"He is our Big Brother," Uchiha Daishi said proudly.
Uchiha Eiji's earlier performance had been laughable, like a clown making a fool of himself, which made Daishi and the others feel relieved.
Uchiha Eiji, however, scrutinized Uchiha Gen coldly.
"So you're the so-called Big Brother of these failures. To approach me unnoticed when I let my guard down... I'll admit, Uchiha Gen, you surprised me."
"Eiji. Long time no see," Uchiha Gen replied indifferently.
Both boys were Academy students, though not from the same class.
Eiji frowned slightly, his gaze narrowing. He didn't recall much about Gen—he knew only that Gen wasn't from the main family line.
The Uchiha clan had nearly a thousand members; many of them barely knew one another.
Gen's gaze shifted toward Daishi and the others. Like him, they were all from the clan's branch families or distant bloodlines.
The Uchiha clan distinguished between main family, branch family, and outer bloodlines. Children born from marriages with outsiders rarely awakened the Sharingan, and so were often dismissed within the clan hierarchy.
Gen's own father was an outsider who had married into the clan, which made him the son of an "outer family."
Daishi and the others looked ashamed under Gen's calm gaze.
"Big Brother… we're sorry. We disgraced you," they said, lowering their heads.
"It was disgraceful," Gen said plainly. "Over a dozen of you losing to three opponents."
Their faces burned with shame. Eiji and his companions, meanwhile, smirked smugly. But Gen's next words wiped the smiles away.
"Still… with the training methods I've taught you, it won't be long before you can defeat them and take back your pride."
One of Eiji's companions—Uchiha Hayabusa—scoffed.
"Gen, don't talk so arrogantly. You only landed that hit earlier because Eiji wasn't paying attention. There's no way you can beat him!"
Daishi immediately retorted, "You don't know our Big Brother's strength! Eiji may be stronger than us, but he's no match for him!"
Eiji flexed his right leg, the numbness from Gen's earlier strike finally fading. Gen's ability to appear behind him repeatedly had already unsettled him. Now, Daishi's bold defense made his pride burn hotter.
With a cold snort, Eiji said, "Fine. Uchiha Gen—show me your strength."
Gen shook his head slightly.
"From our brief exchange earlier, I already know your limits. You're not my opponent."
"Hmph! That's not for you to decide."
Eiji lunged forward, fists flying. Swift jabs and sharp kicks came in rapid succession, his movements crisp and fluid—the hallmark of Uchiha-style taijutsu.
But every strike missed. Gen evaded with minimal movement, never breaking his calm composure.
After a few more exchanges, Gen seized the moment. His fist shot forward, colliding directly with Eiji's punch.
The result was instant—Gen remained unmoved, while Eiji was sent flying backward, flipping midair before staggering back several steps to steady himself.
'Monster… his strength is unreal,' Eiji thought, his arm throbbing, his hand trembling from the impact.
Gen turned away, intending to leave.
"Don't you dare walk away!" Eiji snapped. "I haven't lost yet!"
Gen stopped, glancing back.
"Eiji, you already know the truth. The gap between us is too wide."
Eiji's face twisted. Deep down, he recognized it, but his pride as an Uchiha couldn't accept defeat at the hands of someone from an outer family.
"Or are you afraid to keep fighting?" Eiji sneered. "Maybe you're just like these weaklings—nothing but trash."
Gen's eyes sharpened suddenly, releasing a pressure that made Daishi and the others stiffen. Even Eiji faltered under the oppressive aura.
Still, his fighting spirit blazed hotter.
Gen narrowed his gaze.
"Very well. If you insist… but if you lose, you'll grant me one request."
After a moment of hesitation, Eiji agreed. "And if you lose?"
A confident, almost arrogant smile crossed Gen's face.
"I won't lose. But if I do—you can do whatever you want."
Excitement flashed across Eiji's features, and his smile turned cruel.
"Fine. Then if you lose, you'll crawl on the ground and bark like a dog."
"Bastard!"
"You dare insult our Big Brother?"
"Eiji, you're disgraceful!"
Daishi and the others exploded in anger, but Gen silenced them with a wave of his hand.
'Annoying brat,' he thought. 'I'll show him the difference.'
The two stepped into the center of the training ground, with Daishi and the others forming a loose ring around them.
"You haven't even touched ninjutsu yet, have you?" Eiji taunted. "I'll show you—mere taijutsu training alone won't make you strong."
In an instant, Eiji's figure blurred.
Body Flicker Technique.
He appeared behind Gen, hand chopping toward his neck.
But Gen's foot lashed out in a sharp, fluid side kick.
Bang!
Eiji's body shattered into a puff of smoke—Substitution Jutsu.
A log clattered to the ground.
'So, he had that much prepared,' Gen thought.
A sudden gust announced Eiji's next charge. He reappeared from the front, fist driving toward Gen's face.
Gen blocked with one arm; Eiji sprang back with the recoil, then immediately darted forward again, fists and kicks flying.
The clash of blows rang out across the courtyard—thud, crack, thump—like constant drumbeats.
Eiji moved relentlessly, his figure flashing around Gen.
But Gen had yet to take a single step. He stood firmly rooted, deflecting and countering with minimal motion.
Watching in awe, Daishi whispered, "Have you all noticed? Big Brother… he hasn't even moved from that spot since the fight began."
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