"So we're going to challenge the Hyuga Clan..."
The four of them, Kurenai included, smiled at first, then seemed to realize something and exclaimed in unison, "Huh?!"
Beside them, Kakashi could only smile wryly.
No one but his older brother would so brazenly announce that he was going to challenge one of Konoha's great clans.
"Kakashi, what exactly did the Hyuga Clan do to offend you? Why would you..."
Shikaku Nara looked stunned.
The other three also turned to Kakashi at once. As far as they were concerned, he had to be the one leading this challenge.
After all, Naruto was a child, and Shinichi was only an ordinary Chunin.
Anyone who heard this would instinctively assume Kakashi was their real fighting force. He was the only one with the ability to pull it off.
"This has nothing to do with me. My older brother insisted on going."
With a helpless expression, Kakashi explained the whole story.
After hearing him out, Shikaku Nara and the others were speechless.
Was something so trivial really worth challenging an entire clan over?
Besides, everyone knew how Naruto was treated in the village. If they actually followed Shinichi's logic, wouldn't the Hatake Clan have to challenge every clan in Konoha?
"Want to come along and watch? You're more than welcome!"
Shinichi egged them on, quite happy to stir up more trouble.
He was going to the Hyuga Clan to make a name for the Hatake Clan anyway, so those fools would stop picking on Naruto whenever they felt like it.
Seeing that persuasion was useless, Shikaku Nara and the others sighed inwardly. Still, Kakashi was their friend, so they ultimately decided to go along. With them keeping an eye on things, it probably wouldn't get too out of hand.
As they talked, the group arrived at the Hyuga Clan's estate.
It certainly lived up to its reputation as one of Konoha's great clans. Just like in the original story, it was a large, classic Showa-style Japanese residence.
Even the grounds around the estate exuded a rigid, forbidding atmosphere. The Hyuga clansmen guarding the gate wore blank faces, looking utterly devoid of emotion.
"Can we help you?"
A Hyuga clansman asked with a slight frown.
There was a hint of wariness in his expression, and no wonder. Several elite Jonin, Kakashi among them, had arrived together. Anyone could tell that a lineup like this showing up at the Hyuga Clan meant trouble.
"Please let someone know that the Hatake Clan has come to visit."
Shinichi stepped forward and smiled.
Seeing that Shinichi seemed to be leading the group, the Hyuga clansman felt puzzled. He barely recognized the man, but he still went to notify someone with the authority to handle the matter.
The man who came was none other than Hizashi Hyuga of the branch family, Neji's father.
Although Hizashi belonged to the branch family, he and the clan head, Hiashi, were brothers and had a close relationship. As such, he wielded considerable influence within the clan.
"For the Hatake Clan to make a special visit, is there some important business?"
Hizashi's expression was grave.
The Hyuga Clan had never had much contact with the Hatake Clan. It was hard not to read into Shinichi arriving with a group like this.
"Don't misunderstand."
Seemingly noticing what was on his mind, Shinichi explained with a smile, "Only the three of us brothers are here to visit the Hyuga Clan. The others just happened to come along to watch."
At those words, Hizashi's expression eased a little.
But Shinichi's next words made his expression change again. "Still, our reason for coming is pretty much what you suspected. That's right. The Hatake Clan is here to challenge you!"
Kakashi smiled wryly, while Shikaku and the other three pressed their hands to their foreheads, looking rather pained.
"Challenge us?"
Hizashi instinctively looked at Kakashi and asked in confusion, "Is there some grievance between us?"
The sight seriously irritated Shinichi. He was supposed to be the one in charge of the Hatake Clan.
Yet everyone in Konoha treated the elite Jonin Kakashi as their leader, plainly ignoring his existence as a Chunin.
It seemed his impulsive decision to challenge the Hyuga Clan today really had been the right one.
"Don't ask me. This was all my older brother's idea."
Kakashi admitted frankly, "Hizashi, my older brother is the one challenging you today. I'm only here to keep the peace."
"Your older brother?"
Hizashi gave Shinichi a strange look. "Is he ill?"
He had heard of the Hatake Clan's eldest son, but the man had very little presence.
With such an extraordinarily gifted younger brother, almost everyone's attention was focused on Kakashi. Who would go out of their way to pay attention to Shinichi?
"Enough nonsense! I'm Hatake Shinichi, and I'm the one challenging you today! You bullied my little brother Naruto, so I've come to demand an explanation from the Hyuga Clan! If you've got any guts, send someone out to fight me! I'll take on anyone!"
Shinichi immediately lost his temper. With his disposition, how could he tolerate being looked down on over and over?
Besides, Hizashi was clearly finding a roundabout way to say he was out of his mind!
That was more than anyone could stomach!
"Are you serious?"
Hizashi's expression turned stern.
He was only an ordinary Chunin. The Hyuga Clan could send out practically anyone to beat him effortlessly.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
Shinichi wasted no more words. With a Body Flicker Technique, he appeared behind Hizashi and pressed the kunai in his hand against the man's back, right over his heart.
So fast!
Everyone present except Kakashi was inwardly shocked by the sight.
It was no exaggeration to say that this move alone proved Shinichi had the strength of an elite Jonin!
"Shinichi... So he's been hiding his strength all along!"
Shikaku murmured.
They had all thought Shinichi had lost his mind, coming to challenge the Hyuga Clan without knowing his own limits.
Instead, reality had mercilessly slapped them all in the face. Shinichi wasn't overestimating himself. He truly possessed more than enough strength!
"Eight Trigrams Palm! Rotation!"
Powerful chakra formed a dome around Hizashi, attempting to knock Shinichi's kunai away.
"Rotation, is it? Too bad it won't work on me!"
Shinichi spoke calmly.
Three-Tomoe Sharingan! Activate!
Whoosh!
He clenched his fist, and an unimaginably terrifying surge of chakra erupted, concentrating entirely in his arm!
Under his Sharingan's gaze, Hizashi's openings were laid bare. He locked straight onto the weakest point and slammed a heavy punch into it!
Rotation, hailed as the Hyuga Clan's ultimate defensive technique, was shattered just like that!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The tremendous impact sent Hizashi flying, smashing through several walls!
"Hizashi, do you still doubt that I'm capable of challenging your clan?"
An amused smile appeared on Shinichi's face as he teased him.
"The Sharingan! And it has three tomoe!"
What they had just witnessed shocked everyone beyond belief.
Even Kakashi was no exception. He had long known that Shinichi's strength was extraordinary, but he had never known that Shinichi possessed the Sharingan, just as he did!
And not just one eye, but a pair!
Yet how could he possibly know that Shinichi possessed far more than the Sharingan? He even had the highest-level Mangekyō Sharingan!
It was time to give Konoha a little shock!
Before you continue