Without a hint of hesitation, Riku brought up the attribute panel only he could see. As he expected, the changes were displayed with absolute clarity:
Ninjutsu: Clone Technique (E): Lv10 (MAX) (Breakthrough possible)
Ninjutsu: Transformation Technique (E): Lv10 (MAX) (Breakthrough possible)
Ninjutsu: Substitution Technique (E): Lv10 (MAX) (Breakthrough possible)
Spirit Devour (B): Lv10 (MAX) (Breakthrough possible)
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique (C): Lv1 (362 / 400) (Other Fire Release Ninjutsu folded)
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough (C): Lv1 (276 / 400)
Taijutsu: Hyuga Gentle Fist (C): Lv9 (1486 / 3600)
Sealing Technique: Sealing Pulse Seal - Evil Break (B): MAX (Breakthrough possible)
Ninjutsu: Body Flicker Technique (C): Lv8 (2691 / 3200)
Dōjutsu: Byakugan (A): Lv7 (12197 / 51200)
Byakugan: Intimidation (A): Lv6 (589 / 25600)
Free Experience Points: 0
Evaluation: Jonin? No. Your limits are far beyond expectations. Your Kekkei Genkai (Bloodline Limit) seems to have undergone a transformation!
Riku's previously mastered Ninjutsu showed no drastic change, but his Byakugan, the signature Dōjutsu of the Hyuga bloodline, had clearly evolved. His Byakugan level jumped to Lv7, unlocking the potential to explore powers that had previously remained hidden. Not only had its visual range expanded dramatically, but a brand-new skill had appeared on the panel: Byakugan: Intimidation.
As one of the most orthodox powers of the Ōtsutsuki Clan, the Byakugan had always been a formidable Dōjutsu, comparable—even superior in some respects—to the Sharingan. Riku knew the potential it contained; Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, the progenitor of chakra itself, had wielded a Byakugan capable of astonishing offensive and genjutsu capabilities.
Before transmigrating, Riku had only considered himself a descendant of the Six Paths Sage, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, and focused entirely on following that evolutionary path. In his previous assumptions, the Byakugan had a singular evolutionary trajectory: the Tenseigan. But now, he realized how naive that idea had been.
The Tenseigan might indeed be one evolutionary direction, but it was far from the only one. The Byakugan, as the primordial Dōjutsu of the Ōtsutsuki Clan, contained immense untapped potential. Byakugan: Intimidation was living proof. Though its name suggested a purely mental attack, the skill also possessed immense physical potency. Its effect resembled the repulsive force controlled by the Rinnegan, albeit currently limited to a radius of five meters around Riku.
With it, he could stun opponents weaker than himself, or even rip them apart with the sheer force of the repulsion. Both effects were devastating. Properly applied, this skill alone could cause Riku's combat power to surge drastically. In fact, right now, he felt confident he could effortlessly destroy anyone in the laboratory—except Orochimaru.
Riku didn't rush. He understood the sheer danger Orochimaru posed. Without soul-crushing power, even his newfound abilities were not enough to reliably defeat the legendary mad scientist. Exposing his strength prematurely could make him a target next time they crossed paths.
Despite the caution, Riku recognized the benefits he had gained from Orochimaru. The previous encounter had taught him the Sealing Jutsu, allowing him to break the Caged Bird Seal. Now, he had acquired Hashirama cells. Even without immediate application, these gifts had elevated his power significantly.
Though not reflected on the panel, he could feel his body had changed. His life essence had increased. His upper limits had expanded. His growth potential had skyrocketed. For someone like him, gifted with cheat-like abilities, such increases were meaningful—but the Hashirama cells had also granted tangible power. His Chakra had tripled. Previously sufficient for a Chunin, he was now verging on Jonin-level strength. Within days, even without using Spirit Devour, he would surpass this threshold naturally.
The cells also bolstered his vitality and recovery, comparable to Tsunade's prime. Riku's Taijutsu potential had likewise surged; in time, he might even develop devastating techniques of his own, akin to the legendary "Monster Strength Fist."
The one disappointment was his inability to inherit Wood Release. Though the cells contained the legendary power that had once pacified the ninja world, it seemed he lacked the affinity. Riku would have to forgo spectacular techniques like Wood Golem, Wood Dragon, Great Buddha, or the Thousand-Armed Kan'on—at least for now.
Yet even without these, his base strength now firmly merited Jonin-level evaluation. With better combat experience, Riku might already rival an Elite Jonin. A six-year-old at this level? In any clan, he would be considered a prodigy, perhaps the greatest genius Konoha had seen.
However, his identity imposed strict limitations. As a member of the Hyuga branch family, he was born to serve the main line. Exceptional power brought danger, not admiration. If he drew attention, he risked suppression—or even assassination. Branch family members who "outgrew" their place were often eliminated.
Riku understood this all too well. He would hide his strength, bide his time, and grow until he could overturn the rigid hierarchy. Jonin-level power was insufficient; he would need to reach Kage-level—or beyond—to truly claim freedom.
Closing his eyes, Riku slowly clenched his fist. At this moment, he felt the trajectory of his destiny solidify. His path was no longer just about survival or incremental growth—it was about seizing absolute power and freedom, shaping the future on his terms.
He opened his eyes again, scanning the lab. Orochimaru was still immersed in his experiments, unsuspecting. Riku knew he could act, but restraint was necessary. Every action had consequences, and one misstep could make him a target. Patience was as critical as power.
With his new abilities, Riku began testing limits quietly. A small motion of his Byakugan: Intimidation repelled a steel tool across the lab. He could sense its effect without a sound—just the invisible pressure radiating outward. The repulsive force was subtle yet precise, capable of incapacitating the unprepared.
Next, he focused on Chakra flow. Tripling his reserves felt surreal. Where he once needed careful economy, now he could afford lavish, aggressive techniques without fear of exhaustion. Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, elemental jutsus—he could integrate them seamlessly.
Even the Spirit Devour skill hinted at future breakthroughs. At Lv10, it could absorb power beyond conventional limits. If combined with Hashirama cells, his potential growth curve was staggering. Within months, Riku could become unstoppable, especially if he kept enhancing his Byakugan evolution.
He also contemplated strategic alliances. Orochimaru, despite being a threat, was a source of rare knowledge and resources. Eliminating him now would yield immediate gain, but also potentially burn future opportunities. Patience again proved its worth: learning first, striking later.
Riku's mind wandered to broader possibilities. The Byakugan's potential was immense, far beyond what had been recorded in Hyuga history. If he could master it fully, not only could he surpass traditional elite shinobi, but he could challenge legends like the Kages themselves. Mental, physical, and elemental attacks—all became tools in his hands.
He envisioned battlefield scenarios, carefully analyzing the synergy of his skills. Body Flicker could combine with repulsion techniques to create unpredictably lethal attacks. Transformation and Substitution jutsus allowed deceptive maneuvers. Even Clone Technique, often considered basic, could be weaponized with Chakra efficiency in mind.
Above all, he realized that true power was invisible until revealed at the right moment. Just like his Byakugan evolution, which had been dormant until now, every skill could be amplified with the right conditions. The Hashirama cells had unlocked that potential.
For the first time, Riku truly felt he was no longer constrained by his lineage or age. Jonin-level was a milestone, not a ceiling. With calculated training, tactical patience, and opportunistic aggression, he could ascend further, reaching heights no Hyuga—or even Konoha—had ever dreamed.
He turned his gaze back to Orochimaru, suppressing the urge to act immediately. Even with his current strength, patience was power. Every lesson Orochimaru offered, every cell infusion, every experiment survived was a stepping stone to freedom.
Freedom. That word resonated deeply. It wasn't just about leaving the shackles of a branch family—it was about redefining what a shinobi could be, unbound by tradition, bloodline, or fear. And Riku was determined to claim it.
The lab was silent, yet tension thrummed invisibly. Riku's body and mind were attuned to every vibration. He could feel strength surging within him, untamed and limitless. His fists clenched once more, heart racing with anticipation.
The Byakugan shimmered faintly, a silent promise of future dominance. With it, Riku wasn't just growing—he was ascending, stepping onto a path that would one day allow him to overturn destiny itself.
And in that quiet moment, with eyes half-closed, he smiled. The world had not yet seen his full power. But it would.
Riku's journey had truly begun.
FOR MORE CHAPTERS
patreon.com/Johnybairstow