Chapter 12: The Byakugan’s counter

[Shinji's Perspective]

Fūinjutsu had always been an essential art for any powerful shinobi. Every Hokage past and future once had been a grandmaster of sealing techniques, and it wasn't hard to see why—against certain enemies, especially Tailed Beasts, there was no greater weapon.

If I wanted to be a true powerhouse by the time the major events unfolded in Konoha, I needed to start early. Sealing techniques weren't something you could master overnight—they required years of dedication. So, I sat at my desk, absorbing every word of the Introductory Guide to Fūinjutsu like my life depended on it.

Just as I was getting into the details of chakra inscriptions, Akane tapped my shoulder.

"It's time for taijutsu class. We should go now so we're not late," she said.

I sighed, closing the scroll and following the group to the training field. When we arrived, I immediately noticed something… odd. The entire class was staring at me.

'Oh. Right. The rabbit incident.'

Some students whispered among themselves, while others simply gave me cautious glances, as if I were a walking prank waiting to happen. I smirked.

'I already have a reputation on the first day? Not bad.'

Ignoring them, I joined the rest of the class.

Shinzo-sensei stood in front of us, looking unusually awake.

"Today is your first taijutsu training session," he announced. "I won't be teaching you anything yet—I need to see what you're working with first. So, pair up and spar. I'll be observing."

I raised an eyebrow. "I guess those naps are paying off. He actually sounds motivated today."

A few students snickered, while others barely held back their laughter.

Shinzo-sensei ignored me entirely and signalled for the first match to begin. I watched as two students took their stances and started fighting… if you could even call it that.

'This looks like two street thugs brawling.'

No technique. No discipline. Just wild swinging and random lunges.

'Not everyone had Might Guy dragging them out of bed at sunrise for insane training sessions, I guess.'

Just as I was about to tune out the match, a shadow appeared in front of me.

A Hyūga student stood there, arms crossed, his gaze filled with confidence.

"Shinji Murakami. I am Kuruto Hyūga, and I challenge you to a match."

I blinked.

'Did this guy just duel me like some samurai warrior?'

I smirked. "How could I say no to that?"

[Akane's Perspective]

Today was my first day at the Academy, and my brother Akira and I were finally taking our first steps toward becoming shinobi. Ever since the Nine-Tails attack, Akira had changed—he had become more arrogant, constantly comparing himself to Itachi. He even challenged him once and lost spectacularly.

I sighed. I had no idea what to do with him.

Then we met Shinji Murakami, the rumored student of Jiraiya. I expected someone cold, distant, maybe even proud—but he was nothing like I imagined. He answered our questions patiently, despite my brother's arrogance. By the time we finished talking, I realized something.

He wasn't just strong—he was clever, and he also has such cute summons.

And now, he was about to fight a Hyūga.

The moment he and Kuruto stepped onto the field, the entire class went silent.

Shinzo-sensei explained the rules, and the two boys formed the seal of confrontation before stepping back into their stances.

I glanced around and noticed something surprising—students were placing bets.

Smirking, I confidently bet on Shinji.

[Shinji's Perspective]

The second the match began, Kuruto lunged.

His movements were precise—straight palm strikes, perfectly aimed at my chakra points.

I stepped to the side, deflecting his wrist with my forearm before slamming my knee toward his stomach. He barely managed to block with his other arm, forcing me to jump back and create some distance.

I raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you too old for this class?"

He scoffed. "I failed last year."

I blinked. "You failed? And you're saying that out loud?"

He shrugged, as if it wasn't a big deal. "Didn't study. So they failed me."

'They obviously did.'

I sighed. Another one of those Hyūga who thought their Byakugan and taijutsu made them untouchable. No wonder the strongest taijutsu users in history weren't from the best taijutsu clan.

Kuruto attacked again, his palm strikes speeding up as he closed the distance. I dodged, stepping just outside of his reach, but he adjusted mid-attack, cutting off my escape route by jumping forward.

'Damn. He's fast. He can see everything around me and react in real time.'

It was not that he was faster than me but he could see everything and react even before I attack him like he knew where I will strike, we exchanged a series of strikes—his palm strikes clashing against my counterattacks. I managed to land a few solid hits, but he also blocked some of my chakra points, forcing me to be careful.

Then, he suddenly stepped back and changed his stance.

The air around us grew heavier.

'Oh? He's getting serious.'

I smirked and decided to test my countermeasure against the Byakugan.

Channelling cursed energy, I let it flow subtly through my body. It wasn't a massive boost, but power wasn't the point. I wasn't using it for speed or strength—I was using it for deception.

Kuruto's Byakugan flared as he lunged forward.

"Eight Trigrams—Sixteen Palms!"

But just as his attack was about to land—

His eyes widened in shock.

For the first time, he hesitated.

I smirked and swung my fist straight into his jaw.

Kuruto collapsed instantly.

Silence.

Then, the entire class erupted into cheers.

Shinzo-sensei walked over, checking on Kuruto. "He's fine—just unconscious."

I turned toward my group of new friends… only to see them counting money with wide grins, while several students glared at me.

'Oh. They bet against me.'

I smirked. "Enjoy your winnings?"

Shigeo shrugged. "You were too calm before the fight. Easiest bet of my life."

I shook my head in amusement.

'This Academy might actually be fun.'

-+-+-+-

Fūinjutsu ranks:

Novice : basic seals like explosion tags and storage seals.

Sealsmaster : more advanced seals like chakra absorbing seal and five elements seals.

Grandmaster : top tier seals like eight triagrams sealing and torii gates.