Challenge Me? Challenge Kakashi First

"Chuan, your performance on stage today was simply wonderful!" Great Elder Uchiha Aoki patted Uchiha Chuan on the shoulder with a smile while leaning on his cane. "That old fox of a Third Hokage actually tried to use the Will of Fire to pressure us Uchiha, but you left him completely speechless with a single sentence! Hahaha, truly satisfying!"

"That's right!" Second Elder Uchiha En rarely revealed a smile as well, his tone carrying a trace of mockery. "The Third acts all high and mighty all day, talking about the Will of Fire, but in reality, he just wants to make us Uchiha bow our heads. Chuan, you really saved face for our Uchiha today!"

Uchiha Chuan lowered his head, silently complaining inward: What does the glory of the Uchiha have to do with me? I just want to coast through life...

"Still, Chuan, your actions today were somewhat rash." Fugaku Uchiha frowned, his tone carrying a hint of reproach. "The Third is the Hokage, after all. Putting him on the spot in front of so many people is hardly a wise move."

"The Clan Head is right." Third Elder Uchiha Gen said coldly. "The Uchiha are also part of the village; there's no need for a direct conflict with the Hokage. Chuan, while your performance today felt gratifying, it lacked sobriety."

Uchiha Chuan felt his head pound as he listened, inwardly rolling his eyes: You bunch of worms, is arguing back and forth even interesting? Anyway, it goes in one ear and out the other; I couldn't be bothered to care about you.

However, the Great Elder relentlessly pursued the matter, asking, "Chuan, what do you think? Do you think what we said today was right?"

Uchiha Chuan raised his head helplessly, looked at the four elders and the clan head, and said in a flat tone, "I don't care who he is, I mock whoever mocks me; I put whoever puts me on the spot on the spot; I target whoever harbors ill intentions toward me. No matter how he comes at me, no matter what conspiracy he has, I'm sticking to my own path!"

"Good! Well said!" The Great Elder and Second Elder immediately clapped in approval, their faces full of praise.

"Chuan, this speech of yours really makes me see you in a new light." Fugaku Uchiha frowned, his tone carrying a trace of complexity. "It seems the Third was right; you truly possess the qualifications of a Hokage."

"Hokage?" Uchiha Chuan curled his lip in disdain. "Not even a dog would want to be Hokage!"

"You!" The expressions of Fugaku Uchiha, the Great Elder, the Second Elder, and the Third Elder instantly shifted, a trace of anger flashing in their eyes.

"Chuan, how can you say such a thing?" Great Elder Uchiha Aoki grew so angry that his beard bristled. "The Hokage is Konoha's highest honor. How can you be so dismissive?"

"Exactly!" Second Elder Uchiha En also couldn't help reprimanding him. "How can you dare to desecrate the glory of the Uchiha like this?"

"Being Hokage works you to death; whoever loves being it can be it." Uchiha Chuan spread his hands, his tone carrying a sense of indifference. "Anyway, I'm not doing it."

"You..." Fugaku Uchiha turned pale with anger.

Seeing this, Uchiha Chuan said, "Admit it, Clan Head. Don't tell me you didn't feel a surge of euphoria just now when I said 'Not even a dog would want to be Hokage'."

The Third Elder said, "Uchiha Chuan, what are you talking about nonsense? Where did we feel any euphoria?"

"Hehe, you've always been in the running for Hokage, but you've never heard anyone say that. I don't believe there are no complaints in your hearts. Now that you hear me say that not even a dog would want to be Hokage, with the pride of the Uchiha, I refuse to believe that you didn't feel an immediate sense of disdain toward the position of Hokage. After all, this is a position that not even a dog would want." Uchiha Chuan said flatly.

"This... it really is a lot more invigorating." Hearing Uchiha Chuan's explanation, the Great Elder and Second Elder actually did feel a good deal more invigorated, and the anger on their faces dissipated accordingly.

Watching this group of self-deluding elders and clan head, Uchiha Chuan complained inwardly: Hmph, as expected, the Uchiha's train of thought is so bizarrely circuitous that it's no different from Ah Q...

"Alright, Chuan, you're tired today too. Go back and get a good rest." Seeing this, Fugaku Uchiha could only helplessly pat Uchiha Chuan on the shoulder, his tone carrying a hint of expectation. "Starting tomorrow, you'll be a student at the Ninja Academy. Remember, the glory of the Uchiha rests on your shoulders!"

"Yes, Clan Head." Uchiha Chuan nodded, having no desire to provoke them further, while inwardly remaining speechless: What does the glory of the Uchiha have to do with me? I just want to coast! From today on, I'll continue to keep a low profile in life and work, and never stand out again!

The next day, Uchiha Chuan lazily stretched, pondering how to continue coasting through today. But the moment he thought of the stern gazes of those elders in his family, he could only sigh and stroll leisurely toward the Ninja Academy.

Going to school, at least, didn't mean he wasn't coasting.

The moment he stepped through the school gates, Uchiha Chuan felt a sharp gaze shoot toward him. Looking up, Asuma Sarutobi stood not far away with his arms crossed, a hint of provocation in his eyes.

"Hey, Uchiha Chuan!" Immediately after, Asuma Sarutobi walked over with his hands in his pockets and an arrogant expression.

"Something the matter?" Uchiha Chuan raised an eyebrow and asked in a flat tone.

"Hmph, aren't you a genius of the Uchiha clan? I want to spar with you." Asuma Sarutobi raised his chin, a flash of fighting spirit in his eyes.

"Oh?" Uchiha Chuan smiled and countered, "Are you a universally recognized genius?"

Asuma froze, his expression shifting slightly. Although he considered his strength quite respectable, he didn't dare casually claim the title of a "universally recognized genius." After all, the universally recognized genius of the village was none other than Kakashi Hatake.

"I... am not." Asuma gritted his teeth and finally admitted it.

Uchiha Chuan shrugged, his tone relaxed, "Then I'm sorry, I only accept challenges from universally recognized geniuses. As for you, you're not good enough."

"You!" Asuma Sarutobi turned pale with anger on the spot, his fists clenching so hard they popped, until he finally said through gritted teeth, "Fine, Uchiha Chuan, you just wait. I'll go defeat that other universally recognized genius, Kakashi, and then come back and beat you."

"Kakashi?" Uchiha Chuan couldn't help laughing out loud. "Alright, go ahead then, I'll wait."

Having just arrived, Kakashi, standing off to the side, was left completely speechless, complaining inwardly: How does this get dragged onto me? Uchiha Chuan, you really know how to shift the blame...

"Asuma, if you want to challenge Kakashi, you have to get past me first!" Right at that moment, Might Guy suddenly leaped out, striking a standard taijutsu starting stance with a face full of confidence.

"Watermelon-head?" Asuma Sarutobi frowned, his tone carrying a trace of disdain. "It's you—a guy who can't use ninjutsu, only knows taijutsu, and needed remedial admission just to get into school. You dare come provoke me?"

"What's wrong with taijutsu? Taijutsu is also an essential component of being a ninja! And even if I only know taijutsu, I won't lose to you guys." Might Guy retorted without showing any weakness. "Asuma, do you dare accept my challenge?"

"Hmph, since you're courting death, I'll grant your wish!" Asuma Sarutobi sneered, then assumed a fighting stance. "Come on!"

"Yosh! Burn, flames of youth!" Might Guy shouted, then charged forward.

The two of them quickly clashed into a ball. Although Asuma excelled at ninjutsu, he fell far short of Might Guy when it came to taijutsu. After a few exchanges, he was actually struck in the chest by a beautiful roundhouse kick from Might Guy, sending his entire body flying backward to crash heavily onto the ground.

"Th-This is impossible?" Asuma Sarutobi lay on the ground, staring blankly up at the sky, clearly having yet to recover from his defeat.

"Asuma, are you alright?" Might Guy walked forward, extending a hand to pull him up.

"I don't need your help!" Asuma Sarutobi slapped away Might Guy's hand, climbed up by himself, and his expression turned terrifyingly gloomy.

"Asuma Sarutobi, was it? Don't be discouraged." Uchiha Chuan walked up, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a hint of encouragement in his tone, "Taijutsu isn't your strong suit, so losing isn't shameful. Keep working hard, and once you get stronger, come challenge me again."

"Bastard, you're looking down on me." Asuma grew even more furious.

"Hehe, was it that obvious? Oh well, wouldn't it be great if you hadn't noticed so we could all just get along, but now that you've noticed, how awkward is this?" Uchiha Chuan said with a smiling expression.

"Damn it, Uchiha Chuan, you just wait for me. I will definitely defeat you." Asuma let out an angry cry and turned to leave.

"Then you've got quite a few people you need to defeat first, huh? Starting with Might Guy, then Kakashi, and only then me. Are you sure you can even make it to me?" Uchiha Chuan said.

"Hey, what does this have to do with me?" Kakashi was speechless. How did he end up becoming a shield?

"Asuma, you're welcome to challenge me anytime." Guy was much more enthusiastic.

"Bastard." Asuma was filled with fury, but could only leave with impotent rage.

"Uchiha Chuan, defeating Kakashi means I can challenge you, right?" Guy looked at Uchiha Chuan with glowing eyes.

"That's right." Uchiha Chuan said calmly.

"Kakashi, let's have a youthful duel!" Guy immediately looked at Kakashi with boundless enthusiasm.

"No, I refuse to accept this kind of inexplicable challenge. Besides, I am not Uchiha Chuan's shield. If you want a challenge, challenge him directly." Kakashi said speechlessly.

"Kakashi, you're my lifelong rival; I have to defeat you no matter what." Guy completely ignored what people were saying.

"..." Kakashi was speechless and could only turn to leave.

It wasn't until Kakashi reminded them that they weren't even in the same class that Guy finally had to leave.

Uchiha Chuan, however, happened to be in the same class as him, so he followed him into the classroom.