The emergence of the Iron Fist basic skill was an unexpected surprise for Riku, but even so, he didn't forget his original goal.
After completing this training, his determination toward the path of Iron Fist only grew stronger.
Before, he had merely wanted to expand his skills.
Now, after tasting the sweetness of success, he wished for only one thing — to become a true Iron Fist master!
With the power of Hashirama's cells flowing in his body, his vitality was unimaginably strong, and that resilience made him perfectly suited for taijutsu.
After a brief rest, Riku felt his strength returning.
He leapt up with a crisp carp-jump and stood tall again.
Under Maito Dai's astonished gaze, the Hyuga youth walked toward him step by step.
"Dai-senpai," Riku asked calmly, "you'll still be training here tomorrow, right?"
Maito Dai blinked in confusion but nodded all the same.
"That's good," Riku smiled faintly. "Then I'll be waiting for you here tomorrow too."
Leaving those words behind, he turned and walked away.
Though his figure was disheveled and covered in dust, there was an undeniable coolness about him — like a flame that refused to die.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, his shadow stretched long across the ground, gradually growing until it seemed to merge with the evening sky — a shadow of a future giant, standing tall against the heavens.
Maito Dai watched in silence, a bright light flickering within his pure eyes.
He might have been a "fool" obsessed only with taijutsu, but in moments like this, his intuition was terrifyingly sharp.
He had a strong premonition — that the young Hyuga he met today would one day grow into an incredible powerhouse of the ninja world!
"What an amazing young man," Dai muttered, his chest swelling with emotion. "Might Guy, did you see that? This… this is youth!"
He clenched his fist tightly. "That Hyuga boy actually completed all the training on the very first day! Might Guy, could you have done that at his age?"
The teenage Might Guy, who hadn't yet become the famous Blue Beast of Konoha, thought carefully before nodding with sincerity.
"Yes, Father. That Hyuga's taijutsu talent is terrifying. I'm not as good as him."
"Hahaha! Guy, you're wrong," Dai replied, voice booming with warmth. "It's not only talent. It's also the courage to burn with youth! That boy's youth burns as bright as ours!"
He placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "But remember, the path of taijutsu has no end. Who can walk it the farthest depends not on talent, but on perseverance!"
"As long as your sweat never stops flowing, Might Guy… I believe you'll one day become a true master of taijutsu!"
Guy knew his father was trying to encourage him, yet the words still set his heart ablaze.
"Ahhh! Father, I feel it — my youth is burning again!"
"Good! Guy, you're truly my son!" Dai laughed heartily. "Let's train once more and let our youth ignite the night!"
"Right!" Guy shouted, eyes blazing.
And so, father and son exchanged a fierce nod before diving back into their hellish training.
Their bodies were battered, their muscles screaming, but their spirits only burned brighter.
They were simple men — they never envied the talents of others, never compared themselves to anyone else's progress or power.
Whenever they failed, they only looked inward, seeking the reason within themselves.
If effort wasn't enough, then they'd put in more effort.
If sweat wasn't enough, then they'd bleed for their dreams!
Until one day, they would surpass every opponent.
In this world, there were countless geniuses — prodigies blessed with natural talent who could easily outpace their peers, sometimes even surpassing the older generation in a blink.
The halo of genius was always dazzling.
But when that talent reached its limit, that same brilliance often became a cage.
Unable to push further, these "geniuses" stagnated, trapped by their own perfection.
That was the tragedy of genius.
And yet, there were others — people of ordinary birth, even mediocrity.
They lacked special gifts, lacked natural strength, and sometimes were worse off than most.
But when such a person found a goal worth devoting their life to, an ideal burning so fiercely that it consumed their every breath — something miraculous happened.
They would unleash power that defied imagination.
They would break through their limits, again and again, surpassing even those once called "genius."
With nothing but mortal flesh, they would rise — until they stood shoulder to shoulder with gods.
Can one truly say such people are inferior?
When their light shines, even the brightest stars fade in comparison.
Few ever reach that height, but those who do… are the ones who carve miracles into the history of the world.
Under the soft glow of the moon, the world was blanketed in a silvery light.
A small figure moved quietly through the sleeping streets of Konoha, his steps weary yet firm.
Finally, Riku arrived home.
To his surprise, someone was waiting at his door — holding a small box.
As he drew closer, he recognized the familiar face.
It was Hyuga Piao, his neighbor.
Ever since Riku had become Hyuga Sōtai's personal guard a year ago, Piao had grown distant.
For reasons unknown, he'd stopped seeking Riku out altogether.
And Riku, consumed by relentless training, had spoken less and less with him.
The two who were once inseparable now felt like strangers meeting by chance.
Even so, Riku was the first to speak.
"Piao, it's you. What are you doing here?"
Hyuga Piao looked him up and down — Riku's clothes were filthy, his face streaked with sweat and dirt.
"Riku, what happened to you?"
"Ah? Nothing," Riku smiled faintly. "Just got a bit dirty from training."
He brushed past and opened the door. "Want to come in for a bit?"
Piao's expression wavered. He seemed tempted but shook his head quickly, flustered.
"N-No, no, I just came to drop something off."
He held out the box in his hands.
"Father noticed you hadn't come home all day. He guessed you probably hadn't eaten, so he asked me to bring you this."
His tone softened. "Please, take it."
Riku accepted the lunchbox. Even through the wooden lid, he could feel its faint warmth.
The simple gesture melted away a portion of the fatigue that clung to his heart.
A genuine smile spread across his face.
"How could I refuse? I always loved Uncle Tie's cooking."
Piao's shoulders relaxed, relief flashing across his face.
"That's good. Then, eat it while it's still warm. I'll… I'll head back now."
He turned to leave, almost fleeing down the street.
Riku chuckled quietly, watching his friend's retreating back.
"Still the same as ever," he murmured, shaking his head.
He stepped inside his small home, sat cross-legged on the tatami, and opened the box.
Inside were several neatly prepared dishes — simple, homey, but made with care.
The moment the aroma reached his nose, his stomach growled loudly.
He laughed softly. "Guess I really was starving."
Before long, he had devoured everything, leaving only an empty box and a round, satisfied belly.
Stretching out comfortably, Riku lay down and stared at the ceiling, his thoughts wandering.
"In this clan… it seems I still have people who care about me," he murmured.
"Piao… and Uncle Tie. They never truly turned their backs on me."
His eyes softened.
"The reason they kept their distance must've been because of what happened a year ago — when I accidentally revealed too much in front of Uncle Tie. He probably got worried."
He sighed quietly. "But enough time has passed. Maybe he's forgotten by now. Maybe… things can go back to how they were."
Memories surfaced — the warmth of dinners shared with Uncle Tie's family, the laughter, the feeling of belonging.
A deep sense of nostalgia filled his chest.
"Uncle Tie is a good man," Riku whispered. "And Piao… he's still my friend."
He turned his gaze toward the moonlight spilling through the window.
"If possible, I want to repay that kindness."
His hand clenched into a fist.
"Maybe one day, I'll even free them from the Caged Bird Seal… let them live as true Hyuga again."
The corners of his lips lifted into a small, resolute smile.
"A kindness as small as a meal should be repaid a thousandfold. Uncle Tie, Piao… just wait a little longer. The day I can do that — it won't be far away."
The night grew deeper, and silence enveloped the room.
Moonlight washed over Riku's resting form, highlighting the faint scars and bruises from his training.
They were marks of pain — and of growth.
Somewhere in the darkness, his heartbeat pulsed like a drum.
Steady. Strong. Determined.
The path ahead was long and merciless.
But Riku's will burned brighter than ever.
For the sake of his dream…
For the sake of those he wished to protect…
He would continue forward — no matter how many times he fell.
And in that quiet moment, beneath the silver glow of the moon, the seed of a true Iron Fist master took root — destined one day to shake the ninja world itself.
End of Chapter 36 – "The So-Called Genius"
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