Kakashi: You've piqued my interest

Hikawa watched Yuhi Kurenai practice genjutsu, but his attention was fixed on the system before him.

Three genjutsu entries had been collected, enough to synthesize a new one.

[D-Rank Talent Entry: Genjutsu Genin.]

[Trigger Condition: Possess three genjutsu entries.]

[Effect: All genjutsu power increased by 30%.]

[Note: Learning more genjutsu can evolve and promote to C-Rank Entry: Genjutsu Chunin.]

By the ninja world's standards, mastering the Three Body Technique qualified one as a Genin. Hikawa had now learned three genjutsu—calling himself a Genjutsu Genin was well-earned. And a 30% boost to genjutsu power was enough to give him a major edge in battle. It might even let him clash with an ordinary Sharingan.

The only thing that surprised Hikawa was how straightforward this entry was—or rather, how clearly it showed its ceiling, essentially the same path Yuhi Shinko had walked. But thinking it over, it made sense.

In the ninja world, could any genjutsu ever surpass the Mangekyo Sharingan? The genjutsu path was only a stepping stone. Ninjutsu and taijutsu were worth more investment, at least with higher ceilings. Unless the system handed him a pair of Sharingan.

After recovering his Body Energy, Hikawa called out a greeting and headed to the small grove outside. His current chakra reserves weren't enough to support learning higher-level ninjutsu—he'd wait until his foundation caught up.

Hikawa stopped in front of a wooden post and casually pulled out a senbon he'd prepared earlier. A senbon was essentially a thin, needle-shaped ninja tool. It was the third most common tool after kunai and shuriken. Hikawa tossed it casually, and it struck the bullseye perfectly. Senbon, like shuriken, were thrown projectiles, so the technique wasn't far off.

The pleasant Sunday passed quickly. Hikawa looked at the rapidly filling progress bar for the "Seven Ninja Tools" entry and smiled with satisfaction.

A new week began.

Early in the morning, Year 1 Class A was already quite lively. Since class hadn't started yet, everyone was gathered in pairs, chatting. Yuhi Kurenai rested her chin on her hands, feeling irritated. Sarutobi Asuma was beside her, rambling on about his weekend experiences. She didn't want to listen at all.

Kurenai subconsciously glanced at Hikawa. He was reading a book with a serious expression, so she didn't feel right interrupting. In her memory, ever since Hikawa enrolled, he'd been this diligent. She definitely couldn't do it herself—if she read for more than half an hour, her focus would scatter, and any sound would catch her attention.

Kurenai found herself lost in thought. Her little brother was actually quite good-looking. Though she'd given up on beating him, her dream of being the big boss was still alive. After all, without a dream, you're just a dried-up fish.

Sarutobi Asuma, mid-sentence, noticed something was off. He followed Kurenai's gaze and immediately lost his composure. Him! It's him! Always him! That wicked Hikawa brat! Asuma fumed, his mustache bristling.

No, he couldn't let Hikawa steal the spotlight.

"Kurenai." Asuma lifted his chin, a smug look on his face. "I learned a Wind Style ninjutsu yesterday."

At the Ninja Academy, mastering a jutsu beyond the Three Body Technique was enough to be called a genius. Especially when they'd only been enrolled for two months.

The only one in the whole class who could match him was Hatake Kakashi.

He could even picture Yuhi Kurenai's reaction, the corners of his mouth curling up, almost on the verge of cackling.

"What's so great about that?"

Yuhi Kurenai shot back casually.

The smile froze on Sarutobi Asuma's face.

Wasn't that impressive?

You won't even give me a compliment?

"Hikawa learned three genjutsu yesterday!"

Yuhi Kurenai noticed his expression and said with a proud tone.

As if she were the one who had learned three genjutsu.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Sarutobi Asuma leaned back dramatically and said.

Adaptation isn't random fabrication, and storytelling isn't reckless nonsense.

Who could learn three genjutsu in a single day?

"You don't believe me?"

Yuhi Kurenai gave a light snort and asked.

"I don't."

Sarutobi Asuma said matter-of-factly.

Liars would swallow three thousand silver needles.

As the son of the Hokage, with a Special Jōnin as his tutor, his knowledge was unmatched among his peers.

Yuhi Kurenai had definitely been fooled by that wicked Hikawa brat, kept in the dark.

Learning three genjutsu in one day—he'd never heard of such a thing.

"Just wait."

Yuhi Kurenai showed a mix of three parts mockery, three parts smugness, and four parts nonchalance.

She got up and walked over to Hikawa.

But when it came down to it, she hesitated.

Would it cause him trouble?

"What's up?"

Hikawa looked up at her and said.

Yuhi Kurenai pursed her lips and explained the situation.

"No big deal."

Lost in training these past few days, Hikawa had nearly forgotten about Sarutobi Asuma.

He suddenly remembered their three-month agreement.

When would he defeat Sarutobi Asuma?

No need for three months—today!

He had just acquired the 'Ninja Tool Throwing' and 'Genjutsu Genin' tags, and he was itching to test them out.

Even if Yuhi Kurenai hadn't brought it up, he would have found a way to move things forward.

"Asuma."

Hikawa sat down in Yuhi Kurenai's seat.

"What is it?"

Sarutobi Asuma stiffened his face, his gaze at him seeming to spark.

Nearby, Mizuki instinctively perked up his ears, a gossipy look on his face.

"I want to move up our duel."

Hikawa cut straight to the point. "How about today?"

"Move it up?"

Sarutobi Asuma was taken aback, but quickly turned furious.

This was clearly a sign of disrespect!

After only a week, he thought he had a chance?

What a pipe dream!

"Wait for me after school!"

Sarutobi Asuma crossed his arms and said, "Hope you don't cry when you lose!"

Hikawa gave a slight nod.

He stood up, exchanged a glance with Yuhi Kurenai, and returned to his seat.

The duel with Sarutobi Asuma was just a side matter.

His priority was still taking first place in the theory exam to obtain the trait.

Fortunately, having lived two lives, an adult's memory far surpassed a child's, so studying wasn't that difficult.

"Damn it!"

Sarutobi Asuma grew dissatisfied seeing him so calm.

At least show me some respect!

Am I not worthy of being your opponent?

Sarutobi Asuma gritted his teeth. After school, he would definitely crush Hikawa.

By then, he should be able to win Yuhi Kurenai back, right?

"What's wrong, Kakashi?"

Rin Nohara noticed Hatake Kakashi's gaze. She looked over and saw it was the new student, Hikawa.

"They're going to duel after school."

Hatake Kakashi said in a calm tone.

Man, you've successfully piqued my interest.

Hikawa had only been enrolled for a week and was already daring to challenge Sarutobi Asuma—that truly caught him off guard.

Besides, Sarutobi Asuma wasn't weak. Even he would need considerable effort to defeat him.

Hatake Kakashi sensed a kindred spirit.

"How do you know they're going to duel?"

Obito Uchiha asked, confused.

"I heard them."

Hatake Kakashi glanced at him and said, "As a ninja, having sharp Five Senses is normal, isn't it?"

"Bastard!"

Obito Uchiha, provoked by the mockery, snapped and said, "Let's go outside and settle this one-on-one!"

"Not interested."

Hatake Kakashi said with an indifferent expression.

"Obito."

Rin Nohara quickly stepped in to mediate, "Stop fighting. Class is about to start."

"For Rin's sake, I'll let you off today!"

Obito Uchiha snorted and said.