Challenge

"Damn it!!" Konohamaru desperately shook his head, both fists swinging forward without pause. He looked utterly unwilling to accept defeat, but how could Kakashi possibly let him touch him?

Damn it, I refuse to believe I can't hit you!

Konohamaru kept attacking for quite a while, but when he realized he was no match for Kakashi at all, he finally drooped his head and let his arms fall to his sides.

Gritting his teeth, he said, "Hmph! A Jonin really is stronger than I expected."

"But I refuse to believe that after working harder, I still won't be able to beat you next time. Kakashi, just you wait. I'll definitely challenge you to a one-on-one fight. Before long, you'll surely become my defeated subordinate. Just wait and see!"

Kakashi smiled. "Fine! I'll give you plenty of time to defeat me. But before that, perhaps there's an even better opponent for you to challenge."

"You'll only have the chance to challenge me after defeating him. Otherwise, if you can't beat him, perhaps you'll never surpass me in your life. Konohamaru, do you think you can do it?"

Konohamaru's eyes lit up upon hearing that, and he quickly asked, "Who? Who is it? Tell me!"

Kakashi slyly glanced at Ye Lan beside him and said, "There. Him."

Uh...

Ye Lan's eyelid twitched when he heard that. Hmph, Kakashi really looks down on me too much. He's actually having this little brat challenge me. How could he possibly be my opponent? Besides, I can even beat Chunin and Jonin. How could I not handle this little brat?

I don't have anything to do today anyway. I'll teach this brat a lesson for Naruto's sake and let him know there's always someone better. Maybe then he won't be so arrogant in the future!

But just as Ye Lan was eager to get started, Konohamaru gave him a contemptuous look and said, "Kakashi, who is this guy who looks so weak? How come I've never seen him before? Was he sent here by another village?"

"Or was he originally from Konoha, or perhaps the Anbu?"

"Forget it, forget it. Who cares who he is? He doesn't even look as strong as Ebisu. How could someone this weak be worthy of challenging me? I don't want to fight him. What if I knock him down or make him cry, and then he clings to me? I don't want to get dragged into trouble for no reason."

"Hey! You little brat."

Kakashi said sternly, "What is it, Konohamaru? Are you not even going to listen to me now? I told you to spar with him, so go challenge him. Even if you can't beat him, you still have to fight. You can't disgrace your identity as the Third Hokage's grandson!"

Only then did Konohamaru reluctantly say to Ye Lan, "Hmph, pretty boy, listen up. I am the great Konohamaru, grandson of the Third Hokage! I'm going to become Hokage someday. I am now officially challenging you to a one-on-one fight, and I will defeat you. Don't worry, I won't beat you too badly. As long as you admit defeat, I'll stop. Otherwise, it won't be as simple as knocking you down."

Hearing Konohamaru say that, Ye Lan felt anger rising in his heart. He had not expected to be looked down upon so badly by a child, and this Konohamaru really was even more overbearing and arrogant than he had imagined.

Ye Lan sneered, raised an eyebrow at Konohamaru, and said, "Fine, brat. I'll give you the chance to challenge me. But let's make this clear first. Since you're the one challenging me, shouldn't I be the one setting the rules?"