Caged Bird, When Will You Fly?

At this critical moment!

Koki's eyes widened as she saw a figure flash past like lightning. Teacher Higashikawa displayed astonishing speed and agility, swiftly pulling the panicked Hyuga Haruka away from danger without hesitation.

Immediately afterwards, a deafening roar resounded, as if tearing the heavens and earth apart, and a massive Great Fireball, carrying boundless power, slammed into the earth.

In an instant, the ground shook violently, the entire area trembled, and stones flew everywhere like raindrops, crashing and clattering around them.

Fortunately, at the crucial moment, Teacher Higashikawa used the Earth Release Technique. The incredibly sturdy earthen wall acted as an indestructible shield, steadily protecting the students behind him.

However, the students were still shaken by the terrifying scene they had just witnessed.

As everything returned to calm, the students rushed out from behind the Earth Release is a type of escape technique), their eyes filled with astonishment as they stared at the huge crater in the ground and the chaotic scene around them.

Everyone started talking at once, their voices rising and falling.

"Wow! Koki is amazing! She's so young and yet she has such incredible strength."

"This is terrifying. If it weren't for Professor Higashikawa, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

"Koki will definitely become an amazing ninja in the future!"

"Koki is so handsome!"

I want to learn too!

Koto Inuzuka and Gekko Hayate rushed to Koki with anxious expressions, their faces full of concern.

Koto Inuzuka anxiously checked Koki's entire body, asking urgently, "Koki, are you alright? Are you hurt?"

Gekko Hayate also looked worried, his gaze sweeping back and forth over Koki, as if afraid he had been injured.

Koki hung his head dejectedly, looking extremely disappointed. His eyes were dull and lifeless, having lost their usual sparkle.

He shouldn't have acted so impulsively; why get angry with a child?

Gekko Hayate gently stroked his hair and said tenderly, "It's alright, it was just an accident, don't worry about it too much."

Koki looked up at Gekko Hayate and said in a low voice, "But I shouldn't have acted so impulsively."

Koto Inuzuka quickly comforted her, "Don't say that. It's already amazing that you could use such a powerful Ninjutsu. Just be more careful next time. Besides, wasn't he the one who attacked first?"

Mr. Higashikawa was initially filled with anger; his furrowed brows and taut Kakuzu showed that he was on the verge of losing control of his emotions.

However, when he saw Koki's dejected and wilted appearance, the raging anger in his heart miraculously subsided quickly.

Who could bear to blame such a child?

After all, Koki's talent and strength are among the best of her peers.

Moreover, he always behaved himself during practical lessons and never acted rashly. Even this time, he only retaliated because Hyuga Haruka repeatedly provoked him.

Anyway, at this moment, Higashikawa. Koki definitely didn't do it on purpose!

Teacher Higashikawa turned to look at the boy with the Byakugan who was still sitting on the ground in a daze.

He reached out, wanting to pull Hyuga Haruka up to ease the tense atmosphere.

To everyone's surprise, Hyuga Haruka dodged his hand and stubbornly stood up on her own.

Hyuga Haruka's face was pale and bloodless, and his eyes still held the terror from the battle. He remained silent, his steps heavy, as he slowly Earth Flow Koki's side.

Koki took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil in her heart. She mustered her courage, looked up at Hyuga Haruka, her lips trembling slightly, and forced out a "I'm sorry" through gritted teeth.

However, unexpectedly, at the same moment he said this, Hyuga Haruka also whispered, "I lost."

Both of them froze for a moment; the air around them seemed to freeze, and time itself seemed to stand still.

Koki's eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn't believe that Hyuga Haruka would so readily admit defeat, especially since Hyuga Haruka had always been a proud and arrogant person.

Similarly, Hyuga Haruka did not expect that Koki would apologize first. He originally thought that Koki, as a member of the Uchiha Clan, would become arrogant and conceited because of her powerful strength.

After a brief moment of stunned silence, Koki said sincerely again, "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have lost control and used such a dangerous Ninjutsu."

Hyuga Haruka bit her lip, blushing, and said shyly, "It's because I'm not as skilled as you, it's not your fault."

"Besides..." Hyuga Haruka paused, "You probably haven't even used one-tenth of your strength, have you?"

Koki remained silent for a moment, then shook her head.

At this moment, the surrounding students also quieted down and watched everything that was happening in front of them.

Teacher Higashikawa nodded slightly, a relieved smile on his face, and said softly, "In that case, you shall form the Seal of Reconciliation!"

The two looked at each other, then reached out their right hands and hooked them tightly together.

The Seal of Reconciliation! Complete!

"Alright, let's continue the battle! Next group..."

Although the practical courses were still proceeding in an orderly manner, the atmosphere in the classroom had already subtly changed. Everyone's attention was unconsciously drawn to Hyuga Haruka and Koki, their eyes as if attracted by a magnet, unable to look away.

The girls, in particular, kept their eyes glued to the two boys, unwilling to look away for even a moment.

Hyuga's cool and aloof face exudes a unique kind of handsomeness, different from Koki's sunny and energetic charm, yet equally captivating.

As everyone looked at them, their affection for them grew even stronger.

Finally, the long class ended, and everyone cheered and dispersed like birds that had been released from their cages, still talking excitedly about the wonderful competition.

The girls blushed with embarrassment as they recalled the exciting moments of the competition; while the boys were incredibly proud, because these two were their classmates, and this competition alone would give them something to brag about to their friends for quite some time.

"Uchiha Kōki." Just as Koki and his two friends were about to head to the classroom, Koki suddenly heard a familiar voice calling his name from behind.

He turned around and saw Hyuga Haruka standing there quietly, her Byakugan staring straight at him.

Koki felt uncomfortable under his distinctive Byakugan and couldn't help but shift her body slightly.

Hyuga Haruka seemed somewhat embarrassed as well. He pursed his lips slightly and stammered, "I misunderstood you before because of some conflicts within the clan... In short, I thought all Uchiha Clan were like that... Anyway, I apologize to you."

Her usual arrogance had vanished, and Hyuga Haruka's apology seemed somewhat clumsy.

Koki smiled brightly and said, "It's okay, let bygones be bygones." Her smile was like warm sunshine, dazzling and captivating, making people feel instantly at ease.

Hyuga Haruka seemed momentarily stunned by the smile in the sunlight, his face slowly flushing red. He lowered his head and whispered, "May I ask you for guidance on Ninjutsu sometime?"

"Of course!" Koki agreed without hesitation.

Koki thought about the troubles of the Hyuga Main Family and Branch Family families, felt sympathy, reached out and patted the boy's shoulder, looked earnestly into his eyes, and said, "Fate is in your own hands. I firmly believe that as long as you are strong enough, even Caged Bird Seal can spread its wings and fly!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Hyuga Haruka's body jolted violently. Suddenly, she turned around and ran away like a startled rabbit.

Only Koki remained, bewildered in the wind, and asked in confusion, "Did I say something wrong?"

Koto Inuzuka, standing to the side, shrugged, spread her hands, and replied helplessly, "Who knows?"

The three exchanged a glance, then headed towards the classroom.