Tattling!

As Nawaki's voice rang out, Hiashi rose to his feet without hesitation and spoke to Minami Saho.

"Teacher, I accept his challenge!"

Hiashi truly wasn't afraid of Senju Nawaki. Who was stronger and who was weaker? They would only know after fighting.

So what if he was a Senju? A Hyuga fought Senju!

Seeing this, Minami Saho let out a soft laugh. Naturally, she did not refuse and allowed the two to take the field.

"I thought I'd get to see the Hyuga clan's Tenketsu Striking this time. Sure enough, I'm still too weak."

Below the field, Mikoto softly spoke as she watched Shuji take out a cube with faint carvings on its surface from his pocket.

Chakra extended from Shuji's palm onto the wooden block as he continued carving it bit by bit.

This was the Chakra control training method Tsunade had arranged for him.

It was said that once he could cut through a wooden block without any hindrance,

the Chakra Scalpel would basically be mastered.

"It's not that you're too weak. It's that I'm too clumsy."

Shuji shook his head at Mikoto's words, carving the wooden block in his hand as he spoke.

"I still can't control Chakra well after it enters the human body. It wouldn't matter if it were an enemy, but there's no need to do that during practice."

Especially at Mikoto's age. The meridians of five- or six-year-old children were already fragile. If the amount of Chakra was not controlled properly, causing lifelong disability was perfectly normal.

"So that's how it is?"

Mikoto lowered her head and smiled shyly.

Was Shuji-kun... worried about me?

"Mm."

Shuji nodded, his attention still on the wooden block in his hand. He did not notice Mikoto's reaction.

Until...

"Is this your Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist? Isn't it a little too weak?"

Nawaki used Superhuman Strength to forcibly break free from Hiashi's control, then shoved Hiashi away.

"Or is it just Hyuga Hiashi's Gentle Fist?"

Nawaki tilted his chin up slightly and looked down at Hiashi before him.

Too far apart. The difference was far too great.

Having frequently sparred with Shuji at the Senju home, Nawaki's first reaction upon facing Hyuga Hiashi was that it was easy.

Easier than ever before.

It was not that Hiashi's strength was particularly lacking.

In fact, when Shuji had first become Tsunade's disciple, there had also been a huge gap between his strength and Nawaki's.

Even now, Shuji was still not as strong as Nawaki.

But the greatest difference between Hiashi and Shuji lay in their grasp of timing and application of technique.

Fighting Shuji felt stifling—the kind of frustration where one had plenty of strength but could not bring it out.

Once he made physical contact with Shuji, it was basically difficult to break free. In the end, he could only helplessly be pinned to the ground.

But fighting Hiashi felt...

Amazing!

He could experience the thrill of breaking through all techniques with sheer strength.

It really was... too amazing!

Below the field, Shuji withdrew the Chakra from the wooden block and could not help laughing as he watched Hiashi strain with all his might in front of Nawaki, his face red from the effort.

Nawaki really had a talent for getting under people's skin...

"Why didn't Nawaki-kun and Hiashi-kun challenge Shuji-kun?"

Seeing this, Mikoto asked Shuji beside her.

"Ah... this is Nawaki and Hiashi's first match."

Shuji spoke to Mikoto after hearing that.

"Is that so?"

A look of realization immediately appeared on Mikoto's face.

Almost instinctively, Mikoto assumed that neither Nawaki nor Hiashi was a match for Shuji.

After all...

Judging from what she had seen so far, Nawaki and Hiashi's strength was... fairly ordinary.

Nawaki was all right. Although his technique was poor, his strength was quite impressive.

But the comparison between Hiashi and Shuji was simply too obvious.

Whether it was strength, speed, or technique, the gap was far too great.

It was almost impossible for him to be Shuji's opponent.

The main thing was that Shuji's taijutsu was simply too strong. His speed clearly was not that fast, and his strength was not that great.

Yet no one could beat him...

In the end, Senju Nawaki won.

Even though Hyuga Hiashi was very dissatisfied.

In Hiashi's view, if he had used the Gentle Fist's Tenketsu Striking, Nawaki definitely would not have been his opponent.

But Tenketsu Striking required extremely strong Chakra control. Although Hiashi could barely use it, it was very easy to turn Nawaki into a cripple who would remain disabled for life.

Therefore, in Hiashi's eyes, he had lost only because he had considered Nawaki's safety.

It was not because Nawaki was stronger than him.

Unfortunately, the progress of this taijutsu class would not be delayed simply because Hyuga Hiashi refused to accept the outcome.

The taijutsu lesson continued. Shimura challenged Sarutobi, and Sarutobi won.

Akimichi challenged Nara, and Akimichi won.

Hinagiku challenged Hizashi, and Hinagiku won.

During their time at the Ninja Academy, whoever had stronger taijutsu was truly strong.

After all, five-year-old children simply could not learn some of the more practical ninjutsu or secret techniques.

A Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu was basically their limit.

By the time the taijutsu class ended, it was already time for school to let out.

After listening to a few words of instruction from Minami Saho, everyone left the Ninja Academy in groups.

And Shuji's original group of five had gained a new member.

"Let's part here. See you tomorrow."

On the road, Mikoto spoke to Shuji and the others.

"Mm, be careful on your way home."

Shuji nodded and politely said a few words to Mikoto, watching her leave.

"Mm~ Be careful on your way home~"

Once Mikoto's figure disappeared from sight, Nawaki immediately came before Shuji and said in a mocking tone.

Shuji glanced at Nawaki and casually replied.

"Get lost."

Today, Shuji guaranteed that he would give Nawaki an unforgettable night.

"I'm going to the Senju home with Nawaki. Hinagiku, go home first."

After saying that, Shuji turned to Hinagiku.

Hinagiku nodded, then headed toward the Hyuga home with Hiashi and Hizashi.

Ever since Hiashi had lost to Nawaki in taijutsu class, he had clearly become much quieter.

But Shuji had no intention of comforting Hiashi.

There were only two sons. Both were equally precious—who could he favor?

After returning to the Senju home with Nawaki, Shuji did not head to the Dojo with him. Instead, he first went to see Tsunade.

On one hand, he wanted to ask Tsunade about some difficulties he had encountered while studying Medical Ninjutsu and Sealing Technique. On the other hand...

"How was your first day at school?"

Tsunade reclined in her chair, one bare foot resting on the solid wooden seat. One hand held a bottle of alcohol over her knee.

Her other foot was planted on the floor, and she looked slightly drunk.

Having just answered some of Shuji's questions, Tsunade had to admit that Shuji learned quite quickly.

She had originally thought it would take Shuji a while longer before he asked such questions.

"Everything was pretty good, except..."

Shuji immediately revealed a conflicted look as he spoke to Tsunade.

On the other hand... he was going to tattle on Nawaki!

Did Nawaki think embarrassing him a little in class was the end of it?

Don't joke around. How could it be that simple?

"What is it?"

Tsunade paused, then asked Shuji in confusion.

In Tsunade's view, Shuji should not have encountered any problems when starting school, should he?