Sigh...
When the Third Hokage chose Hyuga Jinko as Uchiha Akira's opponent, the old man (Akira's grandfather) sighed softly.
The rivalry between the Uchiha clan and the Hyuga clan for the title of Konoha's top noble family was deeply ingrained.
So, with a Hyuga clan member as his grandson's opponent, the other side would certainly put in extra effort to block him.
However, Hyuga Jinko had only graduated two years ago, and while he wasn't weak for a Genin, he wasn't particularly strong either.
His strength was fairly average, and no one could find fault with this choice.
Meanwhile, the people on the training field naturally spread out, leaving an open space.
At the same time, everyone was curiously watching Uchiha Akira.
A six-year-old child who had just enrolled was already applying for graduation?
They wondered how strong he really was.
If he succeeded, he could be hailed as the next genius after Hatake Kakashi!
Of course, if he failed, the label of being overconfident would likely follow him for many years.
...
As for the thoughts of the onlookers, Uchiha Akira stood quietly, focusing on his opponent.
The boy, around 13 or 14 years old, was about a head taller than Akira.
Hyuga Jinko raised his hand and assumed the stance of the Gentle Fist technique.
Uchiha Akira raised his hand as well, and two shurikens spun through the air, drawing arcs as they flew toward Jinko from the left and right.
Using the Eight Trigrams stance, Hyuga Jinko swiftly sidestepped, easily dodging the shurikens.
Akira hadn't expected the shurikens to succeed, so as Jinko dodged, his eyes turned crimson, with one tomoe appearing in each eye.
"Sharingan, so this is the Sharingan!"
"Indeed, awakening the Sharingan at just six years old—another Uchiha genius?"
"Hyuga Jinko has activated his Byakugan as well!"
...
As both sides activated their Dojutsu, the surrounding onlookers began to murmur.
After all, the Sharingan and Byakugan were two of the most renowned Dojutsu in the ninja world!
Witnessing a clash between the Sharingan and Byakugan wasn't something the average citizen could easily see.
Akira formed hand seals, and with a puff of smoke, two Shadow Clones appeared, each charging toward Jinko from different sides.
"A Clone Jutsu?"
"No, these are physical bodies, not illusions—it's the Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
"He even mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu!?"
...
Seeing the Shadow Clones, the ninjas from various clans watching were all taken aback.
Though the Shadow Clone Jutsu was only a B-rank technique, it was impressive for a six-year-old child to use it.
"When did this brat learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu?"
Even Akira's grandfather was inwardly surprised by this move.
However, he couldn't hide the smile spreading across his face.
No matter what, the more outstanding his grandson was, the happier he felt.
...
"Knowing that I'm from the Hyuga clan, and yet you're engaging in close combat with me?"
As the two Shadow Clones lunged toward him, Hyuga Jinko didn't hesitate.
Using the Gentle Fist technique, he destroyed both Shadow Clones with just a few moves.
However, before he could celebrate, a scorching fireball came hurtling toward him!
Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!
The fireball, over a meter in diameter, was like a massive cauldron of flames!
In shock, Hyuga Jinko quickly stepped into the Eight Trigrams stance, twisting his body to avoid as much of the fireball as possible.
Despite his efforts, one arm was grazed by the fire, instantly charring black.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Hyuga Jinko forced himself to close the distance between him and Akira.
The Uchiha clan was famous for its Fire Style techniques, while the Hyuga clan was renowned for its Gentle Fist Taijutsu.
Naturally, in a fight between the two clans, closing the distance for hand-to-hand combat was key to victory—this was common knowledge even among children.
So, even at the cost of his arm being injured by the Fire Style, Hyuga Jinko prioritized closing the gap between them!
As he reached Uchiha Akira, Jinko raised his other hand and struck out at Akira's chakra points with lightning speed.
His finger landed directly on Akira's chest.
Feeling the solid contact, Hyuga Jinko relaxed slightly, thinking, It's over!
Boom!
However, just as Jinko struck Uchiha Akira with the Gentle Fist, Akira's body suddenly exploded into a puff of smoke!
"No way...!"
Realizing that the Uchiha Akira he struck had turned into smoke, Hyuga Jinko was stunned, understanding what had just happened.
"You've lost!"
A kunai was pressed against Hyuga Jinko's back as Uchiha Akira appeared behind him.
Feeling Akira's presence behind him, Hyuga Jinko's body froze.
Note: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 31 at patreon.com/Emik01.