On the way to the Ninja Academy, Tendo finally understood why his female superior had appeared at his door at dawn.
It turned out that after Mizuki had been beaten yesterday, he hadn't swallowed the humiliation at all. Instead, he had gone straight to the top and reported the incident to Tendo's immediate superior—Inuzuka Akita.
In Mizuki's version of events, he was as pure as a white lotus. According to him, Tendo had relentlessly provoked him, yet he had patiently endured everything. Even when he was struck, he had refused to retaliate out of respect for Inuzuka Akita's authority. The only reason he had come forward now, he claimed, was because he feared that Tendo's reckless behavior would one day cause serious trouble.
"I'm just deeply worried about Tendo-kun," was the core of Mizuki's performance.
His goal was simple: sow discord between Inuzuka Akita and Tendo. Even if Akita chose to protect her subordinate and dismiss the matter, Mizuki could still spread the story afterward, damaging both their reputations.
What Mizuki hadn't expected, however, was that the famously rough-and-tumble Inuzuka clan had produced such an anomaly.
Inuzuka Akita was broad-minded in every sense of the word—physically imposing, yes, but also sharp, perceptive, and intelligent. She didn't blindly accept Mizuki's one-sided account. Still, she courteously showed him out, promising that she would personally visit the Academy the next day to verify the situation.
It was only after hearing the truth directly from Tendo that she cursed aloud.
"That snake… such insidious intentions."
She snorted coldly before continuing, "He even suggested inviting you to the upcoming Ninja Academy graduation ceremony to fight the top student, Hyuga Neji. I actually thought he wanted to clear up a misunderstanding with you. Now it's obvious—he's plotting something else entirely."
At that moment, a system notification appeared before Tendo's eyes.
[New Quest Detected]
[Objective: Accept the challenge and defeat Hyuga Neji]
[Reward: Byakugan (Purity: Common)]
Tendo stared at the quest prompt with a complicated expression.
Logically, he felt he should curse Mizuki alongside his boss. Yet that man kept delivering quests straight to his doorstep.
He knew a thing or two about Hyuga Neji.
In the early days, Neji's reputation as a genius rivaled even Uchiha Sasuke's. Later, however, he became little more than a background character—his talent shackled by fate. Born into injustice, he ultimately died without ever escaping it.
Mizuki's choice of opponent was deliberate.
At this stage, Neji—freshly graduated and already recognized as a Hyuga prodigy—stood well above people like Mizuki, chunin who had climbed the ranks through seniority rather than ability.
And even if Tendo managed to win, Neji was still a member of the Hyuga clan, carrying the title of the new generation's top genius. Publicly humiliating him would inevitably draw trouble.
It was a neat chain of traps. As a villain, Mizuki did have some brains.
Tendo's response, however, was simple.
Let the Hyuga come.
This was the perfect opportunity to test the limits of the system.
A faint smile appeared on Tendo's face—three parts disdain, three parts confidence, and four parts arrogance.
"In your usual style, I thought you'd refuse outright," Inuzuka Akita said, casting him a meaningful glance. "I didn't expect you to accept. Tendo-kun, it seems you're hiding more secrets than I realized."
She didn't press further.
Secrets, after all, made people interesting—women included, men as well.
Someone as wise as Inuzuka Akita understood that pushing too hard only drove people away. The right rhythm—tight and loose, fast and slow—would eventually make a man reveal everything on his own.
The Ninja Academy.
An institution founded by the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, its purpose was to train civilian ninja and weaken the clans' monopoly on power and knowledge. It was, arguably, one of the few genuinely praiseworthy policies attributed to him.
Tendo's feelings toward Tobirama were complicated.
The political systems Tobirama left behind had prevented the Uchiha clan from ever truly integrating into Konoha, eventually leading to their annihilation.
And yet, had the Uchiha not been wiped out, the system within Tendo might never have awakened.
Viewed from that angle, Tobirama wasn't really his enemy.
He was practically a benefactor.
Which meant, by extension, that Konoha's higher-ups were all benefactors as well.
Yes. Benefactors. No enemies at all.
Soon, Tendo would meet yet another benefactor.
Tendo hadn't held back yesterday.
Though Mizuki's injuries were now wrapped in bandages, the way his face twitched whenever he spoke made it obvious he was still in pain.
But nothing motivated a man quite like malicious intent.
The moment Mizuki heard that Tendo had accepted the challenge against Hyuga Neji, he seemed to forget his injuries entirely. Afraid Tendo might change his mind, he hurried everyone toward the Academy's training grounds.
Konoha placed immense importance on the Ninja Academy. It was built directly beside the Hokage Tower, surrounded by critical facilities so that students could be protected or evacuated at a moment's notice.
Even in the land-scarce center of Konoha, the Academy's training field was enormous.
At present, two classes were using it.
One was Neji's class—already graduated and enjoying their free time.
The other belonged to Iruka Umino.
"Hey—aren't you the guy who caught me yesterday?"
A loud voice rang out the moment Tendo stepped inside.
It was Uzumaki Naruto, the boy Tendo had tackled to the ground the day before.
"Hello, Naruto-kun," Tendo replied with a grin, his gaze sweeping across the field.
Uzumaki Naruto.
Uchiha Sasuke.
Haruno Sakura.
Yamanaka Ino.
In a single glance, he had seen all twelve of Konoha's future "rookie elites."
They reacted differently to his presence.
Some returned his gaze politely.
Some shyly looked away.
Some were too focused on their snacks to care.
And some—quite a few—were visibly flustered.
"Sakura, look! Look! That new guy is super handsome!" Yamanaka Ino whispered excitedly, eyes wide.
She had always thought Uchiha Sasuke or Hyuga Neji were top-tier, but now someone had completely overturned her standards.
"No way, pig-Ino," Sakura muttered, though her voice lacked conviction. "Sasuke-kun is still the coolest."
"Kiba," Inuzuka Akita called cheerfully, "seeing your cousin and not even coming over to say hello?"
Kiba froze.
After a moment, he abandoned his attempt to hide behind the others and obediently walked over.
He greeted his cousin first—then cast a respectful look at the man beside her.
Anyone who could keep that tigress in check was someone worthy of admiration.
Kiba's respect for Tendo deepened instantly.
Mizuki gathered Neji's classmates together and announced a demonstration match between Tendo and Hyuga Neji.
The justification he gave was lofty and righteous.
Now that the students had passed their graduation exams, they would soon be undertaking real missions. Clashes with ninja from other villages—or even rogue ninja—were inevitable.
Combat was unavoidable.
Originally, Mizuki claimed, he had intended to spar with Neji himself. Unfortunately, he had been injured the day before. Thankfully, Tendo had generously volunteered in his place.
The explanation was almost convincing.
So convincing, in fact, that Tendo nearly wondered if he had misunderstood Mizuki's intentions.
Afterward, Mizuki praised Tendo's strength effusively and instructed Neji not to hold back—though he specified that twelve percent would be more than enough, assuring everyone that Tendo wouldn't be injured.
With that, Mizuki neatly salvaged his own reputation.
And the stage was set.