Kakashi of Eight Buckets of Swagger

Friday afternoon was sparring class.

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

The students following him exchanged puzzled glances, unsure what the teacher was planning.

Only after reaching the school gate did Yamano turn around.

"I specially applied to the principal for this sparring class. We won't be holding it at school. Instead, we'll be at..."

After deliberately drawing everyone's attention, he said:

"We're at the Chunin Exams venue!

"Our classmate who graduated early, Kakashi Hatake, is taking the Chunin Exams. I managed to get some seats in the audience, so I'll take you to watch Kakashi's final Chunin Exam match!"

"Wow!"

"Oh! That's great!"

"Long live the teacher! Teacher Yamano, you're the best!"

As long as they got to leave school, the students were happy to go anywhere.

Yamano smugly watched the little brats. He said, "Quiet! You can't run around after leaving the school, or I'll throw you out of the venue!"

Inside the Chunin Exams venue, the students excitedly watched the arena. Each of them imagined that when they took the Chunin Exams, they too would attract everyone's attention like this.

Beneath the eaves of the spectators' stand sat the Third, the Konoha High Command, the heads of the major clans, and representatives of the nobles of the Land of Fire.

During wartime, the daimyo couldn't run around freely. Otherwise, the daimyo of the Land of Fire would definitely have attended the Chunin Exams held every year.

Kakashi Hatake entered the arena. At six years old, he faced several adult ninja in succession, including fierce ninja from other villages, and defeated them all.

The students from the class cheered nonstop. The children gathered together, chattering noisily.

Two Konoha Ninja nearby realized that these students had once been Kakashi Hatake's classmates.

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

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

"That's right. That brat Kakashi Hatake is utterly heartless. He doesn't care whether his teammates live or die. The mission is the only thing in his eyes."

"People like that really are annoying. He only cares about building up his mission record. Anyone who follows him is doomed."

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

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

Rin Nohara stood up and said anxiously, "Kakashi isn't like that! Kakashi was only anxious about the mission. He had his reasons for becoming this way!"

Uchiha Ling, who was sitting behind Rin Nohara, pulled her back down.

Teacher Yamano also said, "Mind your manners. Don't cause a disturbance!"

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

Obito Uchiha saw the deep worry on Rin Nohara's face. Then, as Rin Nohara watched Kakashi's fight with complete focus, her expression turned shy and adoring, like that of a lovestruck fan. Obito felt miserable.

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

If he became a prodigy, or even the Hokage, Rin would surely like him, right?

Uchiha Ling watched the match closely. Kakashi was currently focusing on Earth Release. Earth Release Ninjutsu was relatively simple, consumed little chakra, and wasn't restricted by terrain.

Kakashi's famed Lightning Release Ninjutsu had yet to be revealed.

After an entire afternoon and several rounds of battle, Kakashi took first place and obtained Chunin status.

The Third personally presented Kakashi with his Chunin vest and warmly draped it over his shoulders.

There wasn't the slightest smile on Kakashi's face. He remained cold and expressionless.

Most people didn't think Kakashi was being disrespectful to the Third. After all, Kakashi's father had died, and Kakashi still hadn't emerged from the shadows.

Losing one's father in youth and one's son in old age—such grief was simply too heavy.

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

There was Rin, blushing; Obito, unwilling to accept defeat; and Might Guy, who was bursting with excitement. Might Guy had changed into a different outfit—a tight shirt and shorts—but still hadn't gotten used to it.

And there was Uchiha Ling, staring at him coldly.

When Kakashi left the venue in his vest, he saw all his classmates waiting for him.

The other students gathered around to congratulate Kakashi. Uchiha Ling stood beside Teacher Yamano and didn't join the crowd.

Kakashi, however, said nothing. He merely nodded at everyone and continued walking away.

The others exchanged puzzled glances, unsure why Kakashi had reacted so strangely.

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

Yamano froze for a moment, then nodded.

Kakashi continued on. When he passed Uchiha Ling, Uchiha Ling couldn't hold back and said:

"Three parts desolation, three parts mystery, three parts loneliness, and one part swagger.

"If the swagger of our entire class is worth one dan, Kakashi, you've taken eight dou, leaving the other two dou for everyone else.

"Kakashi, I hereby call you Kakashi of Eight Buckets of Swagger.

"Just look at Rin Nohara. See what a lovestruck mess you've turned her into."

At Uchiha Ling's words, Kakashi slowly turned his head and stared at Uchiha Ling.

"Uchiha Ling, I challenge you."

"Just what I wanted."

Yamano watched Kakashi leave without saying anything. Perhaps he had thought of his sister, who had died in battle.

"Uchiha Ling, how confident are you against Kakashi?"

Uchiha Ling really wanted to draw the reward for breaking Kakashi's composure, so he said:

"Teacher, winning or losing doesn't matter. I just want to see Kakashi lose his composure."

"Heh. That certainly sounds like you."

When the other students heard that Kakashi had challenged Uchiha Ling, they became incredibly excited.

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

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

Might Guy looked as if he'd swallowed a fly, his face turning bright red.

Asuma Sarutobi said, "This is a major event. Perhaps Kakashi isn't the number-one prodigy of the Hidden Leaf Village."

"Asuma Sarutobi, what does it matter to you whether Kakashi is the number-one prodigy? Even if the Hidden Leaf Village's prodigies died off twelve more times, it still wouldn't be your turn."

"You!"

Asuma Sarutobi was about to charge forward, but Nara Saku and the others held him back.

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

Uchiha Ling said, "Heh heh, the truth cuts fastest. Asuma Sarutobi, deep down, do you also think what I said is the truth?"

Asuma Sarutobi grew even angrier, but Nara Saku and Akimichi Takashi clung tightly to his arms and held him back.

Teacher Yamano smiled. Uchiha Ling had suddenly become extremely excited. It seemed that he took his battle with Kakashi very seriously.

Kakashi arrived at the entrance to the Uchiha Compound 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 seeing our duel.

"Wait for me at home. I'll come find you at a random time. And don't let Might Guy lie in wait for you."

He stepped forward and whispered in Kakashi's ear, "There are some secrets about your father. You wouldn't want anyone else to know about them, would you?"

Upon hearing this, Kakashi frowned and turned to leave.

He said to Might Guy, "Guy, don't follow me. Don't lie in wait for me. I have a reason I must challenge Uchiha Ling."

Might Guy was very worried about Kakashi's mental state. Blood vessels had appeared in Kakashi's eyes, but seeing how determined Kakashi was, he had no choice but to agree.

Might Guy knew the power of Uchiha Ling's sharp tongue better than anyone. How many people in the class had Uchiha Ling mocked until their faces turned red with embarrassment?

Ever since White Fang of the Leaf died, Kakashi's mental state had been unstable. He was truly afraid that Uchiha Ling would push Kakashi into some serious breakdown.

Man, why was everyone around him so extreme? Even when he faced something as painful as losing Little Acorn, he hadn't been crushed by it.