"Damn it, Iruka, you bastard..."
Whenever Mizuki remembered Iruka smiling as he told him about the top students in his class, he gritted his teeth.
Sasuke Uchiha this, Yecheng that...
Just keep looking miserable and give me something to laugh at!
What was that smile about?
How dare you show off in front of me!
In this Joint Class, I'll show you that even geniuses aren't all equal!
My Neji will knock that Sasuke Uchiha and Yecheng flat!
A beaten dog like you should just savor the taste of defeat!
Amid Mizuki's dark expectations, the Taijutsu class began.
"First match, Ino Yamanaka versus Sakura Haruno. Form the Seal of Confrontation!"
Unexpectedly, the very first match was between the best friends, Ino and Sakura.
Hearing the matchup, Yecheng took an interest too.
He wondered whether Ino had changed at all since he had provoked her the other day.
He hoped she had.
Whether in his previous life or this one, Yecheng had always liked this girl quite a bit.
She was warm, lively, and sincere with others. Whenever her best friend Sakura was in trouble or feeling down, she always comforted her and helped her work through her problems.
She was also very pretty.
But that wasn't the main reason. Nope.
"Damn it, why does it have to be Ino-pig? I wanted to spar with Sasuke-kun!"
Sakura Haruno complained as she formed the seal.
At those words, a vein immediately bulged on Ino's smooth, pretty forehead.
"You billboard brow! Just you wait!"
As she spoke, she couldn't help glancing toward Yecheng.
She wanted to know whether the boy she liked was watching her.
Instead, all she saw was Yecheng whispering with Hinata.
"Ugh..."
Damn it, Hinata again?
No, I have to do well and win Yecheng-kun's approval!
"Ino-pig, take this!"
With a shout, Sakura Haruno swung a fist at her.
"You've been calling me Ino-pig over and over..."
Ino raised her palm to block, then took advantage of Sakura's wide-open guard to throw a punch back.
"I have a name, you know, you billboard brow!"
Sakura Haruno couldn't block in time and could only twist aside as far as possible, but the punch still grazed her, leaving a burning pain across her chest.
A moment later, they were trading punches and kicks again.
"How is this possible?"
But Sakura Haruno hadn't expected this. They were supposed to be best friends sticking together, yet once they actually fought, Ino pressed her hard, leaving her completely on the defensive!
Ino grinned smugly. "If you still think I'm just like you, you're dead wrong!"
Ino recalled what Yecheng had said earlier, along with Shikamaru's interpretation.
After thinking it over at length, she had finally gone to her father, Inoichi Yamanaka, and asked him to help her train in Taijutsu.
Inoichi Yamanaka had no idea what had happened, but his beloved daughter was asking him for help. He couldn't have been happier, so how could he refuse?
Yecheng didn't focus his attention on Ino, merely observing her through the all-around vision of his Six Eyes.
That way, she wouldn't think his approval was easy to earn.
He could tell that Ino really had put in the work lately.
Her stance looked proper as she attacked, defended, and parried. Clearly, she had practiced quite a bit.
Of course, she couldn't compare to the likes of Naruto or Sasuke, but she was more than good enough to keep Sakura Haruno on the defensive.
Well? You've seen how good I am now, haven't you, Yecheng-kun?
Having successfully overwhelmed Sakura Haruno, Ino felt rather pleased with herself and glanced toward Yecheng, distracted.
Who would have thought he wasn't even looking her way?
Sakura Haruno seized that very moment of distraction!
"Give me a break! Shannaro!" (Sakura's catchphrase.)
She slammed a fist into Ino's stomach, then took the chance to step back half a pace, spin, and drive a side kick squarely into Ino's crossed arms.
The blow did considerable damage, immediately knocking Ino to the ground.
"How's that, In-o-pig!"
That burst had drained much of Sakura Haruno's stamina too, leaving her panting. But determined not to lose to her best friend, she forced herself to walk up to Ino.
It hurts. Both my arms hurt so much.
If this were the old me, I'd probably have given up already.
But I still haven't earned Yecheng-kun's approval. I can't give up like this yet.
Ino worried her lip and forced herself to stand.
"Ino, you..."
Sakura Haruno was stunned. She couldn't understand why her best friend could still stand after taking that attack.
Aren't we both equally hopeless?
This isn't right!
"Heh... heh..."
Ino's hair was slightly disheveled, her arms hung limply from the pain, and her clothes were scuffed and covered in dust.
She looked somewhat bedraggled, yet there was a different kind of fragile beauty to her.
She really had the battle-damaged look down perfectly.
"Sorry, Sakura... Yecheng-kun is watching me. Let me look cool a little longer."
Ino pushed off and charged toward Sakura Haruno.
"Damn it..."
Looking grim, Sakura Haruno crossed her arms to block the coming attack, but she had used up too much stamina to mount any effective attack or defense.
Even if Ino only had the strength for one move, Sakura was certain to lose!
It was a headbutt!
Ino threw her head back, about to slam it down!
Sakura Haruno was already too late to defend herself. If that blow landed, she would definitely lose!
"Let's stop there."
Just then, a figure suddenly appeared between them.
Ino's headbutt didn't land on Sakura Haruno's head, but in Yecheng's palm. He dissipated its force, and Ino tumbled into his arms.
At the sight, Sakura Haruno's legs gave out too, and she dropped straight to the ground with her knees turned inward, gasping for breath.
She was shaken. Had Ino's blow really landed, she probably would have been badly hurt, perhaps even disfigured!
At that thought, she gave Yecheng a grateful look, then looked at Ino with envy.
Although Yecheng-kun had said he no longer cared about Ino, he still stepped in to save her at the crucial moment.
Nestled in Yecheng's arms, Ino smiled dreamily. "Hehe, Yecheng-kun, I knew you were watching."
"I saw it, Ino. You did very well."
"Hehe... yay!"
Having earned Yecheng's approval, Ino immediately flushed bright red. Thrilled and happy, she made a V sign with trembling fingers.
Yecheng smiled helplessly, his eyes tinged with concern. He hadn't expected Ino to push herself this far either.
It seemed his earlier words had affected her a little too strongly.
Seeing the scrapes all over her and the bruising on both arms from the heavy blow, Yecheng immediately used the Mystical Palm Technique to heal her.
"Ino, are you all right?"
Hinata hurried over too, asking with concern.
Seeing the concern all over her face touched a soft spot in Ino's heart.
Idiot, we're rivals. Why are you worrying about me?
But she understood too. That was simply how Hinata was: gentle and kind, someone who worried about her classmates' injuries.
Honestly, if you keep this up, how am I supposed to compete with you for Yecheng-kun?
"I'm fine..." She turned her head away.
"I'm glad." Hinata sighed in relief too.
A few minutes later, apart from looking a little tired from exhausting so much stamina, Ino was completely fine.
"Look! Ino's all better!"
"Wow, is that Medical Ninjutsu?"
"That's amazing, Yecheng!"
"Of course! He's Yecheng-kun!"
"..."
Seeing Ino's injuries completely healed in just a few minutes, the other children immediately gathered around, marveling.
Iruka was deeply shocked by the sight too. Just how old was Yecheng?
And he could already use the Mystical Palm Technique!
What kind of genius is this?
How am I supposed to teach him?
I've never taught anyone like this before!
Hidden in the shadows of a tree, Mizuki watched through his binoculars, his jaw practically dropping!
What did I just see?
Medical Ninjutsu!
Is that something a fucking six-year-old student can master?
Mizuki wondered whether his eyes were playing tricks on him. He hurriedly rubbed them, then wiped the binocular lenses and looked again.
By then, all of Ino's injuries were gone!
It really is Medical Ninjutsu!
Mizuki gritted his teeth. Fuck, how did a loser like Iruka luck into a treasure like this?
He's way too lucky!
Damn it!
No, it doesn't matter.
That Yecheng just knows Medical Ninjutsu. It's no big deal.
A ninja has to be able to fight to be considered strong!
That Yecheng must have spent loads of time and effort training in Medical Ninjutsu. His fighting ability must be lousy!
Neji will crush him effortlessly!
Then I'll get a good look at Iruka's miserable face!
Mizuki began convincing himself, offering himself comfort.
The Joint Class continued.
Most of the sparring matches that followed paired students from different classes.
This rare Joint Class gave everyone a chance to exchange blows with different opponents their own age. It was a valuable opportunity that Iruka, an elite teacher, would not let slip by.
"Next, Hinata Hyuga versus Neji Hyuga. Form the Seal of Confrontation!"
"Finally, it's Neji's turn. Excellent!"
Hidden in the tree, Mizuki pumped his fist excitedly.
This was precisely why he had worked so hard to arrange this Joint Class!
"Neji, knock them flat!"
On the field.
Neji Hyuga frowned, looking at Hinata with hatred on his face.
He didn't hate Hinata herself. He hated the Hyuga Clan's system of main and branch families, and he hated his fate as a branch family member who had to be branded with the Caged Bird Seal.
It left him feeling no freedom. He could only live beneath the Main Family's Cursed Seal for his entire life, subject at any moment to the fear of facing death.
He had awakened his Byakugan extremely early and possessed exceptional talent for Gentle Fist. He was the one most likely to become Hyuga Tenjin!
But heaven had denied his wishes. He should have been a bird soaring freely, yet now he was trapped in a cage, unable to spread his wings.
Facing him was Hinata Hyuga, her expression solemn and utterly earnest.
After hearing that her opponent was Neji, Hinata had walked up with a solemn expression.
Yecheng-kun has helped me so much, and perhaps he'll help me even more in the future.
But I want to change too. I want to try working hard myself.
Hinata recalled Ino's efforts just now. She had given everything she had and finally earned Yecheng-kun's approval.
But what about me?
I've always been accepting Yecheng-kun's help. Even with something like eating, I need Yecheng-kun to speak to Father. I can't do anything myself, can't accomplish anything.
No.
I don't want to keep going on like this. I want to change too. I want to become strong, to become someone who can help Yecheng-kun!
"Brother Neji, please give me your guidance!"
"Guidance?"
Neji Hyuga was dismissive. "My. Young. Lady. You should just surrender."
He paused, then said mockingly, "After all, none of the Main Family elders are here right now."
His implication was that without the Caged Bird Seal, she was not even qualified to fight him!
It was arrogant, but it was reality.
After all, whenever the two sparred within the clan, Hinata could last only a few exchanges before he defeated her.
And that was with him holding back!
With Neji Hyuga's strength, few would have questioned it if he graduated directly and became a Genin right then.
"No, please begin."
Hinata took her stance and abruptly activated her eyes.
"Byakugan!"
"Oh, really... Byakugan!"
As soon as Iruka said "Begin," both stepped forward and engaged at close range.
"Eight Trigrams: Two Palms! Four Palms! Eight Palms! Sixteen Palms!"
Their techniques shared the same origin, and both were exceedingly practiced at attacking, defending, and countering. They moved extremely fast, a series of thuds and cracks ringing out as they exchanged blows.
The spectators watched, dumbfounded.
Even from outside the arena, their exchanges were fiercely sharp, catching people off guard.
Those who had fought them knew even better that every one of their moves carried a fearsome effect.
Once either of them struck the other's Chakra points first and blocked them, the match would be over!
Smack!
Their palms collided in an exceptionally swift exchange, Chakra bursting out with a crisp sound. Then both retreated to dissipate the force, their footsteps kicking up clouds of dust.
Sweat slid down Hinata's cheeks. She steadied her rapid breathing and looked at Neji Hyuga with a serious expression.
As expected of Brother Neji, a genius even Father praised so highly. He really is strong.
But Yecheng is still watching. I can't fall here yet.
Keep pushing!
What she did not know was that Neji Hyuga was also quite surprised.
He had never expected the weak opponent he used to defeat so easily in sparring to have improved this much!
Moreover, her punches and palm strikes carried far more force than before!
Most importantly, her attacks now carried a sharp attitude and presence.
In the past, she had always been timid when attacking, holding herself back as though afraid of hurting her opponent.
Now, however, that had improved considerably.
But that was all.
"I see."
Neji Hyuga's attitude did not change much.
"But if this is all you can do..."
Whoosh!
Neji Hyuga pushed off the ground, his speed immediately rising another level as he attacked Hinata from the side.
The Byakugan had no blind spots, but people did.
Hinata scrambled to respond to the attack from her flank, and an opening immediately appeared in her stance.
After all, this was sparring meant to simulate combat. Apart from Yecheng, no one would feed her moves she could handle.
Yet Hinata's sorry display immediately stung Neji Hyuga, adding fuel to the fire.
Why!
Why, when I clearly have more talent, when I could reach greater heights and have better prospects!
Why did I have to be from a branch family!
Why did I have to be branded with this damned Caged Bird Seal!
His emotions surged, and he lost control of the force in his hands.
He turned sideways to evade Hinata's attack, then drove a vicious finger strike toward her ribs!
But Hinata could no longer react in time.
Before you continue