You're the Challenger

Kakashi and the crowd watched the Yan he had struck turn into a log.

Kakashi whipped around to find Yan standing calmly behind him.

A question flashed through Kakashi's mind, and his gaze turned wary.

When did he make the hand seals?

He demanded, "Why didn't you take me down when you had the chance?"

Yan shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. "Take you down? Don't get the wrong idea. You're the challenger."

The crowd stared. Was Yan really that bold?

Anger surged in Kakashi's chest, but he forced it back down.

He's trying to throw me off. Clever. Just what I'd expect from an Uchiha!

Yan watched Kakashi refuse to attack and began to wonder:

Why isn't he coming at me? I wanted to see what Counterattack does.

If ninja tools had been allowed in their first practical combat class, Yan would have shown off the Uchiha's shuriken skills already.

Yan and Kakashi stared each other down. In the end, Kakashi couldn't resist attacking an opponent who stood so loosely, full of openings.

A few quick steps brought him before Yan, and he threw a punch. Kakashi had a plan: if Yan used the Substitution Technique again, he would follow up with a backward kick.

Instead, Yan stepped forward, bent his right arm upward, and stamped his right foot down.

Kakashi's fist struck Yan's arm.

Thud!

Kakashi and the crowd heard the dull sound of flesh colliding.

Yan heard something else: a powerful beat of his own heart.

Thump!

Power surged through Yan's body. Counterattack had activated!

With his attack blocked, Kakashi used the impact to leap back.

Yan pushed off the ground. Now strengthened, he became a dark blur, appeared behind Kakashi, and kicked.

Still in midair, Kakashi had no time to react. Yan's foot struck his back and sent him flying.

Ignoring the pain, Kakashi planted a hand on the ground, flipped upright to bleed off the force, and landed steadily. He stared at Yan in shock.

What happened? It's like he's a different person!

Yan was delighted with his newfound strength and speed.

He drove off the ground again, leaving a depression beneath his foot as he charged at Kakashi.

Seeing Yan barrel toward him like a truck, Kakashi raced through hand seals and slammed his hands onto the ground.

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

An earthen wall carved with a dog's head rose before him.

Yan smiled. Without slowing, he punched the Earth-Style Wall.

Boom!

With a thunderous crash, Yan shattered the wall in one punch.

At the same moment, his five seconds of enhanced power ended. His fist stopped in front of Kakashi's face.

The crowd stared at the scene in shock.

"The match is decided!"

Taro announced the result loudly, then looked at Yan with lingering unease.

That kid was so fast even I, a Chunin, could barely keep up.

Kakashi stared at Yan, stunned. He had only recently learned Earth-Style Wall, and his wasn't as sturdy as his father's.

But a Ninja Academy student broke it with one punch? How does that make sense?

Is this what the Uchiha are like?

"You're strong."

Kakashi stood and held out his hand to form the Seal of Reconciliation with Yan.

"Yeah, you too. I'm looking forward to our next match."

Seeing Yan's smile, Kakashi felt something shift inside him.

The Uchiha aren't as arrogant as the rumors say.

Yan's smile was genuine. A message had appeared in his mind:

[Match decided! Defeated Kakashi Hatake (Ninja Academy). Received 100 Gold Coins.]

When he had fought Fugaku, the message had said he had challenged Uchiha Fugaku (Police Force captain) and received 50 Gold Coins.

So I get Gold Coins whether I win or lose, but winning pays more. That means I can keep using Fugaku as a source of experience.

The thought made Yan smile even wider.

The crowd finally recovered from the match.

Obito wiped imaginary cold sweat from his forehead and forced a grin. "No wonder I consider him my rival. Only someone who can beat Kakashi is worthy of losing to me."

Everyone turned to look at Obito. When he saw Rin looking too, his face reddened.

He started going on about the glory of the Uchiha, filling the air around him with laughter.

Anko watched Yan step off the platform, stunned.

Didn't Obito say Yan got beaten up at the training ground all the time? How is he so strong?

⊙∀⊙?

When she saw Yan approaching, Anko suddenly remembered something and turned to flee.

"Anko, what should I eat today?" Yan placed a hand on her shoulder.

Anko offered an early prayer for her wallet.

Meanwhile, it was Obito's turn to fight.

His opponent was Asuma.

Obito circled Asuma, watching him close in.

Remembering Yan's match, Obito let his hands hang at his sides and copied Yan's smile.

Alarm bells rang in Asuma's head. Was Obito like Yan too?

Once I use this Ninjutsu, Rin will look at me with admiration.

The thought of Rin watching from below filled Obito with excitement.

He took a deep breath and began making hand seals.

Snake-Ram-Monkey-Boar-Horse-Tiger.

Yan raised an eyebrow. He knew this Ninjutsu well: it was the Great Fireball Technique, which he had learned not long ago.

Kakashi's eyes narrowed. Was Obito holding back too?

Taro's heart lurched. Obito was about to use such a powerful Fire Release Ninjutsu here, against the Third Hokage's son no less.

I'm going to lose my job!

Taro was about to intervene, but Obito finished the seals and shouted, "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

As Obito's cheeks puffed up, Asuma panicked. It was too late to dodge.

Taro could almost see his teaching credentials melting away like butter.

Obito blew—

A tiny flame sputtered from his mouth and quickly vanished.

"Huh?"

Silence fell. Yan clamped his lips together, afraid that if he laughed now, Obito would target him later.

But no one could hold it in forever.

Yan certainly couldn't.

"Hahahahaha!"

Yan's laughter broke the silence, and soon everyone joined in.

"I'm dying! The Uchiha's tiny flame!"

"That scared me. I thought Obito could actually use Ninjutsu."

"Same here. He really had me fooled."

Obito's face turned crimson. He felt hotter than he ever had, as if steam were rising from his head.

Asuma snapped out of it, rushed in, and knocked the dazed Obito down with one punch.

Obito lay on the ground, staring at the blue sky.

What was the point of living?

"It's okay, Obito. You'll definitely succeed next time."

Rin Nohara's gentle voice reached him.

"Rin~"

Obito sprang to his feet.

"That's right! I'm going to become Hokage. What's one little failure? I'll definitely beat Kakashi next time."

Kakashi: ?

Wasn't Asuma the one who just knocked you down? Why are you coming after me?

Kakashi rubbed his forehead as he watched Obito grin foolishly beside Rin.

Then he looked at Yan, who stood beside Anko, and made up his mind. Next time, he would win.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's Office.

"Konoha's new sprouts are full of life."

The Third Hokage watched the younger generation through the Crystal Ball and smiled with satisfaction.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in."