Kakashi of Eight Buckets of Swagger

Friday afternoon's sparring class.

After Teacher Yamano led the students downstairs, he headed straight for the school gate.

The students following him exchanged puzzled looks, not knowing what their teacher intended to do.

Only after arriving at the gate did Yamano turn around.

"I specifically applied to the principal. For this sparring class, we won't be staying on school grounds. We'll be going to..."

After deliberately drawing everyone's attention, he finally said:

"We're going to the Chunin Exam arena!

Kakashi Hatake, who graduated early from our class, is currently taking the Chunin Exam. I got some spectator seats, and I'll take you to watch Kakashi's final Chunin Exam match!"

"Wow!"

"Oh! Great!"

"Long live Teacher! Teacher Yamano, you're amazing!"

As long as students got to leave school, they were happy no matter where they went.

Yamano smugly looked at the little brats. "Quiet! Once we leave school, no running around, or I'll throw you out of the arena!"

Inside the Chunin Exam arena, the students excitedly watched the competition grounds. Every one of them imagined that when they took the Chunin Exam, they too would be the center of everyone's attention.

Beneath the eaves of the viewing platform sat the Third Hokage, Hidden Leaf Village's higher-ups, the heads of the major clans, and noble representatives from the Land of Fire.

During wartime, the daimyo did not travel around recklessly. Otherwise, the daimyo of the Land of Fire would certainly attend the annual Chunin Exam.

Kakashi Hatake entered the arena. At only six years old, he had faced several adult ninja in succession, even fierce ninja from other villages, and won every match.

The students from his class kept cheering. Children gathered together and chattered noisily, making a tremendous racket.

Two Hidden Leaf Village ninja nearby recognized these students as Kakashi Hatake's former classmates.

"They're actually cheering for someone like Kakashi Hatake. What bad luck."

"I heard you went on a mission with Kakashi Hatake once and nearly got killed by him."

"Yeah. That brat Kakashi Hatake is cold-blooded. He doesn't care whether his teammates live or die; all he sees is the mission."

"People like him are indeed irritating. He only cares about building up his mission record. Any teammate assigned to him is truly unlucky."

"If he isn't afraid of dying, then he can go die. Who wants to die alongside him?"

The two deliberately spoke loudly, and many students heard them.

Rin Nohara stood up and anxiously said, "Kakashi isn't that kind of person! Kakashi is just too focused on the mission. It's understandable that he became this way!"

Uchiha Ling, seated behind Rin Nohara, pressed her back down.

Teacher Yamano also said, "Maintain order. Don't cause a disturbance!"

When the two ninja saw the Ninja Academy teacher, they both fell silent.

Seeing the intense worry on Rin Nohara's face, then watching her become completely engrossed in Kakashi's match, her expression turning into the shy adoration of a fangirl, Obito Uchiha felt deeply miserable.

Why couldn't he be the genius of the Hidden Leaf Village?

If he became a genius, or even the Hokage, Rin would definitely like him, right?

Uchiha Ling carefully watched the match. Kakashi mainly used Earth Release now. Earth Release ninjutsu was relatively simple, consumed little chakra, and was not limited by terrain.

Kakashi's famous Lightning Release ninjutsu had yet to be revealed.

After several rounds of battle lasting the entire afternoon, Kakashi earned the rank of Chunin with the top score.

The Third Hokage personally awarded Kakashi his Chunin flak jacket and warmly draped it over him.

There was not the slightest smile on Kakashi's face. He remained expressionless throughout.

Most people did not think Kakashi was being disrespectful toward the Third Hokage. After all, Kakashi's father had died, and he had yet to emerge from that shadow.

A young son losing his father, an old man losing his son—such grief was too heavy.

After receiving his award, Kakashi saw the students from his Ninja Academy class.

There was the blushing Rin, the unconvinced Obito, and the fired-up Might Guy. Might Guy had changed into a new outfit—an athletic top and shorts—but he still did not seem used to it.

And there was Uchiha Ling, staring coldly at him.

As Kakashi walked out of the arena in his flak jacket, he saw his entire class waiting for him.

The other students crowded around to congratulate Kakashi. Uchiha Ling stood beside Teacher Yamano and did not join the commotion.

Yet Kakashi did not say a word. He merely nodded at everyone and continued walking away.

The others exchanged looks, unable to understand why Kakashi was reacting so strangely.

When he reached Teacher Yamano, Kakashi said, "Sorry for the trouble, Teacher. Thank you for bringing the classmates to watch my Chunin Exam."

Yamano froze for a moment, then nodded.

Kakashi continued walking. When he passed Uchiha Ling, Uchiha Ling could not hold it in any longer and said:

"Thirty percent bleakness, thirty percent mystery, thirty percent loneliness, and ten percent swagger.

If the swagger of students in our year amounted to one stone, Kakashi, you alone took eight buckets, leaving the remaining two for everyone else.

Kakashi, I'm willing to call you 'Kakashi of Eight Buckets of Swagger.'

Just look at Rin Nohara. You've completely bewitched her."

Upon hearing Uchiha Ling say this, Kakashi slowly turned his head and stared at him.

"Uchiha Ling, I challenge you."

"Gladly."

Teacher Yamano watched Kakashi leave without saying anything. Perhaps he had been reminded of his sister who had died in battle.

"Uchiha Ling, what are your chances of winning against Kakashi?"

Uchiha Ling really wanted to claim the reward for breaking through Kakashi's defenses. "Teacher, winning or losing doesn't matter. I just want to see Kakashi lose his composure."

"Heh, that does sound like you."

Hearing that Kakashi had challenged Uchiha Ling, the other students became wildly excited.

Might Guy hurried over. "Ling! If you spar with Kakashi, make sure to tell me in advance. I have to watch!"

"Might Guy, you say that as if you'd be able to see our movements."

Might Guy looked as though he had swallowed a fly, his face turning red from holding it in.

Asuma Sarutobi said, "This is a major matter. Maybe Kakashi isn't the Hidden Leaf Village's number one genius after all."

"Asuma Sarutobi, what does it have to do with you whether Kakashi is the number one genius or not? Even if twelve generations of Hidden Leaf Village geniuses died out, it still wouldn't be your turn."

"You!"

Asuma Sarutobi was about to step forward and attack when Nara Saku and the others held him back.

Starting a fight here would be too ugly. There were too many people around.

Uchiha Ling said, "Heh heh, the truth is the sharpest blade. Asuma Sarutobi, don't you also believe deep down that what I said is the truth?"

Asuma Sarutobi grew even angrier, but Nara Saku and Akimichi Takashi tightly gripped his arms.

Teacher Yamano smiled. Uchiha Ling had suddenly become extremely excited; it seemed he truly cared about fighting Kakashi.

Kakashi arrived at the entrance to the Uchiha clan grounds that evening, with Might Guy following behind him.

Uchiha Ling glanced at Might Guy and said:

"Kakashi of Eight Buckets of Swagger, I don't want anyone else watching our duel.

Wait for me at home. I'll come find you at a random time, and don't let Might Guy camp outside your place."

He stepped forward and whispered into Kakashi's ear, "There are some secrets about your father that you don't want other people to know, right?"

At those words, Kakashi frowned and turned to leave.

He said to Might Guy, "Guy, don't follow me or camp outside my place. I have a reason I must challenge Uchiha Ling."

Might Guy was very worried about Kakashi's mental state. Bloodshot veins had appeared in Kakashi's eyes, but seeing Kakashi's resolute expression, he had no choice but to agree.

Might Guy knew best how powerful Uchiha Ling's venomous tongue was. So many people in their class had been mocked by Uchiha Ling until their faces turned red.

Since the White Fang of the Leaf's death, Kakashi's mental state had been troubled. He truly feared that Uchiha Ling would provoke Kakashi into developing some serious problem.

Why was everyone around him so extreme? Even when faced with something as heartbreaking as Little Acorn, he hadn't been crushed.