Bitch!

"It's about Nawaki."

Shuji told Tsunade.

"During Nawaki's self-introduction today..."

As he spoke, Shuji told Tsunade everything Nawaki had done during the self-introduction session.

As Shuji spoke, Tsunade's brows gradually began to furrow.

They furrowed deeper and deeper, until...

Crack!

With a crisp snap, the wine bottle in Tsunade's hand shattered.

The remaining liquor spilled across the floor. Shuji paused at the sight, then continued to Tsunade.

"Of course, Teacher, you are a highly respected person. But once Nawaki said those things, it would inevitably affect your reputation.

"If I fail to fulfill my dream of surpassing you today in the future because my talent isn't enough, then..."

Shuji stopped there, leaving Tsunade with plenty of room for imagination.

Then... a large portion of the class would think she was petty.

Tsunade gritted her teeth, automatically filling in the rest of Shuji's words.

Nawaki!

Silently, Tsunade rubbed the corner of her mouth, making a smile called gentleness appear on her face.

"Your talent is quite good, but don't slack off. Don't waste that talent of yours. Still, training can't leave you tense all the time. It's your first day at the academy, so you must be tired. Take the day off and rest. Come train here again tomorrow.

"As it happens, I have some matters to deal with today as well."

Tsunade rose to her feet as she spoke to Shuji.

"All right, then I won't disturb you any longer."

Shuji stood up, respectfully bowed to Tsunade, and turned to leave Tsunade's house.

"Phew..."

As she watched Shuji's retreating figure gradually disappear, the gentle smile on Tsunade's face instantly turned sinister.

With her hands behind her back, Tsunade slowly made her way toward the dojo.

It seemed... it had indeed been a long time since she had personally educated her little brother.

"Yo, Shuji? Why are you back so early today? Lady Tsunade gave you the day off?"

At the Senju Clan Compound, Tokuhiro, who had just returned from the Ninja Academy, looked at Shuji in the distance.

"Ah, Lord Tokuhiro. Yes, Lady Tsunade told me to rest for the day."

Shuji turned around and bowed to Tokuhiro.

Shuji did not particularly enjoy bowing, but there was nothing he could do. Those were the rules here.

Especially among an old noble clan like the Hyuga, where such things mattered greatly.

"Mm, taking a break every now and then is necessary too."

Tokuhiro nodded, looking at Shuji with satisfaction.

Really... the more he looked, the more he liked the boy.

It would have been even better if Shuji were his son.

"How was it? Did you adjust well on your first day at the academy?"

With his hands behind his back, Tokuhiro walked ahead as he asked Shuji.

"It was much better than I imagined."

Shuji straightened up and walked forward alongside Tokuhiro.

"I heard that during your taijutsu class, you defeated Uchiha Mikoto, who has the Two-Tomoe Sharingan?"

Tokuhiro chuckled and nodded before continuing to question Shuji.

As the head of the Hyuga Clan's Main Family, it was very easy for Tokuhiro to learn certain things if he wanted to.

Especially on the Ninja Academy's first day of ninjutsu classes—something all the parents of ninja clans paid close attention to.

Their children's victories and defeats were directly tied to the parents' pride.

"Just luck."

Shuji chuckled softly.

"Uchiha Mikoto was defeated in less than a minute. You call that luck?"

Tokuhiro asked with a teasing smile.

"Still, staying humble is indeed important."

With that, Tokuhiro patted Shuji's shoulder and spoke softly.

"Mm, I'll continue working hard."

Shuji nodded obediently.

"Mm. Go back and get some proper rest."

As they neared Shuji's house, Tokuhiro smiled at him.

"All right. Take care, Lord Tokuhiro."

Shuji nodded, then turned and entered his house.

"Mm."

Tokuhiro lightly nodded. After watching Shuji return home, he slowly turned around, and the smile on his face gradually became sinister.

That little brat Hiashi...

It would have been one thing if he lost to Nawaki. That was not much of a problem.

But...

No dreams? How could he possibly say something like that?

With his head lowered and a chilling smile at the corner of his lips, Tokuhiro hurried home.

"Nawaki, am I petty?"

At the Senju family's dojo, Tsunade gently asked Nawaki, who was sweating profusely as he trained.

"Huh? Of course not?!"

Nawaki's heart immediately tightened. He lifted his head in surprise and looked at Tsunade.

"Did... did someone say something to you?"

Getting to his feet, Nawaki looked at the seemingly gentle Tsunade. He instinctively swallowed, his feet uncontrollably retreating backward.

"So I'm not petty, am I?"

Tsunade's smile grew even gentler—so gentle that it had become twisted.

"How... how could you be petty?"

As Tsunade advanced toward him step by step, Nawaki could only retreat step by step.

Until his body was pressed completely against the wall.

"Me? I'm really very petty."

"Ahhh!"

Nawaki's miserable scream rang out from the Senju family's dojo.

"Hiashi."

At the Hyuga residence, Hyuga Tokuhiro called out to Hiashi.

"Hm? Father."

Hiashi, who had been practicing Chakra control, immediately stopped and looked toward Hyuga Tokuhiro.

For some reason, the moment he saw Hyuga Tokuhiro's face, a sense of foreboding suddenly rose in Hiashi's heart.

"I heard from Teacher Minami Saho that you have no dreams?"

"Y-You have to let me explain!"

As Tokuhiro's words fell, Hiashi's pupils abruptly contracted, and he hurriedly spoke.

"No need. I'll help you find a dream."

Tokuhiro casually waved his hand. The next moment, he thrust out a hand toward Hyuga Hiashi.

"Ahhh!"

A scream rang out as Hiashi's body was sent flying.

Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!

Shuji knew what happened to Nawaki, but he really had no idea what happened to Hiashi.

But that was not important. Right now, Shuji was practicing taijutsu in the dojo at home.

Whether it was the Gentle Fist's pressure-point strikes or a Fighter's taijutsu system, both were things Shuji needed to keep learning.

As for the physical training required for the Eight Inner Gates...

Shuji planned to start using weights after some time, combining physical conditioning and taijutsu training to save time.

As for whether the weights would cause injuries that were difficult to recover from...

That was not important. The existence of Nen Energy gave Shuji the confidence to train himself to death, so long as he did not actually die.

Late at night, Nawaki, who had been sleeping soundly on the tatami, suddenly jolted awake.

"Bitch!"