Bab 10: Deeper Knowledge of the Byakugan
A few hours after returning home, as Hikari walked towards the dojo where he and Takumi were set to begin their first training session, he couldn't help but reflect on the inherent advantages that shinobi hailing from major clans held over their 'sad' civilian counterparts.
His recovery process, facilitated by a few extra 'soldier' and chakra medical pills to rejuvenate his physical state and replenish his chakra levels, along with an herb bath prepared in his personal bathroom inside his room to relieve his fatigue—courtesy of Takumi's instructions to the servants—had Hikari feeling nearly revitalized after his earlier intense, nearly 'life and death' level of exertions.
It didn't end there because Takumi also promised that this would be his daily routine from now on, supplementing his training like every other main branch member also enjoyed.
This rapid recovery regimen underscored for Hikari the disparities in resources and support systems available to clan shinobi versus those accessible to civilian shinobi.
By leveraging just these three recovery methods—each employed in moderate, safe doses—a shinobi from a prominent clan could feasibly train two to three times more efficiently in both ninjutsu and taijutsu, as well as in other chakra-reliant disciplines, compared to their civilian peers.
Moreover, this intensified training regimen was not only more effective but also considerably more comfortable, enabling clan shinobi to achieve comparable or superior results without the same level of strain or discomfort experienced by those without such resources.
However, to be more precise, not every shinobi clan boasts the same wealth and resources as the Hyuga clan—indeed, the vast majority do not. Furthermore, not every child born into a ninja clan is considered part of its 'core' or inner circle or similarly 'highly talented' and thus would not receive the level of training and resources available to someone like Hikari now.
Hikari soon arrived at one of the estate's dojos, a spacious training area that boasted both indoor and outdoor sections, symbolic of the Fifth Elder's estate's grandeur.
This particular dojo was one of many within the compound, each designed to cater to different aspects of shinobi training, from taijutsu to ninjutsu and beyond.
The architecture harmoniously blended traditional design with the functional needs of a modern shinobi. It featured high ceilings for aerial maneuvers, durable flooring to withstand rigorous training, and large sliding doors that opened to a serene outdoor area.
The outdoor area itself was meticulously maintained. Gravel paths led to various training grounds, each surrounded by lush greenery and tranquil water features that contributed to a calming atmosphere.
After ensuring Hikari's readiness and physical state, Takumi shifted the conversation toward the main agenda of their meeting, "Hikari-kun, before we dive into today's training, which will introduce you to the core fighting technique of our clan, nearly everything else is built upon—the Gentle Fist—I need to ensure you're fully versed in our Kekkei Genkai, the Byakugan...",
"It's crucial to understand that the Gentle Fist style is intricately linked with the Byakugan's capabilities. Without a deep understanding of our dojutsu, mastering the Gentle Fist would be impossible...", Takumi explained, "So, first, show me your Byakugan clearly right now..."
"Yes, sensei!", Hikari responded eagerly. Without hesitation, he activated his Byakugan after quickly using a specific one-handed seal. It only took him three seconds to open it.
As the dojutsu came to life, Hikari's eyes underwent a big change. Veins near his temples bulged prominently, whereas his pupils and irises became somewhat 'sharper'.
"Great speed, Hikari-kun! And this is just after opening those eyes yesterday. I believe that soon you won't even need the hand-seal and will be able to activate it quicker, perhaps nearly instantaneously. You truly have remarkable talent. Now, tell me, how far can you see right now?",
Takumi spoke, his tone rich with appreciation. This time, he didn't hold back any praise. Given Hikari's evident achievements and the rapid adaptation to his Byakugan, withholding compliments would have seemed odd.
"Thank you, sensei, let me see...", Hikari focused harder, pushing his Byakugan to its limits as he surveyed the expanse of the estate. After a moment, he shared, "I think it's around 50 meters right now, but I could probably push that to double if I really tried. Though, I worry it might strain my eyesight too much...",
Hikari was honest in his response, knowing he had to show off his skills while also being careful not to push himself too hard. Takumi nodded, taking a moment to think over Hikari's words before offering further guidance.
"Alright, now try again to look as far as you can while also fully using your 360-degree vision from the beginning. And let me know what you find out...", Takumi suggested, as if he wanted to teach him some facts in this way next. Hikari just nodded and then tried to do as he was told.
However, just as Hikari attempted to follow Takumi's instruction, a sharp pain shot through his eyes mere seconds into the attempt. Surprised and unable to continue, he quickly ceased his effort, realizing the difficulty of simultaneously extending his vision and utilizing the 360-degree capability, "My eyes suddenly hurt a lot, sensei. It felt like there was some kind of a block in trying to use my eyes further, so I had to stop after just a few meters. I'm sorry.",
"You've made a wise decision to stop, Hikari-kun. I suspect you already grasp why this occurred. It's incredibly challenging to utilize several of the Byakugan's main abilities simultaneously. Your earlier estimate of a 50-meter range without straining your eyesight wasn't entirely accurate. The reason you reached that distance is that we're in a densely constructed area of the Hyuga compound, filled with walls and human-made constructions.",
"This environment required you to use your clairvoyance in conjunction with your long-distance vision nearly the entire time. But, if we were in an open field, with no obstructions to your sight, you could potentially extend your telescopic vision up to three times further...", Takumi explained, offering insight into the complexities and limitations of the Byakugan.
"That's precisely why most Byakugan users in our clan choose to specialize and focus their training on one of the three main abilities. Attempting to master all three simultaneously would lead to excessive chakra consumption and eye strain, to the point where they wouldn't achieve significant mastery in any of them. It's acceptable to mix these abilities occasionally, but it's essential to choose one as your primary focus. Given your talent in all three areas, the choice of which to specialize in falls entirely to your personal preference," Takumi elaborated.
"You have the option to specialize in clairvoyance, enhancing your ability to see in detail through obstacles and within covered objects. Alternatively, you could focus on refining your 360-degree vision, enabling you to perceive your surroundings with greater clarity in every direction. Or, you might prefer to develop your long-range vision, which allows for broader, albeit less detailed, observation across vast distances. This latter skill is particularly valued among our clan's auxiliary and support shinobi, mostly chunin and special jonin. But, their unique capabilities make them indispensable for their reconnaissance and support roles.",
"On the other hand, our clan's combatants, including Jonin and 'Elite Jonin' like myself, often prioritize 360-degree vision for enhanced situational awareness and defense during close combat. Clairvoyance is another focus, especially useful for identifying and targeting an opponent's chakra points and internal organs with better precision. Each path offers its own advantages and strategic applications in battle. The choice depends on how you envision your role within the clan and on the battlefield...", Takumi explained, laying out the options.
Hikari, meanwhile, suddenly began pondering deeply, for a few moments, after hearing Takumi's explanation, about the distinctions in Byakugan abilities among clan members, reflecting on Hinata's and Neji's respective proficiencies as depicted in the original story.
Hinata was renowned for her exceptional telescopic vision. As a genin, she was capable of extending up to a kilometer and significantly expanding her range as she matured later.
In contrast, Neji, despite not matching Hinata's huge range, excelled in the clairvoyance of his close-range vision, particularly in identifying human chakra points well. This skill highlighted his mastery of the Gentle Fist from a young age, leaving Hinata in his shadow in the eyes of Hiashi, the Patriarch, and most other characters at that time.
This validated Takumi's words even more in Hikari's mind about 'support' and 'main' roles within the clan. And Hiashi and other elders certainly weren't happy about the successor being a 'supporting' one at that time. Therefore, the following plots regarding Hinata and Hanabi are also logical.
Furthermore, this contrast also led Hikari to contemplate the possibility of an inherent genetic predisposition to excel in specific aspects of the Byakugan's capabilities among different Hyugas.
'So, does this mean there's not only a focus chosen during one's training but also an innate genetic factor determining which of the three abilities one might excel in?', Hikari pondered.
However, Takumi's observation that Hikari showed talent in all three areas after the previous short 'check-up' suggested that his potential limitations in mastering all three were not innate but only related to his current level of chakra, spiritual energy, eyesight, and learning ability.
Nevertheless, confident in his potential for growth in all three of these areas, Hikari began to seriously consider a bold approach, 'Then maybe I should aim to enhance all three abilities, not concurrently use them, but to develop each more to have them available in my skillset...?'
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
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