After Suke left, the strange atmosphere in the classroom gradually dissipated.
For most people, what had just happened was merely a minor incident.
Even though Suke had made sweeping generalizations earlier, everyone now had more pressing matters to worry about.
Who had the time to dwell on it?
Thus, amidst conversations, the others also left the classroom in small groups.
The once lively classroom suddenly felt empty and quiet.
Standing beside Matsuake, Tsukuyomi wore an apologetic expression and whispered softly, “Matsuake-kun, I’m sorry.” She felt that everything that had just happened was her fault.
Because of her own timidity, she had forced him to take the risk of accepting the challenge.
Hearing this, Matsuake helplessly reached out and patted Tsukuyomi on the head.
“You, you just lack too much confidence.” Tsukuyomi had long blue-black hair and a somewhat introverted personality, making her look seventy to eighty percent similar to the future Hyūga Hinata—as if she were a miniature version of Hyūga Hinata with long hair.
But this was quite reasonable.
Tsukuyomi’s eldest brother was the newly appointed head of the Hyūga Clan.
This Hyūga Clan head would have two children in the future: Hyūga Hiashi and Hyūga Hizashi.
From a bloodline perspective, Tsukuyomi and Hinata were already very closely related.
And Matsuake had his reasons for saying this.
He could tell that during the usual practical training sessions at the Ninja Academy, Tsukuyomi performed quite well.
The training from the Hyūga Clan had laid a solid foundation for her.
However, during actual combat, because the teacher emphasized stopping at the right moment, Tsukuyomi obediently held back her true strength.
But the root of the problem still lay in Tsukuyomi’s lack of confidence.
It was fine to play the fool to deceive others, but one shouldn’t end up truly believing they are a fool.
“But Matsuake-kun, is this really okay?” Tsukuyomi lowered her head somewhat shyly, but her face still showed worry.
“I heard from my elder brother that Uchiha Suke is one of the most talented individuals in the Uchiha Clan in recent years.
His grandfather is an elder of the Uchiha, and his elder brother is also an elite of the Uchiha Clan.
They have him undergo rigorous training.” Hearing this, Matsuake showed no concern.
Instead, he smiled and gave the girl a thumbs-up, saying, “Don’t worry, I’m strong too.” Seemingly infected by his optimistic mood, the worry between Tsukuyomi’s brows eased a little.
However, she still said with some unease, “If Matsuake-kun ever needs help, you can come to me.” As it was getting late, the two chatted briefly before bidding each other farewell and heading home.
Matsuake currently lived in the Senju Clan’s estate, located very close to the homes of Hashirama and Tobirama.
When he was much younger, Hashirama had taken him in.
He grew up under the care of some clan members who lacked ninja talent and worked as caretakers.
By the age of three or four, when he was already capable of taking care of himself, he moved back to the estate left behind by his parents.
However, he still occasionally went to Senju Hashirama’s house for meals, such as today.
As he drew closer to the Senju Clan’s territory, he encountered more and more Senju Clan members along the way, all of whom greeted Matsuake warmly.
After the establishment of Konohagakure, the Senju Clan’s members spread across various professions and industries.
For instance, at the Ninja Academy, nearly half of the teachers are now members of the Senju Clan.
These individuals have dedicated themselves to supporting Konohagakure’s educational endeavors, nurturing the next generation of talent for the village.
Soon, Matsuake arrived at Hashirama’s residence.
This traditional house was primarily styled in natural wood tones, with its low-hanging wooden eaves exuding a warm, time-honored texture.
In the center of the courtyard lay a dry landscape garden covered in moss and gravel, while maple branches extended from the side of the house into the veranda.
Upon seeing Matsuake’s arrival, Hashirama and Tobirama, who were seated inside, paused their conversation.
In daily life, Hashirama and Tobirama did not wear their iconic red and blue battle armor but instead opted for more casual attire.
Besides Hashirama and Tobirama, there was also a dignified woman with red hair and a robust young man in his early twenties present.
The dignified woman was Hashirama’s wife, Uzumaki Mito.
The young man was Hashirama and Mito’s son, named Senju Kazuma.
“Uncle Hashirama, Uncle Tobirama, Aunt Mito, and Brother Kazuma!” Matsuake greeted his relatives in the house with a smile.
“Ah, little Matsuake is back.
How was your day at the academy?” Hashirama asked cheerfully.
Most of the time, Hashirama did not carry the imposing aura of the God of Shinobi or the Hokage; he was very gentle and approachable.
At times, he even appeared somewhat simple and honest.
Upon seeing Matsuake, Tobirama’s typically stern expression softened slightly.
The members of the Senju Clan exhibited considerable diversity in appearance.
In the past, the four brothers—Hashirama, Tobirama, Kawarama, and Itama—each looked quite different.
Matsuake inherited his father’s hair color and his mother’s eye color, with his silver hair and red eyes bearing a striking resemblance to Tobirama.
Because of this, Tobirama had always held high expectations for his nephew.
Matsuake found a seat and replied, “Today, the teacher informed us that we could take the graduation exam early.
I plan to submit my graduation application tomorrow.” Upon hearing this, Hashirama, Tobirama, and the others showed little reaction.
In their era, there was no such thing as a Ninja Academy.
After undergoing systematic training within the clan, they would don their armor and take up kunai to head to the battlefield whenever manpower was needed.
Even though Konohagakure had established the Ninja Academy, the older generation of shinobi had not developed the notion that a certain number of years of schooling were required for graduation.
Although times were relatively peaceful now, and policies for early graduation had generally been tightened, truly talented individuals were not discouraged from graduating early.
However, Mito expressed some concern: “Isn’t this a bit too early for little Matsuake?
After all, he’s only been enrolled for a year.” “It’s fine, Mother,” Kazuma said with a smile from the side.
“Don’t underestimate Matsuake.
He’s already reached the level of a Genin.” Hearing Kazuma’s words and knowing that he occasionally guided Matsuake in his training, Mito felt reassured and nodded.
Recalling a recent joyful event within the Senju Clan, Matsuake turned to Kazuma and said with a smile: “By the way, I heard about Brother Kazuma’s engagement yesterday but haven’t had the chance to congratulate you yet.” Kazuma scratched his head somewhat sheepishly, a slightly bashful smile appearing on his masculine face: “Ahaha, so the news has already spread.” This joyous occasion for the Senju Clan is the engagement between Kazuma and the daughter of the Daimyō of the Land of Fire.
Kazuma and the princess of the Land of Fire met during a visit by the Senju Clan to the Daimyō, and the two found themselves deeply compatible.
Since it was a mutual affection and could further strengthen the harmonious relationship between Konohagakure and the Land of Fire, both the Senju Clan and the Daimyō were supportive of this marriage.
Moreover, Kazuma himself had little interest in conflict, and his talent in the ninja arts was rather mediocre, far inferior to that of his father.
Therefore, after the engagement, he would move to the Daimyo’s Palace to live with his wife.