Yagyu was indeed very surprised.
Just a moment ago, he was still wondering if the original matchup between Hinata and Neji was just a coincidence. Then, in the next second, he was paired against Neji Hyuga himself.
There was no doubt now. Yagyu's suspicions were correct—the pairings in the original story were manipulated, and they were still being manipulated now.
However, instead of watching a battle between the main branch and branch family heirs of the Hyuga clan, Hiruzen Sarutobi was more interested in watching a match between the top students of two different classes.
Yagyu calmed his emotions, nodded at the encouragement from his teammates in Team 8, and then used Body Flicker to appear in the arena.
"Yagyu, go for it! Don't hold back just because he's from Hinata's clan—beat him up!" Ino's energetic shout echoed across the arena, drawing stares from the audience, but she didn't care.
This boldness made Sakura and Hinata a bit envious.
Hinata, too shy, and Sakura, too ladylike, didn't have the courage to shout like that, so they silently cheered for Yagyu in their hearts.
"This kid has quite the charm, doesn't he?" Asuma Sarutobi, lighting a cigarette, muttered enviously, "Is it true that being handsome lets you do whatever you want?"
Ever since their days at the ninja academy, he hadn't even managed to win over Kurenai Yuhi. But Yagyu? He was surrounded by three beautiful and adorable girls, and they all seemed to get along perfectly.
If it were anyone else, Asuma would have suspected that the girls were pretending to like each other. But he knew Ino well, and he understood that she wasn't faking it.
How did Yagyu manage to keep things so balanced?
"Byakugan—activate!"
Neji Hyuga, who had just stepped down from the viewing platform, activated his Byakugan. However, he didn't immediately assume the Gentle Fist stance or attack Yagyu. Instead, he carefully examined Yagyu's body.
"Just as I thought…"
A few seconds later, Neji wore a knowing expression. "I was curious about this when we were at the academy. You, a commoner with no personal teacher, how could you surpass the heirs of the great clans? And how did you manage to use a B-rank Water Release in the fifth grade?"
"By all rights, your background should have doomed you to mediocrity, with no chance of achieving greatness."
"But somehow, you did the impossible, as if defying fate itself."
"Now I see, you didn't defy fate. The reason you've always been able to surpass even the heirs of great clans and hold the top student position is because it's your destiny."
Neji pointed at Yagyu, continuing, "Your chakra reserves are at least dozens of times greater than mine. Aside from that blonde idiot and that guy from the Sand Village with the gourd, not even Lord Hokage has as much chakra as you!"
"What?!"
Hearing this, the genin and even the jonin in the stands were shocked.
Many of the more skilled or specialized jonin immediately began to sense Yagyu's chakra levels, and their expressions turned to astonishment:
"Incredible chakra levels—at least dozens of times more than mine!"
"Isn't he Kurenai's student? She sure lucked out!"
"..."
Kakashi Hatake lifted his headband, revealing his Sharingan, and analyzed Yagyu. "Such chakra reserves, and his hair and eye color… Could he be…?"
As the jonin around him murmured in awe, Hiruzen Sarutobi, smoking his pipe, stared through the thin haze of smoke at Yagyu below, feeling a rush of excitement.
So similar… incredibly similar!
Watching Yagyu, who remained unfazed, Neji continued, "The history books record that the Senju clan, in an effort to integrate with both the clans and the common people of Konoha, had many of their members give up the Senju name and blend into the village."
"After decades, the Senju are Konoha, and Konoha is the Senju."
"Silver hair, red eyes, and incredible chakra reserves—your features are almost identical to the Second Hokage."
"It's clear now. You are a descendant of the Senju clan, having inherited their bloodline, which explains why you've always been able to surpass even Uchiha Sasuke and the heirs of other major clans."
"Gasp…"
The moment Neji finished speaking, all the jonin in the stands collectively drew a sharp breath.
All their previous doubts suddenly cleared away, like clouds parting to reveal the sun.
"Silver hair and red eyes, combined with this chakra—he really does resemble the Second Hokage."
"A descendant of the Senju clan? No wonder he's the top student this year, and in such a remarkable class too!"
"I wonder just how strong he really is!"
"..."
Kurenai Yuhi, finally realizing the truth, muttered to herself, "No wonder Yagyu could use such powerful Water Release techniques in a place without water… It all makes sense now…"
"Yagyu-kun…"
Hinata's eyes widened as she stared at Yagyu, her heart filling with an indescribable joy.
If Yagyu truly was a descendant of the Senju clan, maybe—just maybe—she could be with him. Her father and the elders wouldn't oppose the relationship.
In the eyes of the Uchiha, they and the Senju were two of the founding clans of Konoha.
But to the other ninja clans and the daimyo, the Senju were the true creators of Konoha, while the Uchiha were seen as the defeated, the clan that Senju Hashirama had eventually subdued.
In their eyes, the Senju were the legitimate founders!
That's why, when Tsunade returned to the village, she was immediately chosen to be the Fifth Hokage, and even Danzo didn't dare to contest the decision.
He couldn't contest it.
If Yagyu really was a descendant of the Senju, his status and position would change entirely.
He wouldn't need Ino to approach the Hyuga clan on his behalf. Instead, he could go to them directly.
Previously, if Yagyu had pursued Hinata, it would have seemed like a frog desiring a swan—foolish and overreaching.
But if Yagyu was a descendant of the Senju, it would be a perfect match—two golden children destined to be together!
In this world, still ruled by feudal lords and nobles, these double standards were all too common.
"Your theory is interesting, but it lacks evidence," Yagyu said with a smile. "However, I'm flattered. After all, the Second Hokage is my idol."
After speaking, Yagyu raised his hand, making a gesture of respect with two fingers, saying, "As fellow Konoha ninja, please guide me."
"I'm confident in my theory. It's your destiny," Neji said, raising his own hand in the same gesture, filled with fighting spirit. "And your defeat will also be your destiny."
After exchanging the formal ninja salute, Neji immediately assumed the Gentle Fist stance.
But in the next moment, both Neji and all the ninja watching were stunned.
Yagyu didn't lower his fingers. Instead, he quickly formed a series of hand signs.
Single-handed seals!
Then Yagyu inhaled deeply, puffing his cheeks, and shouted:
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
It was as if a dam had burst. A torrent of water shot from Yagyu's mouth, drawing moisture from the air as it expanded into a massive wave, towering even above the viewing platform. It surged forward like a god of the sea, crashing down toward the small figure of Neji Hyuga.
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