There was no such thing as a free lunch. Veigar had learned that lesson long ago.
Now, Kakashi Hatake had actually given him a precious ninjutsu scroll, which left Veigar unable to avoid wondering about Kakashi Hatake's intentions.
And Veigar's concerns were not unfounded. Kakashi Hatake had stopped him at this particular moment and proposed a fight because he indeed had an ulterior motive.
At the same time, his goal was quite simple: he wanted to test the strength Veigar currently possessed.
When he had first met Veigar at the Ninja Tool Shop some time ago, Kakashi Hatake had noticed that there was something different about him. Veigar possessed a mature air that was clearly at odds with his age.
Moreover, Kakashi Hatake had sensed even then that Veigar's strength seemed far from weak.
After secretly observing Veigar for this period of time, Kakashi Hatake had discovered even more clearly that Veigar truly possessed considerable strength.
When Veigar practiced the Three Basic Ninjutsu Techniques taught at the Ninja Academy, he had achieved the same results with even less Chakra than Kakashi himself. Kakashi Hatake had realized then that although Veigar came from a Civilian Background, he was a genius no less talented than Kakashi.
Besides, several days had passed since Kakashi Hatake graduated from the Ninja Academy, yet he still had no team leader. The Third Hokage's answer was that there was no suitable squad yet, so Kakashi was to continue training alone for the time being.
This was unbearable for Kakashi Hatake, who had only just graduated and was still immersed in the joy of being praised. He had pursued Early Graduation and becoming a ninja precisely so that he could quickly accumulate experience and become a Chunin, or even a higher-ranking ninja, in the village.
As a newly promoted Genin, Kakashi Hatake had no team leader for the time being and therefore no way to accept missions. This ran completely counter to his wishes.
Thus, Kakashi Hatake developed an unusual idea.
Was there temporarily no suitable teammate?
Then Kakashi Hatake would find one himself.
Veigar, whom Kakashi Hatake had observed for several days, immediately became his target. Before that, however, Kakashi Hatake decided to test Veigar first.
If Veigar possessed enough strength to graduate, Kakashi Hatake would persuade him to apply for Early Graduation. Then he would have a teammate.
The perception-type ninjutsu currently in Veigar's hands was of little importance to Kakashi Hatake, and it was the graduation gift he had prepared for Veigar.
"I think you're very strong, so I hope you can graduate early."
"That was the welcoming gift I prepared for you."
Hearing Kakashi Hatake's answer, Veigar was instantly dumbfounded. Pointing at himself, he said,
"I'm strong?"
"How come I didn't know?"
"Still, I'll accept your welcoming gift."
With that, Veigar put the ninjutsu scroll into his Ninja Tool Bag. He did not bother lecturing Kakashi Hatake about ninja etiquette, instead charging straight at him and drawing a Kunai to use as a weapon.
Striking first? Launching a sneak attack?
Neither. Veigar was simply prepared to throw away his dignity.
One fight for one ninjutsu—what was there not to like?
Close-quarters taijutsu combat was the best choice for many Genin.
It was not that they did not want to use ninjutsu. Rather, the civilians among them simply did not know any ninjutsu beyond what was taught at the Ninja Academy.
The fact that Genin naturally did not have much Chakra was another reason as well.
Seeing Veigar charge toward him, Kakashi Hatake swiftly swung his sword and precisely deflected the Kunai in Veigar's hand.
Knowing that he could not beat Kakashi Hatake at his current level, Veigar aimed every attack directly at Kakashi Hatake's vital points. Yet every one of them was blocked by Kakashi Hatake's Hatake Clan Sword Technique.
After clashing for more than a dozen moves, Veigar used the force of their exchange to flip backward and retreat. At the same time, he threw the Kunai in his hand at Kakashi Hatake.
That was not all. Veigar also drew three Shuriken and hurled them at Kakashi Hatake in a triangular formation.
"Whoosh!"
However, Kakashi Hatake used the Body Flicker Technique to dodge Veigar's attacks with ease. Before Veigar could react, Kakashi Hatake had already appeared beside him.
"I surrender!"
In an instant, Veigar spoke up in surrender, Kakashi Hatake's blade pressed against his neck.
Kakashi Hatake frowned slightly and withdrew his sword, deeply dissatisfied with Veigar's performance in the fight.
Aside from taijutsu, Veigar had surrendered without even using the Three Basic Ninjutsu Techniques.
"Since the fight's over, I'll be leaving first."
Without giving Kakashi Hatake a chance to speak, Veigar ran off as soon as he finished.
Early Graduation was impossible—absolutely impossible. His classmates at the Ninja Academy were pleasant to talk to, his teachers were responsible, and he still needed to keep a low profile and secretly develop his strength so that he could survive future battles.
Only after Veigar had left did Kakashi Hatake realize that Veigar had never agreed to graduate early from beginning to end, while Kakashi had already lost a ninjutsu scroll.
A day passed quickly.
After returning home, Veigar took out the ninjutsu scroll he had received from Kakashi Hatake. When he opened it, he saw that a relatively simple ninjutsu had been recorded in detail across the scroll.
"Chakra Sensing Technique."
It was merely a C-rank perception-type ninjutsu, but to Veigar, it was extraordinarily precious.
Veigar then etched every detail of the ninjutsu deeply into his mind. Even if Kakashi Hatake suddenly went back on his word and took the scroll back, Veigar would no longer have to worry.
Before he knew it, nearly a year had passed since Veigar entered the Ninja Academy.
The school's final examinations had also ended. This time, the ninjutsu test was on the Transformation Technique, and Veigar had easily earned full marks.
Moreover, Veigar was just as confident that he could get full marks on the academic examinations.
After secretly developing his strength for a year, seven-year-old Veigar had decided to reveal the talent—or rather, the potential—he possessed to the village.
Although keeping a low profile would prevent Veigar from attracting too much attention and allow him to accumulate greater reserves of strength,
it was not a wise choice.
After all, one day Veigar would graduate from the Ninja Academy, and he would no longer be able to keep it hidden then.
As a civilian ninja, if he aroused the suspicions of the village's higher-ups because of this, Veigar, who had not yet fully matured, would be completely unable to bear the consequences.
He might as well do what he was doing now and reveal everything he had learned at the Ninja Academy over the past year.
Although this would very likely attract attention, it would also reduce the risk of being suspected. Even if someone investigated him in secret, Veigar could prove that his current strength came from diligent study and hard training.
That way, he would not be labeled as someone who was "hiding his strength with ulterior motives."
After all, he was still only a seven-year-old child!
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