But what Uchiha Itachi hadn't expected was that the opponent's Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu (Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet)—which didn't even look that strong—after extinguishing his own Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu (Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire), actually managed to directly clash against his Suiton: Suiga no Jutsu (Water Fang Bullet).
Not only that, but the seemingly weak Suiryūdan no Jutsu instantly overwhelmed the sharp pressure of his Suiga no Jutsu and came rushing toward him like a dragon.
Itachi quickly dodged to the side, then turned back to look at Hyūga Shigeo:
"You're strong! Hyūga Shigeo, what other ninjutsu can you use?"
His eyes shone with curiosity as he asked.
Hyūga Shigeo briefly used his sensory technique to check the surroundings. Finding no one spying on them, he began forming hand seals and pressed his palm to the ground:
"Doton: Doryūheki! (Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall)"
Then he followed up:
"Fūton: Kaze no Yaiba…! (Wind Style: Blade of Wind)"
After showing these two techniques, Shigeo stopped. He didn't reveal his Katon (Fire Release), Raiton (Lightning Release), Mokuton (Wood Release), or his Kekkei Genkai and Kekkei Tōta.
Even so, he already felt that he was showing too much. But since Itachi was his good friend, he felt it wouldn't be right to hide everything—so he revealed just two more types of ninjutsu.
Uchiha Itachi's eyes widened in awe. He clenched his fists tightly and took a deep breath:
"I will definitely work hard to catch up with you!"
…
In the following days, everyone continued their step-by-step training at the Academy to refine chakra control—except Uchiha Itachi, who always stood out.
By now, his education wasn't limited to the lower grades. Most of his time was spent receiving individual guidance from teachers and even participating in advanced ninjutsu training with upperclassmen.
Meanwhile, Hyūga Shigeo continued studying alongside the rest of his class.
Without Uchiha Itachi around, Hyūga Hikaru became more active. One day he would mock Shigeo with insults, the next he would hide his chair, or even throw away his schoolbag. He played every petty trick he could think of—but he never dared to fight him directly.
The consequences of their last two clashes were still fresh in his memory. He knew better than to challenge Shigeo head-on. At most, he bullied him for being blind.
But even then, Hikaru gained nothing, since several girls in the class often looked after Shigeo. Whenever Hikaru tried something, the girls would step in to help.
Until one day, when Hikaru threw Shigeo's schoolbag into the girls' bathroom. That time, Shigeo retaliated—landing a single punch that knocked out two of Hikaru's front teeth. From then on, Hikaru never dared bully him again.
Class life continued as usual. Shigeo's progress in ninja training always remained in the middle range of the class. If Hikaru could condense chakra, so could he. If Hikaru could perform Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique), so could he. If Hikaru could use taijutsu, so could he.
This drove Hikaru crazy with frustration.
Half a month later, everything changed—the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki of Iwagakure, came to Konoha!
Ōnoki's main purpose was to sign a peace agreement with Konoha. The Raikage had already signed earlier. Originally, both sides had planned to sign the treaty in the Valley of Winds in the Land of Rain. For unknown reasons, Ōnoki suddenly insisted on visiting Konoha directly.
Since the war had just ended and Ōnoki's attitude seemed very friendly, offering to come personally for the signing, the Third Hokage couldn't refuse. He agreed to host him.
Everything was carefully prepared in advance: security, diplomatic arrangements, even the words and gestures to be used. Ordinary villagers knew nothing about the visit. They only noticed the village's security had been tightened.
And if the villagers didn't know, the children studying at the Academy certainly didn't either—until the day Ōnoki entered the Academy, accompanied by the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and several senior teachers.
At that time, Hyūga Shigeo was relaxing on a swing during break time. His Mirror Perception was deactivated, and he was simply enjoying the spring sunshine and the gentle breeze.
"Hey, little one—we meet again!"
The sudden voice startled Shigeo. He instantly activated Mirror Perception—but it was too late.
By the time he realized what was happening, he was already surrounded by a group. He had heard footsteps earlier but assumed they were just classmates and paid no attention.
In front of him now stood the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, with a cold smile on his lips and deep hatred in his eyes.
Beside him stood the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and several of the Academy's senior teachers.
"You…" Shigeo wanted to ask, 'Why are you here?' but swallowed the words back down.
"Hyūga Shigeo, do you know the Tsuchikage-sama?" Hiruzen's eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"Hokage-dono, you don't know?" Ōnoki looked around, as though surprised that Konoha would let such a skilled child remain hidden in the Academy.
Sarutobi Hiruzen—are you pretending not to know, or do you really not understand what this child has done?
With a smile that didn't reach his eyes, Ōnoki continued:
"This child of yours is no ordinary student—he's a formidable shinobi…"
Shigeo furrowed his brows. Though his unfocused eyes betrayed nothing, every nerve in his body was taut. If not for so many Konoha leaders being present, he would have silenced Ōnoki right then and there.
At that moment, Jiraiya appeared in the distance, watching in surprise.
"Do you know why Iwagakure withdrew from the Third Great War?" Ōnoki sneered. "It was all because of this child! Ha! Konoha's methods are truly impressive. Not only do you have the Kyūbi, but you also sent this child to wreak havoc in our village—destroying it, abducting our tailed beasts… You really opened my eyes!"
When he finished, he turned and gave Shigeo a cold, piercing look.
At the same time, his mind was racing. Why had he insisted on visiting Konoha under the pretext of a peace mission? Why had he humbled himself just to gain approval for this trip?
The answer was simple: he wanted to know who the child was—the one who defeated him and devastated Iwagakure.
If the child wasn't in Konoha, then he must be a rogue shinobi.
That meant only two possibilities: either a missing-nin, or a Konoha shinobi.
He remembered clearly that the boy had used the Sharingan. But now Sarutobi Hiruzen called him Hyūga Shigeo. Not an Uchiha, but a Hyūga? That was truly beyond his expectations.
And now, Ōnoki also realized—Konoha's higher-ups had no idea that Hyūga Shigeo was already this powerful.
(End of Chapter)
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