He Went Up, He Lay Down

Hikawa didn't linger and left the Konoha Knowledge Bookstore directly.

The rest wasn't his concern—Tsuchihashi would handle it. He just didn't know which author he'd find to ghostwrite. Jiraiya came to mind, but it was mostly impossible; having a ghostwriter never sounded good when word got out.

Hikawa arrived at the Fourth Training Ground, picked up a wooden sword, and began practicing Konoha-Style Swordsmanship.

An hour later, he finished training and headed toward the Ninja Academy.

Soon, Hikawa spotted Sarutobi Asuma.

He was leaning against a tree, hands in his pockets, staring up at a forty-five-degree angle, looking like he could take on the whole world.

"You're here."

Asuma turned his head to look at him and spoke.

Hikawa twitched the corner of his mouth.

What was he supposed to say—"You shouldn't have come"? Did Asuma think this was a martial arts drama?

"I came to remind you not to forget this afternoon's practical combat class."

A glint of eagerness appeared in Asuma's eyes. He couldn't wait to defeat Hikawa and win back Yuhi Kurenai's heart.

"I know."

Hikawa gave a slight nod.

"Good."

Asuma suddenly turned his back and said, "I hope you'll satisfy me then." With a flick of his head, he walked off coolly.

Hikawa didn't mind the little scene. He went to the classroom, greeted Shizune, and started studying.

"Class, please take out your 'Will of Fire' book."

Eiichirō stood at the podium and asked with a smile, "Does anyone know what the Will of Fire refers to?"

Many people excitedly raised their little hands.

"Obito, you answer."

Eiichirō scanned the room and called on him.

"Where leaves dance, fire burns on. The flame will continue to illuminate the village and let new leaves sprout!"

Obito Uchiha said it all in one breath.

"Good."

Eiichirō opened the book and said, "Today's lesson is about the new leaves—that's you, the future of Konoha."

Hikawa tuned it out and kept doing his math problems.

Under his pen, the workbook groaned loudly; by the end of the morning, it was stuffed full of answers.

The afternoon was practical combat class.

The first-years' practical combat was a real chicken fight. They hadn't even been taught the Three Body Technique yet, so they could only spar with taijutsu and ninja tool throwing. As for the Three Body Technique, that wouldn't come until the second semester. Even though it was the most basic ninjutsu, many people took six years to learn it.

"Kakashi, I challenge you!"

As soon as class started, Obito Uchiha couldn't hold back and jumped out.

In usual sparring, whether it happened depended on Hatake Kakashi's mood. Most of the time it didn't, leaving Obito to rage impotently. But in practical combat class, Kakashi couldn't easily refuse.

"..."

Sarutobi Asuma was a step too slow and swallowed his challenge words, feeling stifled. Especially when he saw Hikawa and Yuhi Kurenai chatting and laughing—that made it even worse.

"Kakashi."

Eiichirō said with a smile, "You'll give the class a demonstration."

Hatake Kakashi walked to the center of the training ground with a calm expression.

"Obito, be careful."

Rin Nohara said with some helplessness.

"Don't worry!"

Obito Uchiha patted his chest and said, "I'll go easy on you!"

Rin Nohara was at a loss for words.

He lost every single time—who gave him the courage to be this bold?

Obito Uchiha walked to the opposite side of Hatake Kakashi and formed the Opposing Hand Seal.

As soon as the seal was complete, he charged forward.

Seeing this, Hatake Kakashi stood his ground and threw a single punch.

Obito Uchiha ducked low, sliding into a sweep aimed at his legs.

But Hatake Kakashi was faster.

Body Flicker Technique!

He instantly launched himself, circling behind Obito Uchiha and kicking him square in the back.

Bam.

Obito Uchiha rolled away like a spinning top, collapsing to the ground.

"Winner: Hatake Kakashi."

Eiichirō announced the result without surprise.

Cheers erupted around them.

Hatake Kakashi was popular in the class for his strength and cool demeanor.

Though Hikawa was closing the gap, he was still second place, one crucial step behind.

After all, no one remembers the runner-up—unless his name is... ahem.

"Obito, are you okay?"

Rin Nohara hurried over and asked.

"I'm fine!"

Obito Uchiha climbed to his feet and said, "I'm not in good form today. We'll fight another day!"

"..."

Rin Nohara swallowed her words of comfort.

Why not blame the grass?

"Anyone else want to challenge? If not, we'll start the lesson."

Eiichirō asked.

"I challenge Hikawa."

Sarutobi Asuma raised his hand and said.

Everyone's attention shifted from Hatake Kakashi.

Sarutobi Asuma was the son of the Hokage, and he had lost to Hikawa once before.

This was a grudge match.

Gossip burned fiercely.

"Hikawa."

Sarutobi Asuma walked to the center of the training ground and snorted, "The same genjutsu won't work on me!"

Hikawa ignored him and casually formed the Opposing Hand Seal.

The seal was complete, and the spar began.

Sarutobi Asuma immediately averted his gaze, staring at the ground.

Most genjutsu targeted vision.

The simplest counter was not looking into his eyes.

Using peripheral vision and sound to locate his opponent—though it had some drawbacks, it wasn't too bad.

Especially since Sarutobi Asuma had undergone special training over the past half-month.

A whistle cut through the air.

A kunai.

Sarutobi Asuma twisted his body and dodged perfectly.

Two kunai stuck into the ground, one left and one right.

He glanced at them and couldn't help but smirk.

The sweat of the past half-month hadn't been wasted.

The tables had turned!

Sarutobi Asuma's hands moved rapidly, forming Hand Seals.

He watched Hikawa's feet, his hands slightly clasped together.

Wind Style: Violent Wind Palm!

A whirlwind shot out from between his palms.

But the next moment, the kunai on the ground flipped up like a leaping carp.

What's going on?

Did the kunai come to life?

Sarutobi Asuma instinctively turned his head, then his eyes went wide as saucers.

He saw the faint, almost invisible threads on the kunai.

Under Hikawa's control, the threads crossed and wrapped around him.

Sarutobi Asuma stumbled and fell flat on his face.

No!

If he went down here, his life was over!

Sarutobi Asuma reacted quickly, enduring the pain as he scrambled to his feet.

But what greeted him was a kunai.

"I..."

Sarutobi Asuma's face flushed red with anger.

Why aren't you playing by the rules?

A genjutsu user not using genjutsu, but learning from the Uchiha and using kunai—how infuriating!

But a loss was a loss.

In front of so many classmates, he couldn't shamelessly make excuses like Obito Uchiha.

"Winner, Hikawa."

Just as he hesitated, Eiichirō announced the result in his place.

Sarutobi Asuma breathed a quiet sigh of relief, but it was followed by resentment.

He'd trained for half a month, and none of it had been put to use—who could take that?

[E-Rank Talent Entry 'Shippuden' effect upgraded.]

[Wind Style talent increased by 30% from its original base.]

Hikawa looked at the two lines that had suddenly appeared and couldn't help feeling pleased.