Ripple Effects

The next day, after completing his daily training, Hyuga Iwa arrived at school early.

The moment he entered the classroom, Hyuga Iwa heard several people gathered together, talking loudly about something.

After standing behind them and listening for a moment, Hyuga Iwa understood what they were discussing.

They were talking about the Medical Class that was about to be established. Rumor had it that it had only been created because Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, had pushed strongly for it.

Hyuga Iwa knew that Tsunade had likely proposed adding medical ninja to ninja squads after her younger brother, Senju Nawaki, died. Since Leaf Village was severely short on medical ninja, the Ninja Academy had begun recruiting students for a Medical Class to ensure there would be enough medical ninja to assign in the future.

Hearing this news, Hyuga Iwa's heart stirred. If he could become Tsunade's disciple, wouldn't that be perfect?

Originally, Hyuga Iwa had planned to find someone within the clan to teach him medicine. However, the Hyuga Clan did not know much about that field. With such a good opportunity before him, he would probably regret it for the rest of his life if he let it slip away.

No sooner thought than done, Hyuga Iwa went to his homeroom teacher's office. After politely knocking and entering, he spoke slowly.

"Teacher Yamada, I heard the school is opening a Medical Class? What do I need to do to join it? And will Lady Tsunade be teaching it?"

Faced with Hyuga Iwa's three questions in a row, Yamada Kawa cleared his throat and explained with mild surprise, "Hyuga Iwa, so you already know. Yes, the Hokage has approved the establishment of the Medical Class. If you want to join, you only need to submit an application. But Lady Tsunade will not be teaching it. The instructors will still be highly skilled medical ninja selected from Leaf Hospital. What is it? Do you want to sign up?"

"Yes, Teacher Yamada. I want to study medicine." Hyuga Iwa paused. "It would be even better if I could become Lady Tsunade's disciple."

"Hehe, plenty of people want to become Lady Tsunade's disciples. Whether you can depends on your own ability. But Lady Tsunade is very busy. She doesn't have time to teach a little brat who knows nothing. Still, you're from the Hyuga Clan. Won't there be a problem if you abandon your Gentle Fist to study medicine?" Yamada Kawa chuckled, but still voiced his doubts.

"No one gets to decide what I learn for me. My affairs are mine to decide."

"What an opinionated child." Yamada Kawa praised him. Then, hearing the class bell ring, he urged, "Go on, class is about to begin. If you truly want to join the Medical Class, fill out this application and hand it to me before the day after tomorrow."

Taking the registration form Yamada Kawa handed him, Hyuga Iwa bowed politely. "Thank you, Teacher."

"Mm, go on. You should still discuss it with your parents when you get home." Yamada Kawa nodded and gave him a final reminder.

Knowing that Teacher Yamada meant well, Hyuga Iwa nodded. "Mm, I understand."

After Hyuga Iwa closed the office door, voices rose from inside.

"I never expected someone from the Hyuga Clan to sign up for the Medical Class. Aren't they always so stubborn?"

"I didn't expect it either. I know Hyuga Iwa. He really is different from the other Hyuga clansmen. I often see him hanging around with that eternal Genin's son. His name was Guy, right?"

"Right, right, now that you mention it, I remember. He really is always with Guy. He hardly spends time with the other Hyuga children."

"Enough, enough. He only signed up for the Medical Class. What's there to make such a fuss about? I'm going to teach."

"I'm leaving too. Ah, hasn't the bell already rung?"

"You only noticed now!"

"..."

As the saying went, good news stayed indoors while bad news traveled a thousand miles. No one knew where the news of Hyuga Iwa signing up for the Medical Class had come from, but before long, most people knew about it.

What was worse, the rumor became more outrageous the more it spread. By the time Hyuga Iwa heard about it, it had already been twisted beyond recognition.

Some said Hyuga Iwa looked down on the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist. Others said he was preparing to leave the Hyuga Clan. There were even rumors that Hyuga Iwa was doing it to pursue Tsunade!

When Hyuga Iwa found out, he immediately sensed trouble and started thinking about how to explain himself. But before he could figure it out, people had already come looking for him.

Several Hyuga clansmen who had enrolled with him came straight up to Hyuga Iwa in class and questioned him. But how was Hyuga Iwa supposed to answer? How did they expect him to answer?

Yet he could not refuse to answer. Hyuga Iwa could already imagine that when he returned home today, someone would definitely be waiting for him.

Hyuga Iwa gave the several clansmen a wry smile and explained himself, but unfortunately, the Hyuga Clan's conservatism and stubbornness were well known. No matter how he explained, they refused to believe him!

In the end, Hyuga Iwa snapped, "You don't believe this, and you don't believe that. Then why did you even come ask me? Go cool off somewhere and stop bothering me!"

The several Hyuga clansmen were momentarily cowed by Hyuga Iwa's momentum and could only watch as he skipped class and ran off.

Hyuga Iwa truly wanted to kick open his homeroom teacher's office door in a rage, rush before him, and demand loudly, "Why have you betrayed me?!"

But what good would that do?

The rumor had already been distorted into a complete mess. What was he supposed to do about it?

His most pressing concern now was figuring out how to explain himself to the clan elders or the clan head!

Hyuga Iwa could imagine their reactions after hearing the rumors. They would definitely be furious enough to jump up and perhaps even teach him a lesson. If it got serious, he might not even keep his life!

At the thought of the Caged Bird being activated and the pain possibly leaving him half-dead, Hyuga Iwa could not help but shudder.

Hyuga Iwa silently swore that if he ever discovered who had spread those rumors, he would absolutely not let them off!

Curse them! Curse them! Curse them!

He hurried home, and as expected, someone was already waiting there.

Though no expression could be seen on that person's face, Hyuga Iwa could still sense the faint killing intent, and it made his skin crawl.

"Come with me. The clan head wishes to see you!" The man did not waste words and did not even glance at Hyuga Iwa.

Hyuga Iwa looked at his mother, said nothing, and followed closely behind.

Hyuga Yuko watched Hyuga Iwa worriedly, but she did not know what to do. She could only cover her mouth and weep continuously.

Hyuga Iwa's heart ached, and a rare trace of anger appeared on his face!

Hyuga Iwa followed the Chunin sent for him, panting heavily as he tried his best not to fall behind.

Perhaps to teach him a lesson, the man led Hyuga Iwa around the clan grounds several times before leisurely bringing him to Hyuga Shrine.

Hyuga Iwa had nowhere to vent his anger and could only grit his teeth and follow closely.

Perhaps Hyuga Iwa's performance satisfied him somewhat. As Hyuga Iwa passed him and entered the shrine, the man unexpectedly gave him a quiet reminder, "Be careful. Endure it, and it'll pass."

Understanding what he meant, Hyuga Iwa's heart suddenly clenched. Then he felt somewhat resigned. As expected, there was no escaping it!

Entering the shrine, he saw Hyuga Hiashi standing at the front, his gaze fixed ahead and his face cold. The air was filled with a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

Hyuga Iwa's heart tightened. He hid his expression and bowed respectfully.

One of the Hyuga Main Family elders, who had a rather violent temper, saw Hyuga Iwa and demanded angrily, "Hyuga Iwa, do you know your mistake!"

Hyuga Iwa glanced at Hyuga Hiashi. Seeing no sign that he intended to speak, Hyuga Iwa did not know how to begin. Yet saying nothing was clearly not an option, so he could only force himself to explain, "Elder, may I ask what I did wrong?"

The elder had not expected Hyuga Iwa to question him back and instantly flew into a rage. "You still refuse to admit it! It seems you want to taste the Caged Bird's power!"

Without waiting for Hyuga Iwa to respond, he formed hand seals and activated the Caged Bird!

"Aah!!!"

Hyuga Iwa screamed, clutched his head, and collapsed to the ground, convulsing without end.

"Will you speak or not!"

"..."

"Fine, you've got some nerve. Let's see how long you can hold out!"

"Aah!!!"

Hyuga Iwa clutched his head in agony. It felt as though countless ants were gnawing at his mind, while intense pain swept through his entire body.

This couldn't go on!

Hyuga Iwa grabbed his head and slammed his forehead hard against the ground with a thud.

What could he do!

What could he do!

Suddenly, a scene from his previous life surfaced in his mind. Hyuga Iwa gritted his teeth. No choice. I'll give it a try.

He began chanting silently in his heart: My heart as clear as ice, unmoved though heaven falls...

As he chanted, he tried his best to steady his breathing, maintain its rhythm, and empty his mind, hoping to enter a state of "meditation."

Three seconds to exhale, three seconds to inhale. Hyuga Iwa endured the pain in his mind and persisted without pause. A faintly fishy sweetness seeped into his mouth, staining the corner of his lips red.

Gradually, Hyuga Iwa felt as though the pain was no longer quite so severe.

Hyuga Hiashi looked at the stubborn boy on the ground and unconsciously frowned.

To be honest, he had initially thought highly of Hyuga Iwa. Hyuga Iwa gave him a very special feeling, and he was intelligent as well. But the rumors surrounding this incident had spread too far, making even him somewhat angry.

It would be good to teach him a lesson, so he would stop trying to be so clever.

That had been Hyuga Hiashi's original thought.

What surprised him, however, was that although Hyuga Iwa had been in unbearable pain under the Caged Bird's Cursed Seal at first, it seemed to have eased later on? Had he become accustomed to the Cursed Seal's power?

Still, since the punishment had already been administered, that was enough. Hyuga Iwa was only a child, and a member of the Hyuga Clan at that. A small punishment would suffice.

Thus, Hyuga Hiashi spoke. "Elder Tatsuhiko, that's enough."

"Hmph, you got off easy." Upon hearing Hyuga Hiashi, Hyuga Tatsuhiko snorted, stopped the seal, and stepped aside.

"Hyuga Iwa, do you know your mistake?" Hyuga Hiashi spoke slowly, though his tone was somewhat stiff.

"I did nothing wrong. Why should I admit fault!" Hyuga Iwa knew that he absolutely could not admit fault in this matter. He had already been punished, and he had done nothing wrong, so why should he admit anything?!

"Hmph, you still dare to quibble! Were the rumors outside not words you said?" Although Hyuga Hiashi knew things could not be exactly as the rumors claimed, Hyuga Iwa had definitely said something!

"I only asked Yamada Kawa for an application form for the Medical Class, and I said I wanted to become the disciple of Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin. What was wrong with that!" Hyuga Iwa sucked in a cold breath and replied coldly.

"Then those rumors outside..." Hyuga Hiashi did not continue. He knew that perhaps this was the truth. Someone had merely embellished Hyuga Iwa's words!

And what was his—or their—purpose?

Hyuga Hiashi stared deeply at Hyuga Iwa for a while before saying expressionlessly, "Then leave. Be more careful in the future. Some things cannot be said carelessly."

Hyuga Iwa stared at Hyuga Hiashi for a long while, then turned and left.

"Outrageous!" One of the elders standing nearby could not stand Hyuga Iwa's rudeness and rebuked him.

Hyuga Hiashi waved a hand to stop him. "Let him go."

Watching Hyuga Iwa leave the shrine, one elder could not help saying, "Hiashi, someone must be stirring things up behind this incident. Have you found out who it was?"

Hyuga Hiashi shook his head, his expression grave.

Although they had not discovered who specifically was responsible, it was certain that the news had initially spread from a Ninja School teacher. But what was that person's purpose? Was it merely to disgust the Hyuga Clan?

Hmph, they had better not let me find out who it was, or I'll make sure they pay dearly!

Meanwhile, in a pitch-black wind shaft, a man in black robes stood before an ANBU-clad ninja kneeling on the ground. Of course, anyone familiar with ANBU would know that person was a Root ninja.

"Lord Danzo, according to the report, a Hyuga elder activated the Cursed Seal. However, Hyuga Iwa has now returned home."

"Mm, I understand. Withdraw."

"Yes, Lord Danzo. This subordinate takes his leave."

The Root ninja slowly withdrew, leaving Danzo standing there alone. The light filtering through the wind shaft fell across his face, making it difficult to read.

"Hyuga Iwa, one day, you will belong to Root!"

His soft words echoed through the wind shaft, but no one remained to hear them.

That night, when Tsunade heard the rumors, she snorted coldly. "That little brat wants to become my disciple?"

Although Tsunade did not know Hyuga Iwa, the rumors had dragged her into the matter. Even if it involved the Hyuga Clan, she was not someone easily pushed around!

What Hyuga Iwa did not know was how much trouble that day's rumors had brought him. What happened today was only the beginning!