Once everyone had finished their meal, the Kusagakure team and Team 1 naturally parted ways, each heading in their own direction. As the evening air settled in, Enso saw an opportunity and offered to walk Tokuma home. Their routes overlapped, and the timing felt right for a quiet conversation.
Itachi and Hayama had already said their goodbyes and gone off on their own, leaving Enso and Tokuma in peace.
The streets were unusually quiet. Most people had returned to their homes or hotels after losing bets on the earlier matches, unwilling to linger in public. Their disappointment left the roads empty, giving the village an uncharacteristic stillness.
As the two walked, enjoying the cold wind brushing against their faces, Enso broke the silence with a casual question.
"Tokuma, are you worried about tomorrow's battle?"
Tokuma did not answer immediately. He took Enso's questions seriously and always gave them proper thought. After a short pause, he replied.
"I'm worried I'll be matched against Itachi. Personally, I'd prefer not to face him until the final round."
Enso remained silent for a moment, considering Tokuma's words. Then he spoke with quiet certainty.
"From what I've observed, there's a strong chance you'll be up against another Byakugan user first."
This was not just a guess. Enso recalled the old Naruto series, where Hinata had been matched against Neji in the preliminaries. The organisers liked to stage compelling match-ups, and two Byakugan wielders facing each other was bound to attract attention.
"But remember this," Enso continued. "No matter who you're facing, rely on your tactical mind. Plan your attacks carefully. If you fight smart and reach the finals, you're very likely to be promoted to Chunin. Make a strategy based on your current abilities and stick to it."
Tokuma gave a thoughtful nod as he processed Enso's advice. They continued walking in silence until Tokuma spoke again.
"Enso, I have a request."
This caught Enso slightly off guard. Since becoming teammates, Tokuma had never asked him for anything. He turned to look at him.
"What is it?"
Tokuma took a deep breath before answering.
"If I manage to reach the final, would you help me prepare to fight Itachi? You're the strongest in our team. Even if I'm able to hold my own against him now, his growth is hard to match. By the time we get to the final, I might already be falling behind."
He paused, then added with quiet seriousness, "And if your theory turns out to be correct, the organisers might deliberately pair us together. A battle between two great dōjutsu would be a spectacle and a sure way to attract more bets."
By now, they had reached the front gate of the Hyūga residence. They naturally came to a stop.
Enso understood Tokuma's concern. Itachi's growth was staggering, and there was a real chance that Tokuma's worry would become a reality. Enso placed a reassuring hand on his teammate's shoulder.
"If you make it to the final, I'll take a week off to train you personally. For now, just focus on tomorrow's match."
His voice was calm and casual, but his words carried weight. Truthfully, Enso already had an idea of how to help Tokuma improve, and he did not mind assisting him if it meant giving their team an edge.
Tokuma gave him a nod of thanks and headed inside the compound. Enso watched until Tokuma disappeared behind the gates, then turned and made his way home.
Back at his own place, Enso took a long shower to unwind. Afterwards, he practised his swordsmanship for two hours, refining each movement with quiet focus. For him, this was how he centred himself.
While many Genin would have struggled to sleep the night before a battle, Enso treated it like any other day. At most, it was another mission. There was nothing to lose sleep over.
The next morning...
Enso awoke at five o'clock sharp.
He started the day with a light jog through the village, followed by acrobatic drills to sharpen his reflexes. His body was already capable of releasing thirty percent of its full physical power, so he did not focus much on strength training.
Still, he ran through three full sets of basic exercises to get his blood flowing and warm up his muscles. By six o'clock, he had completed his routine.
Afterwards, he cooked himself a full English breakfast consisting of eggs, toast, beans and sausage, and enjoyed it at a relaxed pace. Then he stepped into a cold shower to refresh his body and sharpen his senses.
Once dressed, Enso stood in front of the mirror. He wore a thin, black, long-sleeved turtleneck shirt that hugged his streamlined figure. Paired with baggy black trousers, cinched securely at the ankles, the outfit balanced both comfort and movement.
On top of his clothing, he strapped arm and leg guards, creating a distinct warrior's appearance. The black shirt revealed his lean muscles and well-defined six-pack. With his height and mature build, many would assume he was older than he actually was.
To complete the look, Enso draped a white coat over his shoulders, the back embroidered with a red Uzumaki insignia. The contrast between the white coat and his dark clothing gave his appearance a striking and unique edge.
By seven o'clock, Enso was fully prepared.
Before heading to the examination grounds, he decided to make a quick trip to the Hyūga compound. He had something important to deliver to Tokuma.
Upon arrival, the guards at the gate recognised him and quickly led him to Tokuma's residence. In the courtyard, Tokuma was already awake and practising his Gentle Fist technique with quiet intensity.
He paused when he saw Enso approaching.
"What brings you here?" Tokuma asked. He knew Enso did not make casual visits without a reason.
Without a word, Enso tossed him a small package. Tokuma caught it cleanly, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.
"These are Summoning: Lightning Flash Blade Creation Seal," Enso explained. "Once you drop a bit of blood on them, they'll be bound to you. Each one gives you access to a three-metre storage space on either arm. It'll let you summon weapons instantly with unsealing technique."
Tokuma examined the armbands carefully, clearly appreciative. The white colour matched his Hyuga attire and overall appearance perfectly.
Tokuma smiled slightly as he quickly let a drop of blood fall onto both armguards before slipping them on. Meanwhile, Enso pulled out a set of tools that Tokuma had requested earlier: a hundred nail-shaped Shuriken, two bundle of Senbon needles, and a 20-meter-long wire.
"Thank you," Tokuma said with genuine appreciation. These tools suited his style far better than standard-issue weapons like regular Shuriken. Without wasting time, he carefully stored the tools away and headed out alongside Enso toward the Chunin Exam arena.
By the time they reached the entrance, Itachi and Hayama were already there, waiting casually outside. Upon spotting them, they both gave a small wave. The four of them entered together and headed to their designated waiting room.
Once there, they moved out to the balcony overlooking the arena, silently observing the other participants. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. It wasn't long before a noticeable stir passed through the crowd.
Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage himself, entered the arena accompanied by his personal guards, Genma Shiranui and Raido Namiashi. His presence and status as the youngest Hokage, drawing everyone's attention.
When Minato saw Enso, a faint smile appeared on his face. Calmly, he made his way toward Team 1 to check in on them. His approach did not go unnoticed.
Immediately, murmurs spread among the crowd. Local shinobi whispered enviously among themselves, some displeased by what they saw as favouritism. Outsiders, on the other hand, discussed Team 1's achievements, trading whatever bits of information they had gathered.
Soon, all the Genin teams had gathered, each group taking their positions on the balconies and sizing up their potential opponents. The air was thick with tension and quiet excitement.
The proctor Might Guy, made his entrance shortly after. Much like the previous day during the team battles, he had once again been appointed to oversee the preliminary rounds.
Unexpectedly, the Genin team from Kusagakure took their place right next to Team 1. Last night's dinner had sparked a tentative friendship between the two squads, and there was a certain casual familiarity in their presence now. But more than anything, the Kusagakure Genin wanted to get a closer look at Minato, the Yellow Flash and a living legend.
Two members of the Kusagakure team, Muku and Ryusetsu, couldn't resist the opportunity. They boldly asked Minato for his autograph. Instead of signing his name, Minato smiled and tapped his finger against Ryu's bandana and Muku's scarf, leaving behind his signature Flying Thunder God seal.
Seeing this, both Itachi and Tokuma felt a small itch of envy. They too wanted a souvenir from the Hokage, but they held back. Unlike the Kusagakure Genin, they were locals. There would be many more chances to meet Minato. There was no need to rush.
At exactly 8:00 a.m., Guy stepped forward and announced the start of the preliminary round. A large black screen lit up, flashing rapidly through the names of all the participants. Each name that appeared increased the tension in the room, as Genin from every village watched with bated breath.
After twenty seconds, the names finally stopped.
"Round One: Tokuma Hyuga versus Ko Hyuga. Please enter the arena," Guy announced, his voice sharp and clear.
An immediate shift rippled through the audience. This wasn't just any match. It was a showdown between two members of the Hyuga clan, and rumours had long circulated about the bad blood between them.
Unlike the previous day, no one dared place bets on this fight. With the Hokage present and many still reeling from their losses after yesterday's upsets, particularly at the hands of the Amegakure team, most were planning to save their money for the finals.
Tokuma and Ko exchanged a brief, intense look before leaping from the balcony and landing in the center of the arena. Their eyes never left each other. The weight of their past was evident in their silent standoff.
Ko broke the silence.
"I'm not the same as I was six months ago," he declared, his voice loud enough to echo through the arena. "I will win this match."
Tokuma said nothing in response. He simply held Ko's gaze, eyes unwavering. His posture was relaxed but focused. His body was loose and ready, like a coiled spring waiting for the perfect moment.
Seeing both competitors were fully prepared, Guy raised his hand and then brought it down.
"Begin!"
Immediately, both Hyuga activated their Byakugan. The veins near their temples bulged as their vision sharpened. Without hesitation, Ko charged forward, aiming a swift palm strike at Tokuma's chest.
Tokuma reacted with calm precision. Breathing out softly, he sidestepped the blow and parried it effortlessly. Ko followed up with a rapid sequence of strikes, but Tokuma continuously repositioned himself, deflecting each attack with minimal effort. His movements were fluid, almost dance-like, as he avoided direct confrontation while maintaining full control of the rhythm.
Ko's attacks targeted Tokuma's chakra points, a classic Hyuga tactic, but none of them landed. Frustration quickly set in as he realised his strikes were having no effect. Tokuma had not returned a single blow, yet he was clearly dominating the flow of the battle.
Anger began to bubble up in Ko. His frustration finally reached its peak, and with a growl of irritation, he leapt backward to create distance.
Raising his palm, Ko launched a Vacuum Palm, a compressed wave of chakra flying directly at Tokuma.
Tokuma remained composed. With perfect timing, he raised his own palm and mirrored the technique. The two invisible force blasts collided mid-air and canceled each other out in a flash.
The crowd murmured, impressed by the display. It was clear this match would be more than just a clash of fists. It was a contest of discipline, composure, and skill.
Gaining some distance, Ko halted his assault and dropped into a stance, narrowing his eyes at Tokuma.
"Why didn't you attack?" he demanded, voicing the question that was on everyone's mind. The audience, just as curious, held their breath in anticipation of Tokuma's answer. His constant parrying without a single counterattack had confused many.
Tokuma responded with a faint smirk. Rather than explaining himself, he replied with a question of his own.
"Is that all you can do?"
It was a blatant provocation.
That simple sentence struck a nerve in Ko. His pride wounded, he rushed forward again with renewed fury, launching a series of aggressive strikes. However, Tokuma remained calm and composed. He continued to parry each attack with ease, skilfully using his hands to disrupt the movement in Ko's arms, cutting off the power behind every strike.
Although some of the blows landed, Tokuma deliberately avoided sealing Ko's chakra points. It was as if he was encouraging him to continue, taunting him with silent superiority.
Frustration clouded Ko's mind, and soon he abandoned all rational thought. He attacked wildly, pouring every ounce of his energy into striking Tokuma's chakra points, desperately hoping to break through.
But Tokuma was already several steps ahead.
Reading Ko's pattern, Tokuma moved with fluid grace, slipping past Ko's attacks and sliding into his blind spot. From that position, he silently produced a length of ninja wire and began moving in circles around his opponent.
Ko was too focused to notice. To the average eye, it was subtle. To the trained eye, it was chilling. Those in the audience who caught on broke out into a cold sweat.
From the spectator balcony, Enso smiled. He was pleased to see that Tokuma had taken his advice to heart, using psychological tactics to undermine his opponent. Ko had been too fixated on targeting chakra points to realise what was happening around him.
Tokuma's movements, combined with Ko's tunnel vision, made the wire nearly invisible, even to the Byakugan. Now visibly exhausted, Ko was panting heavily, barely able to hold his stance. Tokuma looked at him with quiet pity, then spoke with finality.
"I've seen enough. Time to put an end to your foolish pride."
With a sharp pull, Tokuma yanked his hands in opposite directions. The wire tightened instantly, wrapping around Ko's body and binding him like a piece of meat prepared for curing. He could barely twitch under the crushing pressure of the wire.
Without hesitation, Tokuma gave another tug, dragging Ko off his feet and slamming him to the ground, pulling him closer like a discarded object. Then, with measured cruelty, Tokuma placed a foot on Ko's chest and began slapping him, again and again, until Ko lost consciousness, overcome by pain and fatigue.
Guy, who was too stunned to react at first, finally stepped forward and declared Tokuma the winner. His voice was stiff, and it was clear that even he had not expected such a ruthless display from Tokuma against a fellow Hyuga.
A heavy silence fell over the arena.
As Tokuma walked calmly back to his team, not a single word was spoken. The audience, still reeling from the spectacle, could only watch in stunned disbelief.
At the balcony, Enso extended his fist. Tokuma bumped it with a nod, followed by Itachi and then their sensei, Hayama.
The fight had been brutal, one-sided and utterly decisive. No one had seen anything like it before. The audience struggled to process what had just happened. Were all members of Team 1 this savage, or was Tokuma simply an anomaly?
That single fist bump sent a chill through the crowd. A thought echoed in every mind, unspoken yet unanimous:
"Team 1 are not human. They are monsters wearing human skin."
All the participating Genin could not help but swallow nervously, knowing they would be facing either Enso or Itachi in the upcoming match.
Some had already made up their minds to try their luck next year if they were unfortunate enough to be matched against one of the two remaining members of Team 1.
Once the arena had been cleared, the black screen began randomly cycling through the names of the remaining contestants.
Other than Akatsuna, who looked on with anticipation, the remaining Genin held their breath, afraid of being matched against those monsters from Team 1.
Before long, the screen selected the next participants. It was Muku from Kusagakure against Kotetsu from Konoha. Muku jumped excitedly onto the arena while another member of Team Ko was chosen to face the underdog from Kusagakure.
*If you're enjoying the story, consider blessing it with a Power Stone!
Regarding my book being sabotaged, I haven't received any response from the WEBNOVEL team. However, I do have a contingency plan in place. I will create another account and post two chapters a day until it catches up to the latest chapter.
In the meantime, I will continue releasing this book, but only at three chapters a day. This will continue until the new version reaches the current chapter count.
To prevent it from being sabotaged again so soon, I won't announce the new book just yet. But if you happen to come across a new book that feels very similar to this one, it's likely part of my contingency plan. No need to worry. I'll also release it on other platforms.
Also, if you've made it this far and haven't left a review yet, please consider doing so. It would really help me out.
I'm counting on your POWER STONE, REVIEWS and Interaction (comments). Share your thoughts, your vision, or how you would do things differently.*