"Byakugan Big Brother, go!"
Hyuga Gen couldn't understand why the Ninja Academy wasn't holding classes. He really wanted to say to Naruto, "Please, stop shouting. We're not that close."
Half a month had passed since the Chunin Exams preliminaries ended. Hyuga Gen had successfully made it into the top eight, and the quarterfinal matches were now underway.
Quite a few people had come to watch the matches today. Even the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had arrived at the venue, seated upright on the elevated platform as he watched the competition.
Hyuga Gen spotted many familiar faces as well: clan head Hyuga Hiashi, his grandfather Hyuga Kamen, Karin, Hyuga Natsu, Hanabi, and others.
Of course, there was one person he truly hadn't expected to see—Uzumaki Naruto, who was currently waving a flag and loudly cheering him on.
He was the only one in the entire arena shouting so unruly, which made him especially conspicuous.
"It's him, that Nine-Tails brat."
"He really doesn't follow any rules of the arena."
"Why is he cheering for that Hyuga Gen? Are they in the same group?"
"I never thought that prestigious clan would associate with the demon fox."
The surrounding spectators murmured among themselves, and their words reached Hyuga Hiashi's ears, making him frown.
"Big Sister Natsu, why is he cheering for that guy?" Hanabi asked curiously.
"Brother Gen and I once ran into him while he was buying a mask. When the shopkeeper saw it was him, he refused to sell him one. Brother Gen saw that and bought one for him. Maybe that's why."
As she spoke, Hyuga Natsu couldn't help recalling the scene.
Hyuga Natsu added, "Lady Hanabi, could you stop calling Brother Gen 'that guy'? You can call him Brother Gen too, just like I do."
"No. I'm not calling him