The Land of Water is surrounded by the sea on all sides, creating such a geographical environment.
If this were during a wartime period, such a position might be considered an advantage. However, if located during a peaceful era, then this advantage would completely transform into a disadvantage.
Of course, even during wartime, the Land of Water's geographical position is better suited for defense than offense.
This is likely the reason why Kirigakure has not gained much benefit through the several ninja wars.
After all, medium to large vessels—essential for crossing the ocean—are not something ordinary civilians can obtain.
As for small boats?
If one doesn't want to be capsized by a single wave, then forget about using a small boat to travel to other countries.
In Yuto's view, this disadvantage would severely affect the development of the Land of Water.
Whether for the goal of unifying the ninja world or for the rapid development of the Land of Water, Yuto needed to resolve the current situation where the Land of Water remained in a semi-isolated state.
Of course, the current Land of Water cannot feel this disadvantage.
To be precise, not only the Land of Water, but other major nations also cannot feel the inherent drawbacks they possess.
Since the end of the Warring States period and the establishment of the ninja world, calculating on average, a great war occurs every twenty years.
Twenty years is likely only enough time for the major hidden villages that have just experienced war to rest and recover briefly, let alone achieve development of the ninja world.
On a beach at the border of the Land of Water.
"Gentle Fist Art—Eight Trigrams One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms!"
Accompanied by a light shout, Neji, with his Byakugan activated, instantly charged toward Yuto's direction.
Strike after strike, faster and faster, aimed at the various chakra points all over Yuto's body, unleashing without reservation.
Neji's attacks were incredibly fast. To an outsider, it seemed that in an instant, Yuto's entire body was already covered by Neji's hands.
However, only Neji, who was in the center of the battle, knew that all his numerous attacks were being parried by the man before him.
And using the same double palms!
After the final one hundred twenty-eight palms landed, Neji quickly retreated several steps, maintaining his attack stance while breathing heavily.
Although Neji had long expected this result, he was still shocked by Yuto's method of completely neutralizing his moves with the same type of attack.
Neji was well aware that just now, Yuto hadn't used power significantly exceeding his own, yet he easily dismantled the strongest technique he currently mastered.
Yuto lightly brushed off the dust on his clothes from the recent battle, his face calm as he walked toward Neji.
"Eight Trigrams Palm is indeed a decent technique. Especially when combined with your Hyuga clan's Byakugan, as long as a chakra point is struck, in a sense, your opponent has already taken half a step toward defeat."
"But all of this is predicated on your ability to actually strike your opponent."
Yuto patiently explained to Neji while walking, continuing:
"The method I just used is one of the ways to easily handle your Hyuga clan's Eight Trigrams Palm. Moreover, this kind of technique is something ordinary ninjas can learn."
One of the methods?
Ordinary ninjas can learn it too?
Hearing this, Neji was clearly stunned.
Neji had originally thought that Yuto was simply relying on his own powerful strength to easily catch his moves, but now it seems that wasn't the case.
"Pure taijutsu-type ninjas, relying on reaction speed alone, wouldn't find it too difficult to completely evade your movements. Even if they can't evade, as long as they attach chakra to their hands, they can block your attacks."
"However, achieving this is very difficult, and such taijutsu-type ninjas don't pose much threat to you."
Yuto's calm voice rang beside Neji's ear.
Neji fell into a brief silence, then nodded gently.
Yuto's words reminded Neji of ninjas like Rock Lee and Might Guy.
"The third type would be ninjas who possess kekkei genkai doujutsu like yours, such as the Uchiha clan, and Ranmaru from the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist."
Neji nodded silently again. Both the Sharingan and Ranmaru's mysterious red eyes had a significant restraining effect on his Byakugan.
Facing such ninjas, if he relied solely on Eight Trigrams Palm, he would undoubtedly lose.
Thinking of Uchiha Sasuke, who had left like him, Neji couldn't help but clench his fists tightly.
He absolutely could not be surpassed by that guy!
Seeing Neji's silent expression, Yuto merely glanced at him before withdrawing his gaze and continuing:
"If you can overcome the first two types by improving your own strength, but facing the last type, you have absolutely no method at all."
When Yuto reached this point, his tone became solemn.
Clatter! Clatter!
Sounds of chains colliding rang out from Yuto's body.
Several Adamantine Sealing Chains wrapped around Yuto at an extremely fast speed, forming a special layer of defense.
Seeing this scene, Neji couldn't help but freeze in shock.
Because Neji knew he couldn't break through such a defense at all.
"The Uchiha clan's Mangekyou Sharingan possesses a defense similar to this. If you want to defeat Uchiha Sasuke next time you meet him, the first problem you need to solve is dealing with something like this defense!"
Yuto retracted the Adamantine Sealing Chains, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"Mangekyou Sharingan? What is that?"
Neji stared blankly at this scene, recalling what Yuto had just said, a confused expression appearing on his face.
Hearing Neji's puzzled question, this time it was Yuto who was stunned.
Then Yuto suddenly understood. The current Neji probably didn't even know what the Mangekyou Sharingan was.
Thinking of this, a trace of helplessness flashed through Yuto's eyes.
You consider Uchiha Sasuke your rival, yet you don't even understand the other party's kekkei genkai.
Yuto didn't say this out loud, merely complaining in his heart.
Next, as Neji watched with an amazed expression, Yuto roughly explained the progression of the Sharingan.
Of course, Yuto didn't explain the specific abilities of the Mangekyou Sharingan. Not to intentionally hide it, but as a test for Neji when he fights Uchiha Sasuke in the future.
It would also prove whether Hyuga Neji had enough value to be worth his continued cultivation.
Yuto never considered himself a good person. So, if there was no value, Yuto wouldn't mind giving up.
When Neji learned that above the three-tomoe Sharingan, there actually existed the Mangekyou Sharingan, a trace of envy flashed through his eyes.
Compared to the Sharingan, the Byakugan's abilities were indeed somewhat monotonous.
However, Neji quickly regained his composure, looking at Yuto with determined eyes.
Hyuga Neji was never someone who gave up easily!
"Please teach me, Lord Yuto!"
Neji bowed deeply, his face filled with respect and anticipation as he spoke.
"I called you out this time naturally to teach you."
Seeing Neji so respectful, Yuto casually waved his hand.
Just as Yuto was about to continue speaking.
Yuto's expression suddenly paused, then he raised his head to look at the distant sea surface, a smile appearing on his face:
"It seems the ship has arrived. The teaching can wait for now. There will be plenty of time on the ship."
Neji also raised his head to look at the distant sea surface, where a medium-sized ship was heading in their direction.
[
Hey everyone,
I need to tell you what's actually happening.
I just got hit with mass cancellations. On top of being buried in academics until the 9th. I'm in deep financial trouble right now—like, genuinely don't-know-how-I-cover-next-month trouble.
I want to do more for you. I have another Naruto fic ready to drop the moment this academic hell ends. But I can't keep creating if I can't survive.
I'm not powerless about the work—I know I can deliver for you. But I'm powerless to stop the bleeding alone.
If you've ever thought about supporting, this is the moment. Not "someday." Now.
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]