Now We Begin

Chapter 14: Starting Now

The next day, Kagato woke up early, got everything in order, and brought his condition to its peak. He knew what he had to face today.

Meanwhile.

Shisui arrived at Itachi's house early, and together with Itachi, they prepared to carry out their mission for the day in the Anbu.

"Do you really think he can win?"

Itachi suddenly asked.

Shisui countered.

"Well, what do you think?"

Itachi smiled slightly.

"When it comes to him, I might have more confidence than you."

Shisui couldn't help but feel curious.

"Hm?"

Itachi smiled faintly.

"Although we have different opinions, setting those aside, I'm very optimistic about him. Didn't you say it yourself? He's very much like I was back then. If that's the case, I don't think I would lose to that genius from the Hyuga Clan."

Shisui chuckled noncommittally.

"Is that so? Then that's enough."

Hyuga Main Family.

Hyuga Hiashi spoke earnestly to the young man before him.

"Neji, when you go today, absolutely do not leave Uchiha Kagato with a fatal injury. Remember to show mercy. The situation between the Uchiha and the village is very delicate right now. This is merely the village testing the Uchiha. We, the Hyuga, cannot afford to make an enemy of the Uchiha because of this."

The young man named Hyuga Neji shook his head.

"No, Patriarch. You haven't seen Uchiha Kagato at the Ninja Academy, but I have. He's very strong. I'm confident about that. If I don't go all out, I'm afraid I'll lose. No, I'll definitely lose!"

Hyuga Hiashi exclaimed in surprise.

"Even you aren't confident of a complete victory?"

Hyuga Neji nodded.

"Yes, I might even lose. The outcome between him and me is unpredictable."

Hyuga Hiashi lowered his head and pondered for a long while. Finally, he looked up and said resolutely.

"Then win! Compared to the Uchiha, the village higher-ups are the ones we cannot afford to offend. Neji, go all out and win!"

Hyuga Neji responded.

"I will, Patriarch."

As usual, Kagato waited for Sasuke on the way, and they went to school together.

"Kagato, the final exams are coming up soon. What grade do you think you'll get?"

"What do you think?"

"..."

"You should worry about yourself. I don't need you to worry about me."

"Damn it, is this the arrogance of a genius?"

"Hahaha, maybe it is."

And so, along the way, Kagato and Sasuke chatted incessantly, which was a common occurrence.

However, as they neared the Ninja Academy, Sasuke suddenly tugged at Kagato's sleeve and pointed in a direction.

"Kagato, look. See that person in white? He's the genius from the year above us, the genius of the Hyuga Clan. I heard he's the strongest in his year. I wonder who's stronger between him and you."

Kagato chuckled with amusement.

"You want to see?"

"Of course! I definitely want to see it. A battle between two geniuses, one from the Hyuga Clan and one from the Uchiha Clan. If you ask me, I still think you'll win. After all, you're an Uchiha. Even the Hyuga Clan can't compare to us Uchiha!"

Kagato sighed and said earnestly.

"Yes, the proud Uchiha cannot be defeated."

The proud Uchiha cannot be defeated. How ironic that this pride played no small part in the reasons for the Uchiha clan extermination.

Sighing inwardly, Kagato didn't intend to change anything. The general trend of the world was not something a mere student like him could alter at this moment. His era was in the future, not the present. Whatever the Uchiha did or didn't do was beyond Kagato's current influence.

Sasuke, however, felt Kagato's tone was a bit strange and couldn't help but ask.

"Kagato, why do I feel like you want to say something?"

Kagato put on a smile.

"No, it's nothing."

The training today was as packed as usual, with the final exams looming. The first session was shuriken practice.

"Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish!"

Five shuriken flew from Kagami's hand, crossing and clashing in the air, hitting the bullseye simultaneously with an unbelievable arc.

"Ooooooh!!!!"

"Kagami!!!"

"Hmph, a mere parlor trick."

"Yeah, it's nothing special."

As they spoke, the two individuals pulled out two kunai and threw them simultaneously. They crossed and clashed in the air, narrowly missing the target with a perfect arc – truly remarkable.

After shuriken practice came physical training, which meant running.

As expected, Kagami was still first.

And next up was sparring.

Kagami smirked almost imperceptibly. He knew the main event was about to begin!

Sure enough, not long after Kagami's class began their sparring training, a young man in white appeared before Kagami and his classmates. The young man walked up to Iruka and spoke respectfully.

"Hello, Teacher Iruka. This student would like to request a challenge against your student, Uchiha Kagami."

His words were extremely concise and clear, representing the young man's unwavering determination. Upon hearing this, many were shocked, reacting in various ways.

Sasuke first froze, then clapped his hands.

"Alright! Kagami wasn't going to seek him out, but he's come to him instead. Kagami, let him know that an Uchiha genius is nothing compared to a Hyuga genius. Even though he's a year younger, he's still no match for their Hyuga clan."

Ino, standing beside him, frowned and spoke with concern.

"Why would the older student, Hyuga Neji, challenge Kagami? Isn't that bullying?"

Naruto was the most direct. While others whispered amongst themselves, Naruto jumped out without a care, shouting.

"Teacher Iruka, this isn't fair! An upperclassman challenging Kagami is bullying!"

Everyone had their own reactions, but Kagami remained calm throughout, looking at Hyuga Neji with a placid expression.

Indeed, an older student challenging a younger one was against the rules. But who made the rules? The Konoha higher-ups! If they said it was okay, then it was okay.

As expected, Iruka reprimanded Naruto.

"Naruto, what do you know? This is a normal spar. Go back!"

A spar? Is this just an excuse for the Konoha higher-ups to test us?

Kagami couldn't deny it; it was a decent enough excuse.

Subsequently, Iruka agreed to the spar and walked over to ask Kagami.

"Kagami, do you agree? I've already approved it. As long as you personally agree, the spar can begin."

At this point, why would he back down? Kagami readily agreed.

"Teacher Iruka, I also agree to this spar."

Iruka nodded and began to raise his hand, signaling the surrounding classmates who had gathered because of Hyuga Neji's arrival to step back, clearing a space for Kagami and Neji.

Then, Kagami and Neji stood facing each other, about three meters apart, and formed a confrontation seal.

Iruka stood in the middle, raising his hand high. Seeing that both were ready, he suddenly waved his hand down.

"Alright, begin!!"