A Month's Wager

"Huh, why?" Obito was the first to express his dissatisfaction.

Facing Obito's shouting, the Fourth Hokage merely smiled and said, "An eleven-year-old who has just been promoted to Chunin can be considered a treasure of our Konoha. There is no way he could be too bad. Besides, I already understood Kakashi's strength from the spar just now, so there is no need to repeat it."

"Favoritism. Geniuses really are always favored by others." Obito's gaze toward Kakashi was tinged with a hint of jealousy.

Hearing the conversation, Yang Xing finally realized that the current Kakashi seemed to have indeed been promoted to Chunin. It looked like he really was the worst one here.

"Next..." The Fourth Hokage looked at the last person, who was also the only girl.

"Mine is medical ninjutsu." Spreading her hands, a faint white light flickered over Rin Nohara's delicate, fair palms.

"Oh." Minato Namikaze was quite approving of Rin Nohara's ninjutsu: "This perfectly complements our reserves. Rin is also quite good."

Being acknowledged by the Fourth Hokage made the young girl blush with happiness.

After the group finished their displays, Minato Namikaze did not pause. He glanced at the sun, which was nearing its zenith, and immediately added, "As for future arrangements, we will discuss them tomorrow. By the way, when you come tomorrow, you must arrive here before the sun rises. Remember, this is a very important matter."

His serious expression, emphasized by a raised finger, left no room for refusal.

With the sun now high, Minato Namikaze, as the Fourth Hokage, did not have the time to spend the entire day training his disciples.

Konoha was currently in a critical period, and around noon, Minato Namikaze was called away by an Anbu ninja.

Left with only the four of them, the atmosphere grew stagnant. Since they weren't very familiar with each other, no one spoke.

Moreover, Obito's face was clearly displeased, and he didn't want to linger: "I'm heading back." He said, clutching his head as he prepared to leave.

Kakashi also intended to leave immediately.

Before either of them could take a step, they were called back.

"Hey, wait."

The one who stopped them was Yang Xing. His serious expression made them all pause.

"What else do you want? Last place." Obito still held a deep grudge against this "new companion" whose strength seemed lackluster.

Yang Xing didn't care at all about the label: "Of course there is something. This is a very important matter."

"Huh?"

"From now on, we are a team, right?" Yang Xing scanned the three of them and flashed a smile: "As a team, there must be a leader."

"That's already decided. Whoever is the strongest here is..." Obito glanced at Kakashi, clearly dissatisfied; the team leader would undoubtedly be Kakashi.

Kakashi looked at Yang Xing quite seriously. He was well aware of the Fourth Hokage's teachings, and as someone who had already become a Chunin, the position of team leader should naturally be his. Yang Xing bringing this up now clearly showed he had an issue with that, though it was a pity given the guy's level.

Recalling Yang Xing's level and seeing that serious expression, Kakashi actually became interested in this guy.

"That's one thing. The team leader is an official appointment, but I'm talking about the head among us." Yang Xing crossed his arms, his words leaving the simple-minded Obito confused.

Scratching his head, Obito still didn't quite understand: "What's the difference?"

"Of course there's a difference. 'Captain' is just a title on paper, but the 'head' is the core of the team. Furthermore, whoever is the head, everyone else must address him as such from now on." Yang Xing spoke every word clearly, his smile carrying a hidden meaning.

"That sounds interesting." The feeling of being called 'head' piqued Obito's interest.

Even Kakashi's gaze flickered.

Seeing their expressions, Yang Xing couldn't help but smirk. After a slight pause, he scanned them both and continued: "How about we set a rule, or you could call it a wager? This wager cannot be known by the Fourth Hokage; it must be known only to the four of us. A rule for our group of four."

"Interesting, very interesting. I agree, but the outcome must be decided by strength." Clenching his fist, Obito agreed very quickly.

Yang Xing glanced at Obito, then his gaze fell on the person standing to the side, still deep in thought.

"What about you, Kakashi?"

Kakashi looked up and said with a serious face: "Tell me what the wager is first. Then I'll consider it."

"Fine. And you, little sister Rin?"

Although she wasn't fond of being called 'little sister,' Rin Nohara still nodded: "Hmm, as long as it's not fighting."

"Then it's decided." Clapping his hands, Yang Xing adjusted his tone and said quickly: "The wager is simple. Within one month, based on our strength and witnessed by the various things we experience, whoever performs the best and is the most convincing will be the head of this team."

"In other words, we have to make our strength recognized by the others." Obito nodded repeatedly, becoming more and more interested: "This wager is good. I agree."

"An interesting bet. I agree as well." Kakashi couldn't help but nod in thought.

The temptation was great. Even if he were appointed captain, Kakashi knew the others wouldn't truly accept it. But this wager could make the others admire him from the heart, which was indeed a good idea. He was actually starting to admire Yang Xing for coming up with this, even if he didn't think this guy could win.

"Then it's settled." Raising one hand, Yang Xing reached into the center of the three, placing it there.

Looking at Yang Xing's small hand, the three of them placed theirs on top without hesitation.

"One month as the deadline. We cannot tell anyone else, no matter who it is. The wager is: whoever is the most admirable in strength becomes the head."

"That's right."

"Agreed."

"Mm!"