Beating Uchiha Aoki Senseless

The moment the dismissal bell rang, the classroom erupted into chaos, even though it was only the children's first day of school.

The little brats rushed out as if fleeing a disaster, schoolbags swinging everywhere.

Cheng took his time packing up, his mind still turning over the Third Shinobi World War and the night of the massacre.

He picked up his schoolbag and headed out. Just outside the classroom, he spotted Obito bouncing around at the far end of the corridor.

"Cheng! Over here!"

Cheng walked over. "Didn't we agree to meet at the training ground tonight?"

"Yeah!" Obito scratched his head. "But I was afraid you'd forget, so..."

"So you're going to follow me home?"

"Uh..."

Cheng couldn't be bothered with him. He turned and headed toward the clan compound.

Obito hurried after him, tagging along like a tail.

"Cheng, that thing you said in class today... about beating three people with one hand. Was that true?"

"What do you think?"

"I think..." Obito hesitated. "It should... might... probably be true?"

Cheng gave him a sidelong look.

"Hey, hey, hey! What's with that look?"

Obito grew flustered. "It's not that I don't believe you! It's just... Aoki's dad is a jonin, and he's taught him loads of ninjutsu..."

"So you think I can't beat him?"

"No, no! I just..."

Before Obito could finish, Cheng abruptly stopped.

Three figures blocked the intersection ahead.

Aoki and his two lackeys.

"Well, if it isn't our great genius."

Aoki folded his arms, his smile dripping with mockery.

"Pretty quick to run off after school, weren't you?"

Cheng sighed inwardly. He really had forgotten all about this.

With his head full of the Third Shinobi World War, the massacre, the system, and getting stronger, who had time to remember an arranged fight with some little brat?

"Aoki, what do you want?" Obito stepped in front of Cheng.

"What the hell is it to you?" Aoki rolled his eyes. "Get lost, dead last."

"You!"

"Obito." Cheng reached out and pulled him behind him. "Stay back."

"But..."

"Stay back."

Obito opened his mouth, but finally obediently stepped behind Cheng, his fists still clenched tight.

Cheng looked at Aoki and his two lackeys, rapidly weighing his options.

One against three?

I couldn't win.

The boost the system had given him was only a quarter manifestation of his lie about beating three people with one hand. Actually fighting three at once would probably be a struggle.

But...

Cheng glanced at Obito behind him.

My mark's right here! If I chicken out today, that whole "genius" image I've built will collapse.

Obito's fifty percent trust would probably plummet straight to zero.

"What, scared?" Aoki grew even smugger when Cheng stayed silent. "Weren't you full of hot air at school? Beating three people with one hand? Come on, here's your chance."

Cheng didn't answer. His gaze swept across their faces.

Aoki looked arrogant, while one lackey sneered and the other loosened up his wrists.

"The training ground," Cheng suddenly said.

"What?"

"Didn't you want to fight?" Cheng pointed toward the clan compound. "Let's go to the training ground. If we fight here and the patrolling police force catches us, we'll both get punished."

Aoki paused, then scoffed. "Sure. You even know how to pick a spot. Let's go!"

He turned to lead the way, his two lackeys flanking him.

Cheng followed.

"Cheng..." Obito tugged at his sleeve and lowered his voice. "Are you really going to fight? There's three of them..."

"I know," Cheng cut him off. "Stand well back when we get there. Don't interfere."

"But!"

"Don't interfere," Cheng repeated, his tone serious. "This is between him and me."

Obito stared at Cheng for a few seconds before finally releasing his sleeve, but his eyes were full of worry.

Cheng was actually feeling a little nervous himself.

But he had no choice. Having taken the act this far, he couldn't suddenly shout "Cut!" now, could he?

The group made their way to the communal training ground in the Uchiha Clan Compound.

It was dinnertime, and the training ground was deserted.

The setting sun stained the sandy ground orange-red, with a few wooden posts standing forlornly in the empty space.

Aoki walked to the center of the ground and turned to face Cheng.

"Here will do." He loosened up his neck. "Don't say I'm bullying you. One on one."

Cheng raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"

"Obviously." Aoki snorted. "I need three people to beat you? I'd never live that down."

Cheng breathed an inward sigh of relief. Fortunately, this kid cared about his pride.

"Then let's do it." Cheng tossed his schoolbag to Obito. "Hold this for me."

Obito caught the bag and backed away to the edge, his eyes fixed on the two of them.

The two lackeys retreated to the opposite side, folding their arms to watch the show.

Aoki assumed an opening stance. It was fairly textbook; clearly, he'd had proper training.

Cheng took his own stance.

Although the system's Taijutsu boost hadn't reached the level of "beating three people with one hand," it should be enough to handle Aoki alone.

"Ready?" Aoki asked.

"Yeah."

"Then-"

Before Aoki finished speaking, he suddenly lunged forward!

He was pretty fast.

But Cheng was faster.

Aoki was only halfway through his charge when Cheng sidestepped and kicked him in the calf.

Thud!

Aoki stumbled and nearly fell.

He regained his footing and turned to glare at Cheng. "You!"

Cheng gave him no chance to speak, closing in immediately.

Close in, punch, elbow, knee.

His movements were clean and crisp, without a single unnecessary flourish.

Aoki tried to block, but Cheng's fists kept slipping through at awkward angles.

He tried to counterattack, but every time he raised his hand, Cheng's next strike was already upon him.

He was completely overwhelmed.

"This... how is this possible..."