Bang!
Uchiha Jun'yi's fist swung straight for Natsume Yō. Calmly, Yō raised his arm and blocked, the impact ringing out like struck iron. With a single push of his right arm, he sent Yūsuke stumbling backward.
"You bastard—!" Yūsuke roared, charging again, convinced that first clash had been a fluke.
"Try me, then." Yō's eyes went cold as frost. With a thought, he invoked the Soul Control Curse.
Yūsuke froze as if lightning had ripped through him. His body trembled uncontrollably before he collapsed to the ground, eyes wide with fear, staring at Yō as though he were a demon lord draped in human skin.
"That's better. You're obedient when you're scared." Yō allowed a crooked smile to slip out, easing back into his seat. The Soul Control Curse was absurdly handy—Yūsuke wouldn't be a threat anytime soon.
"Damn it…" Yūsuke staggered up again, his pride bleeding out in front of the whole class. To be cowed by a so-called bottom-feeder like Natsume Yō… where was the dignity of the Uchiha name?!
"Pathetic, Yūsuke." A sneering voice cut across the classroom, dripping arrogance. "Terrified by someone like him? You're disgracing the entire clan."
The voice came from the doorway. A boy strode in—taller than Yō by a full head, with sharp, hawk-like eyes and a braid tied neatly behind him. His presence sucked the air out of the room.
This was Uchiha Yūsuke, a self-proclaimed prodigy. Along with Yūsuke, he'd been one of Yō's tormentors—no, the worst of them all. In fact, Yō's very rebirth in this world could be traced back to Yūsuke's "generosity."
And unlike Yūsuke, Yūsuke actually had the talent to back his arrogance. Second only to Shisui, he stood at the top of the Uchiha's younger generation.
"Didn't expect you had this much spine, Natsume," Yūsuke smirked, stepping forward to loom over him. "But trash is still trash. Work as hard as you want—you'll never be anything more than a background extra. A genius leaves you in the dust without even trying."
"Oh?" Yō shot back with a dry laugh. "Talking like you're hot shit, but funny—I don't recall seeing your name echo across the village like Shisui's. All I see is a loudmouth who knows how to talk big."
"You dare—!" Yūsuke's pride cracked. His fist came down in a blur, and Yō braced, counterpunching.
The clash was brutal—and Yō was thrown like a ragdoll, slammed across the room.
"Tch. Still weak as ever." Yūsuke shook his hand with disdain. "Beating you only dirties my knuckles." He turned his back, not even granting a second strike. That was his arrogance—his contempt was punishment enough.
The classroom buzzed.
"Did you see that? Natsume Yō really thinks he can pick a fight with Yūsuke?"
"He must have a death wish. Got beaten bloody last time too."
"Maybe he just wants attention. Pathetic, really."
"Who cares why? Sit back and enjoy the show."
The jeers fell like stones, each one pressing down on Yō's back.
叮!
[System Notice: Host has been ridiculed and looked down upon.][New Mission: Challenge Uchiha Yūsuke and defeat him.][Reward: EXP +4, Gold +10, Achievement Title: 'A Voice That Shakes the Crowd!']
Yō's lips curled. Perfect. Just the opportunity I needed.