Asuma's Challenge

"Kakashi graduated early."

Asuma Sarutobi said.

Kakashi's father was White Fang. It was only natural for Kakashi, his son, to graduate early.

"Red, if I wanted to graduate early, I could too."

Asuma Sarutobi turned to Kurenai Yuhi.

The old man had arranged for people from the clan to teach him.

Although his relationship with the old man was not very good, he had still learned quite a lot from the clan elders.

His uncle and aunt in the Anbu also treated him well. Both of them were elite jonin.

"How are your genjutsu skills?"

Kurenai Yuhi turned toward Asuma Sarutobi and asked curiously.

"Uh... I'm better at Fire Release."

Asuma Sarutobi scratched his head.

Like the Uchiha Clan, the Sarutobi Clan excelled at Fire Release ninjutsu.

Moreover, the Sarutobi Clan had passed down their secret Fire Release ninjutsu, "Fire Release: Great Blaze Technique," from generation to generation.

They also had an inheritance of Summoning Beasts and could form contracts with monkeys.

"I see."

At that, Kurenai Yuhi was immediately much more disappointed.

Then again, she had never seen Asuma Sarutobi use genjutsu.

He merely kept his genjutsu grades within the passing range during class.

"Kiyoshi's genjutsu is very good. If he wanted to graduate early, he might be able to as well. It just depends on how well he has mastered the Three-Body Technique."

As Kurenai Yuhi spoke, the topic suddenly shifted to Kiyoshi.

Asuma Sarutobi frowned. Why was it this guy again?

"He's from the Uchiha Clan, so of course his genjutsu is good. Red, if you want to learn Fire Release ninjutsu, you can come to me. I have quite a bit of experience with it."

Asuma Sarutobi patted his chest, his tone bold.

Most Ninja Academy students only knew E-rank ninjutsu.

Under his uncle's instruction, Asuma Sarutobi had learned D-rank Fire Release ninjutsu!

He had merely been keeping a low profile at the Ninja Academy.

"Forget it. I'm more interested in genjutsu."

Kurenai Yuhi shook her head.

She chatted with Asuma Sarutobi for a few more moments. Seeing Kakashi walk away and the crowd disperse, she bid Asuma Sarutobi farewell and jogged over to Kiyoshi.

"Kiyoshi, don't forget today's tutoring session. I've already paid."

Kurenai Yuhi said to Kiyoshi.

She felt that ever since Kiyoshi bought a katana, he had become much colder toward her.

"Don't worry. I'm not someone who breaks his promises."

Kiyoshi shook his head.

Slow and steady. Once Kurenai Yuhi grew up, she would drop even more rice.

Only after hearing Kiyoshi's answer did Kurenai Yuhi nod in satisfaction and smile.

"I-It's just genjutsu, isn't it? Red, I can teach you too."

Watching Kurenai Yuhi run over to Kiyoshi, Asuma Sarutobi immediately refused to be outdone.

"Really? Didn't you say you couldn't?"

Kurenai Yuhi looked over skeptically.

Seeing her doubtful gaze, Asuma Sarutobi patted his chest and said confidently:

"Without using the Sharingan, my genjutsu might not lose."

Asuma Sarutobi looked at Kiyoshi and continued:

"Kiyoshi Uchiha, do you dare compete with me in genjutsu next month? Let Red see whose genjutsu is stronger."

Asuma Sarutobi watched Kiyoshi's reaction.

He had kept one thing in mind.

Kiyoshi was not allowed to use the Sharingan.

Otherwise, he would never do something as foolish as challenge the Sharingan in genjutsu.

If Kiyoshi used the Sharingan, it would count as Asuma Sarutobi's victory.

After all, to everyone else, Kiyoshi was merely a lucky brat relying on a Kekkei Genkai.

"Asuma, do you have something against Kiyoshi because he came from the Land of Lightning?"

Kurenai Yuhi frowned slightly.

Every time Kiyoshi was mentioned, Asuma Sarutobi would disparage him in every possible way.

Asuma Sarutobi was the Hokage's legitimate son, a true prince, but surely he was not so xenophobic that he looked down on foreigners.

No matter what, Kiyoshi had Uchiha Clan blood in his veins. He was everyone's comrade in the village.

"Ah, no, I don't mean to look down on foreigners."

Asuma Sarutobi hurriedly waved his hands.

But he could not bring himself to say the real reason.

Could he directly say that he felt uncomfortable because Kurenai, his childhood sweetheart, kept paying attention to Kiyoshi?

"Asuma should be someone who enjoys challenges and strives to improve himself. I can accept a genjutsu match."

Kiyoshi suddenly said.

The current Asuma Sarutobi still had something of a delinquent air about him and was a troublemaker.

His relationship with Hiruzen Sarutobi was also poor. In the future, he would leave Konoha for the Daimyo's side and earn the title of one of the Guardian Shinobi Twelve.

It was perfectly normal for him to fight over Kurenai Yuhi out of jealousy now.

Even three-person teams were often configured with two men and one woman. The higher-ups had considered that men in adolescence were eager to prove themselves before women, and that this would encourage them to compete and grow.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had personally said this to Kakashi.

Of course, that was certainly not the whole reason, but it was at least part of the consideration.

"Good, you said it!"

Asuma Sarutobi had not expected Kiyoshi to agree so readily, and delight rose in his heart.

He then hurriedly bid Kurenai farewell and ran toward the Sarutobi Clan's district.

Kiyoshi guessed that Asuma Sarutobi wanted to undergo a month of emergency training.

After all, the Sarutobi Clan did not lack resources.

That was nothing. Kiyoshi was confident he could defeat Asuma Sarutobi.

The Sharingan did not only have effects when activated.

Even when it was deactivated, under the influence of that special Chakra, it would spread through his entire body and improve his physical qualities.

His ability to "control" Chakra would be stronger than Asuma Sarutobi's.

That was also why Kiyoshi could guide Kurenai Yuhi. Genjutsu invaded the target's cranial nerves and required extremely subtle control.

He had considerable experience in that area.

That alone was enough to determine the winner.

Not to mention the genjutsu "Lightning Release: Blazing Flash" assigned to him by the Uchiha Clan.

Hazuki Uchiha had taken him to get that genjutsu some time ago.

"Kiyoshi, Asuma is just that kind of person. He doesn't mean any harm, so don't hold it against him."

Kurenai Yuhi shook her head helplessly.

Once this prince set his mind on something, he would not easily change it.

"It's fine."

Kiyoshi shook his head.

Asuma Sarutobi had decent talent in both Wind Release and Fire Release. Perhaps he would drop those tags.

It would not be a loss to spare some time and see whether he could obtain any tags.

"Come on, let's go to my house for tutoring."

Kiyoshi looked up at Kurenai Yuhi, then turned and left.

Ever since Rin Nohara had taught Kiyoshi the techniques for tree climbing and water walking, along with her insights into the Three-Body Technique, there was nothing left for her to teach him.

The Ninja Academy only covered this much practical Chakra application.

Everything else was either theory or shuriken throwing, so there was no longer any need for them to gather and train together after school every day.

"Okay."

Kurenai Yuhi nodded and followed Kiyoshi's pace.

The sky gradually darkened, and the rosy light cast a warm orange layer across the roof tiles.

The branches of the old tree in the courtyard trembled lightly in the wind, dyed a deep red by the setting sun.

Kurenai Yuhi prepared to bid Kiyoshi farewell and end the day's training.