Yamashita Tetsuya froze as he watched. Wait, was that a slash attack?!
Not far off, Seisui Yuki stood beside the fallen Yamamoto Kenjin, launching a strike of his own.
"Iaijutsu: Wind Pressure!"
A gust-infused slash shot toward Yamashita Tetsuya, sharp and fast like slicing air.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Uchiha Haru quickly formed hand seals, spewing a blazing fireball right behind the wind slash, unrelenting.
Up on the observation platform, the Hyuga clan head sneered at Uchiha Setsuna.
"So this is the great strength of the Uchiha Clan?"
He clicked his tongue mockingly.
"Not much to look at. Even two civilians managed to bring chakra-conducting weapons, and yet the Uchiha in their squad doesn't even have one."
The sarcasm in his voice was thick enough to cut.
"Has the Uchiha fallen so low? Tsk, how pitiful. Want us Hyuga to donate some chakra-conducting metal?"
"I'd be happy to give you some, just say the word!"
Uchiha Setsuna's face darkened with anger, flushed with humiliation.
As a traditional Uchiha, clan pride meant everything to him.
And now he was being insulted to his face, and what's worse, the Hyuga wasn't wrong.
Two civilians had chakra-conducting weapons, and yet his own granddaughter, an Uchiha, was the one with just a fancy blade?
Disgraceful.
Nearby Jonin and other clan leaders subtly stepped away, sensing trouble brewing.
The Uchiha and Hyuga clans had always competed for supremacy in dojutsu.
Friction between the two was constant.
Everyone here knew Uchiha Setsuna, bold enough to have once tried assassinating the Second Hokage. If a fight broke out right now, none of them would be surprised.
"Hmph. Uchiha matters are none of your concern, loser."
The Hyuga clan head narrowed his eyes.
"Poor scum."
"Defeated trash."
Uchiha Setsuna turned his head with disdain, not even deigning to respond, as if talking to the man would dirty him.
"Pretentious pauper!" the Hyuga head spat, still trying to get a rise out of him.
This era's Hyuga still had some fire, most of the elders were hardened from the Warring States Period.
But by the time of Hyuga Hiashi's leadership, all that fire had gone out. Back then, they couldn't even push back when asked to surrender their clan head.
Danzo, watching this little drama, smirked coldly.
The Uchiha, born evil. Always need watching.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Setsuna silently pondered how he could persuade that stubborn old Uchiha Hōka to fork over some chakra-conducting metal.
After all, his own granddaughter, while equipped with a high-grade blade, was the only one in the squad without a chakra weapon.
Shameful.
Back on the battlefield, Hatake Sakumo sighed and vanished in a flash, reappearing beside Yamashita Tetsuya to pull him clear of the three-pronged attack.
He shouted toward the sidelines, "Medical team, get in here!"
As med-nin carried away Hakuto Shiro and Yamamoto Kenjin, Sakumo turned to the disheartened Yamashita.
"You lost. Time to go."
"…Yes." Yamashita forced himself to stay composed and quietly exited the field.
"The winners: Yuki Seisui, Namikaze Minato, and Uchiha Haru!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood and produced three forehead protectors, handing them to the team on the spot.
"Where the leaves dance, the fire will burn. The fire's light will guide the village and make new leaves sprout."
"From today on, you are officially a Konoha genin!"
"Yes, sir!" Minato replied excitedly.
Yuki and Haru exchanged glances, both a little helpless.
Minato was great at everything, but the moment anything involved the Hokage or the village, he turned into a total fanboy, completely obsessed.
Sarutobi gave the three a few words of encouragement before leaving with his entourage.
Danzo, on the other hand, paused and glanced back at Yuki Seisui.
Yuki happened to look up at the same moment, and their eyes met.
Danzo smiled and nodded.
A cold sweat broke down Yuki's back.
Terrifying. The infamous Shadow of the Second Hokage actually smiled at me?!
Once everyone else had left, Jiraiya stepped forward and grinned at the trio.
"To celebrate your graduation, your teacher's taking you to the hot springs!"
Yuki blinked. "Are there mixed baths with older women?"
"…Huh?" This time, it was Jiraiya's turn to freeze.
What happened to my innocent student?
"Well, if that's what you want… I could make it happen."
"Hiss, " Yuki drew in a sharp breath, face twisting in pain.
Uchiha Haru had pinched the soft flesh on his waist with surgical precision.
Apparently, this was a girl's innate passive skill, every one of them seemed to be born knowing it.
Yuki quickly changed tune. "I mean, mixed baths are overrated!"
"Obviously we need our own private bath!"
"Only fitting for shinobi of our level!"
He tried to sound righteous, but Jiraiya just stared at his twisted expression, looking unconvinced.
"…Poor guy," he muttered, clicking his tongue in pity.
Uchiha Haru's face turned bright red as she realized they weren't alone, just the two of them anymore.
Jiraiya led the three to a hot spring, the steam visible from outside.
"Here we are!" Jiraiya said proudly.
"Oh my, Jiraiya-sama, it's been a while!" A scantily dressed woman stepped out and clung to his arm.
"Hahaha! I only just got back to the village!"
"Wrapped things up, and came straight here!"
Yuki glanced at the heavily made-up woman and immediately guessed what kind of place this was.
He coughed awkwardly. "Ah, Jiraiya-sensei! I just remembered, I left the gas on at home! I'll head back!"
Before Jiraiya could respond, he grabbed Haru's hand and practically ran off.
Leaving Minato and Jiraiya to stare after them, bewildered.
"Why did you leave?" Haru asked curiously as they walked.
Yuki only shook his head. Some things are better felt than said.
How was he supposed to explain that the woman probably had a tough family situation?
A gambler for a father. A sick mother. A little brother still in school. A responsible big sister holding everything together.
"Nothing. Let's just find another hot spring. My treat!"
Haru didn't press. Instead, she brightened. "There's a really good one just up ahead!"
Naturally, Yuki reached out and took her hand.
A little while later, Haru stood outside the spring, watching Yuki soak contentedly, yet hesitant to enter.
"What's wrong? Come on in!"
Yuki stood in the steaming water, extending a hand toward her.
Blushing furiously, Haru finally stepped in, revealing the modest swimsuit underneath her robe.
=============
95+ Advance Chapters Available on Patreon.com/Veltoria
100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
Add to Library to support