The Hell Viewing Technique could make an opponent see terrifying things they didn't want to see!
But "terrifying" could mean a lot of things. One person might see a loved one die, another might see a vicious monster, and someone else might see himself being forced into intimate relations with a dozen burly men, one after another. It varied from person to person.
What had Houka seen when he used the Hell Viewing Technique on himself?
In a solemn courtroom, several armed policemen guarded the area. Rows of reporters sat in the gallery, their cameras and microphones pointed at him as he sat dazed in the defendant's seat, his hands cuffed. Then a judge wearing a monk's headband stepped up to him, took out a wooden gavel, and slammed it against his forehead again and again.
"Houka, you are sentenced to twenty years in prison, stripped of your political rights for life, and fined two million!!!"
Click, click!
The cameras behind him flashed in unison, capturing this historic moment.
"Whoa!"
Houka jolted awake.
What the hell was that?
Houka's face was a picture of embarrassment.
I never did anything heinous in my past life, so why the hell would I be locked up for twenty years?!
Houka was so angry he wanted to use the Hell Viewing Technique on himself again, then beat that judge to a pulp!
How dare he hit my handsome face with a gavel?
Phew!
After a while, Houka finally calmed down and went to sleep, exhausted.
"I never would've guessed that what I feared most was going to prison."
The next morning, Houka packed his lunch for noon. After breakfast with Obito, he headed for the Ninja Academy.
On the way, Obito was his usual self. The moment he spotted an old woman crossing the street, he ran over, crying out as he offered to help her. Houka had learned his lesson this time: he ignored Obito and headed straight for the Ninja Academy.
Buzz...
As he neared the Ninja Academy, Houka noticed more and more people around him. Everywhere, people were talking, and countless children chattered excitedly.
"What's going on?"
Houka looked around. The children all seemed thrilled, with the proud air of kindergartners graduating and moving up to first grade.
Was it registration day for the new students?
"Hey, Houka!"
A childish voice, tinged with flattery, suddenly called out beside him.
Houka looked over. It was a freckle-faced boy from his class. He'd been rude and then fawning toward Houka yesterday, so Houka had already written him off. In response to his greeting, Houka merely nodded, then strode straight toward the school gates.
The freckle-faced boy awkwardly kept his hand raised. Anger and hurt showed in his eyes, but, thinking of Houka's new reputation as a "genius," he could only grumble resentfully to himself before slumping into the school.
Just as Houka had guessed, today was the Ninja Academy's entrance ceremony. Hundreds of brats who had passed the ninja aptitude exam gathered with their parents and listened respectfully to the Third Hokage's address.
This was the first time Houka had seen the Third Hokage in person.
He was a short, middle-aged man wearing a white Hokage Cloak. His back was ramrod straight, his expression resolute, and his eyes calm. He had the commanding air of a security team leader in a large building.
Houka took a distant look, then left the field without lingering. After returning to the classroom, he could still faintly hear the Third Hokage explaining the Will of Fire.
"Sure enough, education has to start with the little ones."
When Houka returned to his seat, his two deskmates treated him completely differently. They were so polite, calling him "Uchiha big bro" one moment and "Big Brother Houka" the next. Their enthusiasm gave Houka goosebumps.
Apparently noticing the disdain in Houka's eyes, the two deskmates exchanged a glance and fell silent, looking rather aggrieved.
"Houka, where did you go yesterday?" Kurenai Yuhi suddenly came over. Her big, innocent eyes held a trace of curiosity, and her chubby cheeks were full of natural collagen.
"Ah, that crazy woman dragged me up the mountain to catch the breeze. You know, on Kage Rock." Houka sighed. "Kurenai, make sure you never become a woman like that."
Kurenai didn't understand what he meant at all, but she nodded innocently.
After chatting with Houka for a couple more moments, Kurenai jogged back to her seat.
Then Rin came over and asked him to teach her Medical Ninjutsu.
"Please!" Rin asked earnestly, bowing.
"Even if you're asking so sincerely..." Houka scratched his head. Obito was already turning into a bottle of century-old vinegar. If Houka got even a little close to Rin, Obito would get jealous, acting like he had to guard against fire, thieves, and Houka.
Rin was a girl with a keen eye. Noticing Houka's hesitation, she couldn't help looking disappointed. "Is that a no?"
"It's not that I won't..." Houka had just started to speak when a figure came rushing over at lightning speed.
"Ahahaha! Rin, Houka's usually too busy training, so you can just ask me to teach you Medical Ninjutsu!" Obito said enthusiastically, panting. Then he turned to glare viciously at Houka and muttered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "You bastard, how could you leave me behind?!"
Houka leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, and turned to look out at the blue sky and white clouds.
"Really? But, Obito, you know Medical Ninjutsu?" Rin asked, looking at Obito in surprise.
As someone who ranked near the bottom of the year, Obito's grades had always been remarkably consistent—never budging. His reputation was known throughout the entire year, so it was no wonder Rin was doubtful.
Obito's expression stiffened. He scratched his head and laughed awkwardly. "Well, Rin, don't underestimate me. I—I'm going to become Hokage one day. How could I not know Medical Ninjutsu?"
All right, he was willing to put on a brave face for his goddess. Obito was determined to keep going down this path.
A smile tugged at Houka's lips.
"Really? That's great! Obito, can you teach me Medical Ninjutsu during lunch break?" Rin clasped her hands together, delighted.
Obito looked like he was about to cry. "At lunch? Well, um..."
He turned to look at Houka behind him, repeatedly giving him meaningful looks.
"Huh? Obito, is your eye twitching?" Houka decided to play dumb.
"You bastard..." Obito gritted his teeth. He was really grinding them; they even squeaked.
"Obito?" Rin tilted her head as she looked at him.
Obito hurriedly turned back to her and laughed awkwardly. "Of course! No problem. Then it's... settled."
By the end, Obito sounded utterly aggrieved.
Just then, a commotion broke out outside the classroom.
A bunch of students from the other classes ran out, shouting excitedly. They were obviously going to watch the excitement.
"What's going on?" Houka craned his neck, but unfortunately, he couldn't see outside from where he sat.
Immediately afterward, waves of surprised shouts and cheers came from outside.
Curious, Houka glanced at the dejected Obito and excited Rin, then headed out alone.
The hallway outside the classroom was already packed with students. In the middle, two people were fighting at close quarters.
"Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Two Palms!"
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