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Ryūsei was genuinely astonished.
One moment, he was pondering whether the original story's match between Hinata and Neji was a coincidence, and the next, he found himself paired against Neji.
Without a doubt, Ryūsei's suspicion was correct: the matchmaking in the original story had been rigged, and it was no different now.
The only difference was that Hiruzen no longer wished to see a showdown between the main and branch family heirs of the Hyūga clan. Instead, he wanted to witness a battle between the top students.
Thus, Ryūsei steadied his emotions, nodded toward Team 8, who were cheering him on, and instantly appeared in the center of the hall with a Body Flicker Technique.
"Ryūsei, go for it! Don't go easy on him just because he's Hinata's clansman. Give him a good beating!"
Ino's shouts echoed throughout the arena, and she paid no mind to the numerous eyes turning toward her.
Watching her, Sakura and Hinata couldn't help but feel envious.
The shy Hinata and the ladylike Sakura simply didn't have the courage to do something like that; they could only cheer for Ryūsei in their hearts.
"This kid really has it made when it comes to luck with women!"
Asuma lit a cigarette and muttered with clear envy, "Can being handsome really let you get away with anything?"
From his time at the ninja academy until now, he hadn't even managed to win over Kurenai.
Yet Ryūsei was surrounded by three beautiful and adorable girls, and the three of them got along incredibly well.
If it were anyone else, Asuma would have suspected their friendship was fake.
But Ino was his student, and Asuma already understood her personality well. He knew she wasn't pretending.
How did that Ryūsei manage to keep his composure so well?
"Byakugan!"
Neji, who had just descended from the spectator stands, suddenly activated his Byakugan.
However, he didn't assume a Gentle Fist stance or immediately attack Ryūsei. Instead, he carefully observed Ryūsei's body.
"Just as I thought…"
After a few seconds, Neji wore an expression that said "just as I expected" and spoke slowly, "Back at the ninja academy, I was already very curious. How could a civilian with no personal guidance possibly outperform the heirs of major ninja clans? And how could you execute a B-rank Water Release technique as early as the fifth grade? Logically speaking, your background should have predetermined your fate, making it impossible for you to rise above it. Yet, against all odds, you achieved the impossible, as if you had broken free from destiny. Now, it seems you didn't break free from destiny. Rather, your ability to suppress them and consistently hold the position of top student was itself arranged by destiny."
Neji raised his hand and pointed at Ryūsei, declaring, "Your chakra reserves are at least several dozen times greater than mine. Aside from that blond kid and the guy from Sunagakure carrying a gourd, even the Hokage's chakra pales in comparison to yours!"
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, the genin on the spectator stands, along with the various jōnin, all visibly reacted.
Many of the jōnin skilled in sensory techniques or possessing special methods immediately began sensing Ryūsei's chakra.
In the next moment, their eyes filled with astonishment:
"Such immense chakra reserves—at least several dozen times greater than mine!"
"He seems to be Kurenai's student. She really hit the jackpot!"
"…"
Kakashi also lifted his forehead protector, revealing his three-tomoe Sharingan as he examined Ryūsei, clicking his tongue in amazement. "With chakra like this, along with that hair and eye color, he couldn't possibly be…"
As the astonished voices of the jōnin reached his ears, Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, exhaling a cloud of smoke. Through the haze, he gazed down at Ryūsei, his heart filled with pleasant surprise.
The resemblance… it's truly striking!
Watching Ryūsei's unchanged expression, Neji continued, "History books record that the Senju clan, in order to unite the major clans and commoners, had many of their members abandon their surname and integrate into Konoha. Over the decades, Senju became Konoha, and Konoha became Senju. Silver hair, red eyes, astonishing chakra reserves—your characteristics are almost identical to those of the Second Hokage. Without a doubt, you are a descendant of the Senju clan, having awakened the Senju physique after generations. This is precisely why you've been able to suppress Uchiha Sasuke and even the heirs of other major ninja clans!"
"Hisss…"
Almost the instant Neji finished speaking, the Konoha jōnin in the spectator stands collectively drew sharp breaths.
All the doubts from earlier suddenly vanished, as if clouds had parted to reveal the sun, and everything became clear.
"Silver hair, red eyes, and chakra like that—these traits are indeed identical to the Second Hokage's."
"A descendant of the Senju clan? No wonder he became the top student of this generation, especially such a unique one!"
"I wonder how strong he really is!"
"…"
Kurenai also murmured in belated realization, "So that's why Ryūsei could use such a powerful Water Release technique in a waterless environment…"
"Ryūsei-kun…"
Hinata also stared at Ryūsei with wide eyes, feeling an indescribable joy in her heart.
If Ryūsei truly was a member of the Senju clan, then perhaps she could really be with him. Her father and the clan elders would not stop her.
In the eyes of the Uchiha clan, they and the Senju were the two great clans that founded Konoha.
But in the eyes of other ninja clans, the Senju were the true founders of Konoha. The Uchiha were merely the losers, the last clan to be subdued by Senju Hashirama.
Thus, in their eyes and the eyes of the daimyō, the Senju were the legitimate rulers!
This was also why, when Tsunade returned to the village, she immediately assumed the position of Fifth Hokage, and Shimura Danzō didn't even dare to compete for it.
There was no way to compete, and it was simply impossible!
If Ryūsei truly was a descendant of the Senju clan, his status and position would be completely different from before.
In that case, he wouldn't need to send Ino to the Hyūga clan—he could go to the Hyūga compound himself to see Hinata.
If the former Ryūsei went to see Hinata, it would be like a toad lusting after a swan's flesh—a delusion of grandeur.
But if Ryūsei, as a Senju descendant, went to see Hinata, it would be a perfect match, a pairing of golden boys and jade girls, a couple made in heaven!
In this ninja world, still ruled by noble lords, such double standards and feudalistic notions were all too common.
"Your speculation is quite interesting, though there's no evidence to support it."
Ryūsei smiled and said, "However, I'm quite pleased, as the Second Hokage is my idol."
After speaking, Ryūsei slowly raised his index and middle fingers, forming the seal of confrontation, and said, "As fellow Konoha shinobi, I look forward to learning from you!"
"I firmly believe in my speculation. This is destiny."
Neji similarly raised his index and middle fingers, his face full of fighting spirit as he declared, "Your defeat is also destiny."
After forming the seal of confrontation, Neji immediately assumed a Gentle Fist stance.
But in the next second, he and every ninja in the spectator stands were struck with shock.
Ryūsei's raised index and middle fingers did not lower. Instead, they rapidly formed hand signs.
One-handed hand signs!
Then, Ryūsei took a deep breath, his cheeks puffing out, and shouted, "Water Release… Great Waterfall Technique!"
Like a dam bursting open, Ryūsei spewed a torrent of water toward the ground. The moisture in the air converged, causing the water flow to rapidly expand. It surged upward like a tidal wave, forming a massive wall of water even taller than the spectator stands. Like the hand of a sea god, it crashed down toward the diminutive Neji.
*****
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