"Seiji, this is…"
Might Guy blinked in disbelief as the cramp in his thigh melted away, the sharp pain evaporating as if it had never been.
"This is the Palm Healing Jutsu, Guy."
Seiji's tone was calm, instructive. "You gather chakra in your hands, channel it into the body, and stimulate the muscle's natural healing process. It's a branch of medical ninjutsu."
Guy blurted out before he could stop himself:"Seiji-kun, could you… teach me?"
The words slipped out, and instantly his face burned. What was he thinking? Palm Healing Jutsu wasn't some playground trick—medical ninjutsu scrolls fetched fortunes on the black market. Why would Seiji just hand it over?
Guy opened his mouth to stammer an apology, but Seiji only shook his head, smiling.
"Medical jutsu requires insane chakra control and a sharp eye for injuries. Push too much chakra into the wrong spot, and you'll make things worse, not better."
He clapped Guy's shoulder. "Guy, you're already walking your own path. Focus on taijutsu. If you ever need help, come find me."
Guy's throat tightened as he stared into Seiji's eyes, eyes so steady they could anchor the world. Slowly, he said the words that would baffle half the onlookers:"Seiji-kun… please allow me to become your rival for life!"
"…Sure."
Seiji pulled his hand back from Guy's leg and extended it instead. He hauled Guy upright with an easy grin."Let's push each other forward, Guy."
[Detected strong competitive intent from Might Guy. Rivalry target successfully bound!]
"Damn bushy-browed idiot…" Shisui muttered sourly, pouting from the sidelines. Seiji had healed him before, sure, but not like this."Hmph. He's just humoring you. The only one worthy of being my brother's true rival—and protector—is me."
Even as jealousy flickered, Shisui couldn't deny how fast Guy was growing. From academy reject to taijutsu prodigy in such a short time—it was terrifying.I need to train harder. Much harder.
Truth was, Guy's rise was shocking, but not random. In their generation, most would make jōnin ranks after graduating at nine or ten. Kakashi had set the record with six. Guy? He made it at seven—not the earliest, but steady, relentless. A late bloomer with bottomless stamina.
"Seiji, you've grown into something remarkable. Your teacher's proud."
Umino Ikkaku walked over, clapping Seiji's shoulder with genuine admiration. "So—still got gas in the tank? Want to test yourself against Chūnin Kakashi?"
He leaned in, voice carrying encouragement. "Skip the exams. Catch the Third Hokage's eye. It could change your life."
From a veteran's perspective, he was certain—without his blade, Kakashi wouldn't stand a chance against Seiji. He wanted his student, this gentle yet terrifyingly strong Uchiha, to take the shot and etch his name into Konoha's memory.
But Seiji only shook his head."Not this time, sensei. I'm not ready to graduate."
He smiled, almost boyishly. "Today I'm just respecting the academy's rules. I was drawn for matches, so I'll fight them seriously. As for the graduation exam… honestly, I'm looking forward to this year's Fire Will Philosophy test."
Seiji winked and turned back to the stands, leaving Ikkaku stunned.
Kakashi's eyes narrowed, heavy with conflict. Seiji's strength rattled him, stirred something long dormant in his chest. The thought of fighting him itched at his bones. If not for his father's strict discipline, Kakashi might have ordered the fight outright, examiner's authority be damned.
And yet… Guy had already claimed it. "Rival for life." The words dug deeper into Kakashi's chest than he cared to admit, feeding his loneliness.
"Rin."
Seiji's voice broke her from her daze. He had strolled up quietly, all easy smiles."This weekend, come to the Uchiha compound. I'll teach you Palm Healing."
Rin's pale face flushed pink in an instant."I–I… Seiji-kun, it's too rare a technique. I couldn't possibly—"
"You stared at every move I made with Guy just now. You like this jutsu, don't you?" His voice softened, genuine yet threaded with a teasing edge. "It suits you. And if it helps you, then I'll be glad."
That mix—his earnest eyes, his faintly playful tone—sent her thoughts spiraling. Seiji, who had just stolen the spotlight in front of everyone, had noticed her? Spoken to her first?
Her heart fluttered wildly. Even Rin, ever the cheerful optimist, wasn't immune to daydreams.
"…Okay. Sunday. I'll visit. Please teach me then."
"Good. It's a promise." Seiji nodded warmly and drifted back to Shisui's side.
The watching crowd stirred. Students, teachers, even jaded shinobi all understood—another Uchiha genius had just stepped into the spotlight.
And not the typical kind. This one favored Water Release, spoke gently, openly admired the Will of Fire.
An Uchiha unlike any they'd seen.
Teachers exchanged looks, their eyes bright. That moment between Seiji and Guy? The perfect inspirational tale. One that could echo through the academy for generations.
Meanwhile, Obito still lay unconscious on the floor like a discarded mutt. Forgotten.
Sarutobi Asuma, however, couldn't tear his gaze from Seiji's back. His heart churned.
He had always rejected the Will of Fire, dismissed his father's teachings. But Seiji—Seiji was everything he wasn't. Stronger, more talented, yet unshakably devoted to that ideal.
For the first time, Asuma felt curiosity. Maybe, just maybe, Seiji held the answers he had been searching for.
And far away, Sarutobi Hiruzen, having watched the whole thing through scrying, smiled with rare satisfaction."Good. Very good. Another fine Uchiha has bloomed."