The sight caught Mizuki's eyes, and his fingers curled over his chin as he squinted slightly. His gaze wandered repeatedly between Uchiha Hui and Yufumi Hyuga, as if confirming something — or perhaps calculating odds.
A slow smile tugged at the corners of Mizuki's mouth. He rose from his seat and turned to Iruka, who sat beside him.
"You still have classes later," Mizuki said lightly, stepping away. "I'll take this student to the infirmary."
Then, as if by accident — yet loud enough for the entire class to hear — Mizuki muttered, "Some teachers just don't know how to control their students these days…"
Mizuki's grin lingered as he strolled to the back row. He leaned close to Yufumi Hyuga and whispered something — something that drew a cruel smile across Yufumi's face. The two walked out of the classroom together, shoulder to shoulder.
That afternoon, as school let out, Uchiha Hui spotted Mizuki waiting at the gate. Mizuki's smile seemed too wide, too eager.
"Ah, Uchiha Hui!" Mizuki called out warmly. "I didn't realize before — you're the one who beat Hayate today, aren't you? The strongest student in the academy, defeated by you… Impressive."
Uchiha Hui's expression barely shifted. His mouth curled into the faintest, icy smirk.
"Thanks," Hui said flatly.
"Come on," Mizuki pressed, tone still cheery. "Today's a special day — the day we finally get to know each other. As a celebration, how about I treat you to some ramen?"
Mizuki's voice dripped with forced friendliness. Hui knew better.
He's trying too hard.
"Sure," Hui said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
For a moment, Mizuki's gaze sharpened, and his smile faltered — just barely. But he quickly recovered, clapping his hands together like everything was perfectly normal.
"Great!" Mizuki beamed. "I know just the place."
As they walked, Hui let his gaze drift lazily toward the corners of rooftops and alleyways. A shadow flickered — too quick for most eyes, but not his.
A Hyuga, Hui noted. So that's how it is.
He reached into his pocket and slid his sunglasses over his eyes. People at school had long whispered that the 'weird Uchiha kid' always wore sunglasses as some strange quirk. Today, Mizuki didn't question it either.
They walked deeper into the village, winding down quieter streets until the crowds thinned. The alleyway Mizuki led them to was narrow, barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side. The air was stale. The walls leaned in, pressing close like silent spectators.
Mizuki's smile lingered, but his gaze kept flicking over his shoulder.
"Kind of out of the way," Hui muttered, voice low.
"Oh, don't worry," Mizuki said with a forced chuckle. "The place I'm taking you is just ahead. Real hidden gem."
Too hidden, Hui thought.
Another shadow moved. The Hyuga follower, slipping between rooftops. Hui stopped walking.
"There's no one else here," Hui said softly, his voice colder than before. He smirked. "Your little friend's been following us since we left the school. Might as well come out."
Mizuki froze. For a heartbeat, he stood still — then his smile dropped like a stone.
"You're sharper than I thought," Mizuki muttered, voice low and bitter. He turned, and his face twisted into a sneer. "But you still walked into my trap, Uchiha Hui. You kids are all the same — arrogant and stupid."
Behind him, Yufumi Hyuga stepped from the shadows, his pale, pupil-less eyes gleaming.
"You're not getting away this time," Yufumi jeered, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see how much of a 'genius' you really are."
"Don't waste time," Mizuki warned. "We're not deep enough into the alley. If this brat screams, someone might—"
He never finished.
Uchiha Hui's fingers flicked outward. Eight steel darts shot from his hands, spinning through the air like spiraling blades.
"Wha—?"
The darts collided mid-air with a metallic clink, bouncing off each other to scatter their flight paths unpredictably. Mizuki's eyes widened.
"Damn it!" he hissed, jerking sideways. One dart tore through his sleeve, nicking his arm.
Yufumi staggered back, swatting at two of the darts — but one carved a shallow cut across his shoulder. Blood seeped into his robe.
"You...!" Yufumi's voice shook with rage.
Uchiha Hui was already moving. He reached for his kunai, fingers curling around the grip. His stance shifted, cold and precise.
Mizuki's gaze locked onto the weapon, and for the first time, fear flickered in his eyes.
"Stay back!" Mizuki barked at Yufumi. "This brat's more dangerous than I thought."
"You think I'm dangerous?" Hui's voice was cold steel. "You haven't seen anything yet."