Konoha's medical personnel arrived at the school with remarkable speed.
Accompanying them were members of Konoha's Military Police Force.
Uchiha Yashiro watched with a grim expression as Uchiha Yowan, clutching his groin and wailing continuously, was loaded onto a stretcher. He then turned his attention to the instigator of this entire incident—Hyūga Iroha.
Faced with Uchiha Yashiro's piercing gaze, Hyūga Iroha guiltily lowered his head.
He hadn't genuinely intended to strike that particular area—he had only just mastered the Eight Trigrams Air Palm, which was originally designed as a long-range precision strike technique effective beyond ten meters.
However, being so young, Hyūga Iroha had only grasped the basics. Not only was his range limited to merely two meters, but his accuracy...
Well, it couldn't be called nonexistent—it simply didn't exist at all.
Seeing Iroha avert his gaze out of guilt, Uchiha Yashiro sighed internally. After closing his eyes to contemplate for a moment, he directed his attention toward the two teachers.
"You two—let's have a discussion."
Observing the equally troubled expressions on both teachers' faces, Uchiha Yashiro understood that even though the attacker was from the Hyūga clan, the child's status made it impossible for him to vent his anger directly.
By comparison, the responsibility clearly lay more heavily with the two adults who had failed to intervene in time.
With the teachers being escorted away, the exercise naturally concluded.
"I wonder—will the teachers be alright?" Ebisu asked worriedly, watching the departing instructors.
Asuma shrugged: "Don't worry. While injuries during Ninja Academy exercises aren't common, they're not unheard of either. The ninja world is inherently filled with pain and suffering. As long as it wasn't intentional, there won't be any real punishment."
"But seriously, Iroha, you were pretty ruthless there. Be honest—was that technique prepared for Kakashi or Guy?" Feng Bai sidled up to Hyūga Iroha, half-jokingly questioning him.
"You..." Kakashi gave Feng Bai a deadpan stare while instinctively pressing his legs together.
Even Might Guy didn't know what to say, simply standing there with an awkward smile.
Honestly, there was absolutely nothing youthful about this incident.
"What are you talking about? It wasn't intentional!" Hyūga Iroha protested with a flushed face.
"Come on, stop making excuses. Everyone knows the Hyūga and Uchiha clans don't get along. I understand, I understand." Feng Bai wore an expression that clearly relished stirring up drama.
With Feng Bai's instigation, those who hadn't initially thought much of it began questioning the truth of Iroha's denial.
After all, the animosity between the Hyūga and Uchiha clans was common knowledge, and Hyūga Iroha had actively targeted Uchiha Yowan.
Viewed that way, this theory seemed quite plausible.
Seeing his classmates' increasingly suspicious gazes, Hyūga Iroha hastily pushed Feng Bai away and loudly defended himself: "I didn't! I wouldn't! Stop spreading nonsense!"
Unfortunately, under Feng Bai's influence, Hyūga Iroha's protests sounded utterly powerless.
"Alright, we understand, Exploding Ball Kid." Once again approaching with his characteristic smirk, Feng Bai patted Hyūga Iroha's shoulder while bestowing this new nickname upon him.
"Ex... Exploding Ball Kid?" Hyūga Iroha initially didn't grasp the nickname's meaning, but upon reflection, he detected its implications.
If this nickname spread, his lifelong reputation would be...
Hyūga Iroha despaired.
Because students from both classes had heard Feng Bai's words.
As expected, within merely one hour, news of Class Two's "Exploding Ball Kid" had spread throughout the entire Ninja Academy.
Hyūga Iroha thus became the first student of his year to earn a "title" as a ninja.
As for whether Hyūga Iroha might one day become renowned throughout the ninja world, Feng Bai—the instigator—expressed complete indifference.
"Ex... Exploding Ball Kid?" Hiruzen, who had rushed to the Ninja Academy upon hearing the news and was preparing to mediate the situation, received an ANBU report and felt his mouth twitch uncontrollably.
"What's wrong, Lord Third?" Noticing the Third Hokage's expression, Hyūga Hizashi, whom Hiruzen had summoned to the school, inquired curiously.
Hiruzen quickly suppressed his facial twitch, adjusting his expression: "Nothing significant—merely some work-related matters. Hizashi, here's what transpired—it was simply an accident during a training exercise."
With Hiruzen's official characterization of the incident, Uchiha Yashiro remained somewhat dissatisfied but had no recourse.
The facts were clear: both teachers had done their utmost to prevent incidents, but Hyūga Iroha's strike had been too swift for them to intercept.
However, regarding Uchiha Yowan's injury...
"This incident indeed resulted from the teachers' negligence. As principal, I bear ultimate responsibility. Later, I shall personally visit the child's home to apologize to his parents." Recognizing Uchiha Yashiro's frustration, Hiruzen offered an exceptionally formal apology.
The Hokage personally visiting to apologize carried substantial weight indeed.
Uchiha Yashiro's expression finally improved somewhat.
"I shall inform Captain Fugaku of this matter." Yashiro bowed slightly to Hiruzen, completely ignored Hyūga Hizashi, and departed directly.
Observing such discourteous behavior, Hizashi frowned with displeasure, but couldn't express his dissatisfaction before Hiruzen. He could only subtly criticize: "Yashiro seems rather disrespectful toward you, Lord Third."
"Haha, it's perfectly understandable—their clan member was injured, after all." Hiruzen completely disregarded Hizashi's provocation, responding cheerfully.
"Indeed. I spoke inappropriately. Please excuse me." Hizashi hadn't expected Hiruzen to become genuinely angry, so he bowed formally and quietly withdrew from the office.
"Phew... That resolves the matter. Genjin, Makoto—don't let this burden you. Continue conducting exercises as planned, but remain vigilant, especially when dealing with clan children. They frequently employ techniques beyond what children their age should possess." With both Uchiha and Hyūga representatives departed, Hiruzen finally had time to counsel the two teachers.
"Yes, Lord Third. This was our failure." Sensing Hiruzen's gentle attitude, both teachers—coming from civilian ninja backgrounds—were deeply moved.
After all, who wouldn't appreciate a superior willing to shoulder responsibility?
"Very well, return to your duties. For future exercises, you may ask Yūhi Makoto to supervise. As a jōnin, his perception is far superior, and he possesses the capability to restrain these youngsters." While dismissing them, Hiruzen even provided helpful guidance.
"Yes, Lord Third!"
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