Two hours later, Elder Naoki arrived at the training grounds with his grandson, Senju Eiju.
The place was packed. The crowd stretched from end to end — seasoned shinobi and curious children alike, all gathered to witness the duel.
Among the onlookers stood several of the most influential clan leaders of the era: Hyūga Sei of the Hyūga clan, Nara Shikaichi of the Nara clan, representatives of the Yamanaka and Akimichi families — and even Uchiha Madara, who had brought along a young clan member named Uchiha Kitajima.
What was meant to be a small spar between two children had turned into a full-blown event — a showcase for the next generation of Konoha's heirs.
Normally, kids their age would have been laughing and shouting, but the presence of so many high-ranking shinobi smothered any hint of noise.
None of them dared to move too freely.
Every clan's leader was here — one misstep, and they'd be facing the wrath of their elders later.
---
Kaede followed Hashirama into the training field.
Scanning the faces before him, he saw no one familiar — but judging by their clans, they were likely the fathers of people who would one day become legends.
"You're all early," Hashirama said lightly, his tone unreadable. "Good. Let's begin soon. We still have a council meeting afterward."
At that, Elder Naoki's brows furrowed for a moment, confusion flickering in his eyes before vanishing.
Meanwhile, Nara Kawa, the cunning patriarch of the Nara clan, observed in silence — a faint, knowing smile curving his lips.
Yamanaka Kyōsuke, noticing that expression, leaned closer.
"What is it?" he asked curiously.
The Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans had been close allies since the Warring States period — their trust ran deep.
Kawa's reply was deliberately vague. "Let's just say… we might be in for a surprise."
Kyōsuke raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You mean the result might not be what people expect?"
He turned his gaze to the center of the field, where Senju Eiju and Hoshino Kaede stood facing each other.
"Who knows?" Kawa chuckled softly. "You'll see soon enough. Just make sure your jaw doesn't drop."
---
Eiju smirked, his tone full of arrogance expected from a kid.
"So, you're the Hokage's student? Try not to cry when you lose."
At ten years old, Eiju already possessed Chūnin-level strength.
Being the grandson of a Senju elder, he was widely regarded as a genius — someone expected to reach Jōnin level in the future.
Kaede, however, just yawned. "Stop yapping, or is this your jutsu to bore me to death?"
That single remark made Eiju's blood boil.
Children's tempers changed faster than the weather, and Eiju's anger erupted instantly.
Shing! Shing! Shing!
Three kunai flew in rapid succession, whistling toward Kaede's limbs.
At the same time, Eiju charged forward, determined to humble this arrogant upstart.
Kaede's expression didn't even twitch. To most children, that speed would've been impressive — but to him, it was painfully slow.
Time itself seemed to drag. Every flaw, every opening in Eiju's attack stood out like a bald spot shining under the damn sun.
Kaede sidestepped gracefully, avoiding two kunai with minimal effort.
As the third spun past, he snatched it cleanly out of the air.
The entire sequence took less than a heartbeat.
---
"Danzo, you see that? Our little student's got some skill," said a cheerful, black-haired boy standing behind Tobirama.
"He dodged that perfectly. Way better than we were at that age."
Danzo sighed, crossing his arms. "He's the Hokage's disciple. Of course he's not weak. But he's still just a child — he might not last long with limited body."
Koharu Utatane chimed in beside him, nodding. "I agree. He's talented, but his stamina can't likely match a ten-year-old's."
Their teacher, Tobirama, smiled faintly without turning around.
"Hmph. That Eiju boy is about to earn himself a lifetime of nightmares," he said quietly.
The six students exchanged puzzled looks.
That serious?
Tobirama's lips curved slightly. "Watch carefully. You'll need the motivation."
Knowing his cryptic tone always meant something significant, his students immediately fell silent, eyes fixed on the field.
---
Meanwhile, Eiju pressed his attack, closing in for a punch.
Kaede's lips curled into a faint smile.
He caught the fist easily with his left hand, yanked Eiju's collar with his right, and pulled — hard.
Eiju stumbled forward, completely off balance.
In the same motion, Kaede raised the kunai he had caught earlier and thrust downward.
The blade struck — but Eiju vanished the instant it touched him.
Kaede frowned slightly. "A Clone Jutsu?"
His eyes scanned the field, calm and focused. "Looks like this won't end easily… I'll have to flex a little more."
---
Off to the side, Elder Naoki beamed with pride as his grandson's clone flickered across the field.
In his mind, he could already picture the future — his grandson winning, catching the Hokage's attention, perhaps even becoming his next apprentice.
"Hokage's student, huh? Don't take this personally, boy," Naoki muttered under his breath, smugly looking. "This is for your own good."
But while Naoki was busy basking in imaginary glory, Madara muttered the same conclusion Tobirama had reached earlier.
"Hmph. All that flash and flair… nothing but the struggle before defeat."
Madara's crimson eyes narrowed. "Remember this, Kitajima — no matter how clever your tricks, they're meaningless before absolute power."
Young Kitajima blinked, puzzled. "But, Clan Head… isn't it an even fight right now?"
Madara didn't bother replying. He simply snorted and turned his gaze back to the battle, unmoved.
If you can't even see the difference, he thought, then you've still got much to learn.
---
Kaede waited quietly, standing motionless for several minutes.
Still no movement from his opponent.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Elder Naoki's lips twitch upward, unable to hide his smugness.
Kaede smirked. "Playing tactics, huh? Then I'll show you something. Consider it respect."
The crowd murmured, unsure what he meant.
But three people — Hashirama, Tobirama, and Madara — all reacted at once, their gazes sharpening.
Then, Kaede's eyes began to change.
The black of his pupils was swallowed by a deep azure glow, and a strange ripple of chakra spread outward like a wave through still water.
A low hum vibrated through the air.
"What— what is that!?" someone gasped.
Another voice shouted, "That's… a Kekkei Genkai! A bloodline ability!"
"Yes! And a dōjutsu, no less!"
"I can't believe it… after the Sharingan and Byakugan, Konoha has produced another eye-type Kekkei Genkai!"
The training ground erupted in astonished murmurs.
In an instant, what had been an ordinary spar turned into a historic event — a moment that would be remembered as the first public revelation of Hoshino Kaede's Eye of Time.