Everyone fell silent when Sasuke said that.
He was something of a genius himself, ranking near the top of the class in every subject.
But he was so cold and unapproachable that none of them knew much about him.
Zhou Cheng had beaten Neji. Did Sasuke really dare challenge him?
Pink-haired Sakura wore a haughty expression.
"Hmph, you don't dare, do you?"
"Our Sasuke is the strongest!"
Naturally, Ino refused to let that slide. She pointed at Sakura's forehead.
"Wide Forehead, what are you talking about? My Zhou Cheng is the strongest!"
"Can your Sasuke use A-rank ninjutsu?"
Sakura choked on Ino's words, unable to come up with a retort.
In truth, she had no idea how strong Sasuke was. She simply adored everything about him, and she always liked arguing with Ino.
Naruto shouted at Sasuke, his face full of smug satisfaction.
"You stuck-up jerk! You're no match for Zhou Cheng. If you want a fight, fight me!"
Naruto had wanted to beat Sasuke up for ages!
Sasuke merely glanced at Naruto, his face full of disdain.
"A dead last has no right to talk to me!"
Naruto immediately flew into a rage, itching to knock Sasuke flat right then and there.
Zhou Cheng held Naruto back. Although his influence had made Naruto somewhat stronger than in the original story, Naruto still wasn't a match for Sasuke.
But the current Sasuke was no match for Zhou Cheng, either.
"You? An Uchiha?"
Zhou Cheng deliberately acted as though this were his first time meeting Sasuke.
"You're no match for me!"
Sasuke's expression instantly shifted from aloof to icy. You bastard! I'm a genius, and you dare look down on me?
"What did you say? I'm no match for you?"
Zhou Cheng nodded, continuing to crush his pride without mincing words.
"Forget the Great Waterfall Technique. Could you withstand even the Water Dragon Bullet Technique?"
Sasuke froze for a moment. B-rank ninjutsu... could I withstand that?
Zhou Cheng spread his hands, looking innocent.
"Obviously, you couldn't!"
If Zhou Cheng wanted to, he could beat the current Sasuke so badly that even his mother wouldn't recognize him!
Ignoring the furious Sasuke, Zhou Cheng thanked all his classmates for coming to watch his match, then told them they could ask him whenever they had any questions about training.
That gesture won him the goodwill of every classmate there.
Zhou Cheng knew that everyone liked hearing kind words. A single sentence could gain you a friend or make you an enemy.
It all depended on how you said it!
Knowing how to deal with people never went out of style, no matter where you were!
The classmates dispersed, leaving only the Konoha 12.
Zhou Cheng spotted Iruka standing among the teachers. He waved at him, then jogged over.
He was thinking of giving Iruka a little surprise.
"Iruka-sensei, I didn't embarrass you, did I?"
"Thank you for all your careful guidance!"
Iruka's face lit up with a smile at those words. This child really knew how to handle people.
He had only taught Zhou Cheng for a month. This level of strength was entirely the result of Zhou Cheng's own talent and hard training.
Yet the first thing Zhou Cheng did was thank his teacher for his guidance, instantly filling Iruka with delight.
His smile grew even broader. How could anyone not like this child?
"Hehe, this is all the result of your own hard work!"
Still wearing his sunny smile, Zhou Cheng continued.
"Sensei, I'd like to apply for early graduation!"
An uproar erupted!
The moment those words left his mouth, everyone burst into an uproar!
What was he saying? Early graduation?
He had only been in school for a month, and he already wanted to graduate?
Was he trying to make his classmates die of shame?
Looking at the stunned Konoha 12, Zhou Cheng thought:
I already know everything the Ninja Academy teaches. Staying here won't just keep me from learning anything new-it'll waste precious time.
If I apply for early graduation and become a genin, I can take on some simple missions.
Those missions will help my body adapt to the talents I gained through replication more quickly.
Just training on my own every day is far too slow!
Besides, going out on missions will let me avoid the Third Generation's surveillance and his attempts to take me as his disciple.
Iruka looked at Zhou Cheng seriously. After confirming that he wasn't joking, he nodded. What an outstanding child!
"All right, I'll submit your request!"
"But I can't guarantee it'll be approved!"
Zhou Cheng bowed to Iruka, thinking, With my current strength, I'm already comfortably above genin level. I definitely meet the requirements!
If it wasn't approved, it would surely be because that old fox, the Third Generation, objected.
Then all the Ninja Academy teachers left as well.
Zhou Cheng looked toward the few jonin who had yet to leave and immediately spotted several familiar figures. He thought:
It's Guy, Kakashi, and the others!
Should I try asking one of them to take me as a disciple?
Kakashi might not measure up to Jiraiya, but he's copied just as many ninjutsu as that old man, the Third Generation, knows.
Or should I ask Asuma Sarutobi?
He's the Third Generation's son. Surely the Third Generation wouldn't fight his own son over a disciple!
But asking just like that would be a little abrupt. I'm not supposed to know them yet!
Ugh, this is tricky!
Hmm, I could go over and greet Guy. With his personality, he's bound to introduce his best buddy!
Right, that's what I'll do!
Zhou Cheng jogged over to Guy and respectfully addressed him as sensei!
Guy grew a little excited, thinking Zhou Cheng had come to ask to become his disciple.
Hehe, my disciple has finally come!
First, he pulled Kakashi over and introduced him.
"This is Kakashi Hatake, known as the Copy Ninja!"
Then he pointed at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was smoking.
"That's Asuma Sarutobi. He's a great shinobi too!"
Zhou Cheng was already grinning inwardly. Guy, you're a good man!
"You're Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja?"
Kakashi's dead-fish eyes widened a little as he looked at Zhou Cheng in confusion. This kid knows me?
"I'm Kakashi. Kid, do you know me?"
Kakashi grew wary. Zhou Cheng had come from another village, so he shouldn't know him.
"Oh, I've heard of your great reputation since I was little. My parents admired you very much, too!"
Zhou Cheng looked respectful on the surface, but inwardly he was trying to invent an excuse to bluff his way through.
Using people who were already dead was naturally the best option. They couldn't contradict him!
Sorry, Mom and Dad!
Kakashi's expression softened somewhat, though he didn't completely lower his guard. Am I really that famous?
Even genin from the Land of Water know about me?
Zhou Cheng met Kakashi's gaze fearlessly. If he wanted to ease Kakashi's suspicions, he couldn't be afraid to look him in the eye!
"Kakashi-sensei, I'd like to become your disciple! I want to learn from you how to become a powerful shinobi."
The moment he said that, Kai was the first to lose it.
Guy stared at Zhou Cheng in shock, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Hadn't Zhou Cheng come to become his disciple? Why had he stopped wanting him the moment he saw Kakashi?