The Center of Attention

Falling Moon Style: Afterimage Fist was a new jutsu Uchiha Yue had created by combining the two basic ninjutsu, Clone Technique and Substitution Technique!

After mastering the basic Three Body Techniques perfectly in just a short time, Uchiha Yue had begun thinking about combining Clone Technique and Substitution Technique to create a new jutsu. He had wondered whether he could do away with the heavy wooden post, replacing it with a clone created by Clone Technique and using Substitution Technique to switch places with it.

Once Uchiha Yue had come up with the idea, he began repeatedly trying to combine the two basic techniques. Although he ran into many difficulties while developing the new jutsu, his theoretical knowledge was extensive. He could even draw on some imaginative ideas to work out the hand seals and chakra circulation method. Then, with enough practice, he successfully created Falling Moon Style: Afterimage Fist and learned to use it effectively in battle.

Falling Moon Style: Afterimage Fist might have been no more than a combination of the two basic techniques, Clone Technique and Substitution Technique, but its difficulty had already reached a high level.

The real difficulty of this new jutsu lay in timing and chakra distribution. As long as he could perfectly judge the moment in battle and allocate his chakra accordingly, Falling Moon Style: Afterimage Fist was easy to master. That was why the jutsu was only of moderate difficulty, and it did not consume much chakra, making it perfectly suited for combat.

Uchiha Yue possessed powerful spiritual energy, allowing him to discern every move his opponent made, so timing the technique was no challenge for him. The same spiritual energy also let him control his chakra with near perfection, making Falling Moon Style: Afterimage Fist a jutsu tailor-made for him.

It was precisely because he had this new jutsu, Falling Moon Style: Afterimage Fist, that Uchiha Yue had been confident enough to face Hyuga Anihiko.

Hyuga Anihiko's advantage was his mastery of the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist. Unfortunately, Gentle Fist was a close-combat style, and Uchiha Yue could use his spiritual energy to perceive every move his opponent made. Naturally, timing Falling Moon Style: Afterimage Fist was easy. Then, all he had to do was use the new jutsu to evade when his opponent attacked. Uchiha Yue was absolutely certain he could dodge every attack. So what if he let Hyuga Anihiko have three moves? He could have given him ten!

But...

Uchiha Yue's use of his new jutsu against Hyuga Anihiko had affected far more than just Hyuga Anihiko.

At that moment, the spectator stands around the training ground were completely silent. Almost everyone was stunned by the new jutsu Uchiha Yue had used. However, most of those watching were students from the Ninja Academy, and they couldn't see what made the technique special. They only felt that it was very powerful.

But the ignorant spectators did not include Konoha's Third Hokage, or Jiraiya, one of the Sannin.

When they saw Uchiha Yue use his new jutsu, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya were surprised at first. Then they turned approving gazes toward him.

As Jiraiya watched the afterimage on the training ground gradually fade, he finally couldn't help taking a deep breath. Turning to Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him, he said, "Teacher, it seems we misjudged him. That kid from the Hyuga Clan has no chance against Uchiha Yue. That kid named Uchiha Yue is already qualified to be a proper Genin!"

"Exactly."

Hearing his beloved student's assessment, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded lightly and said, "He's four years old. Uchiha Yue is only four, yet he can combine the basic techniques Clone Technique and Substitution Technique to create a new jutsu. How interesting. I never expected that by chance, coming here to watch these kids fight would let us see something so fascinating. This trip was well worth it!"

As he spoke, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Uchiha Yue and let out a deep sigh. Then he continued, "It's a shame he's from the Uchiha Clan... What a shame!"

"Hm?"

Hearing Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi say that, Jiraiya furrowed his brows slightly and said, "So what if he's from the Uchiha Clan? Teacher Sarutobi, you seem to have a prejudice against the Uchiha Clan!"

"Of course I have some prejudice."

As soon as Jiraiya finished speaking, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi replied, "I just hope Uchiha Yue will be different from the other members of the Uchiha Clan. Sigh..."

On the training ground, Uchiha Yue had no idea that his new jutsu had caught the attention of two influential figures.

What's more, because of his impressive performance, the two men had completely changed their opinion of him. The fact that they had stopped calling him "kid" and were now using his name made that clear.

Uchiha Yue was now simply staring at Hyuga Anihiko in front of him, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.

As if he had seen the mockery on Uchiha Yue's face, Hyuga Anihiko suddenly clenched his fists. His eyes burned with fury as he charged in once more!

"Die!"

Racing up to Uchiha Yue, Hyuga Anihiko still refused to give up and tried to use Gentle Fist against him.

Unfortunately, even without using Falling Moon Style: Afterimage Fist, Uchiha Yue could easily dodge his opponent's attacks with his powerful spiritual energy. So, after Hyuga Anihiko attacked twice in succession, Uchiha Yue finally began moving swiftly. He dodged his opponent's attacks, seized the opening he left, and launched a fierce counterattack!

By now, Uchiha Yue and Hyuga Anihiko were on completely different levels.

Uchiha Yue was clearly stronger than Hyuga Anihiko, so the outcome had been decided several minutes ago!

Uchiha Yue was sure to win!

"Falling Moon Style: Afterimage Fist!"

"Whoosh..."

Using his signature jutsu once more, Uchiha Yue dodged Hyuga Anihiko's Gentle Fist in an instant and moved behind him. He didn't even need to look to know that his opponent was wide open. Uchiha Yue gathered chakra in his body, then struck Hyuga Anihiko with a hand chop, knocking him unconscious.

The match was over. Uchiha Yue had won!

Although everyone had favored Uchiha Yue ever since he said he would let Hyuga Anihiko make three moves, believing he would win in the end, no one had expected the fight to be so dull. Uchiha Yue had completely dominated Hyuga Anihiko, who hadn't had the slightest chance to fight back.

Still, since Uchiha Yue had put on such an exciting match, the spectators were more than willing to give him a little applause.

However, just as everyone in the stands was preparing to celebrate Uchiha Yue's victory with enthusiastic applause...

Suddenly!

Uchiha Yue looked up at the stands and raised his right index finger, pointing straight at a corner of the audience!

"Hatake Kakashi, do you dare come down here and fight me!"