"Hmph! Those damn Uchiha!"
"Just as I thought—they refuse to behave themselves."
After listening to his subordinate's report, Danzo Shimura frowned deeply.
The killing intent in his heart toward the Uchiha clan grew even stronger.
Danzo had never liked the Uchiha to begin with. In his eyes, they were an inherently evil clan—one that deserved to be eradicated.
That was precisely why he had constantly pressured Hiruzen Sarutobi over the years.
Yet whenever the topic arose, Hiruzen's attitude had always been ambiguous—neither agreeing nor outright refusing.
But this time…
"Mocking my precious grandson… they really have a death wish."
"Come with me."
With his decision made, Danzo immediately left Root with Yamanaka Fū and another subordinate, heading straight for the Hokage Tower.
Under normal circumstances, discussions between the two old men would end in one pushing while the other yielded.
This time, however—
They reached a rare consensus.
As for what exactly was discussed, no one knew.
All anyone saw was that when Danzo emerged from the Hokage's office, there was a smile on his face.
The next day—
"Young master, the clan head asked me to inform you that you're to report to Iruka's class today."
Hearing the butler's words, Yashiro Sarutobi raised an eyebrow.
He had been planning to visit the old man himself today to request a class transfer.
Turns out Hiruzen had already taken care of it.
Recalling the Third Hokage's pitch-black expression from yesterday, Yashiro almost laughed out loud.
Still—
Since he'd been transferred into the class containing the main cast, it was the perfect opportunity to farm fusion progress.
Before long, Yashiro arrived at the Ninja Academy.
Under Iruka's guidance, he entered the classroom.
The previously noisy room fell completely silent the moment they stepped inside.
"Alright," Iruka said, forcing a smile. "Yashiro, why don't you introduce yourself?"
Yashiro didn't respond.
Not even a glance.
Iruka instantly felt awkward beyond belief.
"Wow… he's so cool…"
"And he's handsome too!"
"I think he's even better-looking than Sasuke!"
"Yeah! I think so too!"
The classroom erupted into chatter once again.
At the back of the room, Nara Shikamaru watched the chaos before slumping over his desk.
"…What a pain."
Meanwhile, Yamanaka Ino's eyes sparkled as she stared at Yashiro, clearly plotting something in her mind.
"He's just okay," someone scoffed. "Sasuke is way better-looking."
"Exactly! Sasuke is the best!"
Listening to the other girls argue, Haruno Sakura continued gazing lovingly at Sasuke by the window.
But just as she stared dreamily—
Sasuke spoke, his expression full of disdain.
"Hey, hey—Yashiro Sarutobi."
"Don't get too arrogant."
"You think this is your old class where everyone bowed to you?"
"You're just the Sarutobi clan's young master. You really think everyone here is afraid of you?!"
Ever since hearing about Yashiro from his father, Sasuke had been thoroughly unimpressed.
Just another useless brat relying on clan prestige.
And now—
The girls who once surrounded him were all staring at Yashiro instead.
It felt like something that belonged to him had been stolen.
That alone made Sasuke furious.
The moment he stepped forward, the entire classroom fell silent.
Even Iruka felt his heart sink.
This is bad…
Before Iruka could intervene—
Yashiro spoke first.
"Oh?"
"What the hell are you barking for, you dog?"
"If you've got guts, come out and fight me one-on-one."
Sasuke had only intended to mock him.
But hearing that—
His anger exploded instantly.
"You think I'm afraid of you?!"
"Training field—now!"
With that, Sasuke stormed out of the classroom.
Yashiro followed right behind him without hesitation.
Seeing this, Iruka nearly panicked and hurried after them.
The rest of the class naturally followed as well.
After all—Watching drama was human instinct.
News of the situation quickly reached the Third Hokage.
Upon hearing it, Hiruzen Sarutobi calmly took a puff from his pipe, utterly unconcerned.
"Go."
"Notify Uchiha Fugaku."
"Tell him to meet us at the Ninja Academy."
Receiving the order, ANBU immediately moved.
They soon arrived at the Konoha Military Police Force and relayed the message.
The moment Fugaku heard that Sasuke had clashed with Yashiro Sarutobi, his expression changed drastically.
This is bad.
He rushed toward the academy without hesitation.
At the training field—
Uchiha Sasuke and Yashiro Sarutobi stood facing each other.
Iruka could only act as a referee, desperately trying to prevent things from spiraling out of control.
The students watching had already split into two camps.
"Who do you think will win?"
"Definitely Sasuke! He's a genius of the Uchiha!"
"Not necessarily! Yashiro is the Hokage's grandson—I don't think he's weaker!"
"Sasuke is the strongest!"
"No—Yashiro is!"
The two groups shouted back and forth, cheering wildly.
Among those supporting Yashiro, one blond kid stood out, jumping up and down enthusiastically.
"Woooo! Go Yashiro!"
"Beat the crap out of that smug Sasuke!"
"Hit him! Hit him!"
The excitement made Yashiro glance over.
When he spotted Uzumaki Naruto in the crowd, he nearly laughed.
"Hmph! Yashiro Sarutobi!"
"I'll show you today!"
"The power of the Uchiha clan!"
As Sasuke finished speaking, he formed the confrontation seal.
Yashiro, however, didn't react at all.
Chakra?Hand seals?
Who the hell uses those?
"Stop wasting time," Yashiro said lazily.
"Hurry up."
"Let me see just how strong your precious Uchiha clan really is."
The mocking tone nearly made Sasuke explode.
What had started as a simple lesson had now become something else entirely.
Uchiha cannot be insulted.
"You're asking for death!!!"
Sasuke's hands suddenly moved at blinding speed.
Snake → Goat → Monkey → Boar → Horse → Tiger—
The moment Iruka recognized the sequence, his face turned pale.
"Sasuke—STOP!!!"