After running two laps around the village, Reiki sat on a park bench, taking a long drink of water. Beside him, Hinata Tetsu, a member of the Hyuga clan, looked a bit tense.
"Tetsu, you mentioned something felt off with your body. What exactly seems to be the problem?" Reiki asked, catching his breath.
Hinata Tetsu frowned, looking frustrated. "It's hard to explain… When I use chakra, it feels sluggish, like something's blocking the flow. The elders in my clan checked me and didn't find any issues, and the hospital said everything was fine. But I know something isn't right."
Reiki nodded thoughtfully. "Alright, let me take a look."
He placed his hands on Tetsu's shoulders, channeling his chakra to scan Tetsu's internal state. Using his dual healing technique, Reiki examined Tetsu's meridians and chakra pathways. The training the Hyuga clan underwent had naturally left some wear and tear on his body, but there was nothing that seemed problematic. However, an idea struck him.
"Tetsu, I may need to use some advanced techniques to investigate. Don't resist, even if it feels strange," Reiki said calmly.
Tetsu nodded, closing his eyes to relax.
Focusing his chakra, Reiki shifted his attention to Tetsu's Byakugan, sensing a subtle, unfamiliar energy embedded within. Realization struck him—it was the same type of energy he'd sensed once before.
"Chomei," he whispered internally, summoning the Seven-Tails within him and sharing his chakra with it.
"Hmm?" Chomei responded, inspecting the foreign chakra. "This energy feels familiar… No, not just familiar. It's something that even I carry within me."
"This is what I asked you about before," Reiki replied, confirming his suspicions. Without hesitation, he began to clear the abnormal energy from Tetsu's body, an energy that seemed to absorb chakra rather than cause direct harm. He sensed it played a role in enhancing the Byakugan.
A notification sounded in Reiki's mind: **[Ding, congratulations to the host for completing… gaining Talent +1]**
Reiki finished removing the energy and withdrew his hands. "Alright, Tetsu, try activating your Byakugan again."
Hinata Tetsu closed his eyes, then reopened them, his Byakugan springing to life. The veins around his eyes bulged, and he looked around in astonishment.
"The chakra flows feel smooth, and… my sight range is much farther than before!" He turned to Reiki, eyes wide. "Thank you, Reiki. I knew something was wrong!"
"Glad I could help," Reiki said with a smile. "We're classmates, after all."
With a sense of pride and determination, Tetsu nodded and returned to the Hyuga compound, eager to tell his father about the difference he felt. His father, Hinata Nobu, was surprised when he heard Tetsu's story.
"You're saying that Reiki healed this blockage you felt?" Nobu asked, a bit skeptical but intrigued.
"Yes, Father! Reiki said something was interfering with my chakra flow, and after he removed it, I felt a huge improvement."
Nobu was puzzled but thoughtful. As a seasoned jonin of the Hyuga clan, he had experienced similar sensations in his youth, but it had always been dismissed as part of Byakugan training. Still, Reiki had recently solved some of the Third Hokage's most perplexing health issues. If anyone could detect something hidden within the clan's Byakugan, it was him.
"Tetsu, could you invite Reiki here tomorrow?" Nobu asked. "Your mother can prepare a meal for him as thanks."
Tetsu beamed with pride, thrilled to contribute to his family. "I'll go ask him first thing!"
Meanwhile, Reiki had completed his physical training and, with no immediate plans for other clan visits, decided to head back and rest. He mused about the Hyuga and their abilities; it would be interesting if Tetsu's case opened up opportunities to work with their clan.
"Perhaps I'll start with the Yuhi or Hatake clans next," he thought. Though the Hatake clan was small, many were powerful jonin, especially Hatake Sakumo. Earning his trust would be no small feat.
But one thing was certain—Reiki was already laying the groundwork for his next steps.