You're So Short

"Uchiha Ling! I've improved too!"

On the Training Ground, Asuma Sarutobi faced Uchiha Ling with confidence.

Uchiha Ling shook his head in a strange, singsong way. "I've~ improved~ too~"

He switched back to his normal voice. "Look at you. You're like someone desperate for attention who gets disappointed every time."

At the edge of the Training Ground, Mitaraishi Anko and the others sighed.

For the past few days, Uchiha Ling had kept visiting Uchiha Hono's tent. When he returned to his own team's tent, he would clutch a Scroll and study who knew what.

When Uchiha Ling stayed away from the Training Ground, everyone's training felt a little too easy.

When he showed up, training became torture.

The Training Ground was surrounded by students from their year. Outside it, two Jonin appeared in the Forest using the Body Flicker Technique.

Nara Shikaku and Nara Shikaie.

As Asuma Sarutobi's supervising Jonin, Nara Shikaie had specially invited Shikaku, the clan's young leader, to see the results of his guidance.

Asuma Sarutobi was too important. He was the Nara Clan's top priority this year, and his progress affected the clan's standing with Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Nara Shikaie said, "Young leader, Asuma excels at Wind Release and Fire Release, though his Wind Release is stronger.

"I suggested that Asuma choose a Chakra weapon from the Sarutobi Clan.

"It may not be as good as Kakashi Hatake's White Fang Short Blade, but it's extremely valuable and suits Asuma perfectly."

Inside the Training Ground, Asuma Sarutobi took a pair of Knuckle Blades from his ninja tool pouch, one for each hand.

Uchiha Ling thought, Everyone picked up something after going to war. I got the Naraka Sword, and Asuma Sarutobi got the Knuckle Blades.

Asuma Sarutobi charged at Uchiha Ling, swinging a Knuckle Blade toward the