Rukawa figured he was already being merciful—using the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan on a mere genin.
In an instant, that blood-red eye flared to life, casting its gaze into Hyūga Daisuke's.
"W-What is—?!"
Before Daisuke could react, the world around him blurred and shifted.
Suddenly, the trees beside him no longer looked like trees.
In his eyes, they'd become stunning, world-class beauties.
The genjutsu twisted his desires to the extreme—he charged forward with a moan of delight.
Seeing this, Rukawa casually released his grip.
The next moment, Daisuke pounced… straight onto a tree.
Wrapping his arms lovingly around the trunk, he sighed in pure bliss.
Rukawa gave a satisfied nod.
Perfect field test. Looks like my genjutsu's top-tier too.
What Rukawa didn't realize, however, was that this seemingly insignificant prank would later become the fuse that lit the powder keg of the Uchiha massacre.
But that's a story for another time.
Off to the side, Hyūga Juki stood frozen in horror.
"C-Cousin?! What are you doing?! Stop!!"
He rushed over to intervene—only to be shoved aside by the love-struck Daisuke.
"Piss off! Don't ruin my moment!"
No matter how many times Juki tried, he was shoved away again and again. Finally, he snapped.
"You bastard! I know this is your doing! Undo whatever the hell you just did!"
Rukawa didn't even bother responding. He turned around and strolled off.
Training complete. Time to go.
As for the brat behind him? Not worth his time.
"You hear me, Rukawa?! If you walk away now, you're dead! You've shamed the Hyūga clan—our elders will make you pay!"
That made Rukawa stop.
Then slowly… he turned back.
There was no anger on his face—just calm.
And for some reason, that made Juki even more terrified.
His guts clenched. He instantly regretted his outburst.
Why… why did I call him back?!
Was he about to go hug a tree too?
"Y-You… don't come any closer! What do you want?!"
Rukawa's steps were unhurried, his voice even:
"Oh right. Almost forgot. You slapped me earlier."
"I'm a big believer in returning favors."
"One slap deserves another."
Crack.
Rukawa's body swelled.
His muscles expanded, hair lengthened, height shot up to over two meters.
Super Soldier Mode—activated.
On his way forward, he casually backhanded a tree.
A tree the size of two people hugging it together.
It snapped in half like a twig.
If that landed on someone's head… there'd be no head left.
"AAAAHHH—PLEASE DON'T!"
Juki screamed—then fainted on the spot.
His pants soaked.
Disgusting.
Rukawa clicked his tongue, unimpressed.
"Well, that was boring."
He deactivated the transformation and returned to his normal size.
He'd wanted to test his full strength on a live subject, but oh well.
There was one problem though—transformation came with a wardrobe malfunction.
Currently, he was left wearing only his indestructible underwear.
"…I really need to stash extra clothes in the system inventory," Rukawa muttered, staring at his mostly naked self.
Having to end every fight in his underwear really hurt his image.
He glanced at the unconscious Juki nearby, wrinkling his nose.
Too smelly. Not touching that outfit.
Then his gaze fell on Daisuke, still blissfully hugging the tree.
"…Not ideal, but guess it'll do."
Moments later, now dressed in Daisuke's clothes (tight, but wearable), Rukawa finally left.
Behind him, he left a passed-out Juki… and a half-naked Daisuke still locked in his leafy embrace.
Ten minutes later.
Daisuke slowed down…
Five minutes later.
He found another tree.
Sunset.
Beside a street tree in the heart of Konoha.
A growing crowd of villagers had gathered, forming a wide ring.
"Who is this guy?"
"Right in broad daylight… absolutely shameful!"
"Doesn't even care who sees—unbelievable!"
"Society's going downhill, man. Downhill!"
"Wait! Look at his eyes—they're white. He's a Hyūga!"
"Holy crap. I knew they were uptight, but this? Never would've guessed!"
"Oi! Old Wang! You gotta see this! Get over here!"
People swarmed in, thoroughly enjoying the show.
After all, when would you ever see a ninja publicly doing that?
And from a major clan, no less!
This was peak entertainment.
Not everyone was laughing though.
One kind old auntie made her way through the crowd and gently tugged at Daisuke's arm.
"Sweetheart… sweetheart, don't do this. If you have a special preference, that's okay. Just… don't do it in public, okay?"
"GET LOST! DON'T RUIN MY GOOD TIME!"
He shoved her away.
"…Sigh. Poor child."
She shook her head and left.
Not long after, a Hyūga clansman finally appeared.
"Outta the way! Outta the way! What are you all staring at?!"
He wore a thundercloud expression, shoving through the crowd.
The villagers, unwilling to pick a fight with a Hyūga, backed off quickly.
"Damn it, what the hell are you doing?! You're disgracing the entire clan!"
Hyūga Makino shouted, stomping up beside Daisuke.
But Daisuke didn't react.
Didn't even hear him.
Still deeply… invested in his current endeavor.
Makino's face darkened further.
He activated his Byakugan.
Then froze.
"Son of a—! It's that guy's doing! He hit him with a genjutsu!"
CRACK!
He chopped a nearby tree in half with one angry strike.
"Get up! You're coming with me! You've humiliated us enough!"
Daisuke flinched—then lunged toward Makino.
"Don't you dare!" Makino growled.
But he wasn't a genjutsu specialist.
And this wasn't some ordinary illusion—it was a Mangekyō Sharingan technique.
No standard release methods would work.
Left with no choice, Makino karate-chopped Daisuke on the neck, knocking him out cold.
His face was black as ash.
This is humiliating.
"Pfft…"
One villager couldn't help it.
Then another joined in.
And another.
"Bwahahaha!"
"Hyūga! More like Hi-Yikes!"
Laughter spread like wildfire.
Makino's expression soured further.
He glared at the crowd.
Regret gnawed at him.
Should've let the clan clean up its own mess… Now I'm part of the joke too.
Grimacing, he slung Daisuke over his back and stormed away—leaving behind a trail of laughter and unforgettable memories for Konoha's citizenry.