If Senju Gen can't withstand the next few moves, he'll lose.
Uchiha Yuan watched the two rapidly flickering figures in the field and silently thought to himself. He had already noticed that Senju Gen was beginning to fall into a disadvantage.
From his observations, Uchiha Shinsuke's attacks were swift and nimble, while Senju Gen's Taijutsu placed greater emphasis on strength.
In other words, Uchiha Taijutsu excelled at rapid assaults and followed the speed-oriented path; Senju Taijutsu emphasized strength, resistance to blows, and endurance, making it well-suited for prolonged battles.
Uchiha Yuan had already noticed that in their exchange, Uchiha Shinsuke landed three punches on Senju Gen in exchange for taking one punch from him.
"Thud... thud..."
After several heavy collisions, Uchiha Shinsuke and Senju Gen suddenly sprang apart.
Uchiha Shinsuke then executed a nimble backflip in midair and landed steadily, while Senju Gen staggered back seven or eight steps before finally regaining his footing.
As they watched the two of them, the crowd was puzzled. Who had won?
Senju Gen rubbed his chest, a hearty smile appearing on his face. Then he formed the Seal of Reconciliation. "I lost."
At the very last moment, Uchiha Shinsuke's movements had suddenly accelerated, breaking through his defense. Three consecutive punches had struck his chest almost simultaneously.
"Senju Gen, you're very strong."
Seeing Senju Gen admit defeat, Uchiha Shinsuke did not wear the proud, mocking expression he had shown after defeating his previous opponents. Instead, he solemnly returned the Seal of Reconciliation.
After that, with no one else stepping forward to challenge him, the gathered crowd gradually dispersed.
Before the next class began, Uchiha Yuan returned to the classroom entrance and encountered Senju Gen approaching from the other end of the corridor.
"Yuan."
"Senju."
Senju Gen paused, meeting Uchiha Yuan's gaze for several seconds. Then he smiled, gave him a nod, and entered the classroom.
Uchiha Yuan noticed a fine layer of sweat covering Senju Gen's forehead. Apparently, after the match had ended, he had gone off to train by himself.
After school.
Uchiha Yuan walked out of the Ninja Academy gates. Around him, classmates headed home in groups of two or three, chatting and laughing together.
At that moment, he felt somewhat hungry, so he changed direction and headed to the village's commercial street.
Near the entrance to the commercial street, Uchiha Yuan entered Ichiraku Ramen.
"One large bowl of pork cutlet ramen, please."
"Oh, it's Yuan. Please wait a moment," Ichiraku said with a cheerful smile.
Before long, a girl about Uchiha Yuan's age brought a bowl of pork cutlet ramen before him.
"Yuan, here's your ramen."
"Thank you, Ayame."
Uchiha Yuan picked up his chopsticks and was about to dig in when the ramen shop's curtain was pulled aside and someone sat in the seat beside him.
Then a cold, dispirited voice rang out.
"One Seafood Ramen, with extra Fish Balls, please."
Uchiha Yuan noticed the delighted expression on Ayame's face behind the counter and could not help turning to look beside him.
The newcomer was a silver-haired boy. Though a black mask covered half his face, it was still easy to tell that he was handsome.
"Certainly, Kakashi. Please wait a moment," Ayame said before hurrying into the back of the ramen shop.
So it was Kakashi.
Uchiha Yuan openly looked Kakashi up and down. This was the second time he had seen Kakashi since the Fourth Hokage's memorial service.
Kakashi had noticed Uchiha Yuan's gaze from the beginning and had not wanted to pay him any attention. However, he had not expected the other boy to keep staring without looking away.
He could not help turning his head and silently looking at Uchiha Yuan.
Meeting Kakashi's indifferent gaze, utterly devoid of emotion like stagnant water, Uchiha Yuan smiled faintly. "What luck to run into Kakashi-senpai today. I've long admired your reputation.
I'm a fifth-year student at the Ninja Academy, Uchiha Yuan.
The teachers at the Ninja Academy often mention you. They say you're the most outstanding genius since the academy was founded."
Hearing Uchiha Yuan's words, Kakashi's expression did not change in the slightest. He merely glanced at Uchiha Yuan before looking away.
At that moment, light footsteps approached as Ayame delivered a bowl of Seafood Ramen.
"Kakashi, here's your ramen."
Kakashi took the ramen and silently unwrapped his chopsticks, preparing to eat.
Then his movements suddenly stopped, because Uchiha Yuan was still watching him.
When Kakashi's cold gaze fell on him again, Uchiha Yuan merely wore a modest smile. "Please, go ahead, senpai."
Kakashi and Uchiha Yuan stared at each other, the chill in Kakashi's gaze growing increasingly intense.
Yet Uchiha Yuan's smile never changed. He seemed completely unaware, as though he did not understand the rejection in Kakashi's eyes, and calmly met his gaze.
Whoosh!
The next second, Uchiha Yuan's vision blurred, and Kakashi suddenly vanished.
So fast. I couldn't even see him clearly. As expected of Kakashi—he really is strong.
Uchiha Yuan was secretly startled, but his face showed confusion as he hurriedly stood and looked around the ramen shop.
"Huh? Where did Kakashi-senpai go?"
Hearing this, Ayame poked her head out from behind a curtain. Seeing that the Seafood Ramen on the table had not been touched at all, disappointment appeared on her face.
Ayame asked, "Kakashi left?"
"Yes. Senpai suddenly disappeared."
A playful gleam flashed through Uchiha Yuan's eyes. He could sense that Kakashi's presence was nearby, just outside Ichiraku Ramen.
So he said to Ayame, "Could it be that Kakashi-senpai didn't like the Seafood Ramen you made, Ayame? Look, he didn't even take a bite. That's terribly rude. The next time I see him, I'll have to reprimand Kakashi-senpai."
At the same time, within Uchiha Yuan's perception, Kakashi's presence fluctuated slightly.
Clearly, Uchiha Yuan's words had stirred ripples in Kakashi's stagnant heart.
Ayame wrinkled her nose and said unhappily, "Yuan, don't talk nonsense. Kakashi must have suddenly received a mission."
Uchiha Yuan reached out and brought the richly topped Seafood Ramen before himself. "Since Kakashi-senpai has left, this bowl of Seafood Ramen you prepared can't go to waste. Why not let me finish it on Kakashi-senpai's behalf?"
With that, he picked up a mouthful of noodles with his chopsticks and ate it. Then he praised, "It's absolutely delicious! The texture, the broth—it seems even more flavorful than the Seafood Ramen I've had before. Ayame, you must have put a lot of care into this bowl.
It's such a pity Kakashi-senpai missed it."
Ayame looked somewhat disappointed as she said, "Thank you for the compliment, Yuan."
Outside Ichiraku Ramen, Kakashi stood on a rooftop. Upon hearing Uchiha Yuan's words, he could no longer maintain his indifferent expression, and an extremely displeased look appeared in his dead-fish eyes.
Besides that idiot Obito, why had the Uchiha produced another strange guy?
Before you continue