At the same time, in the small grove beside the restroom.
"Hehe~"
"Ehehe~"
Mizuki, who had been forcibly dragged out of the restroom, shouted in terror, "You... what are you trying to do?"
A delinquent stepped forward, cracking his knuckles with a sinister grin. "Nothing much. We're just letting you experience the freshmen's tradition."
"W-What tradition?"
"We upperclassmen give you some proper guidance, and then you show us a little appreciation afterward."
Mizuki could naturally hear the malice in their words, but he still asked with a sliver of hope, "Can I refuse the guidance?"
The delinquents laughed. "How could you? We third year seniors are your best big brothers. If we say we're giving you guidance, then you're getting guidance!"
Mizuki's heart gradually sank. As he searched for an escape route from the corner of his eye, he tried to distract them with words. "Why me? There are plenty of other First Years!"
"Of course it's because you're the easiest to bully! Who told you not to have any friends?"
Mizuki shuddered inwardly, suddenly recalling Soseki's repeated invitations.
But soon, he remembered the family he had lost in the war. Friends? Friends aren't reliable at all! Family can die, friends can die. Only myself... only I am worthy of trust!
Those who have nothing won't be afraid of losing anything!
Seeing Mizuki remain silent, the delinquents grew bored. What they wanted to see was not this dull pantomime.
"You bastard, at least give us a reaction!"
"Yeah, staying silent and pretending to be some expert..."
Before he could finish, Mizuki dashed toward the women's restroom.
He knew he could never outlast this group of Third Years. He could only gamble that they would not want the reputation of being perverts.
"Bastard, you dare run?"
However, Mizuki had barely taken a few steps before someone kicked him flying.
"With that kind of strength, you still want to resist?" Shūnen said coldly from the edge of the grove.
Ordinarily, he would not have tried this hard, but this time was different. This time, it was for Uchiha's honor!
Seeing this, the delinquents surrounded Mizuki with vicious grins.
"Run, then. Why did you stop running?"
"You don't even listen to your seniors? Are all First Year freshmen this arrogant?"
Perhaps the earlier memories had stirred up pain buried deep within him. With red eyes, Mizuki lunged at them like a madman. "Damn it, I'll fight you!"
One delinquent casually caught Mizuki's punch and chuckled as he commented, "Good, very spirited... AAAH, OH!"
Having been well versed in the ways of fighting since childhood, Mizuki kicked him squarely in the groin.
The delinquent's legs clamped together as he collapsed to his knees crookedly, bitter tears streaming from his eyes.
The other delinquents first felt a chill in their crotches, then charged forward in furious rage.
"Damn bastard, beat him up!"
"Don't hold back!"
Mizuki was naturally no match for them. He could only curl into a ball on the ground.
I'll get revenge! I'll definitely kill them! Mizuki roared inwardly, and only his stubborn will kept him from passing out.
But gradually, even his consciousness began to grow numb.
Am I going to die? No... I don't want to die yet!
Then suddenly, the fists and kicks raining down on him stopped.
Are they finally done? In a daze, Mizuki barely opened his swollen, bruised eyes.
In his field of vision, the arrogant and overbearing Third Years had all backed away. They were staring behind him, their faces seemingly filled with horror and fear.
What's going on? This question flashed through Mizuki's muddled mind, and then he heard a familiar voice ask from behind him.
"Mizuki, can you still hold on? Bear with it for a moment. I'll treat you right away!"
In truth, even Soseki was a little puzzled. By his estimation, Mizuki should not have been injured this badly.
Had he done something especially excessive to these Third Years?
Still, this situation seems even more advantageous for me! Soseki narrowed his eyes as several plans rapidly took shape in his mind. Yet his hands did not slow as he formed seals, and a faint green glow spread over Mizuki's body, making him so comfortable he nearly moaned.
Elsewhere.
Seeing Mizuki's miserable state, even some classmates who had never liked him felt a trace of sympathy. One by one, they glared angrily at the Third Years.
Stared at by so many furious eyes, the Third Years' legs went so weak that they could barely walk. At the same time, they cursed Shūnen and that dog-headed strategist in their hearts.
Hadn't they said no one would care about some nobody?
Shūnen steadied himself, gathered his courage, and stepped forward. "First Years, what are you trying to do?"
Seeing Soseki treating Mizuki, Asuma consciously moved to the front. "Isn't the answer obvious? Beat people up!"
Shūnen's momentum faltered. Those were supposed to be the kind of words they said in the past. What made it even more frustrating was that the speaker was Asuma Sarutobi, the person he most wanted to beat down.
Shūnen took a deep breath. "There should be plenty of people on your side who dislike this Mizuki too, right? There's no need to make everyone unhappy over someone like him."
Asuma looked displeased. "All I know is that you touched one of us First Years! Soseki said that anyone who touches our people has to pay the price!"
Shūnen's eye twitched. He had assumed that, as the Hokage's son, Asuma would be resentful about being overshadowed, but now it seemed that was not the case at all.
At that moment, the earlier dog-headed strategist stepped forward. "Fine, then we'll settle this according to the rules with one-on-one fights!"
Asuma's eyes widened. "Third Years fighting First Years, and you have the nerve to call that one-on-one?"
Without the slightest embarrassment, the dog-headed strategist waved his hand. "Then make it one against two!"
Asuma was somewhat unsure and looked toward Soseki.
Soseki had finally stabilized Mizuki's injuries and stood up.
In an instant, everyone's gaze focused on Soseki—anticipation, jealousy, fear, admiration, and more.
"He's clearly just a First Year newcomer, but that aura of stirring up the situation is truly enviable!"
"Amazing. It would be great if we Second Years had someone this formidable too!"
The older students from other grades who had followed the crowd here also began to entertain their own thoughts as they watched.
Soseki did not answer directly. Instead, he first looked at Shizune. "Shizune, you know Medical Ninjutsu too, right?"
"Ah?" Never expecting Soseki to call on her in front of so many people, Shizune lowered her head nervously. "I-I know a little."
"Good." Soseki nodded, then turned his sharp gaze toward Shūnen and the others. "We are all ninja. Ninja... do not need to care about one-on-one fights!"
At Soseki's words, the First Years all wore "kind" smiles.
Seeing this, the third year delinquents panicked. "Wait, don't come any closer... AAAAH!"
Before they could finish, everyone who had been holding in their anger charged forward.
For a time, screams, wails, and pleas for mercy echoed through the forest with a surprisingly steady rhythm.
The other grades watched this scene in terror, making up their minds never to provoke the First Years again!
After about ten minutes of fighting, Soseki finally called a halt to the "beasts" that had been let loose.
"Shizune, come help me treat them."
"O-Okay!"
Though she was puzzled, Shizune had never been someone with strong opinions. Hearing Soseki's request, she echoed him twice like a parrot and followed along.
Shūnen raised his swollen "pig head" and said with great backbone, "Hmph! Don't think we'll forgive you just because of this!"
Soseki looked up blankly. "Forgive me for what?"
A terrible premonition abruptly rose in Shūnen's heart, but he still asked, "Aren't you trying to ease the tension between us?"
Soseki shook his head and smiled. "I just wanted to treat you before beating you up again!"
The other delinquents were dumbfounded. At that moment, Soseki seemed even more terrifying than a demon in their eyes!
Before you continue