"Do you want to continue, Hyuga Neji?"
Yuichi asked calmly.
Neji gritted his teeth, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.
In the end, he slowly raised his head and looked at Yuichi.
"…What's your name?"
"Nagano Yuichi."
"Nagano… that's a civilian surname."
Lost.
Although Neji didn't want to admit it, the truth was undeniable.
That one strike—when the ground shattered like it had been hit by artillery—reminded him.
If he had been the one to take that blow, he might not have survived.
Who would've thought that one day he would lose to a Genin… a civilian.
"If you don't want to continue, then let's call this match a tie. Thank you for the spar."
Yuichi suddenly walked up to Neji and stretched out his hand.
This action left Neji stunned.
After all the harsh words he had said just moments ago…
And yet, this boy in front of him—
The other Genin watching didn't like the sight at all. They despised Neji, the prideful Konoha genius.
Yuichi's hand hovered awkwardly in the air for a long time.
Neji clearly had no intention of accepting his kindness.
This made the other Genin even angrier.
Yuichi had already shown mercy, and yet Neji still acted so aloof.
"What is your dream?"
Neji asked suddenly.
Yuichi didn't understand why Neji asked this, but he still answered honestly.
"To become Hokage. To become the strongest ninja."
"…Really." Neji chuckled softly.
A civilian aiming to be Hokage. How laughable.
Turning around, Neji walked away without looking back.
No cruel words this time. Just silence.
But his retreat sparked the others.
The Genin behind him rushed forward in excitement, swarming around Yuichi.
For them, facing Konoha's clan prodigies had always meant humiliation.
But today, Yuichi—a civilian—defeated one.
Such a thing almost never happened.
Meanwhile, on the mountain overlooking the training grounds—
Rock Lee's fists trembled with excitement.
"He actually defeated Neji! That person… he's really strong."
Tenten nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Neji was defeated. And by a Genin who only just graduated!"
"This is the power of youth! I must challenge him!"
Rock Lee's eyes burned with passion, his whole body trembling with fiery resolve.
But suddenly, a large hand pressed down on his head.
"Lee, not now. You haven't finished today's training yet."
"Yes, Sensei! Sorry! I'll go complete it right away!"
"Mm."
Might Guy's gaze shifted down the mountain, toward Yuichi.
"…That's a good kid."
Tenten nodded. "He's strong, kind, and doesn't bully others after winning. That's rare."
Such a boy, she thought, was worth knowing.
At least better than a certain thick-eyebrowed teammate or an iceberg-faced Hyuga.
Her beautiful eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"Sensei, I'll go check if Neji's injured."
"No. Neji isn't injured."
Might Guy turned his head, his face suddenly serious.
"You two must stay away from that kid. Do you understand?"
"Eh? Why?"
Tenten and Lee both looked at him in confusion.
Guy didn't want to explain.
How could he say it? That boy was too mature.
At their age, rivals should burn with pride, should mock and boast after winning.
But Yuichi… he forgave his opponent instead, with a calmness far beyond his years.
That wasn't simple.
If Yuichi had known what Might Guy was thinking, he would've been speechless.
To him, it was just a childish spar.
He wasn't really twelve years old inside, and he saw no point in mocking a defeated opponent.
He had no grudge with Hyuga Neji. Why waste energy on something so boring?
After Neji left, Yuichi remained surrounded by the excited group for quite some time.
Before long, he naturally became the leader of this small band of Genin.
Even those three or four years older than him still followed his lead.
Yuichi began helping them with physical training.
For civilian-born Genin, proper guidance was rare. Without clan teachings, they often trained blindly.
Yuichi showed them the right direction—how to train efficiently, how to grow stronger faster.
The morning passed in a flash.
Futa and Jidou handed out the lunches they had brought, eating with Yuichi.
Afterward, Yuichi prepared to visit the Third Hokage.
To others, it might've seemed like he wasted his time fooling around with younger Genin instead of practicing ninjutsu.
But in truth, Yuichi felt more fulfilled than if he'd spent all morning grinding proficiency.
Because this was also training.
Not for power, but for personality.
Yesterday, he had shown his talent to the Third Hokage.
Today, he demonstrated his bonds with Konoha, his willingness to share with friends, and his open heart.
In the face of provocation, he showed restraint.
Against rivals, he extended his hand.
Talent, loyalty, generosity, kindness, leadership—
All these traits were being displayed, one by one.
And Yuichi was certain.
The Third Hokage, through his "Crystal Ball," must have seen it all.
That afternoon, Yuichi once again stood in the same training ground as yesterday.
The damage from their fight had been patched up, the broken walls covered with wooden boards.
A Jōnin led him there first, and after a short wait, the Third Hokage arrived.
"Lord Hokage."
Yuichi bowed respectfully.
The old man still wore his kind smile, but Yuichi couldn't shake the feeling.
There was hostility in his eyes.
Why?
Wasn't he doing enough already?
"Yuichi," the Hokage began, "today I will teach you another Water Style. It's called Water Style: Hidden Mist Technique."
Yuichi's eyes flickered.
Of all the Water Styles… this one?
"With this jutsu, you can conceal yourself in mist and strike unseen," the Hokage explained.
"It's a D-rank ninjutsu. With your talent, you should pick it up quickly. Watch closely."
The Hokage exhaled.
A thick white fog poured from his mouth, quickly enveloping the entire training field.
Moments later, he dispelled it with a gust of Wind Style.
"Now then, Yuichi. Did you see clearly? Try it yourself."
Yuichi glanced at the Hokage, then formed the hand seals in order.
Without the help of the system, he wasn't sure if he could truly learn ninjutsu.
But with his chakra control, it should still be possible.
As he moved through the seals, Yuichi felt his chakra flow strangely.
Different from when the system guided him.
Normally, the system would instantly transform chakra—like jumping from one to two in a single step.
But now, he had to move gradually. One point one, one point two, one point three… until he finally reached two.
The process felt foreign.
Unfamiliar.
But—he succeeded.
Mist spread out around him.
The Third Hokage nodded.
"To learn it in one try… your talent truly is remarkable."