Chapter 18

Tian Yu was covered in black lines of embarrassment.

Because, honestly, how could he explain the reason Hinata fainted?

Even if he told the truth—that she simply passed out from being flustered—would anyone believe it?

Thankfully, the misunderstanding didn't last long.

The Hyuga clan quickly dispatched a medical-nin to examine Hinata. After confirming that she merely fainted from emotional strain and that there was no harm to her body, they let Tian Yu leave peacefully.

---

In the Ninja Academy, the day of the final assessment for their first-year class had finally arrived.

Excitement buzzed through the classroom like electricity. Every student looked eager, adrenaline high. The moment they'd been training for all year was here.

Even Tian Tian, sitting beside Tian Yu, was pumped.

Her match was against Rock Lee.

"Lee! Get ready to be knocked down today!" she declared confidently.

Lee's eyes burned with passion. "That's not guaranteed, Tian Tian! Just because you're a girl doesn't mean I'll go easy on you. I will give it my all!"

Then, Lee glanced at Tian Yu, who was lazily flipping a kunai through his fingers.

"But the most anticipated match today," he said solemnly, "is definitely between Tian Yu and Hyuga Neji. I've heard Neji's talent is unrivaled. Many believe he's already our generation's top student."

He clenched his fists. "But... I think Tian Yu is the strongest in the class!"

"Of course! My brother is the best!" Tian Tian said proudly.

Tian Yu simply chuckled, "Why overthink it? The truth comes out once fists fly."

The classroom quieted as their instructor stepped in.

"Everyone, head to the training grounds."

All 54 students filed out in orderly rows.

The teacher paired them based on past performance. Unsurprisingly, the two top scorers—Tian Yu and Hyuga Neji—were matched together.

"The assessment begins now! Inuzuka Yu vs. Nishi Keiko, step forward."

The first pair clashed. After several swift exchanges, Keiko was defeated.

Names continued being called.

"The next match: Rock Lee versus Tian Tian!"

Both stepped up—long-time rivals, friends, and fellow weapon users.

Their movements were crisp, precise, a storm of taijutsu proficiency.

You strike, I dodge. I counter, you block.

Dozens of moves in mere minutes.

The students were in awe—these two usually flew under the radar in class, but on the battlefield, they were top contenders.

Even the chunin teacher's eyes glinted with admiration.

In the end, Tian Tian used a substitution kunai—a gift from Tian Yu—to create an opening and strike a winning blow.

"Tian Tian wins!" the teacher declared.

He gave her another glance—those ninja tools were special. That might be worth reporting to Lord Hokage...

"Yeah!" Tian Tian skipped back to Tian Yu's side.

"Brother, I won!"

"Nicely done," Tian Yu nodded.

Lee, though frustrated, smiled.

"Congratulations, Tian Tian. But next time, I'll win."

Then, looking at Tian Yu, he added, "Because my goal is to surpass you!"

Tian Yu replied with an easy smile, "I'll be waiting."

The matches continued as the sun dipped lower.

Finally, the last duel was called:

"Hyuga Neji versus Tian Yu!"

A hush fell.

Students leaned in, whispering.

"Neji will probably end it in three moves. He's a Hyuga prodigy."

"I agree. The elders praise him. He's destined to be top."

"Even losing to Neji isn't shameful."

Tian Tian and Rock Lee clenched their fists but remained silent. They knew the truth—and the rest of the class was about to find out.

Even Guy-sensei called Tian Yu a monster in terms of raw strength!

---

"Begin!"

Tian Yu and Neji squared off.

"You're strong," Neji acknowledged. "But a genius like me always prevails."

He had already activated his Byakugan earlier and analyzed Tian Yu's chakra flow—staggering in volume and purity, far beyond a student's level.

"Typical second-year delusions," Tian Yu sighed inwardly. Neji hadn't yet experienced the growth that would come later. Right now, he was arrogant, trapped in his own worldview.

Tian Yu cracked his neck.

"Come at me."

No point arguing. He'd prove his strength with action.

"Byakugan—activated!"

Neji's temples bulged with chakra veins as he lunged forward.

"Gentle Fist!"

Blue chakra surged from his palms as he attacked.

Tian Yu's expression remained calm.

With a swift sidestep, he avoided the strike.

To him, this level of taijutsu was easy. He sparred with Might Guy's clones regularly.

"Heh. You've entered my domain!" Neji shouted.

"Eight Trigrams Sixteen Palms!"

A familiar Taijutsu stance. A Tai Chi pattern bloomed under Neji's feet as he moved to trap Tian Yu in his palm strikes.

He only knew sixteen palms so far—but in past sparring, even genin had fallen under this barrage.

"Two palms!"

But just as Neji began his first strike—

Tian Yu moved.

---

Chapter 19: Chief

[To be continued…]