Hiashi Hyuga looked at Yasu with calm indifference.
If he seriously had to exert himself against someone Yasu's age, then all his decades of combat and Gentle Fist experience would truly have gone to the dogs.
He couldn't use chakra today—but with decades of battlefield instinct and Hyūga-style taijutsu under his belt, how could he possibly lose? Lose with what?
"Boy, you make the first move," Hiashi said, taking the Gentle Fist stance and gesturing at him.
"I'm the one coaching you. Obviously you should attack first."
Kakashi immediately choked on his own saliva, coughing nonstop.
Anyone with eyes could tell who was stronger here.
Yet Yasu still acted like he was the senior.
This wasn't bravado—this was suicide.
Hinata's worry spiked.
At home, even she had to behave with utmost caution around her father. Even the Hokage had to show Hiashi a measure of respect.
But Yasu… talked to him like this.
Hinata wasn't afraid her father would kill Yasu—if he tried, she'd be the first to jump in.
What she feared was her father giving Yasu a brutal "lesson."
She herself grew up being trained harshly by Hiashi. The memories alone made her shiver.
Hiashi almost laughed from anger. He had originally planned to lightly guide the boy… but now?Oh, he would make Yasu taste the cruelty of reality.
"Well then, please—do take care," Hiashi said through gritted teeth before charging forward.
One strike! No chakra, but even just that palm was strong enough to shatter stone.
If it hit a human body, it would crush the organs.
The moment it left his hand, Hiashi regretted it.
This sparring match was meant to test Yasu, not kill him. Even if Yasu didn't die, he would be severely injured.
Worse—
Yasu wasn't even trying to dodge.
Hiashi cursed internally and was about to withdraw his strength—When Yasu calmly raised a hand and tapped Hiashi's wrist.
"You're leaning a little too far to the left."
Hiashi's face flushed. As much as he hated it… Yasu was right.
If the palm had angled a bit more to the right, it would have struck the opponent's blind spot, making disengagement awkward and slowing defense by a full beat.
And one beat in Gentle Fist determines life or death.
But Gentle Fist wasn't just a single palm.
It was a sequence—a continuously advancing technique designed to corner the enemy from all angles.
One corrected strike meant nothing.
At least, that's what Hiashi believed.
He attacked again—faster, stronger, relentless.
Only his chakra remained sealed.
"Father… Father is serious!"
Hinata stared wide-eyed.
She hadn't seen her father this serious since the incident where she was kidnapped as a child.
Watching Yasu fight him evenly, she compared it to her own training.
Even with chakra, Yasu could defeat her in a single move.
If Yasu ever had ill intentions, she couldn't escape.
"Everything he did… was to help me… and I doubted him… I'm… I'm terrible…"Hinata's face burned red, heart pounding, occasionally sneaking glances at Yasu.
She cheered for him softly in her heart.
If Hiashi knew his daughter was cheering for his opponent, he'd cough up blood on the spot.
Hiashi himself was drenched in sweat—not from exertion, but from anxiety.
No matter how many strikes he threw, Yasu dissolved them effortlessly.
And worst of all—
Yasu corrected every single one.
And even worse—
He was right every single time.
It felt just like when Yasu was guiding Hinata.
Hiashi had no doubt: if he contemplated today's match afterward, his mastery of Gentle Fist would probably reach a new level.
Maybe even the Kage tier.
"That one should tilt a bit left."
"That strike goes upward!"
"What is this supposed to be? Who taught you that? Throw it out!"
Hiashi's face darkened with every critique, his movements growing more frantic.
Kakashi exhaled and glanced at Guy.
"Guy… Lord Hiashi seems a little panicked."
"Mm. His openings are increasing."
"His pride… is about to collapse."
"…Yeah."
If it had been any other ninja, Kakashi might have tolerated this sight.
But Yasu wasn't even a genin yet—And he was overwhelming the Hyūga clan head.
Not just overwhelming—Hiashi's Gentle Fist looked cleaner than when he practiced it.
"You need to strike properly. Did you forget what I just taught you? And why are you giving me bedroom eyes? I don't like men!"
Hiashi: "I—!"
Hinata: "..."
Kakashi: "..."
Guy: "..."
Hiashi was desperate. If this continued, he absolutely wouldn't be able to defeat Yasu.
And with Kakashi and Guy watching—Guy especially with his loose mouth—By tomorrow, the entire village would know.
Worst of all, Hinata was right here.
If he lost, where would his dignity as a father go?
And Yasu clearly wasn't giving him any "step down."One loss could destroy everything.
Hiashi clenched his teeth. He had to win today. No matter what.
"Boy, you're impressive. Then I'll get… a little serious."
Kakashi and Guy both covered their faces.
"A little serious?"He was already serious to the extreme. This was pure stubborn pride.
But then—
Hinata trembled, panic in her eyes.
"Y-Yasu-kun, be careful! Father is going to use chakra!"
Hiashi's mouth twitched violently.
Was she really his daughter? Was there a baby mix-up at birth?
Exposing her father like this—was that appropriate?!
But he had no choice now. Winning was better than losing. No matter what method he used.
Chakra surged violently from Hiashi's palms, wind blasting outward as he charged.
"Boy—witness the Gentle Fist I use when I'm serious!"