It hadn't taken much effort. After demonstrating his deft use of the Clone Technique and Substitution Technique, Gong Yi quickly and decisively knocked Asuma down.
His physique score was twelve, far higher than the average four or five points these children had.
Even though Asuma had eaten and drunk well since he was young, his physique score was only seven or eight.
And Gong Yi's Taijutsu training had been utterly relentless.
He focused on building strength and speed!
With practically a single punch, he sent the exhausted Asuma sprawling to the ground.
When that fierce punch struck him in the chest, Asuma fell into despair once more.
He knew all too well that even at his peak, he might not have been able to dodge that punch.
As Ebisu helped him up, Asuma gritted his teeth. "Why didn't you fight me with all your strength from the start?"
"Why did you use the Clone Technique to toy with me?"
Gong Yi lifted his eyelids. "You were just a way for me to test the results of my recent training. Teacher Ishii happened to want to test my Three Body Technique. It's that simple."
Asuma froze.
I was just a way for him to test his training?
The other students were stunned too. Was Gong Yi really this strong already?
Kurenai Yuhi and Rin Nohara stood together, staring at the scene with wide eyes.
Kurenai marveled, "Gong Yi is so strong!"
Rin looked at Gong Yi, then at Kakashi.
"I wonder if he's as good as Kakashi?"
Just as everyone fell silent, Ishii Kawa stepped forward.
"One defeat doesn't mean anything. You've all seen how hard Gong Yi has trained lately. Except for Guy, none of you have worked as hard as he has."
"There are plenty of sparring sessions every term, Asuma. You'll have other chances to beat him."
"Now, both sides, form the Seal of Reconciliation!"
Asuma stood motionless, head lowered, fists clenched.
Ishii Kawa frowned. "Asuma! This is a school. You're classmates, and one day you'll be partners on missions and on the battlefield!"
At the teacher's words, the others began talking among themselves.
That was right. They were classmates, not enemies.
The stronger their teammates were, the more likely they were to survive future missions. That was a good thing, really.
Of course, the children's competitive spirit was beginning to stir, too.
Gong Yi was just a civilian. If he could do it, so could they!
Gong Yi watched the scene, the corner of his mouth twitching. He formed the Seal of Reconciliation with the stiff Asuma, then stepped aside.
What he was looking forward to now was Ishii Kawa's instruction in Ninjutsu after school.
As he rested, a white-haired boy walked up to him.
"You're strong!"
Kakashi?
Gong Yi looked at the boy before him and smiled faintly. "You're not bad yourself."
Kakashi's expression was cold. "But what you said just now was too humiliating for Asuma."
Gong Yi raised an eyebrow. "If he sees it as humiliation, then this is as far as he'll ever go. If he takes it as motivation, he might reach greater heights. Don't forget, his father is Lord Hokage!"
Kakashi froze, at a loss for words.
In the end, all he managed to say was,
"Next time, you're sparring with me!"
Then he walked off proudly, head held high.
Right behind him came Obito Uchiha, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Kakashi, I'm your opponent!"
"Kakashi, you jerk, you're pretending you can't see me again! I'm going to find the teacher later. You and I are sparring in this class!"
The sparring class lasted from morning until afternoon.
The quickest match was Kakashi defeating Obito Uchiha in three moves.
His reputation as the strongest in their year was gradually becoming established.
But the match that sparked the most discussion was Gong Yi's fight with Sarutobi Asuma.
Before they had learned much about being ninja, most of the children didn't understand the finesse of Gong Yi's tactics.
But they could see that Asuma had been led around by the nose from beginning to end, before finally being knocked down with a single punch.
Gong Yi paid no attention to what the others said about him, or to the envious, challenging, and curious looks they gave him after school.
He stood calmly outside the office, waiting for Ishii Kawa.
The wait dragged on, and Gong Yi's brow furrowed slightly.
"Sorry, Gong Yi. Have you been waiting long?"
Ishii Kawa emerged from the office looking a little tired and smiled at him.
"Not long."
Ishii Kawa shook his head. "You're such a mature little grown-up. Come on, let's go!"
Ishii Kawa had already promised to teach Gong Yi Ninjutsu, and they had arranged to meet after school.
As they walked along the village's dirt roads, Ishii Kawa chatted with Gong Yi with a smile, though a hint of worry still lingered between his brows.
Suddenly, he stopped.
"Gong Yi, did you know the Third Hokage was at the school today?"
Gong Yi paused, then replied calmly, "Oh."
Seeing that Gong Yi neither looked at the Hokage with admiration nor seemed curious enough to ask more, Ishii Kawa rubbed his forehead.
"The Hokage saw you defeat Asuma today. You didn't have to beat him that way."
Gong Yi kept his hands in his pockets and said evenly, "Asuma was too weak. If I wanted to show you the Three Body Technique, that was the only way."
"But he's the Hokage's son."
Gong Yi suddenly looked up at Ishii Kawa. "Teacher, are you worried the Hokage will hold a grudge against me?"
"Uh..."
"You're overthinking it. The Hokage has enough magnanimity not to do that."
Ishii Kawa stood rooted to the spot, then finally let out an awkward sigh.
He had been thinking of Hiruzen Sarutobi solely as Asuma's father.
But beyond that, Hiruzen Sarutobi was also the Hokage of Konoha. In a sense, every child in Konoha could be called his child.
He was the Hokage. His magnanimity was far greater than Ishii Kawa had imagined.
"I was worrying over nothing. Come on, let's find somewhere quiet. I'll teach you my first Ninjutsu, and the one I'm best at!"
Gong Yi nodded, feeling a little anticipation.
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