Will He Win?

"How are things going with your new teammates?"

"We're just carrying out missions together. Whether we get along or not doesn't matter."

Kakashi replied indifferently.

That morning, he had met his two new teammates and their jonin leader.

He did not feel anything in particular.

He only hoped they could complete their missions.

Hearing Kakashi's unconcerned tone, Rin Nohara guessed that he might not be getting along very well with his new teammates.

"I have something to do later."

After saying that, Kakashi started walking away.

"W-Wait, Kakashi. Are you studying chakra nature transformation? Turning chakra into something like an 'electric current'?"

Rin Nohara tried to find a topic she had in common with Kakashi.

Though she had not completed that step that day, she was attentive by nature and had remembered all the theoretical knowledge Kiyoshi had taught her.

Kakashi visibly halted and turned to look at Rin Nohara.

Rin Nohara clasped her hands before her abdomen. Her brown eyes stared at Kakashi, and worry showed on her face.

She looked inexplicably more haggard than before.

"You've learned chakra nature transformation too?"

Kakashi was rather surprised.

The Ninja Academy barely taught such things.

Only shinobi above chunin rank would consider them.

They were far too distant from genin like them—or ninja trainees who were not even genin yet.

"Yes, a little."

Following her memories, Rin explained some of the things Kiyoshi had taught her.

As Kakashi listened, he realized that Rin truly understood quite a lot.

He had always been the only one developing Lightning Release ninjutsu, and he happened to lack someone with whom he could discuss ideas and verify his own thoughts.

"Rin, what do you think about stimulating the cells in the wrist and palm?"

Kakashi asked a question.

Rin Nohara thought for a moment before voicing her guess.

Medical Arts and Lightning Release had some similarities, since both acted upon the human body.

And in terms of cellular research, Medical Arts surpassed every other kind of ninjutsu.

"Let's find somewhere to discuss this in detail."

Kakashi became interested. He had not expected Rin to have insights he had never considered himself.

This ninjutsu was still in its infancy. Kakashi had only settled on a rough direction.

To complete it, he still needed to fill in many gaps.

"Mm."

Rin Nohara gave a soft hum and hurriedly followed Kakashi as he left.

Her heart leaped with joy, and some of the worry on her face faded.

As long as she stayed closer to Kakashi, she could guide him back, right?

Rin Nohara prayed so.

Ninja Academy.

In the blink of an eye, more than half a month passed, and Kiyoshi's life gradually returned to peace.

Kiyoshi sat in class, listening as the chunin instructor explained the history of the Shinobi World.

This world knew little of the myths from before the millennium-long Warring States Period.

Even the most famous Sage of Six Paths was only vaguely documented. As for Kaguya, the Chakra Progenitor, no one knew of her at all.

Ironically, the Uchiha Clan recorded the most historical secrets. Within the hidden chamber of Naka Shrine stood an ancestral Uchiha Stone Tablet.

It's starting to slow down.

As Kiyoshi listened to the chunin instructor's history lesson, he thought about the Sharingan.

The feedback from his Sharingan was no longer as rapid as it had been in the beginning.

It gradually slowed, feeding back in subtler ways to synchronize Kiyoshi's physical body with his spiritual power.

The Sharingan was the eye that reflected the heart. Because it rapidly strengthened its wielder after awakening, the Uchiha were feared by many.

Before long, the bell rang, signaling the start of break time.

As usual, Kurenai Yuhi was the first to run over to Kiyoshi and ask whether he had understood the previous lesson.

Kiyoshi read as he answered Kurenai Yuhi's questions.

Kurenai Yuhi did most of the talking, while Kiyoshi only replied with a sentence or two now and then.

He needed to prepare for Early Graduation, learning in a short time the knowledge others took years to master.

The Uchiha Clan generally possessed good talent, and Kiyoshi absorbed knowledge quickly. Not to mention, he also had two traits: "Reading Comprehension" and "Basic Memory."

"Kurenai went to see Kiyoshi again. Looks like she really is interested in genjutsu."

Chōmaru Akimichi pulled a bag of chips from his pocket as he spoke and began eating.

"I've been undergoing special training with my clan for several days now."

Asuma Sarutobi said confidently.

His genjutsu grades had originally hovered around the passing line. Even after several days of special training, they had not improved by much.

But could dealing with an Uchiha who was not using the Sharingan really be difficult?

After all, the Uchiha Clan was famous only for the Sharingan and Fire Release.

Without the Sharingan, the Uchiha were nothing special.

"Impressive."

Chōmaru Akimichi swallowed a chip.

He felt happy enough as long as he could eat and drink every day.

Asuma Sarutobi was speechless at Chōmaru Akimichi.

If the Sarutobi Clan and the Ino-Shika-Chō clans had not always shared close ties, he had no idea how he could have become good friends with Chōmaru Akimichi.

Asuma Sarutobi glanced to the side and saw that Kiyoshi Uchiha had said something that made Kurenai Yuhi laugh.

He immediately stood and walked over to Kiyoshi.

"Hey, Kiyoshi Uchiha. You promised to spar with me last time, so don't forget."

Since it was the start of the month, Asuma Sarutobi knocked on the desk.

He deliberately lowered his voice in front of Kurenai Yuhi, making it sound deep and manly.

"Don't worry."

Kiyoshi nodded.

Seeing Kiyoshi agree and Kurenai Yuhi turn to watch him, Asuma Sarutobi returned to his seat in satisfaction.

"Will you win?"

Obito turned around from the seat in front of Asuma Sarutobi.

He also wanted to see what expression Kiyoshi Uchiha would make if he lost.

With Kakashi absent from the academy lately, Obito had found things rather boring.

Naturally, he was eager to see Kiyoshi Uchiha suffer a setback.

"I will."

Asuma Sarutobi nodded.

He looked at Obito with a trace of pity.

The last time Obito sparred with Kiyoshi, he had lost and made a complete fool of himself before Rin Nohara.

This time, he would show Obito what a real man was.

"Kurenai, you won't mind if I beat Asuma, right?"

Kiyoshi asked Kurenai Yuhi.

Asuma Sarutobi had yet to develop the composure he would possess in the future. For now, he was merely a child like Naruto, yearning for attention and recognition.

The son of a hero often bore greater pressure than other children.

Because people could not help comparing them.

"It would be good if Kiyoshi beat Asuma. It might temper his arrogance a little. Asuma has been too rebellious."

Kurenai Yuhi nodded.

She had spent less time with Asuma Sarutobi recently.

Yet they had always been close, and could be considered Childhood Sweethearts.

She knew a little about the relationship between Asuma Sarutobi and the Third Hokage.