Yahiko's Challenge

After Feng Xun finished speaking, a stifling atmosphere gradually spread. After a long while, Yahiko finally said slowly, "You're overthinking it. Konan would never like you! And if something like that needs to be said, you should say it yourself. I don't want to be your messenger."

"No, you need to say it in person." Feng Xun did not change his mind and continued, "Think about it. When Konan hears this news, she'll definitely be heartbroken and helpless.

And at that time, if you stay by her side and accompany her, along with the feelings that have accumulated over time, I think she'll transfer her affection for me to you. Wouldn't that be good for both of us?"

Just as he had said, he would not fall for Konan. Or rather, before his wish was fulfilled, he had no intention of accepting anyone's affection.

After all, although he seemed easygoing now, in reality, all he cared about was profit.

Take the three children, for instance. The reason he had saved them before was simply because he did not want to alter the future plot and lose his foreknowledge.

And now, getting on good terms with them was merely so he could have some connections in the future.

Moreover, their connection would be limited to ordinary friendship. He did not want to become close friends with the three children and expose himself to Madara's attention.

After hearing Feng Xun's words, Yahiko suppressed the tremor in his voice and glared viciously at him.

"What do you take Konan for?"

"What do you mean, good for both of us?"

"Konan really likes you!"

By the end, Yahiko's voice had become almost heart-wrenching. He seemed unable to believe that his savior and friend could say such things.

Even Nagato, who had always sided with Feng Xun, was somewhat angry. "Brother Xun, what you just said was too much."

Feng Xun felt no stir in his heart.

He sighed softly and turned toward his own wooden cabin.

"Boring."

Those two emotionless words made Yahiko's face turn pale. Though he often bickered with Feng Xun, it was only because he was not good at expressing himself. In his heart, he had long considered the other boy a friend.

Yet Feng Xun's unhesitating departure, along with those casually spoken words, left him feeling lost for a moment.

He did not know whether he had done something wrong. Or perhaps all along, it had only been his own wishful thinking, and he had unilaterally regarded the other boy as a friend?

But if that was the case, what roles did they play in Feng Xun's eyes?

Yahiko could not figure it out, nor did he want to. Right now, he only wanted to teach Feng Xun a harsh lesson.

"A challenge!"

Yahiko suddenly shouted from behind Feng Xun, "The challenge we agreed on before starts now."

"Oh?" Feng Xun turned around in surprise. Looking at Yahiko's stubborn expression, he said, "Are you sure you want to challenge me? If you lose, you'll have to become my lackey."

Yahiko's expression was resolute. "That's right, now. But if I win, I don't need you to become my lackey. I only want you to personally say those things you said before to Konan."

Hearing this, Feng Xun did not reply immediately. Instead, he looked at Nagato behind Yahiko. "What about you, little Nagato? What do you think?"

"I support Yahiko's decision."

"Is that so?" Feng Xun muttered to himself, then agreed. "Fine. Go get Konan first. We'll spar right here."

"There's no need to call Konan. Just Nagato and I will challenge you." Yahiko rejected Feng Xun's suggestion.

"Whatever you want. But although this is a challenge, you won't be able to defeat me unless you're prepared to kill me!"

"We don't need your lecture!" After saying that, Yahiko exchanged a look with Nagato beside him, then charged at Feng Xun together.

They really could not wait!

Facing the incoming fists, Feng Xun crouched slightly and grabbed both of their fists. Then he crossed his arms left and right, lightly pulling their bodies forward as he lectured them.

"I told you to come at me with the resolve to kill me. Where are your ninja tools? How do you plan to kill me without ninja tools? With those weak, powerless fists of yours?"

After speaking, Feng Xun retreated again and waited for their next attack.

"We don't need you to remind us!" Yahiko said as he pulled a Kunai from behind his back and rushed Feng Xun once more.

Although he had only learned the Transformation Technique among the Three Body Technique so far, he believed that if it came down to taijutsu alone, the gap between them would not be too great.

"You've got some spirit, but spirit alone isn't enough!"

Feng Xun effortlessly caught Yahiko's arm again. This time, he did not hold back. With an over-the-shoulder throw, he viciously slammed Yahiko into the ground.

Just as Feng Xun wanted to press his advantage and render Yahiko unable to fight, an irresistible repulsive force suddenly erupted from behind him.

Without the slightest hesitation, Feng Xun hurriedly leaped away from where he stood.

When he saw Nagato running to Yahiko's side, Feng Xun's lips curled slightly.

Was that the Rinnegan's power just now? It looked like a simplified version of Shinra Tensei.

"Yahiko, are you all right?" Nagato helped his close friend up, looking extremely worried.

"Don't worry, that guy didn't go for the kill!"

Yahiko stood back up. Though he said he was fine, he felt deeply unwilling to accept it. He had not expected the gap between them to be so vast in taijutsu alone.

Seeing the unwillingness on his friend's face, Nagato said nothing, but he had already made up his mind. Even if he had to use his immature power, he would definitely win.

"What's wrong? You still haven't attacked after all this time. Are you surrendering?"

Seeing that the two had not attacked again, Feng Xun could not help provoking them once more.

"Tch, who would surrender to a guy like you!"

Just as Yahiko was about to charge forward again, Nagato grabbed him. "This time, I'll take the lead. Yahiko, you cover me."

Seeing Nagato's serious expression, Yahiko nodded. "Then I'm counting on you!"

"Mm!" As Nagato answered, he looked at Feng Xun. "Brother Xun, you'd better be careful now."

Feng Xun chuckled and crooked a finger at Nagato, signaling him to come at him.

Taking a deep breath, Nagato moved, displaying skill that Yahiko had lacked just moments ago.

Three Shuriken flew out at the same time Nagato charged toward Feng Xun.

Feng Xun dodged the Shuriken, only to see Nagato use attraction to bring them around from behind Feng Xun once again.

"Not bad!" Feng Xun dodged the Shuriken again.

But just as Nagato wanted to keep controlling the Shuriken and change their direction, Feng Xun suddenly appeared before him and, amid Nagato's shocked gaze, punched him in the abdomen.

"Your reactions and physical ability are still far too lacking!"

After seeing Nagato fall, Feng Xun did not want to keep toying with them. With another burst of movement, he appeared before Yahiko again and used the same method to knock him to the ground.

Looking at the two lying on the ground, Feng Xun said calmly, "All right, you two have already lost. Is there anything else you want to say?"

At that, Yahiko stubbornly turned his face to the side, unwilling to admit defeat.

"What a childish temper." Feng Xun sighed and turned to return to his wooden cabin.

"Ah-la-la!!! My disciples have been bullied so badly. As their teacher, I really can't stand by and watch! Don't you agree, 'Xun-kun'?"

Jiraiya and Konan, whose expression was complicated, had appeared behind Feng Xun at some point.