Old Rules

"It's not Shikaku? A kid actually saved Minji?"

"Who is that kid? Never heard of him before. Is he a genius Shikaku found in the clan?"

"So young and already proficient in using the Shadow Imitation Technique. The Nara Clan's future looks bright!"

"A genius! To have such skill without even entering the ninja academy, the number of geniuses in Konoha is really increasing!"

Koshino, who had been wary of Fugaku Uchiha early on, didn't expect that his use of the Shadow Imitation Technique to save Hyūga Minji would not only earn the gratitude of the Hyūga clan's branch family but also gain the admiration of the attending ninja from other clans.

It should be noted that those attending Hizashi's banquet were ninjas of the same level as Shikaku from the Nara Clan and Choza from the Akimichi Clan—high-ranking figures!

Gaining the admiration of so many influential figures, Koshino's name would likely soon spread throughout Konoha, earning him the title of genius alongside prodigies like Itachi.

Furthermore, saving Hyūga Minji not only won Minji's gratitude but also earned appreciative looks from Hizashi himself.

Then, exchanging a glance with Shikaku, Hizashi silently nodded.

Hizashi understood that saving Hyūga Minji from Fugaku Uchiha's malicious scheme was no small feat. He quickly smoothed things over by saying, "Fugaku, since this was just a sparring match, not a life-or-death battle, there's no need to take it too far. Let's consider this a defeat for the Hyūga Clan this time. However, Fugaku, you owe me an explanation for today's events."

"Hmph! An explanation, you say?"

"Fine, I'll give you one right now!"

At Hizashi's words, Fugaku Uchiha snorted coldly and called over Uchiha Sano, saying indifferently, "Sano, the explanation?"

"Y-yes, clan head!"

When Uchiha Sano attacked Hyūga Minji, he knew what the outcome would be.

However, neither Fugaku nor Sano expected Koshino to intervene suddenly, ruining their plan.

But to explain to the Hyūga Clan, Sano glared venomously at Koshino, then grabbed a kunai and stabbed it into his left palm, intending to quell the Hyūga Clan's anger. Yet, just as Hizashi and others thought the Uchiha Clan would retreat after losing face, Fugaku's gaze fell on Koshino.

"Shikaku, shouldn't you properly introduce this talented young man behind you?"

"Nara Koshino."

With a calm reply, Shikaku raised his eyebrows, suppressing his anger, and asked, "What, Fugaku, interested in another 'spar'?"

"Indeed!"

Thick-skinned is a necessary trait for a politician.

Almost as soon as Shikaku spoke, Fugaku said, "I used to think young geniuses only appeared in the Uchiha or Hyūga Clans. I never expected the Nara Clan to have someone with such talent. Shikaku, are you afraid to let your clan's genius get hurt?"

"Without trials, one cannot grow strong. Let Yuno give Koshino some guidance!"

"Koshino, please!"

With that, Uchiha Yuno gripped his kunai tightly, facing Koshino with a look of malice.

Uchiha Sano was Uchiha Yuno's younger brother.

Because of Koshino's Shadow Imitation Technique, Sano had crippled his hand. How could Yuno, as the elder brother, let this go?

While the Uchiha Clan's ire was directed at Koshino, to be honest, the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka Clans were all furious. However, they had no choice but to accept the Uchiha Clan's challenge, as it was an open challenge. Thus, hearing Fugaku's words, Shikaku quietly asked Koshino, "Koshino, are you confident?"

"Uncle Shikaku, don't worry, I am confident."

"Good! Then show them what you've got. Don't let the Uchiha Clan look down on us!"

"Yes!"

Internally smirking, facing the Uchiha Clan's challenge, Koshino felt no fear.

In fact, he felt a bit regretful for not getting to see Itachi among the Uchiha Clan members!

Undoubtedly, young talents like Hyūga Minji, Uchiha Sano, and Uchiha Yuno could be considered the pillars of Konoha's new generation. But compared to prodigies like Itachi or Kakashi, they were far behind. If Koshino wasn't confident in defeating them, how could he ever hope to compete with prodigies like Itachi and Kakashi?

Might as well eat poop and end it all!

As Koshino walked into the arena, ready to face Uchiha Yuno, not everyone was optimistic about his chances.

"Shikaku, if I recall correctly, Koshino is only four years old, right? How can a four-year-old possibly defeat Uchiha Yuno?"

"Sigh, the Uchiha Clan's scheme is about to succeed again! It's a pity that the Nara Clan's rare genius will be wasted."

"Uchiha Yuno at most lost a hand. Koshino might not make it out alive!"

"What can you do? The Uchiha Clan is too powerful! Lord Fourth Hokage really needs to rein them in!"

While some lamented Koshino's potential early demise, others fumed at the Uchiha Clan's overbearing behavior.

When Koshino faced Uchiha Yuno, apart from Shikaku, who had confidence in him, everyone else, including Choza, Inoichi, and Hizashi, wore expressions of regret.

Fugaku Uchiha, seeming sure of victory, called out to Shikaku before the match began, saying, "Shikaku, just sparring is dull. Let's add a wager. If your Koshino wins against Yuno, Yuno will hand over the secret technique he's been training. But if Yuno wins..."

"Shikaku, would you be willing to offer your Nara Clan's secret medicine?"

"What? Fugaku Uchiha, aren't you taking advantage of us?"

Not to mention how valuable the Nara Clan's secret medicine was, incomparable to a secret technique.

Fugaku Uchiha's bet was blatant bullying. If Shikaku weren't angry, he wouldn't deserve to be the head of the Nara Clan.

But seeing Koshino signal to him, Shikaku coldly smiled and nodded to Fugaku.

Then, just as Fugaku wore a confident smile, ready to announce the match, Koshino's words made his face turn pale!

"Lord Fugaku, I, Nara Koshino, have an old rule when sparring—I don't like bullying."

"Since many of your Uchiha Clan's peers are here, why don't they all come at me together? So your Uchiha Clan doesn't lose too badly!"