Chapter 53: Entering the Military Police Force for the Second Time, and the Conversation with Fugaku

However, the commotion caused this time was far beyond the minor squabbles of the past. The scale of those in the know was enough to give anyone a headache, and it was likely that this incident would soon become the talk of the town throughout Konoha.

Looking at Kawaki Aoba, who sat there quietly with his eyes covered by a black cloth, Uchiha Fugaku knew that for this brat to be sitting here alive right now was already quite a feat.

Still, this little brat named Kawaki Aoba was truly remarkable.

The last time they met, he was merely a moderately well-known genius. Although he had been able to defeat those two mediocre Chunin from the Hyuga clan, that was the extent of it. While such geniuses were rare, the Uchiha clan certainly did not lack them.

Upon this second meeting, the boy had lost his eyes—which most likely had been the Byakugan. Yet, having lost his eyes, the brilliance of his genius seemed to shine even brighter.

Single-handedly and in a very short span of time, he had defeated more than ten Hyuga Chunin right out on the street, even creating his own original ninjutsu-taijutsu. Even if it did not reach the S-rank the boy claimed, it was still formidable.

And that personality—it was entirely to the Uchiha clan's liking.

It was a pity this fellow did not bear the Uchiha surname!

It was an even greater pity that, targeted so relentlessly by the Hyuga clan, one had to wonder how long this brat could survive.

"Captain Uchiha Fugaku, is it? You've been staring at me for so long; is there something you'd like to say?" Kawaki Aoba spoke up suddenly, giving Uchiha Fugaku quite a start.

One must know that ever since entering this room, Fugaku had not uttered a single word to Kawaki Aoba. How on earth had the boy recognized him?

"Captain Fugaku doesn't need to be surprised. Ever since our first meeting, I memorized your chakra signature, so recognizing you now isn't strange at all." Before Fugaku could speak, Kawaki Aoba beat him to it, answering the question before it was asked.

Uchiha Fugaku was momentarily stunned, then nodded slowly.

To be able to deal with so many Hyuga shinobi while completely blind—it would be a strange thing indeed if Kawaki Aoba lacked anything extraordinary.

Originally, Fugaku had no intention of interacting with a troublesome figure like Kawaki Aoba, but now, he changed his mind slightly.

"Judging by your tone, you're awfully calm. Aren't you nervous at all? You should know that the ones trying to finish you off are the millennium-old noble Hyuga clan. Or perhaps you actually believe your Jonin instructor can truly protect you? Because of you, your instructor's daughter has already been dragged into this mess."

Driven by a curiosity toward geniuses, Uchiha Fugaku intended to test Kawaki Aoba's mettle—a typical behavior of an old Uchiha.

Besides, this was their Uchiha Military Police Force headquarters, so Fugaku had nothing to fear. Once he walked out this door, he would flatly deny ever asking such a curious question.

Perceiving the emotions radiating from Fugaku through his Observation Haki, Kawaki Aoba understood the situation clearly.

Since he was locked up here anyway with nothing to do, he might as well chat with Fugaku. It would be a good way to become familiar faces, making future interactions smoother should the need arise.

"The noble Hyuga clan is indeed not to be trifled with, but I'm no pushover either." Knowing what Fugaku was curious about, Kawaki Aoba did not deliberately try to maintain an air of mystery.

Under Fugaku's inquisitive gaze, his very first sentence nearly blew Fugaku's mind.

"Captain Fugaku, did you know? I am a genius—a genius whose caliber can rival even the Second Hokage. You shouldn't be unfamiliar with the S-rank ninjutsu-taijutsu I created myself: the Flowing Water Crushing Rock Fist."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded with a peculiar expression. It wasn't as though he had never seen talented shinobi—he was one himself—but this was the first time he had ever seen someone praise themselves so shamelessly.

He had defeated over a dozen Hyuga Chunin in public using a self-created ninjutsu-taijutsu.

Making a name for himself by stepping on the Hyuga's Gentle Fist, it would have been hard *not* to know about it.

Moreover, if he remembered correctly, this brat had apparently also claimed he would spread the Hyuga's Gentle Fist all over Konoha.

Though it hadn't been stated explicitly in public, anyone could read between the lines.

Immediately afterward, Kawaki Aoba spoke again: "I am only ten years old this year, yet I have already created multiple seal-less ninjutsu and taijutsu, and even an S-rank ninjutsu-taijutsu. With my talent, I will surely become an extraordinary shinobi in the future. So, Captain Fugaku, let's become friends. Who knows, we might even have the chance to work together down the line."

Uchiha Fugaku wore a blank expression, never expecting Kawaki Aoba to say something like that. He shot a suspicious look at the boy, wondering inwardly if this kid was trying to cozy up to him just to drag the Uchiha clan into the fray and pick a fight with the Hyuga.

Wasn't that far too naive and wishful thinking?

"You're overthinking it, Captain Fugaku. I simply want to make a friend. I don't need to resort to calling in external reinforcements to solve the trouble with the Hyuga clan."

"You... are you serious?" Uchiha Fugaku's expression was unreadable; he had no idea what kind of medicine this brat was selling in his gourd.

"To think you still have the leisure to talk about such things at a time like this. Kawaki Aoba, you really are an interesting person. But you know what? After making those kinds of threats to the Hyuga clan in public, do you genuinely believe they won't go to any lengths to kill you? Even your Jonin instructor will be implicated because of you."

"They won't. As long as I don't back them into a corner where they tear off all pretenses completely, they will never dare to do such a thing."

Fugaku was utterly shocked. He genuinely wanted to ask Kawaki Aoba: Just where on earth did he get this confidence? How could he possibly think there was still room for reconciliation with the Hyuga after what he had done?

"Kid, you're the one who said you were going to spread the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist all over Konoha—and perhaps even throughout the entire shinobi world later on. Do you truly believe the Hyuga won't kill you?"

Fugaku's tone was unhurried. He had already made up his mind: if Kawaki Aoba failed to give him a reasonable explanation, he would simply turn around and walk away, refusing to spend another moment in the same room with a lunatic.

"Captain Fugaku, you mustn't frame me out of thin air. When did I ever say I was going to spread the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist all over Konoha?" Kawaki Aoba said matter-of-factly.

"Nani?" Uchiha Fugaku was dumbfounded on the spot. He never expected to get such an answer from Kawaki Aoba. With so many people having heard it, was the boy actually planning to deny it?

"Don't make that surprised face. I'm still just a child, isn't it completely normal to say some harsh things in a moment of agitation?"

*A moment of agitation?* Uchiha Fugaku felt like this little brat was about to drive him insane. He couldn't even tell whether the boy was being serious or not anymore.

"A moment of agitation? Do you seriously not know the price of uttering those words?" Fugaku even activated his Sharingan, staring fixedly at Kawaki Aoba.

"The price? What price needs to be paid? Clan Head Fugaku, think back carefully: when did I ever say I was going to spread the Hyuga Gentle Fist all over Konoha? What I said at the time was that I would spread the things the Hyuga clan gifted me all over Konoha. From beginning to end, I never once uttered the words 'Gentle Fist'."