C2 Return to the Heavens Inject the Nature Change!

"Return!?"

The realization dawned on them, but it was already too late.

A massive wave of Chakra...

Neji's rotation accelerated—it was the true Eight Trigrams Palm: Heaven's Return!

In an instant, they were swept up in the churning Chakra vortex, then violently ejected!

This was not a technique meant for the Branch Family, especially not for someone deemed the weakest link!

They were flung five or six meters, landing with two solid thumps, Qingtian and Gintoki sprawled on the ground.

"Damn you...!"

Gintoki, having been more forceful, felt the recoil with equal intensity, rendering him momentarily speechless.

"Heaven's Return? You've actually mastered it?"

Qingtian, struggling to his feet, cried out incredulously.

Neji, a short distance away, remained unfazed.

This technique, practiced against a wooden post at least twenty thousand times, was second nature to him.

Indeed, to use a new technique, the system demanded ten thousand practice repetitions on a post, and just as many to enhance its potency...

"I've seen my grandfather perform it, there's no mistake. This is the authentic secret technique of the Hyuga Clan, the Eight Trigrams Palm: Heaven's Return!"

Qingtian's brow creased, as if facing a significant threat.

Gintoki, in disbelief, questioned, "How could a nobody like you learn Heaven's Return? And who would've taught you? Could it be..."

Hyuga Neji's breathing evened out. It had been a while since his last real combat, but dispatching two Genin was hardly challenging.

However, this rash display might reveal the strength he'd long kept hidden...

At that thought, Neji felt a flicker of regret.

"Ding! Training session concluded. You've gained a total of 496 proficiency points in basic shinobi skills!"

Neji's ear perked up at the system's familiar notification.

"Soft Fist technique proficiency increased by 142 points!"

"Eight Trigrams Palm: Heaven's Return proficiency +110 points!"

"Eight Trigrams Sixty-four Palms proficiency +42 points!"

...

"Combat engagement detected, resulting in a surge of Eight Trigrams Palm: Heaven's Return proficiency by +800 points! Achievement unlocked: First defeat of a Genin-level opponent, with the reward of an injection-type wind attribute Chakra!"

"Combat rewards, too? Why on earth didn't this blasted system tell me sooner?"

"Hey, you two!"

A commanding voice echoed.

It belonged to Hinata Dejian, an esteemed jonin of the Hyuga clan.

Neji, well aware of his pariah status within the clan, took a step back, knowing the elite jonin wouldn't waste his time on him.

"Are you two causing trouble again?"

"No, Uncle Dejian, please just let me explain!"

"Save your explanations, come with me now!"

Dejian didn't wait for Gintoki's rebuttal, grabbing both of them to leave.

As they were leaving, Neji noticed the scornful glares from Gintoki and Aota.

The sight of the 'reject' they scorned, mastering a technique they couldn't, must have been galling.

They could snitch all they wanted! Neji was solely focused on the results of his training for the day.

Post-dinner, Neji returned to his room and opened the system's attribute panel.

"[Host: Hyuga Neji]

[Age: 13]

[Ninja Basic Skills (including foundational techniques such as Throwing) Proficiency Progress: 80% (Reaching 100% completes the novice stage and activates the Proficiency Consumption System!)]

[Rank: Genin of Konoha Village]

(Proficiency levels indicated in parentheses. Achieving the next stage progresses from beginner to adept, requiring 10,000 proficiency points to glimpse the threshold, 30,000 for integration, followed by the realms of perfection, transcendence, and returning to simplicity.)

Ninjutsu: None at present

Body Techniques: Soft Fist - Pressure Point (26,500 / 30,000), Eight Trigrams Palm - Heaven's Return (17,420 / 30,000), Eight Trigrams - 64 Palms (11,960 / 30,000), Eight Trigrams - Vacuum Palm (4,740 / 10,000), Eight Trigrams - Full Body Strike (8,976 / 10,000)

Illusions: None currently

Kekkei Genkai: Byakugan (19,558 / 30,000)

Basic Items: None at the moment

Advanced Items: None

Special Item: "Injection-type Wind Nature Chakra"

"Wind Nature Change?"

"A ninjutsu capable of infusing wind nature into chakra has been detected. Heaven's Return, would you like to proceed with the infusion?"

"Infuse it!"

After a moment's contemplation, Neji decided to go ahead with the infusion.

Simply striving for honesty and strength was no longer enough for him; he craved a new endeavor!

...

As night descended upon a nearby clearing, the brilliant light subsided, but the swirling winds still danced in the air.

Neji panted, his gaze falling upon his quivering hands.

"More than ten consecutive shots. Is this my limit?"

The addition of nature transformation made Heaven's Return spin as if blessed by the gods, with an ease and fluidity unlike ever before.

Neji could feel that his Heaven's Return was now exponentially stronger than it had been!

After a few deep breaths, Neji's breathing evened out.

He took a deep breath, readying himself for another try.

But as he activated his Byakugan, he was taken aback.

"Who's out there?!"

"It's... it's me, Brother Neji!" came Hinata's voice.

Hinata stepped out shyly, wrapped in a fluffy coat, her whole presence—from her eyes to her hairstyle—radiating an innate cuteness.

"Hinata, why aren't you in bed?"

Watching Hinata come closer, Neji's expression grew tender.

Ever since he had joined the Hyuga Clan, they had all written him off as a failure, all except for Hinata, who had consistently treated him with the utmost gentleness. This kindness was precisely why Neji couldn't stand to hear Gintoki's insults directed at her.

Hinata stood before Neji and asked in a hushed tone, "Brother Neji, did you really perfect Heaven's Return?"