Hinata Hyuga's expression shifted—from shyness, to anger, and finally to icy coldness.
Yasu hadn't expected such a strong reaction from her.
[Ding! Hinata Hyuga affection decreased by 3! Current affection: 30 points! Warning!! Hinata Hyuga has developed murderous intent toward you!]
Finally, half of Yasu's goal had been achieved. Next, he just needed to force Hinata to take action.
Just as Yasu was about to provoke her again, the veins around Hinata's eyes bulged.
"Please… don't make me do this!"
Hinata thrust a palm toward Yasu. Unprepared, he staggered back several steps before finally stabilizing himself.
Yasu's heart leapt in joy.
Hinata had finally attacked—and her strikes were incredibly sharp. Even Yasu hadn't expected her to be this strong.
Then it made sense.
Hinata had always been a prodigy. How else could she have developed her own version of the Gentle Fist, and even mastered techniques like the Twin Lion Fist?
Her delicate demeanor had simply hidden her brilliance all along.
Yet Yasu had no intention of just taking hits.
His real goal wasn't simply to provoke Hinata—it was to have her father, Hiashi Hyuga, recognize her abilities.
The only way to earn that recognition was to strengthen Hinata.
Hinata's attacks came like raindrops upon Yasu.
If Yasu wanted to defeat her, all he needed was a simple "thousand-year kill." But if he wanted to strengthen her, it wasn't so easy.
Her attacks were fast and vicious—but frighteningly inaccurate.
Sure, Yasu was quick, but the main reason was that her Gentle Fist wasn't executed perfectly.
Each strike missed by several centimeters compared to the standard.
In training, such errors might not matter. But in a real fight, it made all the difference.
The Gentle Fist was a Hyuga family legacy, refined over countless generations.
Through countless improvements, it had become nearly perfect.
At full precision, it could quickly drive an opponent to the brink of defeat.
But now, Hinata's Gentle Fist contained deviations, turning an inevitable defeat into a path of survival.
By absorbing her attacks, Yasu quickly understood her habits and techniques—even better than Hinata herself in some places.
Too high!
Too low!
Too slow!
…
Yasu used his own strikes to forcibly bring Hinata's attacks back on track.
Hinata frowned.
Every attack was countered on the back of her hand. Yasu could have blocked more aggressively, but he didn't.
Strangely, Hinata felt that after each correction, her strikes became sharper, her angles trickier, and her power slightly greater.
"Could Yasu be correcting my Gentle Fist?"
She shook her head immediately.
After all, Yasu had just tried to take advantage of her—there was no way he would genuinely help.
Her attacks grew even fiercer. But under Yasu's guidance, each strike felt more precise, forcing even him to frown.
"You little brat! I'll deliver you to kami if you dare hurt her!" Hiashi's murderous aura exploded as he ran forward.
Behind him, a green figure followed.
"Kakashi! Stop Lord Hiashi!" Might Guy shouted anxiously.
Kakashi didn't move. He stood there, lightly smiling, even making a single-hand beckoning gesture.
"Lord Hiashi, if you truly wish to kill Yasu now, I won't stop you."
"Kakashi, what are you saying?"
Might Guy froze, his face turning serious: "Even if that kid can't manage it… I cannot let him die!"
Guy rushed toward Yasu—but didn't get far. Hiashi blocked his path.
"Lord Hiashi, I'm sorry for what Yasu has done today. But he is the future of Konoha Taijutsu. I cannot let him die!"
His skin flushed again as his chakra climbed.
""Guy, you have no daughter—you wouldn't understand. Do you honestly think I'm so weak that I can't handle the two of you? I am the clan leader for a reason." Hiashi said calmly.
"Even if I die, I cannot let Yasu die!"
Hiashi shook his head in resignation. But as soon as he glance at Yasu and his daughter's figh, the murderous aura from before was gone, replaced by surprise.
"This kid… interesting."
Guy noticed that Hiashi no longer radiated killing intent—only appreciation.
Guy was dumbfounded.
Could Hiashi be taking a "sink or swim" approach?
Staying vigilant, Guy slowly peeked at where Hiashi is looking.
Yasu and Hinata continued to spar.
Though Guy had no connection to Hinata, he realized every one of Yasu's attacks was subtly correcting her form.
His heart skipped a beat.
Improving someone's ability was one thing—but teaching through battle? That was far beyond expectations.
Teaching wasn't easy. Only true instructors could do it well.
This meant Yasu had extraordinary teaching talent!
Guy's heart raced.
He had first thought Yasu's taijutsu talent alone could inspire a new wave in Konoha.
But now he realized he was wrong—terribly wrong.
With Yasu's current ability to teach others, he could train one taijutsu prodigy after another.
Konoha would no longer be a weak taijutsu nation—it could become a true powerhouse.
Tears welled in Guy's eyes as his body shook uncontrollably.
He dropped to one knee before Hiashi, eyes resolute.
"Whatever Yasu has done, please spare him! If you are truly angered, take my life instead!"
Hiashi looked at him calmly, expressionless.
"If Yasu has done nothing wrong, I would even matchmake them, or treat him as an honored guest." But Hiashi's tone suddenly grew icy: "If something did happen, he must marry into my Hyuga clan!"
[Ding! Might Guy affection +3! Current affection: 91 points! Can sign-in!]
[Ding! Hyuga Hiashi affection +30! Current affection: 59 points! Can sign-in!]