You Actually Did This at the Start of the Battle... Freak

The entire arena was stunned.

Five consecutive elemental techniques combined with genjutsu—though the proficiency across the five elements appeared largely indistinguishable.

Yet, that was not the most significant part. The true feat lay in the difficulty and chakra consumption required to refine five different nature transformations in such a short span of time, which far exceeded the demands of standard chakra manipulation.

The reason the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was hailed as the "Professor of Ninjutsu" was precisely his mastery over all five elemental attributes.

"Clan Head, Hayato's elemental control has advanced even further since we last trained him."

Uchiha Yashiro watched Hayato in the arena, speaking with evident admiration.

For an elite jonin, possessing five elemental affinities was nothing extraordinary, but when considering Hayato's age, it was a different story entirely.

Hayato had only just turned fourteen, yet he could already master and skillfully employ five chakra natures. He was a genius in every sense of the word, and he had achieved this reputation almost without needing to rely on his Sharingan.

"Indeed, his combat instincts are also impressive. However, I am still curious as to how he countered Tekka's Lightning Style: Lightning Ball."

Uchiha Inabi was more intrigued by the specific method Hayato had used to neutralize the lightning orb.

"He utilized his own lightning nature transformation to release a faint, invisible current the moment the orb was about to strike. The water left behind from his earlier Water Formation Wall was the setup he used to conduct it."

Fugaku spoke with a calm expression, his gaze distant as he watched Hayato in the arena.

Yashiro and Inabi exchanged glances. It wasn't that they hadn't understood, but rather that the realization of what he had done was simply incredible.

To have prepared for such a contingency from the very beginning—even if it hadn't been a pre-planned trap, the ability to conceive such a strategy in a split second was something that transcended the label of "genius."

Hayato walked toward Tekka and extended a hand. "Senior, thank you for the match."

In the final moment, Hayato had deliberately directed the bulk of his Fire Style toward the Sealing Formation already set up in the training ground; otherwise, Tekka might have been bedridden for over a month from that strike.

"Hayato, well done."

Tekka was stunned for a moment before grabbing Hayato's hand to pull himself up, offering his praise.

The strong are respected wherever they go.

Moreover, only half a year ago, the Hayato before him had been nothing more than an ordinary member of the Uchiha clan.

At this thought, Tekka offered a wry smile. Why did he suddenly have the illusion that he was getting old?

He was, after all, only a few years older than Hayato.

"How did you neutralize my Lightning Style: Lightning Ball?" Tekka asked curiously, as this had been the most baffling part of the fight.

Hayato had handled it with such ease.

"Conductive Induction," Hayato replied with a simple smile, making no effort to hide the truth.

Tekka paused, staring at Hayato as if he were a monster. "You managed to set that up from the very start of the match... you're a freak."

"It seems I was the one who underestimated you." Tekka was now truly convinced of his defeat.

"You're too kind, Senior."

"Cut it out. From now on, you're a squad leader just like me. Just call me Tekka." Tekka laughed heartily and clapped Hayato on the shoulder.

"Understood, Senior Tekka."

Hayato didn't dwell on it, though he continued to address Tekka as his senior.

Tekka pointed a finger at him, feigning annoyance. "Let's go. Come find me when you have time, and I'll introduce you to the others."

Hayato nodded. This was exactly what he wanted; to enter a circle, one needed someone to lead the way.

Neither Fugaku nor Shisui were suitable—one was the clan head, and the other was a controversial genius. They were far less accessible than a mid-level squad leader like Tekka.

The two walked toward the second floor. The clansmen they passed looked at Hayato with strange expressions.

There was envy, jealousy, and admiration.

Among their peers, only a few had awakened the Sharingan, and Hayato was the only one with a Three-Tomoe.

Furthermore, even the talented Senior Tekka, who was several years their senior, had been defeated by Hayato. This meant that, provided Hayato made no mistakes, he would soon become one of the most privileged members of the Uchiha clan.

Facing these gazes, Hayato maintained a gentle demeanor, nodding to those he recognized from time to time.

Tekka, walking beside him, observed this and felt quite satisfied.

A truly excellent junior.

Next, it was time for Shisui's match.

Root Base.

Danzo leaned on his cane, listening to the report.

"You're saying that after the Police Force finished their patrol today, they all gathered at the training ground? And that chakra fluctuations could be felt from the perimeter?"

Danzo's face was dark as he asked the question.

"Yes, Lord Danzo."

The Root ninja knelt on one knee, responding with an expressionless face.

"I understand."

Danzo finished speaking and closed his eyes, while the Root ninja kneeling on the ground retreated a few steps and left the spot.

"Hiruzen is a fool, blinded by that brat. But I will not let it end like this, heh—"

The flickering candlelight illuminated Danzo's face, and as he spoke the final words, he curled his lips in a smug grin.

"I want to see just how long you can hold out once you are pushed to the brink."

Thump!

The sound of a cane striking the floor rang out, and several Root ninja stepped forward, kneeling on one knee to await orders.

The surroundings slowly sank into darkness, completely isolating everything within.

Hayato and Shisui stood before the Police Force building, having officially accepted the duties of squad leaders bestowed upon them by Fugaku.

Watching Hayato and Shisui pin the badges representing their rank as squad leaders onto their shoulders, Fugaku and the elders offered a few words of encouragement before departing the Police Force building.

"Seniors, please look after me from now on!"

Hayato led Shisui into the squad leader's office and greeted the several squad leaders inside.

"Haha! We are all clansmen, no need for such formalities!"

Tekka rose with a beaming expression, familiarly draping an arm over Hayato's shoulder. "This is Yakumi, this is..."

Hayato followed Tekka's introductions and met them one by one. Seeing that Tekka had made the introductions, the men who had been sitting down stopped acting stiff and gave Hayato the courtesy of exchanging a few pleasantries.

Behind him, Shisui was busy calming the envy in his heart, as some of the clansmen had been quite displeased by his previous words.

Because of this, he did not speak.

Hayato gave Shisui's shoulder a subtle pat, signaling that he didn't need to feel that way.

Now was not the right opportunity; at the very least, he would have to wait until they had truly integrated into this circle before he could bring Shisui to reintroduce himself to these men.

After finishing the introductions, Tekka led Hayato and Shisui off to other areas.

The assignment of squads and the coordination of missions still required some instruction.

Although squad leaders did not need to go on patrol like ordinary clansmen, there were certain locations that required their cooperation.