Which Clan Rule Says I Can't Beat Up the Clan Leader's Son?

Hiruzen had a strange feeling—as if the young Tobirama-sama was the one fighting in the arena.

He startled himself with the sudden thought.

Hiruzen shook his head, tossing the dangerous idea out of his mind.

If Tobirama-sama ever found out someone compared him to an Uchiha, he'd probably be furious enough to flip his own coffin lid off.

Even so, Hiruzen couldn't help but dwell on it.

Because whether it was the way he performed jutsu or his close-quarters combat techniques, they were far too similar to his teacher's.

But the same question remained: who had taught Eiji?

Among the Uchiha clan, who could wield Water Release to this extent?

Hiruzen pondered for a moment, still coming up empty.

So he picked up the report delivered by the Anbu ninja and read it through carefully.

After a long while, a peculiar expression crossed Hiruzen's face.

"Eiji's father was taught by Kagami and inherited his blazing Will of Fire."

"In a battle many years ago, he sacrificed himself to protect the village..."

Hiruzen pulled out his pipe and took a deep drag.

He leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed, recalling the moments he'd shared with his old friend Kagami.

"Kagami... if you look at it this way, Eiji has indirectly received your teachings too."

Thinking this, Hiruzen felt a little better.

If he truly was a ninja who inherited Kagami's will, he would probably stand with Konoha...

Hiruzen's mind raced, flashing through thoughts only he knew.

On the other side, the Chunin Exams were still ongoing.

But compared to the first match, the genin who followed were far less impressive.

Only a few pretty older women in the front row, half-hiding their flushed cheeks, had their eyes locked firmly on the handsome Eiji.

They were already thinking about inviting him for a bowl of ramen after the exams—or maybe asking him over to see the cat that does backflips.

Two and a half hours later, the Chunin Exams were declared over.

After discussion among the examiners, Genma announced the list of those promoted to chunin.

It included the spaced-out Uchiha Eiji, Uchiha Itachi—who'd been sent to the hospital by Eiji—and a couple of background extras.

When the crowd heard Itachi's name, they couldn't help but let out a surprised "Huh?"

"Beaten like that and still promoted? We could do it too."

Then his companion clamped a hand over his mouth. "Idiot, don't drag me into your bullshit. The two of us stacked together wouldn't be a match for Itachi."

The speaker let out an "Oh," realizing his companion had a point.

He looked again at the white-haired figure at the back of the line and let out a long sigh.

If the prodigy Itachi had been beaten to that state, just how strong was Eiji?

The Uchiha clan was truly terrifying.

Finally, the examiner team gave their closing remarks, and the Chunin Exams came to a perfect end.

Eiji followed the crowd slowly out of the arena, thinking about going home to rest, when he suddenly spotted a familiar figure at the entrance.

Big square face, middle-parted hair—wasn't that clan head Fugaku?

He instinctively tightened his grip on his ninja sword. Had the elder come to avenge the younger?

No, that couldn't be right. As the clan head, Fugaku's magnanimity couldn't be that small.

Eiji thought it over and decided it was best to pretend he hadn't seen him.

He lowered his head, trying to blend into the crowd and slip away.

But his white hair was too conspicuous, and Fugaku precisely tracked his movements through the crowd.

He raised his voice a little. "Eiji, come here a moment."

Eiji's mouth twitched as he slowly shuffled over.

"Clan Head Fugaku, good afternoon."

As he spoke, he discreetly studied Fugaku's expression, trying to read something from it.

Eiji guessed that Fugaku had come about the exams.

So maybe he should apologize?

How should he put it? "Sorry about beating Itachi to that state"?

Or maybe, "Actually, Itachi fought pretty well"?

The more he listened, the more it sounded like he was being subtly mocked.

It wasn't just Eiji whose feelings were complicated—Fugaku was deeply conflicted too.

His son had been beaten into the hospital, so naturally, he felt some displeasure.

But then again, if you're weak, you train more. Where was it written that a father should seek revenge just because his son got beaten?

On the other hand, Eiji's performance today had been truly outstanding.

After all, he was a member of the Uchiha clan. As the clan head, Fugaku ought to offer some encouragement.

With tensions between the clan and the village growing tighter by the day, the emergence of a genius like Eiji was crucial for the Uchiha.

Of course, it still depended on which side Eiji chose to stand on.

Seeing Fugaku's hesitant expression, Eiji guessed he wasn't here for revenge, and he relaxed considerably.

He quietly loosened his left hand, which had been gripping an Explosive Tag, and lowered his right hand from the hilt of his blade.

"Clan Head Fugaku?" Eiji put on an innocent, harmless smile. "Is there something you need?"

Fugaku snapped back to reality, unsure of what to say.

So he lightly patted Eiji on the shoulder. "Congratulations on becoming a qualified Chunin."

Eiji blinked. "Huh?"

Fugaku nodded. "I have matters to attend to. I'll take my leave."

With that, Fugaku turned and walked away.

Itachi was still in the hospital—he needed to go check on him.

He left Eiji standing there, bewildered.

Eiji muttered under his breath, "Clan Head Fugaku... he's really awkward, isn't he..."

That afternoon, news of the two genius boys being promoted to Chunin reached every clan member's ears.

Of course, they also heard about Itachi's defeat today.

As for the young man who had thoroughly beaten the clan head's eldest son on the field, the clan showed no signs of discontent.

The Uchiha clan had always recognized only strength.

So what if he was the clan head's son? Which clan rule said you couldn't beat up the clan head's son?

Forget Itachi—back in the day, Clan Head Fugaku and Elder Setsuna had once disagreed on ideology and ended up brawling in the courtyard for half a day.

So when Eiji passed by the okonomiyaki shop, Uncle Uchiha Teppō even gave him a few pancakes to celebrate his successful exam.

Eating his pancakes, Eiji slowly made his way through the bustling streets.

He wasn't worried that the Uchiha clan would come after him over this.

Fugaku's behavior today was proof enough of that.

Besides, the clan elders would probably send him some small gifts to congratulate him.

As it turned out, Eiji's guess was right.

Not long after he got home, there was a knock at the door.

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