Chapter 32

Early morning.The air was crisp with a faint sweetness, and the rising sun cast a warm glow across the sky.

In a public training ground, the sounds of combat rang out, one after another.

Hoshikawa Haru stood with a relaxed smile as he faced Uchiha Wang, who was launching a relentless assault.

"Wang, this won't do. Are you going to be like this for the next three years?" he taunted casually.

His constant trash talk only made Uchiha Wang fight harder.

Now ten years old, Uchiha Wang had improved tremendously. His strength and overall technique had grown in leaps and bounds. Though he still got beaten badly in front of Haru, it was nothing like the helpless flailing of the past. His attacks now had intent and strategy.

Haru dodged each strike with fluid steps, while Wang's blows rained down with determination, pushing forward step by step.

"Lightning Style: Earth Walk!"Wang slammed his hands onto the ground. A sharp crackling sound filled the air as arcs of lightning surged forward, striking Haru with a sudden jolt.

Caught off guard, Haru raised his arms instinctively to shield himself, but the lightning connected. The numbing sensation spread instantly, slowing his movements.

Wang's eyes lit up with excitement. He saw his opening and rushed in, hurling kunai to close the distance. This was his chance.

With the opponent paralyzed and cornered, even Haru would take damage now.

But Haru only chuckled, calm even in the face of imminent danger.

"Haha... you still underestimate me, Wang."

Uchiha Wang paused, eyebrows furrowed. What now? With forbidden jutsu and kekkei genkai banned from their sparring sessions, what trick could he possibly have left?

"You seem to have forgotten... I've been training in swordsmanship with Uncle Isshin."

Haru gave him a light, knowing smile.

Wang's expression shifted instantly. His eyes widened, and he cursed under his breath. Without hesitation, he started forming seals as fast as his chakra would allow. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled:

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

A blazing fireball erupted from his mouth, hurtling toward Haru with blistering heat. It was the Uchiha clan's signature move—intense, but non-lethal.

The flames reflected in Haru's eyes, painting his face with red light. Kunai glinted in the fire's glow as they zipped toward him.

Still, his expression remained unchanged.

With his left hand extended, a sleek ninja sword materialized instantly. His right hand rested across his chest, and with narrowed eyes, he moved.

A sharp, cool flash of blue light rippled from the blade.

"Sequence of Time — Slash."

Haru's voice was calm and clear, like a spring breeze.

The crescent-shaped slash tore through the air. The shockwave shattered the incoming kunai and collided with the roaring fireball.

For a moment, the two forces intertwined in a dazzling burst of energy—then dissipated in perfect silence.

As if neither had ever existed.

"Not bad," Haru nodded, clearly pleased. It was his first time using the technique—and the results were more than satisfactory.

"Nope. I'm done. This is cheating!" Uchiha Wang groaned, collapsing onto the ground in protest.

Hoshikawa Haru shrugged, casually sheathing his blade. He walked over with a theatrical sigh, shaking his head in mock disappointment.

"Wang, I misjudged you. Surrendering already? Where's your fighting spirit?"

His tone was serious, but his grin gave him away.

Uchiha Wang's face twitched. His expression wavered under the pressure of keeping a straight face.

Did I ever say I could beat you???

He wasn't stupid. He knew when to quit. Charging headfirst into defeat just for pride? That was lunacy.

He gave Haru a long, dramatic glare.

In return, Haru chuckled sheepishly. "No, but really—you've improved a lot. I'm honestly impressed."

That part, at least, was true. He meant it.

Uchiha Wang muttered, "What good is improvement if I still can't land a single hit?"

Haru raised an eyebrow, smirking.

"Oh? So you do want to beat me up?"

Wang froze. He'd let that one slip. Panic flashed in his eyes, but he tried to play it cool.

"Absolutely not. I swear."

He raised a hand... with only four fingers extended.

Hoshikawa Haru gave him a skeptical look. Yeah, right.

Uchiha Wang gulped. He had no idea what Haru might do next. Thankfully, Haru finally turned away, and Wang exhaled in relief.

"How's your grandma doing?" Haru asked, lying down on the grass.

Wang sighed. "She's old. All her health issues are starting to flare up."

"If you're short on cash, I can help," Haru offered.

Wang turned his head with a huff. "Who said I'm short on money? I can earn it myself."

Haru just shook his head. This kid and his pride...

Genin were allowed to take on missions—but only up to B-rank, and the pay was barely enough to scrape by. With his grandmother needing constant care and medicine, Wang was clearly struggling, even if he wouldn't admit it.

"Alright then," Haru said gently. "But if you ever fall short, just say the word. I've got some savings."

He knew better than to push. Wang had a strong sense of self-worth. Giving him money outright would just humiliate him.

Wang understood exactly what Haru was trying to do. He appreciated it—but he wanted to stand on his own two feet.

The two friends shared a quiet look—and both smiled. No words were needed.

Just then, Fujido Takatora came sprinting over, clearly panicked.

"Something's wrong! Sister Kazumi—something happened to her!"

Both of them jumped to their feet. "What?! What happened?!"

Takatora bent over, breathless, trying to get the words out.

"She collapsed. They took her to the hospital!"

No more questions. The two of them bolted, racing toward the hospital without a second thought.

Poor Takatora had barely caught his breath before he had to chase after them.

When they arrived, they ran right into Senju Ayako walking through the corridor.

"Ayako-senpai!" Haru called out, urgent. "How's Hinata Kazumi?!"

Ayako stopped and gave him a calm, steady look. "You got here fast. She's stable, but she won't wake up anytime soon."

She looked around, lowered her voice, and added seriously, "The Caged Bird curse mark—it damages the brain. Most people can't handle the pain."

Hoshikawa Haru clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. The pressure in his body built like a storm barely held in check.

He forced a nod. "Thank you, Ayako-senpai."

"Don't thank me. Just doing my job." She smiled faintly before rushing off to tend to other patients.

As the hospital corridor quieted down, Uchiha Wang muttered bitterly.

"Had to be the Hyuga clan. They must've activated the curse seal."

Haru inhaled slowly and nodded.

The Caged Bird was a twisted mark used by the Hyuga main family to control the branch family. It was engraved on every branch child at age three, turning them into tools of servitude. Kazumi... was one of them.

"Let's go," Haru said at last. His voice was even, but his eyes were ice.

The anger was buried—for now—but just beneath the surface, it raged like a tidal wave.