The Challenge: Hatake Kakashi

"Hatake Kakashi, do you dare step into the ring and fight me?"

Inside the training hall, Uchiha Yue had just defeated Hyuga Anihiko. Now he pointed at Hatake Kakashi and issued a challenge, his presence utterly commanding!

Even the arena, which had fallen somewhat quiet after the previous match ended, erupted once more at Uchiha Yue's bold declaration!

At that moment, every spectator was wondering who would win if Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Yue fought. Hatake Kakashi might be known as the top prodigy at the Ninja Academy, but Uchiha Yue had just defeated both Hatake Dansui and Hyuga Anihiko in succession. As a result, far more people supported Uchiha Yue than Hatake Kakashi.

After all, Uchiha Yue had earned everyone's respect through his own strength. Now, everyone acknowledged his abilities and considered him the true top prodigy at the Ninja Academy.

But Uchiha Yue hadn't challenged Hatake Kakashi because he wanted to claim the title of the Ninja Academy's top prodigy. At that moment, he only wanted to find out how strong he was and whether he could measure up to Hatake Kakashi. In short, Hatake Kakashi was simply a yardstick for Uchiha Yue. Only by truly defeating him could Yue be satisfied with his current strength.

However, although all the spectators supported Uchiha Yue's challenge, Hatake Kakashi himself remained indifferent.

Looking at Uchiha Yue's imposing figure in the training hall, Hatake Kakashi snorted and leaped down from the stands.

Then, after facing Uchiha Yue and sizing him up, Hatake Kakashi shook his head, his expression icy. "You're simply too weak. I'm not even interested in beating you, so I won't accept your challenge."

"Whoa..."

Hatake Kakashi hadn't raised his voice, but every spectator had been waiting for him to fight Uchiha Yue. They never expected him to step into the training hall and reject Yue like that. The spectators immediately began booing him, convinced that Hatake Kakashi was afraid of losing and had refused the challenge for that reason.

But Uchiha Yue had read the original Naruto story and knew that although Hatake Kakashi was arrogant at this point, he wasn't one to make empty boasts. So, when Kakashi had just rejected him, Yue drew a deep breath and asked, "Then when do you think I'll be ready to challenge you?"

"In three months!"

At Uchiha Yue's question, Hatake Kakashi held up three fingers. "I believe you're a prodigy of the Uchiha Clan, but you'll still need three months to become strong enough to challenge me. I'll wait for you here in three months. Then we'll see who's stronger!"

"Good!"

Uchiha Yue nodded at once. "I'll challenge you again in three months!"

With that, Uchiha Yue had no reason to linger in the training hall. He went back to the stands, then left with Uchiha Obito and Rin. Once they were gone, the other spectators began to disperse as well. Even as they left, they continued discussing Uchiha Yue and Hatake Kakashi, eagerly anticipating their showdown three months later.

After leaving the training hall, Uchiha Yue headed off with Uchiha Obito and Rin to get lunch. It was still the midday break, and after his fight, Yue had worked up an appetite. He naturally wanted to treat himself to a good meal. On the way to the restaurant, though, both Obito and Rin were brimming with excitement. Uchiha Obito in particular chattered nonstop about how badly Hyuga Anihiko had been beaten, as if he had been the one to defeat him.

Rin was a little more reserved than Uchiha Obito, but whenever she looked at Uchiha Yue, her eyes still shone with admiration.

That was the way of the ninja world: anyone with great strength could become the object of others' admiration.

Uchiha Yue had defeated two prodigies from the Ninja Academy. He had achieved such strength not long after enrolling, and had already become a role model for many of the academy's students.

What was more, Uchiha Yue was quite handsome to begin with, so it was only natural that Rin admired him. Without even realizing it, she had already begun to harbor feelings for him, though young Rin hadn't noticed yet.

All the way there, Uchiha Yue listened to Uchiha Obito's excited chatter without the slightest annoyance. After all, Obito was, in a very real sense, his first friend. In the four years since coming to the world of Naruto, Uchiha Yue had learned the meaning of family from his parents. Through Uchiha Obito, he had felt the bonds of friendship for the first time.

Watching Uchiha Obito's cheerful expression, Uchiha Yue silently renewed his resolve to change Obito's fate.

Just as Uchiha Yue was lost in these thoughts, Uchiha Obito suddenly fell silent. He pointed ahead in astonishment and stammered, "Y-you..."

Noticing Uchiha Obito's shocked expression, Uchiha Yue furrowed his brow and looked ahead.

The moment Uchiha Yue's gaze fell on the figure before them, shock appeared in his own eyes!

The person standing before Uchiha Yue and the others was none other than the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who led Konoha!

"Why is he here?"

Uchiha Yue recognized the Third Hokage and felt a little puzzled, but he knew he couldn't neglect his manners.

He quickly gave Uchiha Obito a gentle nudge. Once Obito had recovered, the two of them bowed alongside Rin to the Third Hokage. "Hello, Lord Third Hokage."

"Heh, there's no need to be so formal."

Looking at the three children before him, the Third Hokage smiled kindly and waved a hand. "I came to speak with Yue for a moment. I won't keep you long."

"That's all right, Lord Third Hokage. We were just going to get lunch."

Seeing how courteous the Third Hokage was, Uchiha Yue smiled back.

"Good. I won't keep you, then."

The Third Hokage walked over and patted Uchiha Yue on the shoulder, then continued, "Yue, I saw your fight with that kid from the Hyuga Clan at the training hall just now. You certainly live up to your reputation as a prodigy recognized by the Uchiha Clan. To create a new ninjutsu at just four years old—your talent is among the very best in the entire ninja world."

"But..."

As he spoke, the Third Hokage's hand on Uchiha Yue's shoulder suddenly pressed down a little harder, and Yue's gaze darkened.

Before Uchiha Yue could ask what he meant, the Third Hokage continued, "You mustn't let that make you arrogant, understand? I've seen countless prodigies in my life, but very few of them ever went on to stand at the pinnacle of the ninja world. Yue, as long as you make the most of your talent, I believe you'll become a pillar of Konoha."

"I heard you have a match scheduled with that Hatake Clan kid in three months?"

As he spoke, the Third Hokage's lips curled into a curious smile. "How about this?"

"If you can defeat that kid from the Hatake Clan in three months, I'll find you a good teacher, all right?"