Smack—
Kamizuki slapped Nawaki's hand away, his expression dark. "Are you ever going to let go?!"
Even with Sarutobi Hiruzen standing right there, Kamizuki had no intention of showing regard for Nawaki's status.
There were still more than twenty years until the night of the clan massacre. The relationship between the Uchiha and the village had not yet deteriorated to that point, and the two legendary murderers had not even been born.
Kamizuki had no need to hide his true nature or worry about such pointless things as avoiding the Hokage faction's wariness.
Besides, the Uchiha had not yet weakened to the extent they would in later years. Plenty of old monsters from the Warring States era were still alive.
Kamizuki already stood out among the students because of his looks and height, so quite a few people were watching him.
The children of ninja clans who knew both his and Nawaki's identities kept their eyes fixed on them even more closely.
Was it finally happening?!
A clash between the new generation's two biggest wastes, Senju and Uchiha!
No one within the clan spoke of Kamizuki's Chakra-less body, but he did not stay shut up at home every day. Others had long learned of his unusual condition.
Just like the Hyuga. They would not dare say to his face that the Uchiha had a useless member, but behind his back, they were vicious about it. Even a brat like Ryosuke knew.
As for Nawaki...
How should one put it? A ten-year-old Senju clan member, the First's grandson, who could not even use the Clone Technique properly—what else could he be but useless?
"Nothing bad will happen, right...?"
Hizashi asked quietly. Although he had not personally activated his Byakugan to inspect Kamizuki's unusual body, his older brother and clan cousin had already stepped on that landmine before.
According to Hiashi, that guy had at least Chunin-level combat strength. If he came into conflict with Nawaki, would Nawaki not die from a single hit?
"With the Third Hokage here, probably not." Hiashi glanced over and saw that the Uchiha Police Force responsible for maintaining order had moved closer as well.
"Orochimaru, what happened?"
Orochimaru held Tsunade back and spoke first.
He knew his teammate's temper too well. It might not have been much of an issue to begin with, but if she said a few words, it would become a big problem.
Nawaki covered the back of his reddened hand and grinned. "It's nothing! Sis, Big Brother Orochimaru, I'm making friends!"
"Hey! What about me?! Big Brother Jiraiya! You're ignoring me too, Nawaki?!"
"Oh, oh! Big Brother Jiraiya, you were here too? Sorry!"
"Making friends..."
Tsunade's delicate brows furrowed. She caught sight of Nawaki's hand deliberately hidden behind his back. From her experience, it would soon swell up.
She looked at Kamizuki with some hostility. "There was no need to hit him that hard, kid."
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! My brother was born very strong, so he couldn't hold back!"
Mikoto hurriedly bowed in apology, looking very practiced at it.
"Nawaki, are you all right?"
The girl's gaze made Nawaki's cheeks flush even redder. He waved his hand. "I'm fine!"
"It was just children fooling around, Tsunade. Let's continue the class placement test." Orochimaru turned and had only taken one step...
"If you think swatting away a fly counts as hitting hard, then sure."
Kamizuki raised his head and met Tsunade's gaze without backing down.
Not good!
Orochimaru swiftly shifted his footing, already prepared to leap forward and block Tsunade's devastating punch.
A vein throbbed on Tsunade's forehead. She had not lost all sense of propriety to the point of hitting a child in front of so many people, but she had no intention of losing a verbal exchange either.
"Is this how your elders taught you to look down on your classmates?!"
A cold smile appeared on Kamizuki's lips.
Putting labels on people? I was better at that than her.
"On the first day of school, Lady Tsunade is already threatening students. Do you dislike us ninja clan members attending the Ninja Academy?"
"When did I threaten you?!" Tsunade's eyes widened. She had not realized the trap in Kamizuki's words at all.
"So... you admit that the Third Hokage's policy is wrong, then~"
"...Huh?"
Tsunade could not make the connection. What did this have to do with the old man?
Orochimaru helplessly pushed Tsunade aside, his dark golden vertical pupils narrowing. "Lord Hokage naturally welcomes all of you. Tsunade is simply blunt when she speaks; she did not mean that."
"You are Kamizuki, correct? I have read your enrollment records."
"Since we are already here, we might as well begin the placement test with you. What do you say?"
Tsunade was not stupid. With Orochimaru interrupting, she quickly caught on, and her look toward Kamizuki became even less friendly.
"Brat, you were trying to set me up!"
"Jiraiya! Take Tsunade to the other side!"
Orochimaru knew he could not let Tsunade keep talking to Kamizuki. One had a violent temper, while the other was a stubborn, scheming brat. If they exchanged a few more words, Kamizuki would definitely get hit.
If word got out on a day like this that a disciple of the Hokage had targeted a ninja clan child, it would be extremely unfavorable for his teacher.
Jiraiya knew nothing.
He only thought his good friend was creating an opportunity for him to spend time with Tsunade. As he dragged her away, he did not forget to give Orochimaru an "I get it" look.
At that moment, members of the Uchiha Police Force approached. The one in the lead was a young man who looked unusually mature.
It was a strange description, but that was simply the defining feature of his appearance.
The clan head's son, now a squad captain of the Uchiha Police Force—Uchiha Fugaku.
"Lord Orochimaru, what happened here?"
He greeted Orochimaru first, then frowned slightly upon seeing Kamizuki.
"Kamizuki... did you cause trouble again?"
Fugaku could not be blamed for thinking that. From his perspective, Kamizuki was absolutely the Uchiha's number-one little demon.
Several times, Fugaku had merely passed by Kamizuki's front door and gotten splashed with dirty water for no reason. Sometimes, while patrolling the streets, Kamizuki would suddenly appear out of nowhere and attack him.
He was too embarrassed to fight a child, so he avoided him every time.
What he did not know was... Kamizuki had been preventing him from meeting Mikoto.
For someone who could father a genius capable of destroying his own clan, Kamizuki would be damned if he let them get married!
As for Sasuke...
It did not matter. Sasuke took after his mother; he would be the same even with a different father.
"Nothing much. We were merely discussing things a little loudly. I'm going to test a few students, so Fugaku, go attend to your duties."
"Then I... Hm? You are Mikoto, aren't you?"
Fugaku spotted Mikoto behind Kamizuki and smiled. "How strange. Our homes are so close, yet I haven't seen you in years. You've grown up."
"Big Brother Fugaku... hello."
"Mm. Keep an eye on your brother and do not let him cause trouble. Come to my house for dinner sometime when you are free."
Sigh...
Kamizuki looked up at the sky and let out a long, sorrowful sigh.
Do not give me this kind of morning-drama, fated encounter...
"Stop!"
The sudden shout drew everyone's attention.
Kamizuki's expression became extremely unnatural. He glared viciously at Orochimaru. "Lord Orochimaru, this so-called test is to assess the students' Nintaijutsu ability, correct?"
Orochimaru had no idea why Kamizuki had suddenly become so agitated. He nodded. "You could put it that way. We will begin with kunai throwing—"
"I want a live spar with Uchiha Fugaku!"
Orochimaru was even more confused.
"Why?"
Kamizuki took a deep breath and slowly said, "They all say I am a well-known useless person with no Chakra."
"But I was born with immense strength, and my taijutsu is very strong. I want to prove my strength in public."
"It made too much sense, which made it impossible for me to understand."
Confusion filled Orochimaru's face. Based on their earlier exchange, he did not think Kamizuki had such a childish personality.
"Why Fugaku?"
"He is too ugly. I hate him."
Before you continue