"Uchiha Shunichi, watch your words! Are you trying to provoke a conflict between the two clans?" Kakashi Hatake keenly noticed what was happening and hurriedly spoke up to warn him.
"Two clans? No, the Uchiha Clan has long since vanished. Right now, it is I alone declaring war on the Hyuga clan. If you refuse to accept that, come find me!" After saying that, Uchiha Shunichi walked straight back to the stands.
At that moment, everyone who heard Uchiha Shunichi's words was dumbfounded. This included Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had been watching all along.
Staring at Uchiha Shunichi's retreating back, Neji Hyuga slowly rose to his feet and left. Might Guy was worried about his condition, but could only give Rock Lee a brief instruction before chasing after him.
Because of Hinata Hyuga's incident, the exams were paused for a short while. They soon resumed, however, and the next match was Rock Lee versus Gaara.
Uchiha Shunichi was somewhat interested in this fight. After all, he had also practiced the Eight Gates, though he had not learned the corresponding Taijutsu. Thus, after opening the Eight Gates, all it did was enhance his chakra and physical strength.
Gaara was the current Jinchūriki of the Sand Shinobi. Unlike Naruto Uzumaki, Gaara had been created entirely as a living weapon.
His childhood experiences had twisted Gaara's personality. Though he could barely be considered obedient, he often lost control.
Compared to Naruto Uzumaki, Gaara could only be considered a failed product.
At Gekko Hayate's command, Rock Lee was the first to attack. A Taijutsu ninja's speed was extremely fast, but every punch and kick he threw was blocked by Gaara's sand.
If Temari's Ninjutsu countered Tenten, then Gaara's sand Ninjutsu heavily countered Rock Lee.
Rock Lee's strength could be considered outstanding among people his age at this stage. If he opened the Eight Gates, he might very well become the strongest.
However, such uncontrollable power could not be considered his own strength.
On the field, Rock Lee's speed kept Gaara's sand from attacking him, but all of his own attacks were likewise blocked by the sand surrounding Gaara.
The battle fell into a stalemate for a time, but Rock Lee knew very well that if this continued, he would definitely lose. Remembering what Might Guy had told him before leaving, Rock Lee finally decided... to use the Eight Gates.
First, he removed his weights. The heavy thud startled everyone who had previously dismissed him. Even Jonin rarely used weights that heavy, much less a child who had graduated just over a year ago.
"Might Guy said that now was the time to use it." Rock Lee muttered to himself before immediately activating the Eight Gates.
The Eight Gates placed an enormous burden on the body. Rock Lee's body was still being pushed far too hard by it. The green chakra around him was faint, while his entire body turned crimson, making him look exceptionally terrifying.
After opening the Eight Gates, Rock Lee resumed the fight.
His extreme speed gave Gaara's sand no time to react. Relying on that speed, Rock Lee finally landed an attack on Gaara.
But unfortunately, Gaara had already anticipated this and formed a layer of Sand Armor around his body in advance.
Though this armor greatly hindered Gaara's mobility, its defensive power was extremely strong. Since he could not attack anyway, defending himself was also an excellent response.
Because of the earlier battle, Rock Lee's body was already under tremendous strain. Combined with the Eight Gates, he knew very well that he had only one chance.
"Reverse Lotus!"
Rock Lee's figure moved at blinding speed, kicking Gaara's body into the air...
"Rock Lee... has already lost! Not in strength, but in observation." Uchiha Shunichi suddenly spoke from the stands nearby.
"How could that be? Right now..." Sakura had just begun to refute him when, in the next instant, the Gaara Rock Lee had defeated on the field turned into sand.
"Sand Substitution..."
Ignoring the astonished looks around him, Uchiha Shunichi slowly walked over to Might Guy, who had just returned, and handed him a syringe filled with medicine.
"If Rock Lee wants to gamble, inject him with this. It can heal his injuries, but there is a fifty percent chance that he will die." After saying that, Uchiha Shunichi walked away without waiting for Might Guy to ask further questions.
Outside, Tenzō was waiting for him.
"Why did you say something like that in the arena?" Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Uchiha Shunichi with a headache. In just a short while, the Hyuga clan had gone directly to the Hokage.
Though the Hyuga clan usually seemed peaceful, that was only because no one had touched their bottom line. (Though their bottom line was very low.)
"I merely voiced some of my own opinions. If the Hyuga clan wants to cause trouble, they can come to me." Uchiha Shunichi spoke without the slightest fear.
His actions had naturally not been an impulsive decision. He had chosen the right time to assert his position.
Although Sarutobi Hiruzen was not dead yet, stirring things up now was still better than doing so after his death.
As long as he made his name known, along with the medicine he had just leaked, when Tsunade arrived, Uchiha Shunichi would be confident in getting Konoha to fund the construction of a laboratory for him.
Of course, that was contingent on Uchiha Shunichi dealing with Danzo.
"Shunichi, I know very well that you want to restore the Uchiha Clan, but making enemies of one of your village's great clans is not a good habit." Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke earnestly.
After observing him for several years, Sarutobi Hiruzen believed he had already grasped Uchiha Shunichi's personality. Yet he had not expected something like this to happen now.
"I merely stated my thoughts." Uchiha Shunichi's expression remained calm.
Suddenly, Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, "Is this because of Orochimaru?"
Uchiha Shunichi paused for a moment, then answered, "It is somewhat related, but not greatly! In the past, I would not have spoken of these things, but now I have realized that a person's reputation is actually very important."
Hearing that, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. "I will resolve Second Pillar's matter. Rest assured, as long as I am alive, Orochimaru will not be able to take Second Pillar away."
"Mm, I believe that." Uchiha Shunichi replied casually.
That was true, but you are about to die! What happens after you die will naturally no longer be your concern.
"Forget it. Go on for now. I will handle the Hyuga clan's matter. Do not do this again in the future." Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand, looking rather helpless.
Upon hearing that, Uchiha Shunichi turned and left without the slightest hesitation.
Before you continue