Chapter 22: Testing the Waters

After the introductions were finished, Hyuga Hizashi led the three of them directly to the training ground to test their strength.

In this era of war, there were no messy trials; it would be more accurate to call Uchiha Feiyu and the others subordinates of Hyuga Hizashi rather than students, and there was no such thing as being sent back to the Ninja Academy.

On the training ground, Hyuga Hizashi scanned the three of them and spoke in a deep voice:

"I have also looked over the files on the three of you. You are all extremely outstanding students from the Ninja Academy, and having just graduated, your strength can be considered exceptional among Genin."

"However, just by looking at the files, I still cannot determine your level of strength. Now, the three of you will join forces to spar with me!"

As he spoke, Hyuga Hizashi had already assumed a Gentle Fist stance, signaling for the three to attack.

Uchiha Feiyu's eyes lit up. Although his current strength was not weak, he had truly never encountered an opponent at the Jonin level, and his combat experience could be described as severely lacking.

Even though he had the technique to Command Spirits to allow Hatake Sakumo to fight in his stead, gaining some experience fighting against a master was beneficial and harmless.

"Feiyu, let's discuss a strategy."

Yuhi Kurenai looked at Hyuga Hizashi, who gave off a sense of being flawless after assuming his stance, and spoke to Uchiha Feiyu, but Uchiha Feiyu, with two Tomoe spinning in his eyes, shook his head:

"You two just watch the situation; if you can intervene, then do so, but if you can't, don't force it..."

"What do you mean by that? Are you looking down on us?"

Asuma spoke, his anger rising, but Uchiha Feiyu had no interest in saying more to him; in an instant, electric light flickered over his entire body, and he transformed into a bolt of lightning as he rushed forward.

"So fast!! Such a sharp Sword Technique!!"

Seeing Uchiha Feiyu slash down at his head, Hyuga Hizashi, who had initially harbored some intention of offering guidance, barely reacted in time. He pulled back, and under the chilling pressure of the blade energy, goosebumps rose on his skin.

When Uchiha Feiyu launched his first strike, he had held back some of his strength for fear of Hyuga Hizashi being careless and getting injured, so he did not trigger the chakra blade energy unique to the White Fang Sword Technique.

At this moment, seeing Hyuga Hizashi dodge the first strike, he knew the other party would never underestimate him again. The short blade in his hand instantly surged with a foot-long blade glow, and the original short blade transformed directly into a slightly shorter katana.

"This is... the White Fang Sword Technique!"

A look of caution appeared on Hyuga Hizashi's face. He had no time to consider why an Uchiha like Uchiha Feiyu had actually learned Hatake Sakumo's sword techniques; he simply widened his eyes, veins bulging at the corners, and immediately activated his Byakugan.

Lightning flashed and his figure moved like electricity. A faint white glow pierced toward Hyuga Hizashi from an incredible angle in an instant. Hyuga Hizashi gave a sharp shout, his body spinning, his fists and palms nimble, his posture agile; amidst the sharp white glow, he was like someone dancing on the tip of a blade, flexibly dodging one blade energy after another.

The rushing wind made Kurenai and Asuma take a few steps back. Asuma even widened his eyes, his hands clenched into fists:

"This guy Uchiha Feiyu... just how much strength has he been holding back before this?!"

Kurenai also spoke with equal gravity:

"No wonder this guy told us to intervene if we could, but not to force it... I can't even see his figure clearly. At this speed, the two of us truly have no room to intervene..."

"Doesn't that make the two of us dead weight? Damn it..."

Regardless of what Asuma and Kurenai were thinking, Uchiha Feiyu only felt that he was fighting very enjoyably.

Hyuga Hizashi could be considered elite among the Jonin level, not to mention that the Byakugan and Gentle Fist were also adept at close-quarters combat. As long as he wasn't careless, Uchiha Feiyu didn't have to worry about the other party getting hurt and could pour out his attacks to his heart's content.

Fighting a living person was much more satisfying than chopping wood or stones!

However, Hyuga Hizashi felt much more uncomfortable. It wasn't that he couldn't defeat the current Uchiha Feiyu; without Uchiha Feiyu letting Hatake Sakumo possess him, the combat power he displayed was merely that of a Special Jonin with fast speed and high lethality.

It was just that the White Fang Sword Technique was treacherous and unpredictable, and the blade glow that grew and shrank made Hyuga Hizashi, who was using the bare-handed Gentle Fist, very wary.

If he just wanted to defeat Uchiha Feiyu, that would be one thing, but this was a teacher-student guidance match. Trying to defeat and subdue Uchiha Feiyu while keeping both sides uninjured was much harder.

The battle between the two sides dragged on for a few minutes before Hyuga Hizashi found an opportunity. He spun like a top, and a powerful blue cyclone instantly sent Uchiha Feiyu flying.

Uchiha Feiyu spun in the air, landed on one knee, and after raising his head, immediately raised both hands:

"So amazing! As expected of the Hyuga Clan's perfect defense, Rotation. I admit defeat!"

Hyuga Hizashi, who had originally wanted to continue, suddenly felt a bit stuck. During the recent battle, he had already adapted to Uchiha Feiyu's White Fang Sword Technique; if they continued to fight, he had absolute confidence that he could win quickly.

Unfortunately, Uchiha Feiyu had also seen some clues from the increasing pressure Hyuga Hizashi had put on him during the fight, and he simply wouldn't give Hyuga Hizashi the chance to beat him up.

Calming his mindset slightly, Hyuga Hizashi's eyes turned toward Asuma and Kurenai:

"Alright, I have already seen Feiyu's strength; honestly, it really gave me a huge surprise. Next, the two of you attack me; I will also test your foundations."

Asuma and Kurenai looked at each other and charged toward Hyuga Hizashi.

As soon as they engaged, Hyuga Hizashi breathed a sigh of relief. Asuma and Kurenai were outstanding among ninjas of their age, but they were not as shocking as Uchiha Feiyu and remained within the scope of Genin. After a few moves, Hyuga Hizashi had figured out their foundations, casually tapped to seal their acupoints, and knocked them back.

"I am now very clear on your strength. Your foundations are all laid very well; it seems you don't need me to worry too much."

"Especially Uchiha Feiyu, as long as you carry out more missions and your combat experience becomes more enriched, even I wouldn't dare say I am definitely your opponent."

"There is still quite a bit of time left today; it just so happens we can go pick up some missions and take you all out to get some practice!"

"We can pick up missions today? Let's go, let's go, let's go execute a mission!"

Upon hearing about picking up missions, Uchiha Feiyu was the first to get excited, which made Asuma and Kurenai somewhat puzzled. Why was this guy so excited? It was completely unlike his personality!

Seeing their puzzled gazes, Uchiha Feiyu rolled his eyes and said:

"What are you looking at? Don't forget, I'm an orphan. If I don't take missions, where am I supposed to get money to spend?"

(End of chapter)