Uchiha Hui nodded to the instructor leading the class.
It was clear this was just a formality. No one expected a prodigy from the Uchiha clan to struggle with basic ninjutsu or shuriken techniques. As expected, Hui passed the assessment with ease.
The graduating class he was placed in had an unbalanced gender ratio—like most ninja classes, there were significantly more boys than girls. In his particular class, there were only two female students.
As Hui entered, he glanced at the roster and recognized several familiar names.
Izuki… He knew the name but couldn't quite place the face.
Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki—he remembered them as the duo who later tricked Chunin Exam candidates with an illusion to misdirect them to the wrong location.
Iruka Umino, the kindhearted ninja who, in the future, would play a key role in Naruto Uzumaki's life, caught his attention as well.
Then there was Hayate Gekko and Yugao Uzuki. Hui recalled them as skilled ninja, both making a name for themselves in the future.
Since the Academy accepted students between four and six years old, and skipping or repeating grades was common, Hui wasn't surprised by the height differences among his new classmates.
As the newest addition, he naturally drew attention. As he settled in, he felt a resentful gaze directed at him. Turning toward it, he spotted Hyuga Yufumi, whom he had defeated not long ago. He hadn't noticed him earlier—likely because he had misread the class roster, not expecting Yufumi to still be here.
After class, a girl with striking purple hair approached him, her expression amused but her tone lighthearted. "I heard you mastered the Fireball Jutsu after seeing it just once. Is that true?"
Hui immediately recognized her—Yugao Uzuki.
He nodded slightly. Whether through rumors or truth, the fact remained: he had mastered the Fireball Jutsu in a single viewing, thanks to his Sharingan.
Before he could say more, a boy with dark circles under his eyes approached as well, his expression mildly amused. "The Fireball Jutsu is powerful, sure, but in a real fight, you won't always have time to form all six seals."
Hui studied him briefly before remembering his name—Hayate Gekko.
Yugao chuckled, placing a hand on Hui's head and ruffling his hair slightly. "Relax, Hayate. He's five. It's impressive for his age!"
Hayate sighed, shaking his head with a smirk. "Yeah, yeah, I know. It's kind of funny seeing a tiny Uchiha act all serious, though."
Hui frowned slightly, straightening up, but Yugao just laughed. "Oh, don't pout, Hui! It's a compliment. You're like a little grown-up trapped in a kid's body."
Across the room, Yufumi—who had been glaring at Hui from time to time—caught every word. His expression darkened. He had spent the last month enduring endless criticism, and Hui's arrival only added fuel to the fire. His defeat had been dismissed as a fluke, something he was determined to prove wrong. But he couldn't just attack Hui in class—the teachers would intervene.
Instead, he sat through the lesson, fuming, trying to come up with the perfect opportunity. He needed a decisive victory. If he lost again, he'd never live it down.
Meanwhile, Hayate crossed his arms. "Beating Yufumi isn't exactly a big deal."
Yugao raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Hey, be nice. He might be struggling, but it's not like he's weak."
Yufumi clenched his fists. He had tried to hold back, but the continued remarks pushed him over the edge. He slammed his hands on his desk.
Bang!
The class fell silent, all eyes turning to him.
Fuming, Yufumi marched toward Hui, his expression filled with anger. "Uchiha! I challenge you to a duel!"
The classroom buzzed with excitement as students turned to Hui, eager to see his response.
Then, before Hui could even speak, a loud crash echoed through the room as Kotetsu, Izumo, and half the class dramatically fell over in exaggerated disbelief—arms flailing, desks shaking. The sheer absurdity of it looked straight out of a comedy scene.
"Not again," Iruka muttered, rubbing his temples as if this was a daily occurrence.
Yugao burst out laughing, leaning against Hayate. "You see that? Classic!"
Hayate sighed, rubbing his forehead. "This class is a mess."
Hui pinched the bridge of his nose. "I feel like I just walked into a circus."
Meanwhile, Yufumi's eye twitched, his serious moment completely ruined. "Quit clowning around! I mean it!"
But it was too late. The moment had already turned into a joke, and Hui couldn't help but smirk slightly. "Fine. Let's see what you've got."
The entire class cheered, some still recovering from their exaggerated collapse, as they prepared to watch the match unfold.