Just outside the Hyuga clan's compound, atop a nearby rooftop
"Flying with the Chakra-Enhanced Body Flicker Technique is such a thrill. But what really gets me going… is the future Hinata's got in store…"
From his high perch, Ye Wudi looked down at the grand gates of the Hyuga estate, the corner of his mouth curling as he readied himself for action once more.
Because standing at those very gates, waiting for him, was none other than the Hyuga clan's prodigy Hyuga Neji.
"Yo, Neji! I've brought Hinata home again for the nth time!"
"…Hmph?"
Neji frowned slightly as Ye Wudi descended from the sky.
This guy… he's gotten faster again?
With that thought, Neji gave a slight signal to the guards beside him.
"You lot, escort the young lady back to her quarters."
"Yes, sir!"
It had been years now. Every time Hinata came back late on her own, she'd end up being escorted home by Ye Wudi.
At first, the Hyuga clan assigned people to watch over them, but after a while, they all got used to it.
Especially once they realized Hinata's potential couldn't compare to Hanabi's. From then on, the clan simply stopped caring about whatever went on between Hinata and Ye Wudi.
As long as nothing serious happened, it was fine.
After all, a girl like Hinata, lacking talent, was destined to become nothing more than a pawn in a future marriage alliance.
Of course, none of that mattered to Neji.
What mattered to him… was the boy standing in front of him!
"Come on. Let's finish what we started last time. This time, I swear I'm going to land a hit!"
That boy had no kekkei genkai, no special bloodline limit just a civilian. But through sheer perseverance and relentless training, he'd honed his speed over ten long years.
In combat, even with Neji enhancing himself with chakra, and even without using his Byakugan or any jutsu, Ye Wudi could still suppress him just with speed!
As the Hyuga clan's genius, Neji couldn't stand to be outdone.
"To land a hit? Neji, you're still as weird as ever."
Ye Wudi playfully took a step back, pretending to be flustered as he shrugged casually.
"Sorry, I only like Hinata. You're a good guy and all, but we're just not meant to be."
"…!"
Neji's face darkened immediately.
This bastard… still as infuriating as ever!
Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving 99 points of negative emotion from Hyuga Neji!
Friendly reminder: Once you reach 100,000 negative emotion points, you can draw a lottery spin!
Oh?
So this is the so-called negative emotion system?
But it takes a hundred thousand points for a single draw? That's… intense.
Still, in that case Neji, guards of the Hyuga clan…
What I'm about to do next… well, let's just say sorry in advance.
"Ye Wudi! Stop talking nonsense and take this!"
"Hrah!"
With everyone watching, Neji burst forward, chakra surging through his limbs as he launched his attack.
"Oh? You've gotten a lot faster since last time."
"Of course. Every time I fail to touch you, I double my training!"
Hearing that, Ye Wudi smiled faintly.
Double training?
Indeed, if not for the system I awakened today… maybe you really would've touched my shirt this time.
But unfortunately, there are no 'what ifs' in this world.
Today, I am no longer the same.
In short invincible.
Whoosh!
Before everyone's eyes, Ye Wudi narrowly dodged Neji's piercing hand strike.
A split second later, he was already behind Neji, their backs nearly touching.
"What?"
Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving 99 points of negative emotion from Hyuga Neji!
While Neji stood frozen in disbelief, Ye Wudi remained calm, speaking in a relaxed tone.
"Neji, you really are impressive undeniably the pride of the Hyuga clan's younger generation."
"But when it comes to pure speed…"
Just then, Ye Wudi spotted someone spying from atop the Hyuga compound wall.
It was Hinata, crouching behind the gate, peeking down nervously.
Smiling, Ye Wudi suddenly turned on the charm. A radiant, confident grin lit up his face and when Hinata saw it, steam practically burst from her ears as her body wobbled on the spot.
"W-Wudi… Wudi-nii is… looking at me. H-He looks… so cool…"
And then, like a flower meeting spring breeze
Hinata fainted on the spot.
The nearby guards panicked and rushed to catch her.
"Someone help! Lady Hinata has passed out again! Damn it, Ye Wudi! Get someone out here!"
Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving 666 points of negative emotion from Hyuga clan guards!
Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving 666 points of negative emotion from Hyuga Neji!
Neji?
Ye Wudi seemed to think of something, an almost innocent look flickering across his face before he turned around
Just in time for Neji to strike at his back with both palms.
"Sure, attacking from behind is dirty but you took your eyes off me in the middle of a fight!"
"Fight? I never agreed to fight you. And anyway, what fight could possibly be more important than Hinata?"
And just as those words left his mouth, the guards had just managed to wake Hinata
Only for her to faint again!
"Don't go! Someone stop them! Lady Hinata passed out again!"
"…!"
Watching Ye Wudi fixated on Hinata the entire time made Neji's forehead veins bulge with fury.
If not for his obsession with beating Ye Wudi fairly, he would've long since unleashed his Byakugan and jutsu.
Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving 666 points of negative emotion from Hyuga clan guards!
Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving 999 points of negative emotion from Hyuga Neji!
999 points?
That's rage overload, huh?
Realizing this, Ye Wudi suddenly clasped a single hand into a seal before everyone's eyes.
Water Mist Mirage: Flicker Mode!
At the same time, Neji, consumed by fury, charged with every ounce of his chakra.
"Ye Wudi! Face me in a proper fight!"
Whoosh!
But just as Neji's hand was about to land on Ye Wudi's body
The boy vanished.
In the blink of an eye, he reappeared beside the Hyuga gates.
"I told you. When it comes to speed, you'll never beat me."
Ye Wudi leaned against the gate. And somehow, a rose had appeared in his hand.
When Neji saw this, he froze. He no longer moved forward.
Was it true? That he'd have to use jutsu or his Byakugan just to defeat this guy?
And that seal he just made… was it really a jutsu?
No, that's impossible. Ye Wudi didn't know any ninjutsu, let alone one-handed seals…
"Quick, someone help! Lady Hinata's fainted again again!"
"You damn brat, if the clan head hadn't ordered us not to touch you, I'd have beaten you to death by now!"
Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving 999 points of negative emotion from Hyuga clan guards!
While Neji was deep in thought, a panicked shout snapped him out of it.
And the moment he looked toward the commotion
He froze.
Because at the heart of it all was, of course, the same person.
Ye Wudi.
The bastard now had a rose in his mouth, pinning Hinata gently against the gate, gazing into her eyes like a poet possessed.
"Hinata, you're my lucky star. With you, even the coldest night feels warm. The road ahead always looks bright and beautiful."
"I-I'm… Wudi-nii's… lucky star…? Mmm…"
Thud!
With cheeks scarlet and steam rising from her head, Hinata fainted once more this time flat on her back, glowing like a ripe cherry blossom.
Neji sighed, shaking his head. He didn't even bother looking anymore.
Instead, he turned to Ye Wudi and muttered quietly
"Ye Wudi… you win again today. But next time, I swear I'll"
"…Huh? Where'd he go?"
Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving 99 points of negative emotion from Hyuga Neji!
While Neji stood there, baffled, Ye Wudi was already back atop the rooftop from before, snapping his fingers with a smirk.
"Little Neji, you've got a long way to go. Victory? It'll never be as important as a girl."
"A fair fight? Nah. That's not how I survive. Flashy entrances, dramatic escapes… that's the real deal."
"I'm off. Later, Neji-nii!"
Whoosh!
With everyone watching, Ye Wudi leaned backward and tumbled off the rooftop.
But the moment he dropped out of sight
He vanished completely.
Body Flicker!
"…!"
Staring at the empty rooftop, Neji clenched his teeth, face filled with frustration.
Then, tilting his head back, he shouted into the sky:
"Ye Wudi! Just wait I'll surpass you soon!"
"Next time… I will touch you!"
Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving 666 points of negative emotion from Hyuga Neji!
Step, step, step…
Just then, two shadowy figures appeared at the Hyuga compound gate.
Four eyes stared silently at Neji and Hinata.
Ding! Congratulations to the host for receiving 999 points of negative emotion from the Hyuga Clan Elders!