Chapter 91: Waking Up with a Byakugan
That night, Haruko rented a large truck, and he and Kaede drove onto the highway.
Even though he was an experienced driver from his previous life, this was Haruko's first time driving a large vehicle.
And Kaede, a novice driver pretending to be an expert, sat in the passenger seat for almost the entire journey.
Although the truck was massive, the way it was driven wasn't much different from a car.
However, the difference in hardware provided a completely different driving experience compared to a small car.
This long-distance trip lasted for two hours, and Haruko didn't pull into a rest area until the vehicle ran out of fuel.
...
Haruko lay on the bed, physical exhaustion and Spiritual satisfaction intertwining, making him feel an unprecedented sense of relaxation.
For a soul that had lived two lives, this was the first time experiencing such complete peace.
No pressure, no schemes, no defenses.
Only pure joy and satisfaction.
Haruko felt his body undergoing some kind of change.
A warm energy flowed through his entire body. This feeling was familiar—it was Natural Energy.
But this time, the Natural Energy was denser and purer than ever before.
If usually lying on a rocking chair in the sun was like passively absorbing Natural Energy in a trickle, then at this moment, his body was like a black hole, pulling in Natural Energy as it surged frantically into him.
Whoosh—
Haruko seemed to hear a vibration in the air.
It wasn't heard with his ears, but perceived by his body.
The Natural Energy drifting between heaven and earth was converging toward this inn, toward this room, and toward Haruko's body.
It even formed tiny vortices visible to the naked eye in the air.
If an ordinary Ninja absorbed this much Natural Energy, they would have turned into a stone frog or something else long ago.
But Haruko was different.
Haruko closed his eyes, feeling the changes in his body.
He could clearly feel every cell in his body cheering, dividing, and evolving.
And the most dramatic change was in his eyes.
A burning sensation came from his eyes, as if something was awakening, followed immediately by a cool feeling.
His vision changed.
Even with his eyes closed, and even in this pitch-black room, everything around him was still clear.
—Except the vision was in black and white.
He could see Kaede sleeping soundly beside him; not just her surface, but through her skin, seeing the Chakra flowing slowly within her, and her skeletal meridians showing faint characteristics of the Kaguya Clan.
"...Hmm? Kaede shouldn't be able to use Shikotsumyaku, but these meridians... is the potential inherent, or is it because of... me?"
But now there were more important things to confirm.
"Water Release: Water Mirror."
Haruko casually used a lifestyle Ninjutsu to create a "mirror," then slowly opened his eyes.
Those originally light gray pupils had turned into a pure, flawless white.
"Is this... the Byakugan?"
Haruko raised his hand and touched the corner of his eye.
There were no bulging veins—Chakra meridians—around his eyes.
But he could feel Natural Energy gathering toward his eyes; it should be what was supporting the consumption of the Byakugan.
"It makes sense; both the Kaguya Clan and Hyuga are descendants of Hamura. I just didn't expect it to awaken in this way..."
Bloodline Atavism had finally achieved a qualitative leap at this moment.
Haruko looked at himself in the mirror and couldn't help but chuckle self-deprecatingly, "What is this? A dual Training technique? Yin-yang harmony? Or the power of love?"
"Haruko?"
Kaede's voice came from behind him.
Haruko turned around and saw her sitting on the bed, concern in her eyes.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
"I'm fine." Haruko pulled that soft body back into his arms, "I just feel some changes."
"What changes... Your eyes?!"
Haruko looked at her and nodded: "Yeah, I've become stronger."
Kaede blinked: "Legends say the Kaguya Clan and Hyuga share a common ancestor. Is this... because of what just happened?"
"You could say that."
"Is your body okay? Any discomfort?" Kaede suddenly became very anxious.
"No?" Haruko was a bit puzzled, then he understood why.
"Are you worried about the Bloodline Disease? It's fine; if anything, I feel better than before. And..."
With a thought, the Natural Energy stopped flowing in.
The white in his eyes quickly faded, returning to their usual light gray appearance.
"See, it's controllable."
Kaede felt relieved, her face turning red again: "Then... should we do it a few more times?"
Haruko laughed loudly: "You little vixen, do you want to help me with my Training?"
"I'm not a vixen." Kaede snuggled into his arms, "I'm your woman."
"Yes, yes, yes." Haruko lightly kissed her forehead, "You are my woman."
...
The next morning.
Sunlight spilled into the room through the gaps in the curtains.
Kaede woke up groggily, feeling as if her whole body was falling apart with soreness, but her spirit was surprisingly good.
"Awake?" Haruko was sitting by the bed, wearing loose gray cloth clothes, "How do you feel?"
"Tired." Kaede was honest, "But very comfortable."
"What are you looking at?"
"At you." Haruko's gaze swept over her, "I was wondering if your body has undergone any changes as well."
Kaede was stunned for a moment: "Changes?"
"Last night I absorbed a large amount of Natural Energy; you were so close to me, you should have been affected too." Haruko stood up and walked over to her, "Try and see if you can use Shikotsumyaku."
"Shikotsumyaku?" Kaede blinked, "I've never been able to use it."
"Try it."
Kaede took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
She could feel the Chakra flowing within her, more active than usual.
But...
"I can't." Kaede opened her eyes, a bit disappointed, "I still can't use it."
"That's normal." Haruko wasn't surprised, "Bloodline awakening isn't something that happens overnight. But your Chakra is indeed more active than before, which means we're on the right track."
He paused, a mischievous grin appearing on his face: "It seems we'll have to work harder in the future."
Kaede's face instantly turned red.
"I mean that literally." Haruko patted her hand, "Get up, it's time to head back. If we don't return soon, those girls at the shop will flip out."
...
Ichiraku Ramen Shop.
As soon as Haruko and Kaede pushed open the door, they saw everyone in the shop looking over at them in unison.
Kin, Tayuya, Ayame, and even Teuchi poked his head out from the kitchen.
"Brother Haruko, where did you and Sister Kaede go last night?" Kin spoke first, her gaze shifting between the two.
"Well, we went on a date." Haruko admitted quite openly.
Teuchi patted Haruko's back: "Not bad, kid, you're better than me."
Tayuya spread her hands toward Kin: "See, I told you you were overthinking it. Big brother couldn't possibly be in trouble."
Kin didn't respond but instead winked at Kaede.
Ayame sighed: "As long as Brother Haruko is happy. Sister Kaede, congratulations."
"Thank you..." A blush rose on Kaede's face.
After the commotion, Teuchi clapped his hands to get everyone's attention.
"Everyone, look at me. I have an announcement to make."
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