Everyone Here Is Trash

The second sparring match was Might Guy against Obito Uchiha.

The gap between them was even wider than the one between Uchiha Ling and Asuma Sarutobi. Might Guy let out a roar and threw a kick that sent Obito Uchiha spinning through the air before he landed flat on his face.

Obito Uchiha lifted his head and still remembered to greet Kakashi on the wall first.

Kakashi didn't move or answer. Obito Uchiha was so furious he sprang up and started yelling, completely forgetting he'd just lost to Might Guy.

After watching the entire class spar, Kakashi vanished.

Uchiha Ling felt a little annoyed. Kakashi really knew how to act cool. When it came to showing off, only Kakashi could give him a run for his money.

But Kakashi was in a league of his own. He was a Genin who had graduated early, while Uchiha Ling, for all his strength, was still just king of the kids.

Once Kakashi learned some new abilities, Uchiha Ling would find a way to get under his skin.

The first half of Kakashi's life was so miserable that it should be easy.

After sparring class came the Clone Technique exam, part of the Three-Body Technique. Uchiha Ling had mastered the Shadow Clone Technique, so he was exempt and received full marks.

Once all the exams were over, Mr. Yamano announced the class rankings from the lectern during the final lesson.

Teachers here didn't protect students' self-esteem. In his previous life, schools weren't allowed to publish rankings or scores. Here, they announced everything for all to hear.

"We'll start with the student in last place. Come up and collect your report card when I call your name.

"Thirtieth in the class, dead last: Obito Uchiha!"

The classroom fell silent.

Obito Uchiha's face went ashen. He slowly stood and trudged forward with his head down.

"Sir! For the sake of your performance record, I formally suggest making Obito Uchiha repeat the year!"

Obito Uchiha was miserable enough already. At those words, he turned and glared at Uchiha Ling.

Uchiha Ling never passed up a chance to needle Obito Uchiha.

If he could fill Obito Uchiha's heart with resentment and strip away his sincerity and single-minded love, Obito Uchiha would lose his gift for awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan. The Uchiha Clan would be rid of a major menace.

Obito Uchiha wanted to argue, but he had no idea what to say.

Damn it! Why am I so weak?

He turned back to collect his report card, then returned to his seat in frustration.

Students went up to the lectern one after another.

Ebisu was delighted. He had climbed from twenty-first place last year to twelfth, putting the top ten within reach.

His father had told him to keep challenging Uchiha Ling, and it had worked remarkably well.

Next semester... Ebisu shuddered. Forget it. No more asking to get beaten up.

Even if he jumped off the Ninja Academy roof and died on the ground below, he would never challenge Uchiha Ling again.

"Second place: Asuma Sarutobi."

Asuma Sarutobi looked even more upset than Obito Uchiha.

He had been second when Kakashi was around, and he was still second after Kakashi's Early Graduation. What good had Kakashi graduating early done him?

Asuma Sarutobi had barely collected his report card and turned around when he saw Uchiha Ling already walking toward the lectern from the back row.

"First place: Uchiha Ling!"

The fact that Uchiha Ling had taken first place at his expense made Asuma Sarutobi feel even worse.

Uchiha Ling blocked Asuma Sarutobi in the aisle.

"Well, if it isn't Master Asuma, proud winner of second place! Go home and study hard. Learn something useful from the Sarutobi Clan. Your dad's the Professor of Ninjutsu. Surely he's teaching you something?

"I'm starting to think you're not his real son. Even an adopted kid wouldn't be treated this cruelly.

"Wait!

"I think I've uncovered an incredible secret. You really are adopted, aren't you?

"Adopted Asuma! That's your name from now on!"

As Uchiha Ling spewed trash talk, he was thinking, Asuma Sarutobi, when are you going to learn a forbidden technique or two so I can draw out your abilities?

How am I supposed to improve when you're this useless?

Asuma Sarutobi's face turned livid. He wanted to throw a punch, but he knew he couldn't win.

He stood there, chest heaving and shoulders rising and falling.

Seeing this, Uchiha Ling stepped aside and motioned for Asuma Sarutobi to go first.

"Learning the truth must be hard on you. I almost feel sorry for you. Poor thing. Go on ahead."

Asuma Sarutobi swallowed his anger and slipped past Uchiha Ling.

Uchiha Ling was a little disappointed. Asuma Sarutobi hadn't cracked after all. His mental fortitude had improved.

After collecting his report card, Uchiha Ling stepped down from the lectern. As he passed Kurenai Yuhi, he said with deep feeling:

"Kurenai, you're the one person I can't bear to see remain ordinary.

"You know where I live. Come by anytime over the break. I'll always be there to spar with you."

Kurenai Yuhi's face flushed bright red. Since when do I know where you live?

Behind Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi's face turned green.

What does he mean, "the one person"? And "I'll always be there"?

Uchiha Ling glanced at Asuma Sarutobi. Is a little kid's crush really this shallow? Even that didn't get to him?

"Kurenai, I know your father is strong at Genjutsu, but a ninja's overall strength is measured by their weakest point. It's the Bucket Effect.

"Promise me you'll come find me.

"Just look at how fast Ebisu has grown under my training."

Not far away, Ebisu, who had been listening in eagerly, snapped his head up.

What does he mean, "under my training"? I've been fearlessly challenging someone stronger than me!

That kind of courage deserves praise. How did it turn into "training" when he said it? Is that even the right word?

When the final lesson ended, Uchiha Ling stood up, thoroughly pleased with himself, and left the classroom.

Just as he neared the door, he noticed something odd.

He looked back. Some students had stood up, while others were still seated, but none of them made a move to leave.

They all watched Uchiha Ling from a distance, most of them with distaste in their eyes.

Nara Saku had just finished directing the class, telling everyone not to leave with Uchiha Ling.

Uchiha Ling gave a cold snort.

If he'd actually been a five-year-old kid, being excluded might have scared him.

But the soul inside him belonged to a thirty-year-old man. Whether they excluded him or not, he had no interest in playing with them.

"Hey, losers! You're not excluding me. I'm excluding all of you!

"I'm not singling anyone out. I'm saying everyone here is trash!

"The Shinobi World War has begun, and losers die fast. I'm a kindhearted guy, though. When you die, I'll stop by your graves for a second or two.

"See you next year! Try to catch up with me, losers!"

You could have heard a pin drop in the classroom.

After a long silence, the room erupted.

Might Guy shouted loudest of all: "Don't get cocky! I'm going to train hard all winter! On the first day back next year, I'm going to take you down!"

Uchiha Ling shook his head and left the classroom, having excluded every one of his classmates.

He felt a little disappointed.

He'd put pressure on the entire class equally, practically attacking them all at once, yet not a single student had cracked.

It seemed these little kids still had dreams. They weren't ready to admit defeat.

He would have to train hard over the break. He couldn't afford to lose to a bunch of little kids.