Shunpo!

Today's match had only two contestants: Hyuga Shuji and Hyuga Hiashi.

No one found this surprising. Hyuga Shuji and Hyuga Hiashi's strength had been acknowledged by everyone in the clan.

Especially Shuji. Even if they brought over the champion of the neighboring Branch Family, they would still most likely be no match for him.

The Hyuga Clan truly had not produced a genius who awakened the Byakugan at the age of five in a very long time!

On the arena platform, Shuji looked at Hizashi Hyuga, whose face was somewhat pale and whose steps were unsteady, and unconsciously frowned.

Having received the medical knowledge taught by Tsunade's system, Shuji could tell at a glance that Hiashi's body had been overtaxed from excessive training.

"Hyuga Shuji."

Standing on the platform, Hiashi raised his head and called out to Hyuga Shuji.

"Mm."

Shuji nodded and looked at Hyuga Hiashi, waiting for him to continue.

"I awakened the Byakugan."

As he spoke, Hiashi formed hand seals with both hands. Veins bulged around the corners of his eyes—the sign of the Byakugan being activated.

However, he could only sustain it briefly before he could no longer maintain it, and the Byakugan was forcibly deactivated.

His body even staggered uncontrollably.

Seeing this, Shuji flashed forward and appeared before Hiashi almost in the next instant.

Shunpo!

This was a stepping technique recorded in the Nen Energy inheritance, used for rapid movement.

Strictly speaking, it was a unique technique for exerting force and had nothing to do with space-time ninjutsu. It was merely a method of explosively increasing one's speed in an instant. In essence, it was similar to the Body Flicker Technique of the Shinobi World.

Even so, this sudden footwork instantly drew the attention of Tsunade and every Hyuga clansman present.

For a group of ninja who specialized in taijutsu, a stepping technique that allowed rapid movement was immensely important.

But at that moment, no one spoke up to ask what kind of footwork Shuji had just used. Instead, they continued watching every movement on the platform.

"Tsunade, was that the Body Flicker Technique you taught Shuji?"

At some point, Hyuga Chinatsu had appeared beside Tsunade and asked her in a low voice.

"It wasn't."

Tsunade shook her head at Chinatsu.

Chinatsu nodded and said nothing further.

Yet the excitement she could not hide in her eyes revealed that she had already guessed a certain possibility.

On the platform, Shuji did not care that he had exposed Shunpo before everyone's eyes.

Or rather, Shuji had deliberately revealed the existence of Shunpo.

When one's own strength was still insufficient, yet one belonged to one of Konoha's top three great clans, the only way to make oneself safer was to demonstrate one's value.

Showing the clan his talent in taijutsu was undoubtedly an excellent choice.

By firmly drawing the clan's attention onto himself, he could not only receive the clan's full protection but also borrow the clan's strength to a certain extent.

As for whether this would attract Shimura Danzō's attention?

That did not really matter.

Given how highly the Hyuga Clan valued the Main Family, especially a Main Family member with exceptional talent...

If Shimura Danzō truly wanted to do something to him, it would practically be the same as declaring war on the entire Hyuga Clan.

Honestly, the Uchiha alone were already enough to give Shimura Danzō and Sarutobi Hiruzen a massive headache.

Shimura Danzō would never take the initiative to do anything to a member of the Hyuga Main Family at a time like this.

At most, he might extend an olive branch to Shuji—and even that would be to show goodwill toward the Hyuga Clan behind him.

As for why Shuji had used Shunpo to appear beside Hiashi and support his tottering body...

Was it because Shuji was overly worried about Hiashi?

Don't be ridiculous.

Shuji simply felt that today's match probably could not go on.

If he did not show off Shunpo now, he might not get another chance to display it.

Just look—there was no need to fight at all. Hiashi could not even stand steadily by himself.

"Haa..."

One hand resting on the hand Shuji used to support his arm, Hiashi slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

The training before the competition had already put a certain amount of strain on Hiashi's body.

Dragging his exhausted body all the way to the finals just so he could stand before Shuji, Hiashi had truly given it everything he had.

"I awakened it the day before the match."

Supporting himself on Shuji's arm, Hiashi slowly straightened up. Looking at Shuji before him, he spoke to him word by word.

Hyuga Tokuhiro, seated at the referee's table, propped his chin up with one hand and silently watched the scene unfold.

Honestly, Tokuhiro was somewhat surprised that Hiashi could say such things.

"I admit that I'm not as good as you, but I will definitely defeat you!"

With his head raised and his eyes locked on Shuji's, Hiashi spoke with firm determination.

He looked as though he were the one who had become champion.

Honestly, as Hiashi's words fell, Shuji felt goosebumps rise all over his body.

"We'll be going to the Ninja Academy soon. There will be plenty of chances for us to fight then. Go back and take care of your body first."

Shuji withdrew his hand and spoke to Hyuga Hiashi.

Then, Shuji lifted a brow and said to Hiashi with a mischievous grin.

"You wouldn't want to end up a year below Hizashi because you failed the Ninja Academy entrance test, would you?"

"Huh?"

Hiashi froze. The warmth he had felt in his heart because of Shuji's concern instantly vanished, leaving him staring at Shuji in stunned disbelief.

"Mm... If that really happens, you and Hizashi can each call the other whatever you like. Hizashi can keep calling you big brother, while you can call Hizashi senior."

Seeing Hiashi's dumbfounded expression, Shuji continued with a smile.

At that moment, Hiashi's handsome features visibly twisted.

"Hahaha! Shuji is seriously the worst!"

A burst of unrestrained laughter suddenly rang out from beneath the platform.

Tsunade immediately looked helplessly at Nawaki, who was laughing wildly beside her.

The entire venue also fell silent for a moment because of that uninhibited laughter.

"Hahaha!"

The next moment, almost everyone could no longer hold back their laughter.

"Shuji, come with me for a moment."

As the gathering neared its end, Tokuhiro beckoned to Shuji.

Shuji immediately walked over. Chinatsu and Kiyosada exchanged glances, then followed as well.

Tsunade lowered her head to glance at Nawaki, who was squatting on the ground with his hands clasped over his head, the corners of his eyes still red. She gave a cold snort and followed them over.