"Teachers, are you looking for me?"
Lucien's calm voice rang just as his "body" shattered into smoke. In truth, his real self had already materialized behind the Hyuga brothers, kunai in each hand, poised lightly against their backs.
"Sorry, teachers. You've lost." His words trailed with quiet certainty.
"What?!" Hiashi and Hizashi both stiffened in disbelief.
"When—how did you appear behind us?! Impossible! We destroyed every last marked kunai!" Hiashi's jaw tightened. His Byakugan recalled breaking them apart, not even fragments remained viable. Could he truly... teleport anywhere at will?
Lucien smirked. "You focused too hard on my special kunai... guarding against me appearing in front of you. But you overlooked the shadow clones."
"Shadow clones?" Hizashi frowned.
"Yes. Out of the five I summoned, two engaged you directly. The others? Their true role was deception. You thought I'd appear next to them. But in truth, my real self had already substituted out, leaving you hammering a wooden stump."
He lifted one kunai meaningfully. "And in the midst of your clash with my clones... I placed another marker behind you. You never realized. But even if you had... it's meaningless. Once you're marked, I can strike from anywhere—front, back, above, even beneath your feet."
To prove it, Lucien disappeared and reappeared high above them in less than a blink, standing stable after a somersault.
The Hyuga brothers' hearts sank.
"...So strong." Hizashi exhaled finally. "I don't know whether to fear the Flying Thunder God... or you. Perhaps you are destined to carry the pillar of this next generation."
Hiashi too lowered his stance solemnly. "Indeed. You live up to it. Then, as promised, I will tell you of your mother—Hinata Shinku."
Lucien's chest constricted even before the words came.
"Your mother... she was the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan head. A genius who had awakened her Byakugan young and mastered nearly all the clan's secret taijutsu. Your grandfather, the clan head, intended her to inherit the leadership of the Hyuga."
Hiashi's voice grew measured, yet bitter.
"But clan elders opposed it fiercely. Shinku herself hated the suffocating cage of the family. And then... your father, an Uchiha unlike the rest, entered her world. They fell in love quickly—two souls yearning for freedom."
"Shinku—the clan's jewel—was branded a traitor. She and your father left Konoha and lived in seclusion. But war pulled them back. As loyal ninjas of this village, they fought in the Second Great Shinobi War... and died on the battlefield."
Lucien's eyes trembled. His throat tightened with unshed emotion. "Is it wrong... to just live for oneself? To love who you love? To live freely, even as a human being?!" His fists shook. "In the end, they still fought for this village. They still died for it. Yet their families never recognized them... What family dares to call itself so?"
His voice turned into a growl, scorn dripping.
Hiashi only shook his head. "That is the way of shinobi bound to clans. Duty before love. Duty before self. Even if it is a cage." He thought of the caged bird branded on Hizashi's forehead and sighed heavily.
"Bullshit!" Lucien spat, anger blazing in his crimson eyes. "Humans come before ninja! If they cannot even live as true humans—how can they call themselves shinobi?!"
As his cry cracked the courtyard air—
Step. Step.
A heavy presence announced itself.
A tall man strode in, towering with imposing aura. Steel-gray hair framed his masked lower face, his back carried a long gray blade. His eyes, sharp as steel, carried weight reserved for seasoned killers.
Behind him stood a boy resembling him exactly—Hatake Kusuo.
Hiashi's eyes widened. "Konoha's Gray Fang... Hatake Saku."
Hizashi too acknowledged him with a nod.
The masked veteran gave only a cold laugh. "Sandaime ordered me here. Any squad attempting the Chunin Exams must confirm their guardian. Otherwise, they don't qualify." His voice dripped disdain as his gaze swept the Hyuga courtyard. "This place... reeks of decay. Corruption. Pride chained by tradition."
His eyes slid toward Lucien. "But you, boy... I like the way you think."
Lucien tilted his head and smirked back, amused.
Hyuga Hizashi explained to Lucien quietly, "The Sandaime specifically assigned Hatake Saku to oversee Kusuo's confirmation. And as a precaution against... interference."
Saku ignored the formalities. His sharp gaze snapped onto Shigure. "Uchiha Shigure, isn't it? They say you're strong."
Lucien smiled faintly. "Stronger than strong."
Saku barked a laugh. "Arrogant brat! Good. Arrogance is the right of the truly powerful. Better than weaklings pretending to be humble."
He folded his arms. "That kid Hatake Kakashi? Already a Chunin. But since the Chunin Exam is team-based, he's forced to enter again. Hmph. Perfect chance. I hope you crush his spirit in front of everyone—strip his smugness clean off his face!"
Lucien chuckled darkly. "I'd planned to humble him anyway. If he stands in my way—I'll crush him."
Saku's smirk widened beneath the mask. "Good answer, boy. Very good."
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