Hyuga Shinmune had challenged "that Uchiha boy" to a duel half a year ago, trying to seal his fiery reputation—but ended up getting beaten so badly, he wet himself in front of everyone. Ever since, he's been the butt of jokes among his peers. Worst of all was the pressure from the main house of the Hyuga clan.
The news of Hyuga Shinmune awakening his Byakugan prematurely spread to the Hyuga Main House. The elders argued fiercely for half a month. In the end, they decided to place the Caged Bird Seal on him ahead of schedule. Officially, it was to protect the Byakugan from falling into enemy hands. But in truth, they feared his growing talent might threaten the Main House's authority someday.
Shinmune didn't understand all the politics. All he knew was that none of this would've happened if it weren't for that arrogant Uchiha, Fenghuo.
And so, his hatred for Fenghuo had only deepened over the past six months.
Shinmune reached up, fingers brushing his bangs—the only thing hiding the cursed seal etched into his forehead. But even they couldn't cover the mark burned into his heart.
For six months, he endured shame and pressure, training harder than ever. He had already mastered the Eight Trigrams: Eight Palms. His dream of leading the next generation of the Hyuga clan kept him going.
"Damn it!" Hyuga Shinmune clenched his fists as he stared at Fenghuo in the center of the training ground. He'd once believed he could defeat him, but now that confidence was crumbling.
In the middle of the field, Uchiha Rakuna's legs trembled. His eyes flickered with panic, his fighting spirit vanishing like frost under sunlight.
"He didn't even use ninjutsu, and he's already pushed me this far? Damn it... damn it!"
Rakuna opened his mouth to retort, but found he couldn't even form words. The other students were all watching. But instead of awe, their eyes held sympathy… or contempt.
He had always wanted to stand in the spotlight. Now, he just wanted to disappear.
"Uchiha Fenghuo… you, you—" he pointed a shaky finger, but had nothing to say.
Fenghuo kept his hands in his pockets, his tone steady and cold. "If you're going to admit defeat, then apologize to Uncle Dai. Otherwise, I'll fight you until you drop."
"You—you're going too far!" Rakuna shouted, face flushed. "Admit defeat to you? Keep dreaming!"
"What a shame," Fenghuo muttered. In the next instant, he vanished.
"Konoha Whirlwind!"
A powerful kick slammed into Rakuna's side. Boom!
"Urgh—!"
Rakuna flew like a ragdoll, tumbling across the dirt in a cloud of dust before finally going limp. His eyes fluttered, then closed. He decided to play dead.
But his younger brothers rushed into the field.
"You bastard! How dare you use that kind of force against your own clan!"
"You're not worthy of the Uchiha name!"
"Let's get him!"
Fenghuo blinked. Seriously? Charging in after a public duel?
The group of little brats charged—and got kicked back at double speed.
"Ah!"
"Yow!"
"Ugh!"
"Waa!"
"Oof!"
"Hyaa!"
By some bizarre miracle—or perhaps pure comedic timing—all six ended up stacked in a pile on top of Rakuna.
His face had turned a dark shade of purple. Veins throbbed near his temple. He wanted to curse, but if he opened his eyes now, the crowd—and especially Fenghuo—would never let him live it down. So he kept pretending to be unconscious, even as the pressure on his back made him want to explode.
"Enough!!"
A thunderous voice boomed from the school gates. In a flash, a tall man appeared in the field. With a casual sweep of his hand, he knocked the children off Rakuna like bowling pins.
"Uchiha Fenghuo, how dare you show such cruelty to your fellow clan members?" the man bellowed. His voice dripped with judgment. "The Sharingan is the pride of the Uchiha, the strongest dōjutsu in the ninja world. And yet you cast it aside for taijutsu? Worse—you use that taijutsu against your own blood. You shame the Uchiha name!"
Fenghuo squinted at the newcomer, taking in his clan uniform and crest.
"So, you're Rakuna's father?" he said coolly. "Well, no wonder the kid turned out this way."
"Impudent brat!" the man roared. His eyes shifted—two tomoe spun in his irises.
The Sharingan awakened.
Gasps rippled through the crowd of students. Many turned and fled in fear.
Asuma Sarutobi's face darkened. "Two-tomoe Sharingan… from the Konoha Military Police Force." He looked around. "This is the Ninja Academy. What's the Police Force doing here? Where are the teachers?"
Kurenai and Rin ran up to him. "Asuma, what do we do?"
"This is beyond us," Asuma muttered. "We need to find Sensei Aoyama—now."
"I'll go!" Kai and Obito shouted at once.
"I train taijutsu—I'm faster!" Kai sprinted off toward the classroom building.
"Damn it!" Obito cursed, then moved to rush the field.
Asuma grabbed his collar. "What are you doing?!"
"I'm helping Fenghuo!"
"Obito, don't cause trouble!" Rin called out.
Obito gritted his teeth, thinking, I could at least block a Fireball!
Meanwhile, on the top floor of the Academy, two older men watched the chaos unfold.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, puffed his pipe solemnly.
Beside him stood Shimura Danzo, leader of Root.
"Danzo, is this really necessary?" Hiruzen asked.
"The Uchiha Police Force grows more arrogant by the year," Danzo replied coldly. "Their discontent is no secret. A coup is only a matter of time."
"They've always been a proud clan," Hiruzen replied. "But they serve in a critical position. Their prestige is high, yes, but that's no reason to assume rebellion."
Danzo merely snorted. There are things Hiruzen doesn't understand—or refuses to see.
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes. "So, what now?"
Danzo smiled faintly. "Uchiha Yexing interfered with a fair Academy duel using his Police Force position. He'll face punishment—to set an example. And as for that boy…"
He stared at the field, at Fenghuo.
"I'm suddenly very interested in Uchiha Fenghuo."
Hiruzen paused. That name sounded familiar…
Uchiha Fenghuo… where have I heard that before?