Of course—someone like Natsume Yō, who had already stared down death twice, wasn't going to be impressed by Uchiha Yūsuke's strength.But for someone like Hyūga Shūgiku, who had never even brushed against life-or-death combat, Yūsuke already stood like a towering genius. After all, even talents like Moonlight Hayate and Uzuki Yugao only fought him to a draw.
"Who the hell are you?" Shūgiku's voice cracked with disbelief. "I don't remember anyone our age being this strong!"
Her words drew more eyes from the street. People whispered, echoing the same question in their hearts. Where had this boy come from? He wasn't just strong—he had even defeated Uchiha Yūsuke.
Yūsuke might not have been a household name in Konoha, but inside the Academy, he was considered untouchable. No, not on the same level as Uchiha Shisui or Hatake Kakashi, but still ranked among the few "super geniuses" their generation could boast.
And yet… no one could recall a single thing about Natsume Yō.
"Heh. You want to know who I am?" Yō chuckled lightly, waving off the question. "Sorry. Can't tell you my name."
He wasn't dodging for no reason. Anbu rules ran deep. Whether on missions or just walking the streets, your true identity stayed hidden. In a village as peaceful as Konoha looked on the surface, shadows still waited under every leaf.
Just a few days ago, Yō had felt the cold hand of Shimura Danzō—the so-called 'King of the Underground.' That brush with death wasn't something he'd soon forget.
"If that's all, we'll be leaving." Yō's tone shifted, cool but edged. "And Shūgiku—next time, treat Chiba better. If you bully her again, I don't care if you're a Hyūga. I'll make you pay."
"Tch. We'll see about that." Shūgiku sneered. "Don't think beating Uchiha Yūsuke makes you untouchable. There are plenty in Konoha stronger than him."
Her eyes sharpened, voice dripping venom."And let's not forget—you're just a nobody. A commoner. I was born elite. In the end, you'll still bow your head and serve my kind. Unless…" She smirked. "Unless you claw your way into the elite. But strength alone isn't enough. You'll need far more than that. Good luck finding it—if you even can."
With that, Shūgiku turned on her heel and left. Her words, however, lingered like a poison thorn in Yō's chest.
She wasn't entirely wrong. In Konoha, status wasn't forged by talent alone. You needed ties—to teachers, to bloodlines, to Hokage himself.
Why had the White Fang killed himself? Not because he lacked strength. No—because his overwhelming skill became a threat, and without Hokage connections to shield him, he was crushed beneath politics.
"Yeah," Yō muttered to himself, a frown tugging at his lips. "If I want to climb higher in this village of clans and bloodlines, I'll have to start weaving connections. Without Hokage ties, every step forward will feel like walking through mud."
Still, his gaze hardened a moment later."But that's not my priority right now. My path forward is clear—get stronger. As long as my strength rises high enough, even if Konoha shuts its gates, the ninja world is vast. Don't tell me there isn't room somewhere for a Natsume Yō."
Even so, he couldn't ignore the danger of moving too close to Hokage just yet. Shimura Danzō was a beast that latched onto grudges like a curse. Drawing his attention now would be suicide.
"You okay?" Wada Chiba's small voice cut through his storm of thoughts. She tugged at his sleeve, her expression soft but resolute. "Don't listen to her. I know you'll succeed. You'll definitely make it."
For the first time in a while, Yō let out a breath that felt lighter.