Don't You Know?!

Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui exchanged a glance but said nothing. The Hyuga were as renowned as the Uchiha, after all, so they hadn't taken them lightly.

After discussing it, they decided that Uchiha Itachi would step forward and fight Hyuga Rin, the Great Elder's grandson. Hyuga Rin soon arrived at the training ground. He had heard that his grandfather had found him a worthy opponent, and that winning this fight would bring unparalleled glory to the Hyuga Clan.

So he got up at once and came here. When he saw the two Uchiha shinobi, a combative gleam entered his eyes.

"You two are the ones who want to fight me?" Hyuga Rin raised an eyebrow. His gaze was full of arrogant contempt. According to the Hyuga Clan's teachings, the Hyuga's Byakugan was the Shinobi World's greatest Kekkei Genkai!

What nonsense was the Sharingan? Their Byakugan was the best in the Shinobi World. Once fully mastered, it could even grant immunity to genjutsu, though very few people ever reached that level.

At present, only Hyuga Hiashi had crossed the threshold. Even then, it had merely improved his resistance to attacks. He himself didn't understand why the Byakugan was considered the Sharingan's equal.

It seemed that during the Warring States period, Hyuga Tenin's strength had been no worse than Uchiha Madara's or Hashirama Senju's. Yet by their generation, the gap had grown much wider.

Hyuga Hiashi had been drawn in by the servant's words, and he also wanted to see how strong Uchiha Itachi was.

After all, Uchiha Itachi had always carried out missions in the Anbu. His ninjutsu, abilities, and record were all classified, but he was certainly famous!

Was he worthy of his reputation, or did his fame precede his merit? They would find out soon enough.

Uchiha Itachi didn't reply. He stood where he was, watching Hyuga Rin. To him, Hyuga Rin was full of openings—not to mention far less cautious than Neji Hyuga.

He didn't know whether the Hyuga Great Elder doted on his grandson too much, or if the younger generation of the Hyuga Clan was simply like this. If so, it wouldn't be long before the Hyuga fell from the ranks of the great clans.

When Uchiha Itachi didn't answer, Hyuga Rin's mouth drooped. Then he said, "Let's get started. I'll deal with this rude guy quickly, then get back to training." With that, he assumed the Hyuga's standard opening stance.

He bent his knees slightly and held his hands before him like blades. The pose did make him look somewhat like a formidable fighter, but to Uchiha Itachi, it was simply foolish.

Hyuga Rin's legs trembled slightly, and his waist was bent. He was clearly exhausted, his stance unsteady. He'd been lax in his training and had a poor foundation. People like him gave Itachi a headache. He was afraid he might accidentally beat him to death.

The two clans were discussing important matters, and making a scene now would do them no good.

Hyuga Hiashi, who had arrived later, saw that Uchiha Itachi still hadn't made a move. "Itachi, don't hold back on my account. The young people of my Hyuga Clan can handle a loss!"

Everyone looked at Hyuga Hiashi after he said this. His impartial expression impressed them, and they all turned their attention to the training ground. The Hyuga Great Elder's expression changed.

How could he not know Uchiha Itachi's identity and strength? He had wanted his grandson to face him only because the two clans needed something from the Hyuga, hoping the match would let his grandson make a good impression and raise his profile.

In Konoha, there were only two ways to become famous: earn military merit on the battlefield, or challenge a renowned strong fighter. If you managed not to lose, people would admire you.

Uchiha Itachi had many labels: the Uchiha Clan Head's son, the Uchiha Clan's future heir, and an Anbu squad leader. All of them spoke to his strength.

As long as his grandson came away without a loss, it would greatly benefit his future. Now, by telling Uchiha Itachi to give it his all, Hyuga Hiashi was clearly trying to ruin his plans.

The Great Elder shot Hyuga Hiashi a fierce look. Hyuga Hiashi smiled faintly. "Do you have a problem with that, Great Elder?"

The Hyuga Great Elder fell silent, then looked toward the training ground. Deep in Hyuga Hiashi's eyes was a trace of killing intent and coldness. This sort of person had brought shame on the entire Hyuga Clan! If the Great Elder could die without anyone noticing during the coming coup d'état...

Uchiha Shisui raised his right hand high. "I declare this fight underway! (Senzu beans are on the menu!)"

Hyuga Rin stepped forward, quickly closing in on Uchiha Itachi. He launched an Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm straight at Itachi's face, so fast it was almost impossible to react. Uchiha Itachi stood motionless, as if he hadn't noticed.

The next moment, just as the Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm struck him, Uchiha Itachi's body turned into a flock of crows that scattered in every direction. Their harsh cawing was chilling.

Hyuga Rin froze for a second. Then he felt a chill behind him. Uchiha Itachi!

Uchiha Itachi charged at Hyuga Rin from behind, a short blade in one hand, while throwing three shuriken. They curved around Hyuga Rin's sides and converged in front of him. Their collisions sent all three flying toward him.

Hyuga Rin knew he was under attack from both front and back. He was in danger! So he gathered chakra and performed the Hyuga secret technique, Rotation!

A hemisphere of swirling blue chakra stopped the three shuriken and Uchiha Itachi's charge. Itachi withdrew and leapt into the air, reaching for his weapons pouch. He gripped shuriken in the spaces between his fingers, eight in all, ready to throw them the moment Hyuga Rin's Rotation ended.

The Hyuga Great Elder knew exactly what Uchiha Itachi was planning. He immediately rushed toward the platform to save his grandson, but Hyuga Hiashi put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't let people think we can't accept a loss. Isn't that right, Great Elder?"

Hyuga Hiashi's hand suddenly tightened, squeezing the Great Elder's shoulder until it creaked. The Great Elder's heart tightened. He hadn't expected Hiashi to threaten him over an outsider!

"Hyuga Hiashi, let go! Don't you know this fight concerns the honor of our Hyuga Clan? Don't you know that if the Hyuga Clan loses, we'll never be able to hold our heads high again? Don't you know the one on the platform is my only grandson?" His three repeated questions revealed the Hyuga Great Elder's fury.

"Great Elder, don't get so worked up!" Hyuga Hiashi smiled.

"I'm worked up?" The Hyuga Great Elder glared, bristling with anger.

"Look! Hyuga Rin's Rotation has ended!" someone called out.

Their words immediately drew Hyuga Hiashi's and the Hyuga Great Elder's attention.

On the platform, Hyuga Rin had finished using Rotation. His steps were unsteady, and he was dizzy. He clearly couldn't keep fighting. Uchiha Itachi's eyes lit up, and he threw all eight shuriken.

The eight shuriken landed around Hyuga Rin without piercing him. When he came to and tried to fight back, he suddenly realized that steel wire had bound his hands and legs!

His pupils contracted. In the sunlight, he saw the wire glint. It was attached to those shuriken!