, he could not beat a Hyuga Jonin's Gentle Fist.
"...Better not use it. I will continue to kite from a distance and look for mistakes."
Compared to Haruko calmly looking for a chance to break the deadlock, Takashi became increasingly anxious as the fight went on.
Initially, he had not even taken Haruko seriously, wanting only to finish it quickly and teach Haruko a lesson.
A mere Genin dared to question the Hyuga style passed down through generations; he would use his body to remember that the Hyuga are the strongest in Konoha.
Once they actually started fighting, he realized this guy really had the capital to question it.
Not only did the continuous stream of various Ninjutsu prevent him from getting close, but there was also no sign of them stopping.
He was already starting to feel tired, while Haruko still looked relaxed after using so many Ninjutsu.
Experience told him that dragging it out further would be dangerous.
If he lost, wouldn't that prove the Hyuga style was flawed?
"Mr. Haruko, pardon me!"
Takashi intended to stop holding back, even if it exceeded the scope of a spar and might seriously injure Haruko.
"Rotation!"
No longer evading Haruko's attacks, he released a large amount of Chakra from all the Tenketsu in his body and began to rotate at high speed.
A blue sphere of Chakra formed instantly, bearing the momentum to crush everything as it rolled toward Haruko.
Hinata's body tensed instantly, the veins around her Byakugan bulging.
"Brother Haruko, get out of the way!"
Hiashi frowned slightly, his Byakugan fixed on the field.
Rotation was an absolute defense that integrated offense and defense. A head-on collision would result in death or serious injury.
Secretly refining Chakra, Hiashi prepared to intervene at any moment.
Facing Takashi, who was charging like a runaway truck, Haruko made an instant judgment.
This move would repel ordinary Ninjutsu; stalling was definitely not an option.
Dodge? This thing had a large range. Setting aside whether he could dodge it, he would definitely be closed in on and lose the initiative.
Instead of that, it was better to—
Chakra rotated frantically in his palm, and a blue-white sphere formed in an instant.
"Rasengan."
Haruko did not continue to dodge; instead, he charged toward the Rotation.
Boom—!
The two spinning forces of Chakra tore at each other, and the resulting shockwave directly knocked over several Branch House youths watching nearby.
"Ugh—"
Takashi let out a muffled groan and was sent flying, rolling over ten meters on the ground before stopping.
Haruko was also blown back, his feet sliding for several meters until his heels plowed two deep furrows before he managed to stand firm.
"Hiss..."
Shaking his numb right hand, Haruko felt as if his wrist were about to break.
Before the dust had settled, Hinata had already rushed over recklessly, her eyes red, truly terrified.
"Brother Haruko! Are you okay? Your hand... let me see your hand!"
"I'm fine, it's just a bit shaken." Haruko comforted Hinata while hiding his hand behind his back.
Takashi had already climbed up from the ground and assumed his stance again, the battle intent in his eyes not diminishing at all.
"Takashi, step down." Hiashi spoke calmly, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority.
"The winner has been decided. This spar—"
"I lost," Haruko interrupted Hiashi.
"As Lord Hiashi said, in front of the Byakugan, long-range Ninjutsu is indeed hard to make effective. I was also forced to fight head-on at close range, which in itself proves there's no problem with the Hyuga style's choice."
Hiashi looked deeply at Haruko.
Lost? Takashi was clearly injured by that last move, while Haruko—
With Shikotsumyaku paired with Medical Ninjutsu, the wound on his hand had already mostly healed.
And that last move...
"Then, the spar is over. Takashi, go tend to your wounds. Everyone else, continue training!"
Hiashi dispersed the crowd, then beckoned to Haruko: "Haruko, come with me for a moment."
Haruko followed Hiashi through the training ground and into the depths of the Hyuga Clan, to Hiashi's room.
Hiashi poured a cup of tea for Haruko, and the two sat opposite each other.
"Haruko, that last move... was it the Fourth Hokage's Rasengan?"
"Fourth Hokage?" Haruko tilted his head, "This was something I improved from the " Stirring Technique " under the Third Hokage's guidance... he did seem to mention the name " Rasengan "."
"Stirring Technique? The Third Hokage? Do you mind elaborating?"
"The Stirring Technique is a lifestyle Ninjutsu I use for kneading dough and mixing fillings. A while ago, Hokage-sama came to the shop, saw me using the Stirring Technique to mix fillings, and gave some suggestions for improvement saying it could be used in battle, so I followed them."
Hiashi nodded thoughtfully.
"The Rasengan is an A-rank Ninjutsu invented by the Fourth Hokage. It seems Hokage-sama has high expectations for you. It's a blessing for the Village that Konoha has a young talent like you."
"You overpraise me; I just wanted to save some effort." Haruko laughed it off, talking nonsense with a sincere face, "Back then, to get the filling mixed evenly, I put in a lot of effort. I really never thought it could be used for fighting."
Hiashi smiled noncommittally and did not delve deeper into the topic.
"Alright, go back and rest first. If you're willing, you can also join the afternoon training."
"Okay." Haruko stood up, "Then I'll take my leave."
As he reached the door, Hiashi's voice came again: "Haruko."
"Yes?"
"The outside world is not peaceful these days. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to send someone to let me know."
Haruko paused, then turned to look at Hiashi.
Those Byakugan were calm and deep, with no testing, only a statement.
"Thank you."
...
After seeing Haruko off, Hiashi fell into deep thought.
For Haruko to defeat a Hyuga Jonin like Takashi at his age, his talent was no less than Kakashi Hatake, who became a Jonin at 12, or Uchiha Itachi, who joined the Anbu at 12.
Moreover, Haruko did not seem to have used his full strength, because—
He recalled the Chakra pathways he had glimpsed with his Byakugan, faintly visible within Haruko's bones.
Hiashi guessed that Haruko possessed the Shikotsumyaku, so it was no wonder he was designated as a candidate for the Kaguya Clan's patriarch.
Furthermore, Hiruzen Sarutobi personally teaching him the Rasengan showed that the old man's regard for Haruko far exceeded the surface.
It was foreseeable that when Haruko's identity was made public, Taketori Sanuki and Hiruzen Sarutobi would inevitably clash.
He had originally wanted to invest further to win him over, but now he had to consider it carefully.
"...Leave the choice to Haruko. Unless he speaks up, it is better for the Hyuga not to be too proactive."
After careful consideration, Hiashi made the decision to provide passive support.
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