The final version will stay close to the origina
What was once a harmonious gathering shattered in an instant—broken by the arrival of an outsider.
Thinking of Riku, Hyuga Yuto's resentment flared once more. He still remembered being scolded by his grandfather—all because of that Branch Family member!
Fuming, Yuto stormed off and immediately went to find Hyuga Seisai, the instructor responsible for his personal ninja training.
"Teacher Seisai, I need your help!" Yuto said, his tone sharp and urgent.
Hyuga Seisai, dressed in a crisp white martial arts uniform, turned his calm gaze toward him. His features were sharp, his bearing strict, and the vertical crease between his brows made his already-rigorous presence feel suffocating.
Upon hearing Yuto's request, the furrow in Seisai's brow deepened slightly. Still, his voice remained patient and measured.
"Young Master Yuto, there's no need for such urgency. As a member of the Branch Family, it is my duty to assist you. What is the matter?"
Seisai spoke with the obedience of a man who understood his place. As a "tool" personally cultivated by Hinata Katyu, he had long accepted his role without question.
Yuto, hearing that respectful tone, regained some of his lost composure. His irritation faded, replaced by the smugness befitting a member of the Main Family.
"Ah, it's nothing major," Yuto said, pretending to sound casual. "Grandfather found a new guard for me, and I'd like you to help train him properly."
He crossed his arms, his expression serious.
"After all, as my guard, it would be a shame if he turned out mediocre in the future."
Of course, that wasn't the real reason.
Yuto simply wanted to use Seisai to teach someone a lesson.
Seisai saw through the boy's intentions immediately. Having served by Hinata Katyu's side for decades, he understood the politics of the clan better than most.
Still, a Main Family member's request was not one he could refuse. Besides, a new recruit did need to be "tempered."
He nodded, an idea already forming in his mind.
"Don't worry, Young Master Yuto," he said solemnly. "I will make sure you're satisfied."
Hearing that, Yuto's eyes lit up. He almost tried to pat Seisai's shoulder like his grandfather often did—but quickly realized he couldn't even reach that high.
Before the awkwardness could settle, Seisai smoothly bent his knees and lowered his posture in a deep, respectful bow—bringing his shoulder down to Yuto's height.
It was a gesture of perfect subservience.
Yuto, pleased, patted Seisai's shoulder with satisfaction. "That's more like it," he thought. "Truly a competent teacher."
Meanwhile, Riku had finally arrived in the Main Family's residential area.
Though they were all Hyuga by name, the distance between the Main and Branch Families was like an invisible wall.
The Main Family lived in spacious, elegant courtyards with high walls and carved gates. The Branch Family, on the other hand, lived in small, humble wooden houses.
Ordinary Branch members weren't even allowed to enter this place without permission.
The rule was strict—and yet, outsiders from other clans could enter freely.
It was ironic.
And painfully real.
Riku stared up at the tall courtyard walls, remembering his own modest home. A wave of quiet injustice rose in his chest.
Still, he walked forward through the open gate.
Along the way, Main Family members paused to look at him—more specifically, at the blue cursed seal etched on his forehead.
Their gazes were cold, curious, and faintly disdainful.
Only when Riku stepped inside Hinata Katyu's mansion did those eyes finally fade away.
He exhaled softly, a small sigh of relief escaping his lips, then continued deeper inside.
A servant quickly appeared and bowed.
"By Elder Katyu's order, you are to meet Young Master Yuto for training."
Riku nodded silently and followed.
When he arrived at the training grounds, Yuto was already practicing his daily routines—swift, controlled movements filled with the Hyuga clan's signature precision.
He didn't even glance at Riku. But from the corner of his eye, he exchanged a look with Seisai.
Hyuga Seisai immediately understood.
He stepped forward, his movements steady and deliberate, and stopped before Riku.
There was no warmth in his expression—only cold professionalism.
"You are the one assigned as Young Master Yuto's guard, correct?"
Riku nodded slightly.
"Good. I am Hyuga Seisai—Young Master Yuto's instructor and, from this day forward, your teacher as well."
He took a formal stance, feet firm, body slightly angled.
"Show me, then. Let me see how much ninja talent you possess."
The challenge was clear.
Riku tensed.
The instant Seisai moved, Riku felt the air tighten—his entire body seemed to lock under the older man's gaze. That killing intent wasn't even hidden.
He sighed inwardly.
So that's how it is.
He could sense the hostility behind Seisai's words.
But when his eyes caught the faint trace of blue beneath Seisai's headband—the same cursed mark as his own—something flickered in his chest.
Pity, maybe.
Or anger.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something—
—but Seisai didn't give him the chance.
In a blur of motion, the older man appeared right in front of him.
Gentle Fist—Single Palm Strike!
The blow hit cleanly.
Riku was sent flying backward, pain blooming through his chest as he hit the ground.
Seisai straightened his stance, his voice calm but filled with cold admonition.
"Don't think that just because we share the Branch Family mark, I will show you mercy."
"As Young Master Yuto's guard, you must train twice as hard!"
His words cut through the air, sharp as his strikes.
"Hesitation before battle. Distraction during combat. Despair after a fall—these are all weaknesses!"
Another blow landed, faster than Riku could block.
"You have too many flaws. Compared to Young Master Yuto, you fall short in every way!"
Palm after palm struck, each one punctuated by Seisai's cold voice.
"I don't know why Elder Huoshu favors you so much, but remember—such kindness must be repaid with your life if necessary!"
Riku barely managed to stay conscious under the onslaught. The air itself seemed to shake with every hit.
He wanted to reply—wanted to curse this hypocrisy—but the only sound that came out was a strangled gasp.
Finally, he coughed and spat blood.
He didn't know if it was from the blows…
or from how nauseating Seisai's words were.
To Seisai, this was noble discipline.
To Riku, it was something else entirely.
A house dog—obedient, broken, collared, and proud of it.
That's what Hyuga Seisai was.
And the worst part?
He didn't even realize it.
Riku lay sprawled on the ground, every limb screaming in pain. His vision blurred—and then two translucent notifications flickered before his eyes:
[Taijutsu: Hyuga Gentle Fist experience +43]
[Free Experience +25]
"Huh?" Riku blinked in disbelief.
Even getting beaten half to death could earn experience?
Suddenly, the pain didn't seem so bad.
A strange, tingling energy coursed through his body—like invisible threads stitching his wounds together, restoring a fraction of his strength.
He staggered to his feet, trembling, and faced Seisai again.
But this time, his expression was… different.
He wasn't angry.
He wasn't afraid.
He was looking at Seisai as if he'd just found a goldmine.
A living, breathing, experience generator.
Seisai noticed that look and misunderstood completely.
In his eyes, Riku's trembling figure, the stubborn light in his gaze—it all spoke of resolve.
He thought:
"Even after being defeated, he still stands. This child truly embodies the spirit of the Hyuga Branch Family—unyielding and disciplined!"
He nodded to himself, satisfied.
"Indeed, Lord Huoshu's judgment is impeccable. This one truly has potential."
Riku, meanwhile, could barely keep his grin from showing.
"Not bad…" he thought wryly. "If I can gain experience just by taking hits, then maybe this won't be so unbearable after all."
Pain aside, his heart was oddly light.
He flexed his fingers, feeling that mysterious power settling into his muscles—subtle, but real.
Then, with shaky determination, he got back into stance.
"Teacher Seisai," he said weakly but clearly, "please… continue."
Seisai's brows lifted ever so slightly.
Then he smiled, for the first time that day.
"Good. You're finally starting to understand."
And with that, he struck again.
The sound of fists and palms filled the courtyard—harsh, rhythmic, like a brutal melody echoing through the Hyuga estate.
Somewhere on the edge of consciousness, Riku's thoughts flickered.
"A house dog that bites is still a dog…"
"…but a dog that learns can survive."
And as the next notification blinked into view—
[Taijutsu: Hyuga Gentle Fist experience +71]
[Free Experience +34]
—Riku's grin widened despite the blood at the corner of his mouth.
For the first time since entering the Main Family's walls, he didn't feel powerless.
He felt alive.
End of Chapter 008 – Family Dog