Asuma's Resentful Gaze

The two stopped, and everyone's eyes turned to Lin Cheng and Asuma.

"How about it? Want to spar for a bit?"

Asuma, who had somehow lit a cigarette, looked at Lin Cheng in the middle of the training ground and asked.

"Sure!"

Lin Cheng nodded with a smile.

"Kakashi mentioned earlier that Little Kimimaro and I originally came from the Land of Water.

So I know a little bit of the Hidden Mist Assassination Technique, too!

You'd better be careful."

Lin Cheng nodded with a smile. To everyone's shock, he completed the Hidden Mist Technique in an instant.

Thick fog immediately spread across the entire training ground.

Seeing this, the others who weren't involved promptly jumped out of the training ground, away from the fog.

Staring at the dense fog, where they couldn't see a thing,

and hearing the continuous clanging of weapons from within, the others were left gaping in shock!

"...You call that knowing a little bit of the Hidden Mist Assassination Technique?"

Might Guy's mouth twitched. He felt like he was starting to question his entire existence.

"Impressive! Completing the Hidden Mist Technique in an instant—Lin Cheng was far too modest when he said he knew a little bit!"

Kurenai nodded gravely, unable to help wearing a wry smile.

Honestly, as a genjutsu specialist, Kurenai feared facing opponents like this most of all!

If neither side could see the other, how could she put her opponent under a genjutsu?

If she encountered an enemy like that, her only option would be to stop them with genjutsu before they could use the Hidden Mist Technique.

And judging by the speed Lin Cheng had just shown, that would probably be difficult!

But the shock of Kurenai and the others clearly wasn't over yet!

Kimimaro's next words kept shattering their expectations!

"For my big brother, the Hidden Mist Assassination Technique really only counts as something he's slightly familiar with!

After all, when my big brother faces an enemy, he prefers to overwhelm them outright with powerful ninjutsu!

He says crushing an enemy gives him a peculiar sense of satisfaction!"

Kimimaro thought for a moment, then said with an admiringly certain expression, "That's right! Those were his exact words!"

"..." Kakashi.

"..." Might Guy.

"..." Kurenai.

"..." Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"..." The other watchers.

Everyone stared silently up at the sky for a long while. When the fog finally cleared, they turned their attention back to the training ground.

Asuma was drenched in sweat. Lin Cheng, on the other hand, hadn't broken a sweat and wore an easy smile.

For some reason, everyone felt a chill run down their backs.

As for Asuma?

Ahem!

He was now staring at Lin Cheng with a deeply resentful expression.

And with a man staring at him so resentfully, Lin Cheng couldn't help feeling awkward.

"Heh heh! Sorry, Asuma! I didn't mean to!"

"You may not have meant to, but you very well could've done it on purpose!"

Asuma stared intently at Lin Cheng and said in a low, mournful voice.

"..." Lin Cheng.

"..." The others.

After a long while, Lin Cheng could no longer bear being stared at with that resentful look.

He had to promise to treat Asuma to dinner before Asuma finally let him off the hook!

There was no helping it!

Asuma was truly heartbroken by Lin Cheng.

That was just too much!

What kind of person did that?

It was only a spar!

Did he really have to deny Asuma any chance to fight back and keep beating him from start to finish?

Once the spar was over, the group left the training ground together, chatting and laughing.

The hidden watchers wiped the cold sweat from their brows and hurried off to report back.

Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been spying from the shadows with the Telescope Technique, also put away his jutsu.

A thoughtful look appeared in his eyes.

That meaningful look no one else had noticed—had Lin Cheng deliberately let me see it?

What a mysterious fellow!

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep drag on his cigarette and thought to himself.