Kizaru controlled the size of the lasers. Thin as strands of hair, they shot continuously from the tip of his index finger.
The lasers were weak. As long as they didn't hit a vital spot, they wouldn't do much harm to the four little ones—just make them feel a sting.
Kizaru had chosen a dodgeball-like evasion drill for two reasons. First, he wanted to test whether Namikaze Minato's reflexes were really as impressive as the story had made them out to be. Second, he wanted to train all four children's reaction speed and physical fitness.
At Kizaru's insistence, the four weren't allowed to hide behind cover. They had to keep dodging in the open training ground, and by now they were all in a sorry state.
Of them, Namikaze Minato—whom Kizaru had singled out for special attention—looked the worst.
But Kizaru had kept his eyes on Minato, and he still noticed that Minato had actually been hit by the lasers the fewest times of the four.
Namikaze Minato truly had an exceptional gift for quick reflexes.
The evasion drill lasted half an hour. In the final few minutes, Kizaru saw that all four had grown terribly tired. Minato showed it the most; he had nearly run out of stamina.
Kizaru raised his right index finger to his lips and blew gently, dispersing the golden light at its tip.
"Game over!"
At his words, the four slumped onto the ground and panted heavily.
Kizaru stepped forward, went to each of them in turn, and pulled them to their feet. Then he stood in the middle and continued, "Shimura Yoshihiko!"
At the sound of his name, Yoshihiko perked up at once and gazed eagerly at Kizaru.
"You were hit fifteen times!"
Hearing this, Yoshihiko lowered his head, feeling that he'd done terribly.
"Shimura Yuki, you were hit twelve times!"
Yuki smiled at Kizaru but didn't childishly gloat over Yoshihiko.
"Shimura Tanin, you were hit fifteen times!"
Disappointment showed in Tanin's eyes, and he lowered his head too.
"Namikaze Minato." After calling Minato's name, Kizaru gave him an encouraging smile before continuing, "You did well. You were hit only nine times."
At this, Yoshihiko and Tanin, who had just lowered their heads, couldn't help looking at Minato.
Under everyone's gaze, Minato smiled gently, a little embarrassed, and rubbed the back of his head.
Yuki clenched her small fist. She didn't look at Minato, keeping her eyes on Kizaru instead. When she saw him praise Minato, she vowed to herself that next time she'd come in first and earn praise from Big Brother Kizaru.
After announcing their scores, Kizaru surveyed the four little faces, each wearing a different expression, and offered his assessment. "You all did pretty well in that drill.
"Minato, in particular, your reflexes are excellent. You can focus on developing them further. Your stamina is a little lacking, though, so you'll need to work on that."
Minato smiled gratefully at Kizaru and nodded to show that he understood.
"Yoshihiko and Tanin, your scores were the lowest, but you have different problems.
"Tanin, your reflexes actually aren't slow. The main issue is your physical fitness, especially your explosive power. You'll need to practice more.
"Yoshihiko, your physical fitness is good, but your reactions are a little slow. You need to work on that."
"I'll train hard, Big Brother Kizaru!" Yoshihiko said with determination.
"I understand, Big Brother Kizaru," Tanin replied with a nod.
After assessing the three boys, Kizaru turned to Yuki.
Yuki was the most competitive of the four and usually trained the hardest.
Knowing this well, Kizaru walked over to her and patted her shoulder.
"Yuki, you did really well just now." After giving her a warm compliment, Kizaru added, "Like Tanin, your explosive power is a little lacking. You can practice with him from now on."
Yuki nodded at Kizaru without saying a word, her gaze resolute.
After assessing Yuki, Kizaru returned to the middle and addressed all four. "You can practice on your own now!"
Then he looked at Yoshihiko and added, "Yoshihiko, practice with Minato."
Yoshihiko felt a little awkward about it, but didn't refuse. He nodded at Kizaru. "I understand, Big Brother Kizaru!"
Then Yoshihiko went over to Minato and invited him to practice together.
Once the four had started practicing on their own, Kizaru stretched and began his own training.
The Uchiha Clan's compound was bustling with activity.
The reason was simple: six-year-old Uchiha Inabi had awakened his Sharingan.
Awakening the Sharingan at just six years old was a rare feat in the history of the Uchiha Clan.
When the clan members and elders heard the news, they couldn't help rushing to Inabi's family shop.
Surrounded by his elders, Uchiha Inabi activated his Sharingan to show it off.
"The Uchiha Clan has another genius!"
"I could tell at a glance that Inabi had talent."
"That's right! Inabi's a fine child."
Hearing the elders praise him and his parents laughing happily behind him, Uchiha Inabi felt overjoyed.
For a six-year-old, praise from parents and elders was the finest gift in the world.
His face beamed with delight, his lips curled high, and happiness radiated from him. Uchiha Inabi had never felt so glad and content.
"Inabi, how did you awaken your Sharingan?" one of the Uchiha elders asked curiously.
"I..." Uchiha Inabi had just opened his mouth when he suddenly stopped.
How had he awakened it?
Because that jerk Hyuga Toda had made him so angry!
Feeling that the way he'd awakened his Sharingan was too embarrassing, Uchiha Inabi didn't really want to answer.
But with the elders around him watching in anticipation and curiosity, he hesitated for a long while before finally speaking.
"This morning, Hyuga Toda from my class... he made fun of me. I... I got so angry that my eye awakened."
Feeling a little embarrassed after saying it, Uchiha Inabi's cheeks reddened, and he lowered his head.
He'd awakened his Sharingan out of anger?
The Uchiha gathered around him exchanged glances, clicking their tongues in amazement.
"What did Hyuga Toda say?" someone asked curiously.
"First he challenged Kizaru in front of everyone, saying that the Uchiha Clan wasn't a match for Kizaru and that only he was worthy of him."
Many of the proud Uchiha grew angry at those words, clearly riled up by what Hyuga Toda had said.
"I got mad when I heard that, so I stood up and challenged him. But then... then he activated his Byakugan and said I was six years old and still hadn't awakened mine, so I had no right to talk to him."
After hearing Uchiha Inabi finish, the entire room fell silent.
Everyone was at a loss for words over what that Hyuga kid had said.