Getting Competitive

After stepping down, Kurenai Yuhi was the first to come over. She looked at Fang Xu, her red eyes shining brightly.

"Fang Xu, you were amazing just now."

Rin Nohara also said with a smile, "Yeah, you moved so fast I could barely see it."

Obito squeezed his way over, looking unconvinced yet unable to hide his curiosity.

"Fang Xu, what exactly was that move just now? You were crackling all over, and then your speed suddenly shot up."

Fang Xu answered casually, "Just a minor application of Lightning Release chakra."

Ebisu could not help saying, "A minor application can instantly defeat Asuma?"

Fang Xu glanced at him.

"Maybe I'm just more used to using it."

The surrounding students' mouths twitched. That was far too infuriating, yet the facts were right in front of them—Asuma really had been instantly defeated.

Kurenai Yuhi looked at Fang Xu, surrounded by everyone, and felt something indescribable in her heart.

She was happy, but she also felt pressure. Fang Xu was growing stronger far too quickly.

If she continued progressing step by step like before, she would soon only be able to watch his back.

Asuma stood some distance away, watching the scene as well.

Kurenai Yuhi, Rin Nohara, Obito, and quite a few other classmates were all gathered around Fang Xu.

Meanwhile, he, the loser, seemed to have been left outside the circle.

Was he bitter? Of course he was.

Especially when he saw the shine in Kurenai Yuhi's eyes, Asuma felt even more stifled.

But this time, he did not rush up to say anything childish.

A loss was a loss. No matter how unwilling he was to accept it, he could not change the fact that he had been instantly defeated.

Asuma clenched his fists.

"Next time..."

"I'll definitely catch up to him."

Hokage Office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood before the crystal ball, having watched the entire match with perfect clarity.

From Asuma's proactive attack, to Fang Xu's steady defense, to the instant counterattack in Lightning Mode.

Nothing had escaped his eyes.

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a puff of smoke, a hint of satisfaction on his face.

"You've improved quickly, Fang Xu."

He had only given Fang Xu the incomplete version of the Cloud Lightning Body Tempering Technique last night.

Yet the boy had already learned to use Lightning Activation with greater precision.

Of course, Fang Xu was not the only one who satisfied Hiruzen Sarutobi.

There was Asuma as well.

Although Asuma had been upset after losing just now, he had not made a scene.

Instead, his fighting spirit had been ignited by defeat. That was exactly what Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to see.

Asuma had been rebellious these past years. He refused to listen, yet always kept his frustrations bottled up inside.

No matter how much Hiruzen Sarutobi said as his father, Asuma would not listen. But the provocation of someone his own age was different.

Especially someone like Fang Xu, who had originally been weaker than him, suddenly caught up and defeated him in public.

That blow was painful enough. Only after it hurt would he want to grow stronger.

Seeing Asuma clench his fists in the crystal ball, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally felt a little relieved.

"Competition is fine."

"Being provoked is fine too."

"As long as you're willing to move forward, it isn't a bad thing."

That evening, at the Sarutobi Clan Grounds.

Asuma stood before the Third Hokage, the usual awkwardness and laziness gone from his face.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had just set down his documents when he saw his son come looking for him on his own, and he was somewhat surprised.

"Asuma, it's so late. What is it?"

Asuma fell silent for a moment before raising his head. "Old man, I want to become stronger."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand holding the pipe froze. He nearly thought he had misheard.

Over the years, Asuma had rarely taken the initiative to lower his head to him, much less voluntarily ask to train.

Hiruzen Sarutobi suppressed the wild joy in his heart and tried to keep his tone calm.

"Why do you suddenly feel that way?"

Asuma gritted his teeth.

"I lost to Fang Xu today."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

"I heard."

Asuma clenched his fists tighter.

"It wasn't an ordinary loss."

"I was instantly defeated."

"Kurenai saw it. The whole class saw it."

As he said this, his face reddened slightly.

"I don't want to embarrass myself like that again next time."

"I want to become stronger quickly."

"Next time, I'll defeat Fang Xu and make Kurenai look at me differently."

Seeing his son like this, Hiruzen Sarutobi nearly laughed.

So Kurenai Yuhi was part of the reason too.

But regardless of why, Asuma being willing to improve on his own was a good thing.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up.

"Good."

Asuma froze.

"You agreed?"

"Of course."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was gentle.

"If you're willing to work hard, then as your father, of course I'll teach you."

"From now on, whenever I have time, I'll personally guide you."

"If I'm busy, I'll arrange for the clan's elite jonin to teach you the basics, ninjutsu, and combat."

Asuma's eyes immediately lit up.

"Then let's start now!"

This time, Hiruzen Sarutobi was truly surprised.

"Now?"

"Yes, now."

Asuma sounded urgent.

"I don't want to wait any longer."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him for several seconds, the smile on his face growing clearer.

"Good."

"Since you're in such a hurry, we'll start with the basics."

"Come with me to the backyard training ground."

Asuma immediately followed.

The two walked toward the backyard, one after the other.

Inside the house, Biwako Sarutobi stood by the door, watching the father and son's backs with a touch of relief on her face.

Over the years, Asuma and Hiruzen Sarutobi would start arguing after barely exchanging a few words.

One thought his father meddled too much, while the other thought his son was not mature enough.

Caught between them, she had suffered plenty of headaches as well.

But tonight was different. Asuma had taken the initiative to seek instruction, and Hiruzen Sarutobi was willing to teach him patiently.

No matter what the reason was, at least father and son could finally get along properly.

Elsewhere.

After Kurenai Yuhi returned home, she did not rest first as usual.

She went straight to find her father, Shinku Yuhi.

Shinku Yuhi had just sat down for tea when he saw his daughter standing before him with a serious expression.

"Father, please teach me how to become stronger."

Shinku Yuhi set down his teacup, somewhat surprised.

"Why are you suddenly so serious?"

Kurenai Yuhi pressed her lips together.

"I don't want to fall behind."

Shinku Yuhi looked at his daughter and smiled.

"Fall behind whom?"

Kurenai Yuhi's expression stiffened slightly.

"My classmates."

"Your classmates?"

Shinku Yuhi drew out the words.

"Why do I feel that it isn't your classmates, but one particular classmate?"

Kurenai Yuhi's cheeks instantly reddened.

"Father!"

The moment Shinku Yuhi saw her reaction, he understood.

He deliberately sighed.

"Looks like my Kurenai has grown up. You have someone you like now."

Kurenai Yuhi's face turned even redder.

"N-No, I don't!"

Shinku Yuhi nodded.

"You don't? Then forget it."

"I was originally going to see which boy had made my daughter care so much."

Kurenai Yuhi bit her lip, then finally said softly, "It's Fang Xu."

Shinku Yuhi raised an eyebrow.

"Fang Xu?"

Kurenai Yuhi nodded. Though her voice was low, she sounded very serious.

"He's my deskmate."

"His parents both died on missions, and now he lives alone."

"His grades in class weren't particularly outstanding before, but over the past two weeks, he's improved especially quickly."

"He awakened a Lightning Release affinity and can use very powerful Lightning Nintaijutsu."

"Lord White Fang even took him as a disciple and taught him swordsmanship."

As she spoke, Kurenai Yuhi's eyes brightened.

"During combat class today, he even instantly defeated Asuma."