Shigeo Hyūga couldn't hold back a laugh when he heard the words.
"Where's sensei? Did he go to the hospital?"
"Mm, this afternoon before the second round!"
"We lost, so what? Don't take it too hard. Let's go, we'll visit Yamashiro-sensei!" Shigeo said, then started walking toward Konoha Hospital.
In the distance, the ANBU and the Third Hokage, who had failed to catch up to them, watched and sighed. By the time they arrived in the woods, it was already too late. When they finally caught up, the battle was over. In any case, they hadn't witnessed the fight themselves.
From what the Third could gather through Hyūga Hikaru's account, Shigeo could use Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique) and Mokuton (Wood Release).
He also had formidable sensory abilities—able to strike enemies with precision and perceive his surroundings even in complete darkness. Yet strangely, at times he seemed oblivious—for instance, when Ōnoki came yesterday, he didn't react until Ōnoki actually spoke.
Perhaps this had to do with his chakra control. Regardless, the boy was a mystery in every way.
At the hospital, they visited Yamashiro-sensei. His injuries weren't severe. Seeing Hikaru safe brought him relief. Hikaru, of course, bragged endlessly about Shigeo—how powerful he was, how he saved him, and so on…
Yamashiro-sensei looked at Shigeo in astonishment. This child… turned out to be such an expert.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Itachi successfully made it into the top two hundred. For the lower grades, this wasn't too embarrassing—at least one student had made it.
The second round was held in the afternoon, the third round the next morning, and the fourth in the afternoon.
All told, the Third Hokage spent sixty to seventy thousand ryō in prize money, three ninjutsu scrolls, and two days involving an entire school of teachers and students… yet in the end, he got nothing about Shigeo. That was something he hadn't anticipated.
But what else could he do? Shigeo hadn't even entered the first round. Could he force him to fight? In a match, it was one thing if he showed his abilities. But if an entire class withdrew, would the ANBU truly attack such young children? No—this time, the Hokage's hopes had been dashed.
School life continued as usual: daily lessons, daily training.
Jiraiya-sensei had left the village to investigate Orochimaru's whereabouts, so Shigeo returned to living alone again. Fortunately, he still had plenty of friends.
Uzuki Yugao was away on a mission, but Ayame, Inuzuka Hana, and Hyūga Hikaru often came to his house to play.
Ayame was a sweet, quiet, and pretty girl, skilled at making pastries and snacks—always well-liked. Hana, meanwhile, spent most of her time roughhousing with her dog.
Only Hikaru… he was too chatty. From after school till evening, he wouldn't stop bragging.
He went on about the Hyūga Clan's Hakke Rokujūyon Shō (Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms), Hakke Hyakunijūhachi Shō (Eight Trigrams One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms), the marvels of the Byakugan, and how great clan gatherings were. He hadn't actually practiced these techniques more than a few times, yet he exaggerated them to the heavens.
He even boasted that the main family's young lady was fond of him, always smiling when she saw him…
He was, of course, referring to Hyūga Hinata. At the time of her birth, Shigeo wasn't in Konoha, so he hadn't attended the clan's gift-giving.
Not that it mattered—he was someone long neglected by the clan.
But unexpectedly, just as Shigeo was playing with his friends in his courtyard, members of the Hyūga main family came to invite him to the clan house. That left him puzzled.
When he arrived, he understood why.
Inside the main residence, two people sat drinking tea. One was Hyūga Hiashi, clan head of the Hyūga. Opposite him sat Shimura Danzō, his expression curved into an unnatural smile as they conversed.
Shigeo had never once seen Danzō smile. Yet now, his grin looked grotesque, more like a monster's sneer, and it made his skin crawl.
"Shigeo, you've arrived. Come in, sit," Hiashi said warmly.
Never before had Hiashi spoken to him, let alone with such a welcoming smile.
"No need. I'll stand here. Whatever you have to say, speak plainly," Shigeo replied.
"Haha, what pride this child has! But I like it, I like it…" Danzō grinned wider, his expression even more repulsive.
Having failed to gain the Third's approval, he had turned to buttering up the Hyūga clan head. For someone his age, learning to bend this way was no small adjustment.
Hiashi chuckled lightly, but when he raised his cup, he cast a sidelong glance at Shigeo.
Rumors about the boy had been spreading, but since the village leadership hadn't shown him any special treatment, Hiashi had assumed they were false.
But today, Danzō himself had come, speaking of "opportunities" and demanding to meet Shigeo, all while wearing a false smile. That alone proved the rumors true.
The thought made Hiashi's heart pound. Imagine—a six-year-old Hyūga who had defeated Ōnoki, nearly destroyed Iwagakure, and even captured a tailed beast. What kind of power was that? Even dozens of jōnin together couldn't achieve such a feat!
Hiashi steadied his breathing, then studied Shigeo again. The boy stood firm, eyes blazing with defiance. Clearly, neglect from the clan had left him with a rebellious spirit.
Danzō's smile widened as Shigeo remained in the courtyard. "Shigeo Hyūga, perhaps there has been some misunderstanding between us? Why don't you come inside, sit down, and we can talk? Your clan leader is here—surely you can give him that much face?"
Shigeo glanced at Hiashi. After a moment, he removed his shoes and stepped into the main hall.
"That's better. Here, have some tea. No, wait—children shouldn't drink tea. Perhaps…" Danzō looked around.
Hiashi immediately understood. "Bring a cup of milk."
"Yes!" came a voice from outside.
"No need for the trouble. Just tell me why you've come."
"Shigeo Hyūga…" Danzō suddenly reached out, attempting to grasp his fingers in a show of false intimacy.
But Shigeo swiftly pulled his hand back, tucking both behind him.
(End of Chapter)
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