Momoko's Troubles

Hyuga Ruri's slender body trembled. She couldn't help murmuring the words, "The strong don't dwell on the outcome. Only the weak hesitate."

It was as if she had stepped through a new doorway.

Don't dwell so much on the process, and don't worry about the outcome.

As long as she felt she was doing the right thing, she should work hard at it. She should give it a try!

"Hmph!"

But then Hyuga Ruri looked at Keigo Uchiha's handsome, composed face. Her cheeks flushed, and she gave a soft huff. "Do I need you to teach me?"

"But... I'll give it a try!"

With that,

she huffed again and turned to leave. A faint flush colored her cool face, though no one noticed.

"What a tsundere girl."

Keigo Uchiha chuckled and couldn't help shaking his head. A hint of anticipation glimmered in his eyes. That was the Tenseigan—a Six Paths-level ability!

A woman like that was all the more fun to win over.

Hokage's Office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at the crystal ball and sucked in a sharp breath.

His eyes were filled with shock!

"So that's why Keigo Uchiha needs Water Release? He's a member of the Uchiha Clan, yet he's mastered a terrifying jutsu like Storm Release!"

Kekkei Genkai had always been fearsome.

Especially those with powerful offensive capabilities.

Storm Release's terrifying power wasn't just about gaining Water Release's fluidity!

It could also compress lightning as though it were flowing water,

concentrating it into an even more terrifying force!

He was so shocked he couldn't speak.

"Keigo Uchiha becoming an Elite Jonin is all but certain. He's destined to be anything but ordinary, which also means he'll become the future clan head of the Uchiha Clan!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes flashed.

It looked like he'd have to be even more enthusiastic toward Keigo Uchiha from now on.

Youngsters... were always the easiest to fool!

Over the next half month, the rookie class studied ninja history, the principles behind the interactions between chakra natures, and some battlefield precautions!

Next came all the Hand Seal techniques!

"The principle behind Hand Seals is that you use them to memorize and guide the flow of chakra inside your body, allowing you to perform the corresponding jutsu. Of course, you need more than just fast Hand Seals. You also need strong control over the flow of chakra in your body!"

Kamimura Yanoi explained precisely and seriously. "Otherwise, even if you manage to form the seals, you won't be able to perform the jutsu!"

"That could be fatal on the battlefield!"

"For example, being able to form one seal per second is considered passing at your current level."

Kamimura Yanoi looked around with a satisfied smile. That was what made the elite rookie class so impressive. They'd been able to form one seal per second after only a month of school, while students in ordinary classes were still fumbling with their Hand Seals!

Under his desk,

Keigo Uchiha remained calm as his hands formed Hand Seals rapidly. They were moving so fast that they left afterimages!

If Kamimura Yanoi had seen him, his jaw would have dropped in shock!

Keigo Uchiha could already form three seals per second!

He shook his head, a glint in his eyes. "I can only manage three seals per second for now. To form seals with one hand, I'll need at least six per second. To clap both hands together and summon whatever I want, I'll need at least eight per second, assuming I have enough chakra."

That was a terrifying speed.

Even Uchiha Itachi, who was praised to the skies, could only manage six seals per second! That was the level needed to form seals with one hand.

It was a top-tier standard throughout the Shinobi World!

"Clap both hands together, and whatever you want appears—that's something only a player with cheats can experience!"

School soon let out.

Keigo Uchiha was just about to leave when Kurama Shimotsuki appeared beside him. "Hardworking genius, I bet you can do more than one seal per second now, can't you? Can you manage two?"

Her face was gentle, but her dark eyes held a trace of... curiosity.

"Three seals per second. It's still too slow."

He answered coolly, put his books in his desk, walked past her, and left.

"What!?"

Kurama Shimotsuki's eyes widened. She turned around in disbelief, but Keigo Uchiha was nowhere to be seen.

Was this guy... a monster?

While other people still had to work hard just to form one seal per second, he could already manage three!

Even some Elite Chunin couldn't do that!

Senju Nawaki gritted his teeth and snorted. "Hmph! So what if you can form three seals per second? I don't care! A true genius only gets stronger over time. I'll surpass you in one fell swoop and become top of the year!"

Ever since the contest a month ago,

Keigo Uchiha's reputation as the top student in the year had been firmly established.

The Senju and Uchiha Clans would always be rivals!

"So he can form three seals per second?"

At that moment, Hyuga Ruri watched Keigo Uchiha's departing figure and huffed. "Even if he could form four or five seals per second, that wouldn't make any difference to me!"

"Keigo Uchiha, I'll defeat you!"

Senju Nawaki froze. "Huh?"

Then his face lit up. "Why? Does that mean you can already form four seals per second, Hyuga Ruri?!"

He couldn't help sucking in a sharp breath.

His eyes were filled with shock and delight.

It didn't matter who became top of the year. Anyone who could hold Keigo Uchiha down would do. He could accept anyone as top of the year, as long as they weren't from the Uchiha Clan!

Hyuga Ruri's cheeks reddened. She shot Senju Nawaki an annoyed glare, then turned and left.

All she left behind was a haughty, tsundere silhouette.

Senju Nawaki: "???"

What was that supposed to mean?

Kurama Shimotsuki glanced at Senju Nawaki as if he were an idiot. "Idiot. Hyuga Ruri is from the Hyuga Clan, so she doesn't need to form Hand Seals. She uses the Gentle Fist."

At once,

Senju Nawaki's face stiffened.

The Uchiha Clan.

It took Keigo Uchiha only five minutes to hurry back to the Uchiha Clan's compound.

"That's the strength of a ninja. An ordinary person would need twenty minutes to make this trip, but I can get here quickly in just five."

Keigo Uchiha walked into the courtyard.

Quite a few people greeted him, and he returned each greeting.

"Why does it work sometimes and not others?"

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Momoko Uchiha pouting, her face full of frustration. She shook her little head, looking terribly anxious.

"Why does this keep happening?"

"I can clearly perform it, but it keeps failing! It's so annoying!"

Momoko Uchiha clenched her small fists indignantly.

She looked like a little bundle of grievances.

"Keigo!"

Suddenly,

Momoko Uchiha spotted Keigo Uchiha smiling nearby. Her eyes lit up, and she hurried over. Then she pouted. "Keigo, why does my medical ninjutsu work sometimes and fail other times?"

"If that keeps happening, how am I supposed to treat your injuries in the future?"

As she spoke,

she looked utterly aggrieved,

on the verge of tears.