The Kumogakure ninja fighting Tetsu Hyuga and Himondo Hyuga turned his gaze toward the commotion.
Tetsu Hyuga did the same.
After Yotsuki Kei caught sight of Kiyoshi, a sharp glint flashed through his eyes. Taking advantage of Tetsu Hyuga's distraction, he broke through a flaw in his movements.
Smack!
Caught off guard, Tetsu Hyuga took a punch.
He staggered back several steps and vaguely heard the sound of his ribs cracking.
At least three of them were broken.
"A-Tie!"
Natsu Hyuga cried out worriedly.
"I'm fine, A Xia."
Tetsu Hyuga wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and waved a hand.
How could he embarrass himself in front of A Xia?
They were both from branch families and had been classmates since entering the Ninja Academy, practically growing up together.
And branch family members were not allowed to marry outsiders, so they generally married within the clan.
As it happened, Natsu Hyuga was not related to him within three generations.
She was also the prettiest girl among the branch families!
With all those buffs stacked, Tetsu Hyuga could not allow himself to lose face!
Meanwhile, far away.
Inside the tower, the surveillance monitors showed what was happening downstream along the riverbank near the tower.
The river was not far from the tower and happened to fall within the cameras' range.
Any farther away, and the cameras would not have been able to monitor it.
"That brat is Kiyoshi Uchiha?"
Jiraiya took a bite of an apple and pointed at the surveillance footage on the monitor.
He had asked the old man for a position as an assistant proctor.
"Yes, that's Kiyoshi."
Minato Namikaze nodded.
Having heard Kushina mention Kiyoshi before, he recognized him at a glance from his appearance.
"The situation doesn't look too promising."
Jiraiya suddenly