Hiashi Hyuga

"Not good!" Fugaku Uchiha's expression changed drastically as he hurriedly used the Body Flicker Technique to dodge.

Dog Biting Crimson Lotus missed, but Rogge was already charging in like lightning!

"Bang!" His fist struck Fugaku Uchiha squarely in the left cheek, sending him flying more than ten meters away.

While being sent flying, Fugaku Uchiha hurled a kunai like a meteor, shooting straight toward Rogge's chest.

Rogge shifted slightly and easily dodged the kunai.

However, an explosive tag was tied behind the kunai.

"Boom!" The violent explosion created a cloud of gray smoke that instantly engulfed Rogge.

Fugaku Uchiha crashed heavily onto the ground. Struggling to his feet, he stared at the gradually dispersing smoke and muttered, "At such close range, even with Lava Release defense, he has to be seriously injured."

A trace of ruthlessness and smugness appeared in his eyes. "You brat, this is what you get for underestimating the Uchiha Clan!"

As the smoke cleared, Rogge was nowhere to be seen. Only a lump of magma half a man tall remained.

Whoosh~

The next instant, before Fugaku Uchiha noticed anything, Rogge appeared behind him with a kunai and stabbed it into his lower back.

Splat~ A large amount of blood sprayed from beside the kunai embedded in his flesh.

Then Rogge kicked Fugaku Uchiha away. He rolled several times across the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

On the raised platform, Konoha's high-ranking officials watching the battle began discussing it among themselves.

"Rogge is actually this strong!"

"He's only seven, right? He actually defeated Fugaku Uchiha, a twelve-year-old elite genin!"

"Unbelievable!"

"That kid is a born combat genius!"

"His Body Flicker Technique is so fast. Even with my Byakugan activated, I couldn't see his movement path clearly."

The more composed clan heads wore varying expressions as they exchanged glances, marveling at how Hiruzen Sarutobi had truly found a treasure by taking in such a gifted adopted son as Rogge.

"Medical team, get in here and save him!" Rogge shouted toward the only gap in the Four Violet Flames Formation.

Two medical ninja hurriedly rushed into the formation and headed straight for Fugaku Uchiha.

Fugaku Uchiha gritted his teeth. The kunai lodged in his lower back caused excruciating pain. His face twisted as he lay on the ground with clenched fists, struggling to get up.

"Don't move. Your life is in danger right now. You need to cooperate with the treatment." One medical ninja pressed a hand against Fugaku Uchiha's shoulder while decisively pulling the sharp kunai from his lower back with the other!

Splat~

As the kunai was pulled out, blood immediately spurted from the wound, but it soon stopped.

"Mystical Palm Technique!"

The other medical ninja quickly extended both hands, green chakra light bursting from his palms.

The Mystical Palm Technique could rapidly heal external and internal injuries, instantly stopping bleeding, relieving pain, and closing wounds. It was one of the most commonly used high-level medical ninjutsu.

"Damn it! I actually lost..." Fugaku Uchiha's face was pale as paper, and his lips trembled nonstop.

As the representative of the Uchiha Clan's genin, possessing elite genin strength at only twelve years old, he had actually lost to a seven-year-old brat who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy!

To him, it was a blatant slap in the face.

"Lord Hokage, may we announce the result now?" Rogge looked up at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who sat on the raised platform.

Hiruzen Sarutobi rose with a smile. "I declare that the winner of the duel between Rogge and Fugaku Uchiha is... Rogge!"

Uchiha Zhenghong's expression darkened somewhat as he said dully, "Lord Hokage has taken in an outstanding adopted son. Congratulations. Congratulations."

Orochimaru interjected, "Uchiha Clan Head, don't forget what you promised me."

"Don't worry. From now on, Fugaku will be your disciple. I hope you'll train him well for me." Uchiha Zhenghong let out a breath. Although Fugaku Uchiha had lost badly and damaged the Uchiha Clan's reputation, being able to establish a connection with Orochimaru through this was not bad either.

After that, Rogge was given twenty minutes to rest.

Twenty minutes later, the next duel continued.

Of course, at the same time, others were also fighting one-on-one duels in other areas of the arena, which would not be discussed here.

As for Rogge's duel, his next opponent was—Hiashi Hyuga!

In the original manga, he was Hinata Hyuga's father and the next clan head of the Hyuga Clan!

A thirteen-year-old elite genin!

Although he was only a genin, the Hyuga Clan's bloodline limit, the Byakugan, combined with the Gentle Fist and Eight Trigrams Palms, gave him an absolute advantage in taijutsu. His combat strength was definitely comparable to that of some ordinary chunin!

To ordinary genin, Hiashi Hyuga was undoubtedly a formidable opponent.

But against Rogge... he was somewhat lacking.

Rogge now possessed the physique of his eighteen-year-old self. His strength and speed had increased exponentially, and the chakra within him was immense. In a pure taijutsu contest, perhaps only Might Guy, after opening the eighth gate of the Eight Gates Released Formation—the Gate of Death—would have the strength to utterly overpower Rogge.

On the raised platform, Sōju Hyuga, the head of the Hyuga Clan and Hiashi Hyuga's father, rose to his feet and said to Hiashi Hyuga below, "Hiashi, the glory of the Hyuga Clan rests with you!"

Hiashi Hyuga raised his head, his eyes incomparably resolute, and shouted toward the platform, "Don't worry, Father! I'll definitely win!"

Rogge laughed. "Didn't expect it, but your clan is pretty hot-blooded."

Hiashi Hyuga turned to face Rogge and asked, "How old are you this year?"

Rogge answered, "I'll be eight in two months. Why?"

"I'm thirteen this year, much older than you. But for the honor of my clan, I won't go easy on you, little brother." Hiashi Hyuga looked utterly serious, his eyes filled with a powerful sense of responsibility and mission.

"Is that a provocation?" Rogge nearly laughed.

If Hiashi Hyuga knew that Rogge's physical age was already that of an eighteen-year-old adult, he probably would not be talking about going easy on him.

Rogge's current appearance as a seven-year-old child was disguised with the Transformation Technique, making it highly deceptive.

From the melee to his one-on-one duel with Fugaku Uchiha, he had not suffered even the slightest injury. He had only expended some stamina and chakra, so his Transformation Technique had remained active.

"It isn't a provocation. I'm serious! I watched your battle with Fugaku just now. You're very strong, but you're still young. If you had another two years... no, even one more year, I'm afraid the current me wouldn't be your match." Hiashi Hyuga spoke sincerely, his eyes showing recognition of Rogge's strength.

"You're quite honest. I appreciate that. I'll go easy on you in the duel later!" Rogge's lips curved upward slightly as his hands moved rapidly, quickly forming the Seal of Confrontation.

Hiashi Hyuga remained calm. He raised his hands before his chest and likewise quickly formed the Seal of Confrontation.

Whoosh~

Hiashi Hyuga swiftly threw a kunai with one hand, aiming straight for Rogge's chest.

Rogge extended his right hand and, with incredible speed, caught the incoming kunai between his index and middle fingers!

Then Rogge narrowed his eyes slightly, gripped the kunai by its handle, and hurled it back with force.

Hiashi Hyuga tilted his head to avoid it, then dashed forward with a punch, following with a right hook toward Rogge's left cheek.

Rogge ducked beneath it and drove a punch into Hiashi Hyuga's abdomen.

With a "pop."

Hiashi Hyuga's body exploded into a puff of smoke.

Rogge had long sensed with Observation Haki that the Hiashi Hyuga before him was merely a Shadow Clone, so he immediately turned his right hand into magma and blocked a kunai striking down from above.

With a "sizzle!" the kunai turned into molten iron the moment it touched his magma hand.

Hiashi Hyuga, descending from above, had a sharp gaze. His right hand released the kunai's handle like lightning, allowing the weapon to instantly melt in the scorching magma.

At the same time, he swiftly employed the techniques of the Eight Trigrams Palms, coating his left hand in chakra as though it were enveloped by a mysterious bluish-green glow.

His left palm carried an unstoppable momentum as it slammed viciously toward Rogge's head!

Rogge's heart tightened at the sight.

He knew full well how powerful Hiashi Hyuga's strike was and did not dare let his guard down in the slightest.

Countless responses flashed rapidly through his mind. In the end, he decided to answer in the same manner.

He coated his magma fist in chakra. The magma seemed to gain even greater power, radiating a terrifying heat and pressure.

When fist and palm collided, a dull yet shocking "bang" erupted.

The sound was like two massive mountains crashing together. Even the surrounding air trembled faintly under the force.

Rogge felt a tremendous recoil course through him, but with his immense strength and unyielding will, he forcibly withstood it.

Hiashi Hyuga, on the other hand, felt an unprecedented pressure. His body was like one struck by a speeding train, instantly blasted into the air.

While airborne, he hurriedly twisted his waist and used the techniques of the Eight Trigrams Palms to stabilize himself.

Hiashi Hyuga was filled with shock. He had never expected to lose in strength to an opponent so much younger than himself.

Enduring the pain, he landed with remarkable composure.

"My wrist joint is sprained."

Hiashi Hyuga gritted his teeth inwardly, his left hand trembling slightly.

"Just where did this little monster named Rogge come from?" A wave of frustration rose in his heart, but it also gave him an even deeper understanding of Rogge's strength.

Rogge looked at Hiashi Hyuga, a trace of admiration flashing in his eyes as he praised, "Amazing! Truly amazing! As expected of a genius of the Hyuga Clan. You're far stronger than Fugaku Uchiha!"

The moment those words fell, Uchiha Zhenghong, who was watching from the raised platform, immediately looked somewhat grim.

Uchiha Zhenghong was furious. That damn brat could praise Hiashi Hyuga all he wanted, so why did he have to drag Fugaku Uchiha into it?

Wasn't that plainly saying the Uchiha Clan was inferior to the Hyuga Clan?

Hmph!

Uchiha Zhenghong narrowed his eyes and stared intently at Rogge in the arena, silently calculating that if he got the chance later, he would definitely make this brat understand the might of the Uchiha Clan.