The long-awaited practical combat lesson had finally arrived on the Ninja Academy training ground.
Unlike chakra-control and shuriken-throwing lessons, this one paired students off to fight.
Everyone who dreamed of becoming a ninja had been looking forward to it. Now they were gathered around the training ground, shouting at the top of their lungs and doing a perfect job of working up the crowd:
"Come on, Shu! Show Kakashi what's what!"
"Teach him a good lesson, Shu! Make him understand what a genius really is..."
"Go, Kakashi!"
"..."
As always, the girls at the front were cheering for Hatake Kakashi. Even though the silver-haired boy was aloof and never played with the others, his unusual ways only made him more interesting to them.
The chatter made Obito Uchiha frown from the back of the crowd. He was especially annoyed to see Rin Nohara cupping her hands around her mouth and cheering Kakashi on with all her might:
"What's with that guy? He's always showing off..."
The boys around Obito heard his muttering and started in with their usual taunts. Over the past two months, a few cliques had formed in Class A. Even the Uchiha, a renowned clan, weren't spared from being ostracized.
"The dead last can only complain from the sidelines!"
"All you do is talk big, idiot."
"Hey! You guys are really getting on my nerves!"
"..."
Their homeroom teacher, Ryosuke Kimura, noticed the argument between Obito and the others, but said nothing. Instead, he signaled for the two combatants to get ready.
Shu Furukawa and Kakashi faced each other. At the teacher's prompt, they formed the Seal of Confrontation.
Taking turns in first place had clearly stoked Kakashi's competitive streak. Even his usual half-lidded, fish-like eyes had lost their absent look. He fixed his gaze on his opponent and declared:
"I'm not giving up first place in practical combat!"
"You said the same thing at the last test."
As Kakashi spoke, he began gathering chakra in his feet. Shu noticed, but still played along, his little face showing just the right amount of eagerness to win.
Ryosuke Kimura, who had deliberately encouraged the two to compete, was very pleased with the scene. Over the din, he shouted:
"Begin!"
Gravel flew beneath his feet as Kakashi burst into a full-speed dash straight ahead, reaching Shu in an instant to seize the initiative.
"Thud..."
Kakashi's right fist was blocked. Soft impacts sounded between the two as punches and blocks followed in quick succession, making the onlookers around the training ground gasp.
An elbow grazed Kakashi's face, forcing him to duck. His quick sweep missed, and he burst into motion again.
He leaped into the air and spun, kicking at his opponent in a flurry. The moment Shu blocked, Kakashi used the momentum to retreat.
"Damn it!"
Kakashi landed and steadied himself. His pupils contracted, and as alarm flared in his mind, he hurriedly raised his left arm to defend.
Shu counterattacked at incredible speed. When his right fist was blocked, he immediately twisted his body and launched one strike after another.
Kakashi tried to break out of his defensive stance, but Shu suddenly threw a high kick, making him lean back on instinct.
"Ah!"
Shu seized the opening, spun swiftly, and kicked Kakashi in the side, sending him flying. Several girls cried out. His follow-up stomp made Rin Nohara clench her fists in worry.
Kakashi hit the ground and blocked the next attack, then vanished with a thud, leaving a wooden log in his place. The Substitution Technique didn't surprise Shu. Hearing a rush of air beside him, he turned and caught the incoming arm.
"Clang..."
The training kunai hit the ground. After Kakashi was thrown over Shu's shoulder, he was pinned beneath him. Seeing Shu slowly get up and reach out a hand, Kakashi couldn't help letting out a low cry:
"Damn it!"
"You let your guard down, Kakashi. A ninja must never relax."
Shu helped Kakashi up with a kind smile. To deal with Might Guy's challenge, he had no choice but to make things tough for the silver-haired kid. He was the perfect shield.
"Whoa! Amazing!"
"Nice work, Shu! Kakashi won't be top of the class now..."
The boys watching started yelling again, putting themselves in Shu's shoes. Seeing the arrogant Kakashi get beaten had made them all very happy.
"Shu, Kakashi, you both did very well!"
"Seal of Reconciliation."
Ryosuke Kimura couldn't hide his smile. He offered them loud encouragement, then watched the two leave the field with growing satisfaction. Teaching such outstanding young ninjas meant a handsome bonus was practically on its way.
"Even geniuses have to work hard. You all need to put even more effort into your training!"
"Yes!"
The excited students responded loudly to their teacher's reminder. Might Guy, with his bowl cut, shouted the loudest. He couldn't wait to prove himself.
In Class A, those who didn't fit in were easily ostracized, while those with poor grades or plain looks were mocked. Even students from renowned clans got the full force of their classmates' "fists" once everyone got familiar with one another.
"What? The Uchiha guy can't even beat Guy, the dead last!"
"Asuma's pretty good, too..."
"The Third Hokage's son should be even stronger."
"..."
Obito had been in a foul mood ever since Guy knocked him down. The thick-browed guy wasn't a dead last at all. His ninjutsu grades were at the bottom, but his overall scores were better than many students in the class.
Some jerks weren't even doing that well themselves, yet they loved calling him the "dead last." The more Obito thought about it, the angrier he got—until he heard the voice he'd been hoping for:
"Are you all right, Obito? It's only the first practical combat lesson."
Rin Nohara came over to comfort him after finishing her sparring match. The two had known each other for a long time. She knew Obito was kind by nature. He even helped old ladies every day—a good deed most people wouldn't manage.
"Uh... don't worry about me, Rin!"
"I'm going to become Hokage, after all. Sooner or later, I'll surpass that guy Kakashi..."
At the sight of the girl's gentle smile, Obito Uchiha couldn't help lifting his chin and showing off. Rin Nohara tilted her head and asked in response:
"Huh? Aren't you going to surpass Shu? He might be the best in our year."
Obito scratched his head. Thinking of Shu Furukawa left him with a strange, uncomfortable feeling he couldn't quite explain. He answered without thinking:
"That guy just feels completely different from the rest of us!"
"I still like Kakashi better. Even if he loves showing off and always tries to get the girls' attention..."
His voice grew quieter. When he noticed Rin Nohara watching him with a smile, Obito turned away, embarrassed.
"The Uchiha in the class next door seem more like elite ninjas. You really do look like the Uchiha dead last."
Kakashi had passed by silently and clearly heard what Obito said. He seized the chance to fire back, then walked off at an unhurried pace without even looking to see how Obito reacted.
"What did you say?! Kakashi, get back here!"
That night, the training ground in the forest behind the Ninja Academy rang with the sound of "clink, clink" once more.
As shuriken rained down from above, Shu Furukawa stayed where he was, swinging his kunai with both hands to knock each one away. The sparks that flew on impact showed that these weren't the training tools used at the Ninja Academy.
Might Guy lay exhausted on the ground, staring at the pile of ninja tools by Shu's feet. He murmured in admiration:
"Amazing..."
After finishing his daily training, Shu Furukawa slowly exhaled. His dynamic vision was beyond ordinary, and his reflexes were just as impressive. He still couldn't tell whether that was because of [Collection].
He turned to look at Might Guy and was about to offer him some encouragement when Might Duy suddenly appeared, wrapped an arm around his son, and said loudly:
"Even geniuses work this hard, Guy! You need to catch up twice as fast. Let your youth shine!"
"Yes! Tomorrow, I'll do 500 handstand push-ups, then challenge Kakashi and beat him. After that, I'll challenge Shu!"
Might Guy shouted in reply. Watching the father and son hug each other and weep, Shu Furukawa's eye twitched. He sighed helplessly to himself:
"I really wish I could pull off 'Talk no Jutsu' just once..."