Hyuga Clan.
"Neji-Brother is so amazing," Hinata said softly after finishing her fight with Neji.
They were only a year apart, yet Neji-Brother was already so powerful, tricking and defeating her with a simple feint.
She had no chance to retaliate at all.
And this became even more apparent over the past month.
She could clearly feel Neji-Brother's progress.
"You're not suited to be a Ninja; you lack the conviction of a Ninja," Neji said, striking her without mercy.
In his heart, he felt the injustice of fate.
Those with great talent were forced to live under the Main House, while Hinata, who lacked the conviction of a Ninja, became part of the Main House simply due to its rules.
The 'fate' he had been struck by earlier by Satoru returned at this moment.
"Neji-Brother..." Hinata's face flushed, but she was already trying hard to change.
It's just...it's just..."Neji, do what you're supposed to do; don't meddle in other matters," Hyuga Hiashi said from the side.
Even he was surprised, as Neji, being a Genin, hadn't displayed his strength in front of him for a long time.
He hadn't expected such rapid growth in strength after only a month of not seeing him.
Could it be that becoming a Genin completely unleashed his potential?
He had noticed before that Neji's talent was the best in the Hyuga, and his current progress only reinforced that belief.
However, his combat experience...at this stage, it shouldn't have reached this level.
Hyuga Hiashi possessed the Byakugan and extensive experience; he could tell at a glance that Neji's combat experience was far beyond what it was a month ago, and his handling of battles was already comparable to that of an average Chunin.
And this was even without Hinata being strong enough to force him to go all out.
How long had Neji been a Genin? Logically, he should still be performing D-rank missions that don't involve Ninja combat.
Even with Hyuga's training, it was too different from before.
According to his information, Might Guy, Neji's current instructor, was a specially promoted Jonin and a representative Ninja of the Konoha Strong Fist style.
Did he really possess such teaching abilities?
Neji said nothing more when he heard this.
The Caged Bird already restricted what he could say; there was no need to continue.
He could only remain silent.
Hinata watched, her emotions constantly fluctuating...
Tenten's family
"Tenten, that's amazing! You've improved so quickly and even developed your own Ninja tools!"
Koizumi gazed at Tenten's new creation, his eyes filled with admiration.
Having risen to power in the Land of Fire through military prowess and now entering politics, he genuinely admired Tenten's talent with Ninja tools.
As someone who had risen from a struggling family, with only one branch left, by relying on military weapons, he was even more pleased with Tenten.
As his daughter, she truly inherited his talent.
He had done the same thing himself, starting with small Ninja tools, making special contributions to their application, and then prospering.
Now that he had a successor, he felt genuinely satisfied.
"Ah~ This Rapid Lasso still has room for improvement; its speed only reaches 90 meters per second.
For a Ninja, it can only be effective at short to medium distances!"
Despite her father's praise, Tenten felt dissatisfied with her creation.
Rapid Lasso.
It was an inspiration she found in Satoru's Genjutsu space.
Adding weights to both ends of a rope, when force is applied, it will entangle the opponent, whether it's their hands or feet, binding them.
And the reason she had this creation was due to Sensei Satoru's guidance.
In the Land of Rain, where special Ninja tools were highly developed, there were many unique Ninja tools forged by individuals, including some that could launch Kunai at incredibly high speeds.
So, she asked her father to procure one to study.
She found inspiration in a Ninja tool that was relatively limited in the Land of Rain.
The new Ninja tool she held in her hand, only palm-sized with two holes at the front, was her latest creation.
By pressing a button, the Ninja tool would launch a lasso at 90 meters per second, with weighted ends like grappling hooks that could latch onto an enemy's body.
It was very important for certain situations.
However, this speed was far from the speed she envisioned.
Reaching 195 meters per second was her target goal.
Furthermore, the limitation of a Rapid Lasso only being able to launch once also displeased her.
"Hahaha, one step at a time. I believe my daughter's talent will surely surpass her father's. Eventually, you'll develop Ninja tools that rival those created by the Six Paths Sage, and they'll become our family's treasured heirloom."
Koizumi laughed heartily.
"My dream is to become a powerful female Ninja like Lady Tsunade, not to develop Ninja tools that rival the Six Paths Sage!" Tenten pouted.
Developing Ninja tools was her hobby, but becoming a female Ninja like Tsunade was her dream....
.........
At the training grounds.
Under Might Guy's tutelage, he finally put on the breathable green jumpsuit.
And after putting it on, Lee also felt that the outfit was very breathable and useful for training.
He had more energy to train than before.
"Teacher Guy, I feel our strength is already very strong. Can we participate in the Chunin Exams in the second half of the year?"
Lee, at this time, was filled with confidence due to Satoru's training and Might Guy's ideological education.
"No, you are still far from it. Starting tomorrow, I will teach you three of my ultimate moves.
Only after you learn it will you have a chance to participate in the Chunin Exams."
Might Guy looked at the eager Lee, and after some thought, still decided not to let them take the exam this year.
Because the Chunin Exams test not only combat ability but also overall comprehensive abilities.
The three of them were still far from ready.
Even if Neji was a genius, his personality, due to the Hyuga, had its own flaws and was not yet suitable to be a Chunin.
Lee's eyes sparkled: "An ultimate move, is it a powerful Ninjutsu like Sensei Satoru's?"
Might Guy: "No, it's an ultimate move even more powerful than his; it's a technique that can only be used to protect someone important."
"Really? That sounds so cool," Lee said, his eyes gleaming.
Might Guy flashed his shining white teeth...
......
Barrier Ninjutsu: Phantom Lock Chains.
Inside the Inverted Bell Barrier Ninjutsu, several figures were suddenly bound by chains that emerged, rendering them immobile.
Bang! Bang!
After confirming the completion of the jutsu, the Barrier Squad members dispelled their Shadow Clones.
"Good, it's been refined a bit more, perfect."
All the Barrier Squad members present cheered.
Satoru watched.
The Barrier Squad's mission was complete; the Third Hokage couldn't ask him to refine it anymore, finally allowing him to leave another post.
He had a little more time.
After the Inverted Bell Barrier Ninjutsu is completed, the members who cast the Barrier Ninjutsu can use their remaining Chakra to lock down enemies still within the barrier.
The sealing ability is equivalent to the combined strength of all Barrier Squad members.
However, it can only be used on one person.