As the students scrambled to rush out of the classroom, Umino Iruka remained behind at the podium, absentmindedly gathering the attendance sheets.
Just as he reached the doorway, he froze.
There were still several students seated at their desks.
They were Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Chōji, and—most troublesome of all—Uzumaki Naruto.
"What are you all still doing here…?" Iruka asked, frowning.
He followed their gazes and quickly realized the truth.
All four of them were staring at Naruto.
The moment Iruka spoke, all five turned their heads toward him in unison, silent and expressionless.
"…Never mind," Iruka said at last, uneasy.
"Just make sure you head home soon."
Shaking his head, he left the classroom. He still needed to report to the Sarutobi Hiruzen—and ask for advice on how to deal with Naruto.
"Naruto, Chōji and I came up with a new combo strategy! Want to try it out?"
"That's right!" Chōji added eagerly.
"I can use Partial Expansion Jutsu now, in addition to Human Bullet Tank. Your Shadow Clones won't have such a big advantage anymore!"
The moment Iruka disappeared, Shikamaru and Chōji sprang to their feet, excitement clear on their faces.
"I don't mind," Naruto replied with a faint smile.
"But today's our first day of enrollment. Shouldn't you two head home and celebrate with your families?"
As he spoke, Naruto subtly sensed that the Third Hokage, who had been observing from outside, had just withdrawn.
"Celebrate what?" Shikamaru scoffed.
"Classes are boring, and everything they teach is basic."
"Yeah," Chōji nodded.
"I'd rather be home eating snacks."
"Alright then," Naruto said.
"Let's go to the usual training ground. I'll take a look at your new strategy."
He stepped into the aisle, Shikamaru and Chōji following close behind.
Just as they reached the door, a voice rang out—
"Uzumaki Naruto!"
This time, it wasn't Iruka.
It was Uchiha Sasuke, who had stepped forward to block Naruto's path.
"Hm?" ×4
Four voices echoed in unison, filled with surprise.
Naruto looked at Sasuke, then briefly glanced toward Hinata, who had lowered her head and remained silent.
"What do you want?" Naruto asked calmly.
Sasuke straightened, his posture proud and rigid.
"I challenge you!"
"Huh? Challenge me?"
Naruto blinked in mild surprise. He calmly reviewed the timeline in his mind.
Sasuke—bearing Indra's chakra—was, in truth, the most normal among the Uchiha at this stage.
Arrogant and aloof, yes—but not yet paranoid or extreme. He loved deeply, hated deeply, lacked political cunning, and said exactly what he thought. If not for later manipulation, his worldview wasn't fundamentally flawed.
"What?" Sasuke snapped.
"Are you scared to accept?"
"Can you at least tell me why you're challenging me?" Naruto asked.
"My brother said I'm no match for you," Sasuke answered stiffly.
"I want to prove I'm stronger than you!"
"…That's it?"
Shikamaru and Chōji exchanged glances.
So because your brother said someone was stronger than you… you challenge them?
That's pretty childish.
"Just say whether you accept or not!" Sasuke insisted.
"So your brother said I'm stronger," Naruto replied evenly.
"Did he also say the Hokage is stronger than you? Why don't you challenge the Third Hokage instead?"
"That's different!"
"How?" Naruto pressed.
"Or is it that you only dare challenge people you think are weaker?"
"I—I'm not—"
Sasuke faltered, unable to respond.
Naruto shook his head.
He had no interest in an after-school challenge driven by wounded pride.
"You're from the Uchiha clan," Naruto said.
Sasuke's chest puffed out immediately.
"Hmph! That's right!"
Naruto's gaze turned icy.
"Then… have you awakened your Sharingan yet?"
Sasuke froze.
"N-no… I haven't awakened it yet…"
"Then I'm not interested. Move."
Those words struck like a hammer.
Sasuke's face twisted through several emotions before he stepped aside, dazed.
Naruto didn't spare him another glance. He called to Shikamaru and Chōji and headed for the door.
"Naruto-kun…"
Naruto paused.
Shikamaru and Chōji exchanged puzzled looks.
Hinata stepped forward, her face flushed crimson.
"Naruto-kun, we've met before."
"Yes," Naruto replied calmly.
"I remember. Hinata—do you still get lost sometimes?"
"Uh—n-no… not anymore…"
She froze suddenly.
"Naruto-kun knows my name?!"
"I saw you stand up during roll call," Naruto said simply.
"O-oh…"
"Come on," Naruto said gently.
"I'll walk you home."
"Ah—I… I can go alone…"
Without hesitation, Naruto took her hand.
Shikamaru and Chōji stared in shock as Naruto led Hinata out of the classroom.
They followed after a moment, still baffled.
At the doorway, Shikamaru glanced back.
Sasuke was still standing there, frozen in place.
Naruto released Hinata's hand only once they reached the school gates.
Seeing Shikamaru and Chōji lagging behind, Naruto asked casually,
"Hinata, have you awakened your Byakugan yet?"
Hinata lowered her head.
"N-no… not yet."
The question echoed oddly in her mind.
Hadn't Naruto asked Sasuke something similar earlier?
A sharp glint flashed in Naruto's eyes.
The Byakugan—once fully evolved—could rival even the Rinnegan.
Yet the Hyūga clan had no understanding of how to unlock its true potential. Despite its immense strategic value, the clan had been reduced to nothing more than Konoha's "radar system."
Since the Third Hokage took office, Konoha's great clans had been subtly weakened.
The Hyūga most of all.
The incident with Kumogakure years ago had widened the rift between them and the village leadership. Their position was even more precarious than the Uchiha's.
At least the Uchiha controlled the Konoha Police Force.
The Hyūga had never held political power—not since the First Hokage's era.
No Hyūga—Main or Branch—had ever been recruited into ANBU or Root.
They were guests in their own village.
Outsiders.
Interesting.
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked softly.
"What are you thinking about?"
"I was thinking about you."
"Ah—!"
Hinata nearly collapsed. Naruto caught her by the shoulders.
"W-what did you just say…?"
"Nothing important," Naruto said calmly.
"I just believe you'll awaken your Byakugan very soon."
"I… I'll try my best…"
Her voice was barely a whisper.
(End of Chapter)
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