Chapter 17— The First Move
The air snapped.
A kunai, black and fast, buried itself in the dirt an inch from a young Hyūga boy's foot.
Screams tore through the clearing.
The instructors spun, but before they could close the distance, a shadow dropped from the trees, grabbed the Hyūga by the collar—
—and found their wrist locked in an iron grip.
Akira's face was calm, but his eyes glowed faintly gold. "Wrong prey."
The attacker didn't hesitate — a second kunai slashed toward Akira's face.
It never landed.
Kakashi intercepted from the side, short blade clanging against steel, his stance low and sharp. "I don't know who you are," he said, "but you picked the wrong training ground."
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The second and third Iwa ninja emerged from the brush, spreading out to flank them. The instructors shouted orders, trying to rally the scattered kids, but it was clear:
These three weren't here for a spar.
Akira glanced at Kakashi. "Two each?"
Kakashi's lips curled into a thin smile. "Fine. Just don't slow me down."
The golden Byakugan flared to life.
Three pairs of eyes met in that instant — two silver, one gold — and without another word, they moved.
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