Senju Clan Training Ground
Towering ancient trees surrounded it, and sunlight filtered through the leaves in dappled patches.
In the center of the grounds, two figures stood quietly facing each other.
Senju Nawaki stood ramrod straight, the breeze gently stirring the dark brown hair over his forehead.
It revealed his tightly knitted brows and eyes burning with complicated emotions.
He wore neat green shinobi armor, and his Leaf Village forehead protector glinted in the sunlight.
His hands unconsciously clenched into fists, his knuckles turning slightly white.
Ever since he had returned to the village after completing a mission with his teacher, Orochimaru.
The name Hyuga Tianyi, the teammate who had once fought beside him.
Had come bearing achievements he could scarcely believe, battering his understanding like a storm.
Killed a Special Jonin from the Hidden Rain Village? Dozens of Chunin and Genin? Defeated the Hidden Sand Village's elite shinobi, Rasa, head-on?
Even held out against a tailed beast until the Third Hokage arrived?
Every rumor weighed on his heart like a heavy stone.
The boy from the Hyuga Branch House he remembered had been calm and talented, but never impossibly far beyond his reach.
When had he risen to such heights in the rumors of the Ninja World? That sudden gulf between them felt like an impassable chasm.
It left him restless, and a challenge had become his only way to dispel his confusion and confirm the truth.
He wanted to see for himself just what that rumored strength looked like.
Hyuga Tianyi stood opposite him in casual white clothes, his presence as still as water.
His Byakugan regarded Nawaki calmly, without fighting spirit or disdain, as though this were merely an ordinary practice session.
Not a trace of restless chakra leaked from him, a stark contrast to Nawaki's faintly