The Clever Hyuga Student

Early morning at the Ninja Academy. In the first-grade Elite Class classroom, everyone was sitting in their seats, some whispering, some snacking, and others already slumped over their desks, eyes closed to rest.

Clatter!

The classroom door was pushed open. Hearing the commotion, the students assumed the teacher had arrived, so they fell silent and looked toward the entrance.

"Ha~choo!"

With his left hand in his pocket, Kizaru raised his right hand to rub the back of his head. He walked into the classroom, eyes bleary with sleep, letting out a yawn.

Seeing that it was Kizaru, the classroom remained quiet for a brief moment before erupting into a fierce buzz of discussion.

Under the direction of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo, the news that Kizaru intended to challenge a Jonin from the Uchiha Clan during his early graduation exam had already spread throughout the village.

Facing a Jonin from the Uchiha Clan who had awakened their Sharingan, a one-on-one victory was considered impossible—a sentiment widely circulated throughout the Shinobi World.

For a mere six-year-old like Kizaru to challenge a Jonin during his graduation exam was already shocking enough, but now, he wasn't just challenging any Jonin; he was challenging a Jonin from the Uchiha Clan!

This was no longer just shocking; it was terrifying!

Most of the students in the Elite Class were descendants of ninja clans or civilian ninjas, and they had a much clearer understanding of the difficulty of Kizaru's early graduation exam.

The more they understood, the more they realized the magnitude of the challenge, which was why the classroom exploded into such intense debate the moment they saw Kizaru return to class.

Regarding this matter, some were jealous; they felt Kizaru was being too arrogant and would surely be taught a lesson by the Uchiha during the exam.

Some were in awe; they felt Kizaru's actions were truly impressive and cool—children in the Shinobi World always idolized the strong.

Some were angry; one student felt that Kizaru should be challenging a Jonin from his own Hyuga Clan instead of the Uchiha, especially since the great Hyuga Clan was clearly the strongest clan in Konoha!

This person was none other than Hyuga Toda, who had been incredibly furious ever since he heard of Kizaru's decision yesterday.

I, Hyuga Toda, am the one destined to be your lifelong rival, and my Hyuga Clan is the strongest in the village! Why would you challenge an Uchiha Jonin instead of one from my clan?

Furious and agitated, Hyuga Toda had shouted in front of his father, who was also an elder of the main branch, that he was going to find Kizaru and make him change his mind to challenge the Hyuga Clan—preferably his own father directly.

Faced with such a "filial" display of clan loyalty and fatherly love, Hyuga Toda's father was so moved that he rewarded him with two heavy slaps to the face!

Kizaru challenging the Uchiha Clan was clearly a result of the Uchiha's skepticism toward him, combined with the historical animosity between the Shimura and Uchiha clans. Yet, his own "genius" son wanted to draw that hatred toward them instead???

After listening to his son's outburst, Hyuga Toda's father only regretted not having another child sooner.

With the intelligence of this "genius" son, how could he ever shoulder the responsibilities of a main branch elder in the future?

Unlike his angry and worried father, the stunned Hyuga Toda didn't understand the reason for his father's rage at all; he only assumed that his impulsive shouting had violated the etiquette his father usually demanded of him.

And so, Hyuga Toda suppressed his grievances and bowed solemnly to apologize to his father.

Facing his son's apology, Hyuga Toda's father was completely depressed and made a decision in his heart: starting tonight, he had to work hard to produce a new heir!

Unaware that his position in the main branch was in jeopardy, Hyuga Toda was currently sitting upright in his seat, staring daggers at Kizaru as he walked into the classroom.

Hyuga Toda's gaze was so intense that Kizaru felt the stare the moment he entered.

Being met with the "white eyes" of his classmates first thing in the morning, Kizaru felt a bit bewildered.

As he walked from the door toward his seat by the window in the back, Kizaru stopped when he passed by Hyuga Toda.

"Hyuga-san, is there something you want to say to me?" Kizaru asked, looking down at Hyuga Toda, who was sitting beside him.

Hearing Kizaru's question, Hyuga Toda clenched his fists. He desperately wanted to tell Kizaru his thoughts from yesterday, but his father's stern warnings held him back.

Although he couldn't reveal his true intentions, Hyuga Toda still had something he wanted to say. He stood up abruptly, looked at Kizaru, and spoke with a hint of agitation.

"Kizaru-san, I know! The mere Uchiha Clan is absolutely no match for you. I will train hard, catch up to you, and become a rival worthy of you!" Looking directly into Kizaru's eyes, Hyuga Toda said with ironclad certainty.

The moment Hyuga Toda's words left his mouth, the entire classroom fell silent once again.

Everyone knew there was significant competition and mutual hostility between the Hyuga and Uchiha clans, but this was the first time they had ever encountered someone like Hyuga Toda, who would mock the Uchiha Clan so bluntly.

Bang!

The sound of a body slamming against a desk was exceptionally clear in the quiet classroom.

Unable to hold back after being mocked by Hyuga Toda, Uchiha Inabi stood up, looking extremely agitated and furious.

"Hyuga Toda, you bastard, are you trying to provoke my Uchiha Clan?"

"Shut your mouth, you idiot who hasn't even awakened your Byakugan at six years old! What right do you have to speak to me?" To increase the sting of his mockery, Hyuga Toda activated his Byakugan as he spoke.

At that moment, Uchiha Inabi trembled with rage.

Your Hyuga Clan's Byakugan is awakened by almost everyone, but is it the same as my Uchiha Clan's Sharingan?

So what if I haven't awakened it at six? Did I eat your rice? What does it have to do with you, you bastard?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. His fists were clenched so tight his whole body shook, and he glared at Hyuga Toda with eyes that seemed ready to tear him apart.

Uchiha Inabi's small chest heaved as he glared at Hyuga Toda, and just as he was about to make a move, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his eyes.

"Ah!" The pain forced a cry from Uchiha Inabi.

"Inabi-san, are you okay?" Namikaze Minato, the "little sun" sitting not far from Uchiha Inabi, stood up quickly and walked over, asking with concern.

Meanwhile, Kizaru, standing next to Hyuga Toda, was left stunned as he watched Uchiha Inabi clutching his eyes and crying out.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk!"

Kizaru looked from Uchiha Inabi to Hyuga Toda, who was holding his chin high with a haughty expression, a look of surprise appearing in his eyes.

Hyuga-san, your tongue is truly sharp! It's as if it were blessed, directly helping Uchiha Inabi awaken his Sharingan.

"Hey, what are you doing? Stop acting!" Hyuga Toda watched Uchiha Inabi clutching his eyes. At first, he was haughty and dismissive, but slowly, he couldn't help but show a hint of concern.

Supported by Namikaze Minato, the stinging pain gradually faded. Having adjusted, Uchiha Inabi pulled his hands away from his eyes.

As a member of the Uchiha Clan, he understood everything; he realized he had unlocked the Sharingan.

With a pair of blood-red One-Tomoe Sharingan open, Uchiha Inabi looked at Hyuga Toda once more.

He felt a bit smug, yet also somewhat strange, that he had actually been provoked into awakening his Sharingan by Hyuga Toda's mockery.

At this moment, Uchiha Inabi was both pleased and furious, and the look he gave Hyuga Toda became rather peculiar.