Uchiha Clan Head

Hyuga Matsuba cautiously entered the teacher's office and said, "Why did you suddenly call for me?"

"So you know how to be afraid?" Ueno Juri found it quite rare.

"I don't want to judge who was at fault in this morning's fight, but I need to make this clear to you. You beat Uchiha Fugaku up pretty badly this morning, and his clan might come looking for trouble."

"You need to be more careful from now on. Even in the village, the Uchiha Clan wouldn't dare act too arrogantly, but remember this: they hold considerable power. Don't let them get any leverage on you, or you'll be finished."

Ueno Juri spoke earnestly.

"I understand. I'm truly grateful that you told me this." Hyuga Matsuba sincerely respected this teacher. Ueno Juri genuinely cared about him.

"Ah." Ueno Juri sighed. "I don't have a clan or any backing. I'm just a teacher. If something happens to you, I won't be able to save you. I'm only giving you a warning. Why thank me? It's what I should do."

"If you're done, Teacher, I'll head back."

"Alright." Ueno Juri waved her hand.

Hyuga Matsuba lowered his head and obediently walked out of the office, remembering to close the door behind him.

When he returned, his classmates had gathered in a circle and chattered, "What happened? Did the teacher pull you aside and beat you up?"

"What are you thinking? She just told me a few things to watch out for and told me to be careful of the Uchiha Clan." Hyuga Matsuba curled his lip.

"Matsuba, the teacher is right. The Uchiha Clan holds quite a bit of power and has always been overbearing. Be careful not to let them get hold of you," Shikaku Nara said cautiously.

"Hmph, Hyuga Matsuba belongs to our clan. If the Uchiha Clan wants to cause trouble for him, wouldn't they need our approval first?"

Hyuga Hiashi said disdainfully.

After seeing Hyuga Matsuba punch Uchiha Fugaku earlier, and considering that Hyuga Matsuba had saved his life, Hyuga Hiashi no longer viewed him as trash. His attitude changed immediately.

"Everyone, don't worry. Mikoto is with me now. We'll look out for each other, so nothing will happen." Hyuga Matsuba gave Mikoto a faint smile.

"What?" Mikoto did not understand at first, then blushed and ran outside.

Everyone looked at the utterly embarrassed Mikoto, then at Hyuga Matsuba's roguish grin. They felt that this guy really had a big heart. He was practically at death's door, yet he was still busy flirting.

Everyone glanced at Hyuga Matsuba before dispersing.

Hyuga Matsuba was happy. So many people had come up with ways to help him, and his heart felt warm.

He found his lunch in his backpack and started eating. Everyone's worries had not affected Hyuga Matsuba in the slightest.

The Uchiha Clan could not possibly act so recklessly now. They would not come looking for trouble with him in the village.

The Uchiha Clan still cared greatly about its reputation. If they openly targeted Hyuga Matsuba, what would the other villages think of them?

It was not that Hyuga Matsuba held any particularly high status. It was simply that the Uchiha Clan had gone too far over the years, and the other clans had long been dissatisfied.

Looking across Konoha, people either felt nothing toward the clan or hated it intensely.

No matter what, Hyuga Matsuba had a clan behind him. If the Uchiha Clan truly came after him, it would mean they were openly picking a fight, and that would surely provoke the other clans' anger.

If they targeted Hyuga Matsuba in secret, he would be more than happy to oblige. He could use the opportunity to gain some combat experience.

After filling his stomach, the afternoon outdoor practical class began. The lesson was still kunai throwing, which was utterly boring.

The school had been established mainly to let children without clans learn more and make Konoha stronger. That meant they had to start with the most basic lessons.

After the afternoon practical class ended, Hyuga Matsuba had Mikoto lead the way as he prepared to visit the Uchiha Clan.

Although Uchiha Fugaku was still young, he held considerable authority within the clan. He was known as the clan's greatest genius.

What had been said earlier about expelling Mikoto from the clan had become reality. This trip to the Uchiha Clan was to help her retrieve her belongings.

After being watched the whole way, Hyuga Matsuba finally followed Mikoto to their destination. Mikoto's home was especially luxurious.

After packing up simply, Mikoto reluctantly looked around one last time before Hyuga Matsuba took her hand and led her out of the clan grounds.

Just as they were about to leave the Uchiha territory, a broad, powerfully built man suddenly appeared and blocked their path.

Hyuga Matsuba looked up. The man had an enormous face and a powerful presence, and he looked somewhat like Uchiha Fugaku.

"That's the Uchiha Clan Head." Mikoto tugged at Hyuga Matsuba's pant leg, her voice full of worry.

"Was it you who bullied my son?" Hyuga Matsuba felt an overwhelming pressure, as though something had enveloped him.

Hyuga Matsuba curled his lip and did not intend to pay him any attention. As long as you believed in yourself and had the strength to back it up, this kind of pressure was useless.

For example, Hyuga Matsuba also had a presence now, though it was not the aura of a killer. It was the aura of a hunter.

Seeing that Hyuga Matsuba was not afraid, Uchiha Zheng was somewhat shocked, disbelief flashing through his eyes.

"Get lost." Hyuga Matsuba showed no courtesy and immediately started swearing.

"Brat, say that again?" The onlookers could no longer sit still and looked ready to rush over and beat Hyuga Matsuba up.

But Uchiha Zheng had given orders that they could not do anything to this brat yet.

Uchiha Zheng's lungs nearly exploded with rage. He had actually been cursed at by such a little brat. Fortunately, he was broad-minded and thought things through before acting, or he would have struck long ago.

The killing intent in his eyes intensified, like sharp blades shooting toward Hyuga Matsuba and Mikoto.

Mikoto was so frightened that she did not dare say a word, her whole body trembling slightly.

Sensing Mikoto's fear, Hyuga Matsuba patted her back. That small gesture was enough to calm her down.

"Fine, brat. I hope you live well." Uchiha Zheng let them go just like that.

"Hmph, you thousand-year-old turtle. As long as you don't die, neither will I." Hyuga Matsuba refused to back down.

"Hmph, all bark and no bite. You're nothing but trash!" Uchiha Zheng cursed, forcefully suppressing his displeasure. If they were not still in the village, he would have taken that brat's life already.

Hyuga Matsuba turned back and gave a parting greeting before taking Mikoto's hand and heading home.

Hyuga Matsuba was so arrogant not because he was foolish. He had simply counted on the Uchiha Clan being unable to do anything to him in public.

Even if they really tried to attack him, Hyuga Matsuba was prepared. His strength was no longer low.

He had now mastered Instant Movement. Even if the Uchiha Clan sent people to hunt them down, he could instantly escape with Mikoto, without the slightest fear.