Killing intent

His days were full: daily sparring with his father in taijutsu and swordsmanship, intensive study of Fire Release Ninjutsu, and secretly mastering the power of his Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

Several days passed in a flash.

Genya Uchiha's strength grew at a terrifying rate.

Yet on one seemingly peaceful night...

Genya finished meditating and was about to rest when a system notification abruptly rang out in his mind.

[Ding! Hinata Hyuga's affection +5!]

[Current affection: 96 (Deeply in love, strongly dependent)]

Genya froze.

He had not seen Hinata lately.

This sudden, substantial rise in affection clearly was not normal.

As he pondered it, before long-

[Ding! Hinata Hyuga's affection +2!]

[Current affection: 98]

98!

Just one step away from 100!

Genya frowned.

Something had to be wrong.

Hinata was shy and reserved. Her feelings ran deep, but they rarely fluctuated so sharply or suddenly.

Such a dramatic leap in affection usually meant the other person was experiencing intense emotional turmoil or hardship.

And without realizing it, he might have become her most important source of emotional support or an outlet for those feelings.

Something... must have happened to Hinata.

Genya was almost certain.

Hinata's situation probably was not good.

Had she suffered a setback in training and been harshly reprimanded?

Had her clan put more pressure on her? Or had her pent-up hurt simply reached a breaking point?

Whatever the reason...

Genya could not stand by and do nothing.

Whether out of concern or simple reason, he felt he needed to check on Hinata.

The next day...

Genya changed into the black clothing commonly worn by the Uchiha Clan, the red fan-shaped clan crest on his back striking and bold.

He would visit as a member of the Uchiha Clan.

At the breakfast table...

"Father, Mother, I'd like to go see a friend today. I might be home a little late."

A little surprised, Uchiha Izumi gently asked,

"Are you going to see Nami? Or..."

"I'm going to the Hyuga Clan to see Hinata."

Genya answered openly.

"I've had the feeling that something might be troubling her lately. As her friend, I'd like to check on her."

Sosuke Uchiha glanced at his son.

Naturally, he knew his son was acquainted with the Hyuga Clan Heiress, and he understood the sensitivities involved.

But looking at his son's calm, straightforward gaze, he merely cautioned,

"Mind your conduct, and come home early. The Hyuga Clan... has strict rules."

"I understand, Father."

Izumi walked over to Genya and straightened his already neat collar, her eyes gentle and faintly teasing.

"Our little Xiao Ye is getting better and better at caring for his friends. Go on. Remember to give the Hyuga Clan Head my regards and your father's."

Watching her son's handsome little face and straight back, she murmured to her husband, half joking,

"Sosuke, look at little Xiao Ye. He already has girls close to his heart at this age, and they're all... well, very outstanding girls. Whatever will we do when he grows up?"

At her words, the corner of Sosuke's mouth gave a rare twitch, but he did not reply.

He merely watched his son's small, black-clad figure disappear through the doorway, carrying a composure and resolve far beyond his years.

His thoughts were complicated: amazement at his son's ability to connect with others, mixed with unease over the delicate relationship between the Uchiha and Hyuga clans.

And beneath it all was the feeling that his son truly was growing up.

Genya walked toward the Hyuga Clan Compound.

The Uchiha Grounds and Hyuga Grounds were not particularly close. Along the way, he could feel gazes, both open and covert, settling on him-especially on the conspicuous Uchiha Clan Crest on his back.

The Hyuga Clan's compound soon came into view.

The Hyuga Clan Compound was ancient and imposing.

Its towering walls and grand gate proclaimed the authority of the ancient Main Family at every turn.

Genya stopped ten paces from the main gate.

He straightened his clothes, then...

Leaped onto the wall and crouched low to look inside.

The sight in the courtyard made Genya's pupils contract sharply, freezing the blood in his veins!

Hinata Hyuga sat crumpled on the ground, her little face pale, blood at the corner of her mouth, and her white training clothes covered in dust.

She was hurt!

She barely supported herself with her arms, her eyes filled with pain and hurt.

Standing before her was a boy almost eight years old-Neji Hyuga!

His expression was cold, his eyes seething with resentment and viciousness far beyond his age.

He was raising a hand, chakra gathering in his palm. It was unmistakably the opening stance of Gentle Fist, and he was about to strike Hinata, who had no strength left to resist!

What?!

Genya's mind roared. Fury swept away every shred of reason!

"Stop!!!"

His furious shout exploded like thunder!

Genya's figure had already vanished from the wall!

Startled by the sudden roar, Neji faltered, and Hinata lifted her head in a daze.

The next second, a black-clad figure appeared out of nowhere in front of Hinata!

Scarlet light spun wildly in his eyes-the Three-Tomoe Sharingan!

"What?!"

Neji saw only a blur before his wrist was caught in a crushing grip. The strength behind it was astonishing!

Before he could react...

Genya Uchiha pulled him along with his own forward momentum and simultaneously drove a vicious side kick into his abdomen!

Thud!

"Aaargh!"

Neji grunted in pain as he flew backward, slammed into the courtyard wall, and slid to the ground. Clutching his stomach, he could not get up for the moment, his eyes wide with shock.

Without so much as looking at Neji, Genya turned and dropped to one knee, carefully supporting Hinata's wavering body.

He saw her pale face, the blood at her lips, and the obvious bruises on her body, and felt her trembling.

An unprecedented surge of fury and heartache consumed him!

Since arriving in the world of Naruto, he had proceeded cautiously, calculating every step. Even when facing the threat of the Uchiha Clan Massacre, he had mostly planned with a cool head.

But now...

Seeing this gentle, kindhearted girl, whose affection for him was so pure, hurt like this before his very eyes...

Every trace of reason within him collapsed!

He gently settled Hinata against the wall and stood.

Chakra surged uncontrollably around him, his black hair stirring without a breeze. His scarlet Sharingan locked onto Neji, who was struggling to rise nearby.

Bone-chilling killing intent spread through the air.

"Neji Hyuga... how dare you!"

Genya's voice was low and hoarse, filled with towering fury.

"I'm... going to kill you!!!"

Neji barely managed to prop himself up. Wiping the bloody foam from his lips, he looked at the black-haired boy in Uchiha clothing who had appeared so suddenly.

"Who are you?"

"Genya... Uchiha!!!"

Before the words had finished leaving his mouth, Genya vanished again!

Neji realized with horror that his opponent's speed was absurd!

He saw only a flash of red before a hand pressed down on his head and slammed him bodily into the wall beside him!

Thump!

A dull impact rang out, and Neji's vision darkened.

But it was not over!

That hand seized his neck, and tremendous force hurled him backward, away from the wall!

Suspended in midair with nothing to push off, Neji felt alarm bells shrieking in his mind!

Then he saw that figure flicker above him, moving faster than he was flying backward. With icy eyes, Genya drove a foot down hard, straight at his chest!

Bam!!!

The kick drove Neji straight out of the air and into the ground.

His back struck the hard ground, jolting his internal organs. He could not stop a mouthful of blood from spraying out. His vision went black, and he lost all ability to fight.

Genya used the impact to flip in midair. Looking down at Neji, who lay struggling and coughing blood, the killing intent in his eyes grew even stronger.

He clenched his right fist, chakra gathering wildly, and prepared to smash it down into Neji's skull!

The consequences of that punch would be unthinkable!

"Genya! Don't!!!"

Just then, Hinata's terrified, tearful scream came from the corner by the wall.

She struggled to rise and stop him, but aggravated her injuries, triggering another bout of violent coughing.

Yet Genya, blinded by bloodlust, could think of nothing but fury and the desire to kill the person who had hurt Hinata.

Hinata's weak cry sounded distant and indistinct, failing to stop him in time!

His fist smashed downward, whistling through the air!

At that critical instant!