The True Worth of a Genius

Just as Aoba was worrying about how to continue keeping a low profile after Kakashi graduated early, Kakashi came looking for him again. This time, however, he did not follow him. Instead, he waited on Aoba's usual route.

"Hey."

Hatake Kakashi stood with his arms folded, leaning against a lamppost.

He was obviously just a kid, yet he acted like a little adult without the slightest awkwardness. What the hell was that?

"What is it this time?"

Aoba spat out the toothpick in his mouth. "I'm saying, Kakashi, don't you need to go home for dinner? You're still growing. If you don't eat on time, you'll stay short."

"I want to fight you and see your true strength!"

If there was anyone at the Ninja Academy whom Kakashi could not see through, it was undoubtedly Yamashiro Aoba.

Especially after he had been so easily caught in genjutsu last time, Kakashi had become even more certain that Aoba possessed considerable strength.

Kakashi already felt there was nothing left for him to learn at the Ninja Academy. If he had any regrets, it was that he had never seriously fought Aoba.

"Hey, that's way too rude!"

Seeing Kakashi so arrogantly challenge him to a fight, Kurenai immediately could not stand it.

Having recently beaten up several boys in their class, her confidence had swelled considerably. She looked ready to rush over and teach Kakashi a lesson.

Aoba hurriedly stopped the little ancestor. Kakashi did not know the meaning of holding back.

Then he glanced at Kakashi. A ninja tool pouch and a short sword on his back—he had come fully prepared.

Aoba scratched his head helplessly. It looked like there would be no peaceful resolution today.

If he refused the match, Kakashi would most likely force a PK anyway.

His thoughts raced, and a playful curve rose at the corner of Aoba's mouth. "We can fight, but I have one condition."

"What condition?"

"Wait until you get your forehead protector." Aoba pointed at his own bare forehead. "Right now, you're still a Ninja Academy student, and so am I... Two students fighting is brawling. Once you're a ninja, it becomes a spar."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

Aoba put away his smile, his expression turning serious. "Once you pass the graduation exam and receive your ninja forehead protector, come find me again. When that time comes, I'll definitely go all out."

Kakashi frowned slightly, completely unable to understand the logic behind it. Yet judging from Aoba's expression, he did not seem to be brushing him off.

After a moment, he snorted coldly. "It's only a few days. I hope you don't come up with another excuse then."

With that, he gave Aoba a deep look before turning and vanishing into the shadows at the alley entrance.

"Why wait until he passes the graduation exam?"

Kurenai kicked away a pebble at her feet and tilted her head curiously at Aoba. "It might be hard to say for other people, but for Kakashi... the graduation exam shouldn't be difficult for him. It's only a matter of days. What difference does it make?"

"It makes a huge difference."

Aoba tapped Kurenai on the forehead. "Just because he challenges me doesn't mean I have to accept. I messed with him using genjutsu before, so he's holding back a grudge and wants to win back his pride before graduation. Since I can't avoid it, I can't just play into his hands by moving the fight until after the exam.

"Even if the exam is easy for him, it'll still take up some of his attention. His condition definitely won't be as good then. That's a tactic too."

"Amazing."

Kurenai's eyes widened. "Aoba is the best!"

The facts proved that geniuses were called geniuses because they never disappointed anyone—and never made anyone wait too long.

Just two days later, explosive news spread through the Ninja Academy.

Hatake Kakashi, only five years old, had passed the Ninja Academy graduation exam with perfect marks, breaking Konohagakure's historical record and becoming the village's youngest genin.

For a time, the entire Ninja Academy was talking about that name.

In the hallways, classrooms, and even the bathrooms, discussions about Kakashi could be heard everywhere.

"Did you hear? That Kakashi really graduated!"

"Five years old? Isn't five the age when you just start school?"

"No, he entered the Ninja Academy at age four as the top student."

"So incredible!"

"Tch, what's so great about that? Isn't it just because he has a good dad..."

There were naturally some sour remarks, but there was even more shock and envy.

After school, a group of people surrounded Kakashi at the school gate, congratulating him on receiving his forehead protector.

Obito stood at the edge of the crowd, watching Nohara Rin gaze at Kakashi with admiration. He was practically turning into a lemon.

"Congratulations, Kakashi."

Aoba stepped forward to offer his congratulations as well, his complicated emotions hidden behind his black sunglasses.

Kurenai seemed to notice something and gave Aoba a strange look.

Kakashi pointed at the brand-new Konohagakure forehead protector on his brow.

"You remember our agreement, right?"

"Of course. Come with me. I know a quiet place."

Forest of Death.

This place had originally been thick with bushes, but Akimichi Kota had practiced the Multi-Size Technique here and forcibly "plowed" the entire area flat. The ground was a mess, crisscrossed with trenches.

Kakashi surveyed the surroundings, his gaze pausing briefly on the broken tree trunks.

"Someone carried out special taijutsu training here," he commented blandly.

"Something like that."

Aoba did not explain much.

The two stood in the middle of the clearing, ten meters apart.

A breeze swept through, carrying several withered yellow leaves into the air.

Aoba took a coin from his pocket.

"When the coin hits the ground, the match begins."

"Fine."

Kakashi nodded.

Aoba flicked his thumb.

Ding—

The silver-white coin spun through the air, reflecting the fading light of the sunset as it traced a graceful arc.

Neither of them looked at the coin. Their eyes remained fixed on each other.

Clink.

The instant the coin touched the ground, both moved at the same time!

Aoba formed a hand seal with one hand, chakra surging like a tidal wave.

[Genjutsu: Golden Binding]

However, Kakashi's body only paused for an almost imperceptible instant before swiftly resuming movement.

"Sure enough, the same move won't work twice on a genius."

This was why Aoba did not like making a move. Once all his trump cards were exposed, what was the point of fighting?

Aoba's thoughts shifted slightly, and a blue glimmer flashed in his eyes beneath his sunglasses.

[Dynamic Capture activated... Trajectory prediction...]

The next second, Kakashi had already closed in. A fierce roundhouse kick tore through the air toward Aoba.

So fast!

Aoba raised his arm to block.

Bang!

A dull impact rang out, and Aoba felt his arm go slightly numb.

Damn, this kid's explosive power has gotten stronger again!

In a pure taijutsu clash, their fists blurred and their kicks whistled as the two became entangled in close combat.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Dull impacts rang out as both of them took a step back.

"Such strong taijutsu!"

"Has this guy never used his full strength at the Ninja Academy?"

Both were reassessing the other's strength.

Although Aoba held the advantage in height and strength and had the Chip's assistance in predicting movements, Kakashi's taijutsu was exceptionally nimble. His combat instincts surpassed ordinary people's, allowing him to evade vital points in time every time and counterattack swiftly. He actually did not fall behind in close combat.

Aoba was equally astonished. Was this the true worth of a genius?