What Is a Genius?

But when the boys across from them saw this, every one of them burned with jealousy.

People said you shouldn't fish in your own pond, but this guy had scooped up every last one!

How could they put up with that?

Seeing Rin Nohara gazing dreamily at Ling Feng, Obito Uchiha seethed with rage. He stepped forward and shouted, "Ling Feng! Prepare to die!"

Ling Feng swept out an arm and stood in front of the girls. "Get back. Don't get caught in the crossfire."

And so, with Obito Uchiha leading the charge, the brawl began.

The practical training teacher was stunned. The worst-case scenario had happened after all.

Once he recovered, he could only hurry off to get the other teachers to help. There were too many children for him to control alone.

After the practical training teacher left, Ling Feng made his move too.

Facing his many classmates, Ling Feng remained expressionless, with no intention of holding back.

If you dare challenge me, you deserve a beating. As long as I don't leave any of you missing an arm or a leg, it's fine.

"Hyaa!"

A crowd lunged at Ling Feng, countless fists raining down.

"Earth Release: Fish Reflected in Earth!"

Ling Feng showed no mercy, opening with an Earth Release version of the Shadow Clone Technique.

This was far more useful than the Shadow Clone Technique. Within a set area, he could reposition without limit.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Whenever Ling Feng vanished from one spot and appeared in another, a child went flying, then slammed into the ground, ending up bruised and battered. It was a sorry sight.

Kakashi stood rooted to the spot, unsure what to do.

He wanted to challenge Ling Feng, but he had never imagined doing it this way.

Suddenly, Ling Feng appeared in front of Kakashi.

"Do me a favor."

"Huh?" Kakashi froze. Even someone as aloof as him seemed a little lost in front of Ling Feng.

That so-called aloofness was really just a matter of being better than everyone else. People read too much into everything such a person did, making strangers afraid to approach.

But Ling Feng's performance was even more impressive than Kakashi's, so now Kakashi was the stranger.

"Didn't you want to challenge me? Here's your chance. Lead them against me and do whatever you can to beat me!"

With that, Ling Feng turned into a clump of earth again and shifted to a new position.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

After sending another two flying, he returned to Kakashi.

"Well?"

This time, Kakashi nodded. "I'll give it everything I've got."

"Thanks!"

With that brief word, Ling Feng disappeared again and continued his rampage.

Although Kakashi did not understand what Ling Feng was doing, and thought he was being far too arrogant, he did as asked.

He had seen Ling Feng take down three Kirigakure Chunin in succession, so he knew how strong Ling Feng was.

But he still wanted to see just how strong Ling Feng really was!

"Everyone! Gather up!"

As Ling Feng vanished once more, Kakashi spoke.

His command rang out, loud and firm. Everyone who heard it involuntarily shuddered and instinctively gathered together.

Because in their eyes, Kakashi was still Konoha's number-one boy genius!

"Fish Reflected in Earth is very flexible, but we have numbers on our side. As long as we stay together and attack in every direction at once, Ling Feng will have nowhere to run!"

Everyone's eyes lit up at Kakashi's words.

Exactly! There was strength in numbers. With this many people, how could they fail to catch one fish?

And so, everyone began working together like never before.

Even Obito Uchiha, who had planned to show off in front of Rin Nohara, was stunned.

So this was Kakashi, Konoha's genius?

He really was a born combat genius!

One glance was all he needed to find a counter to Fish Reflected in Earth!

Oh well. I'd just have to hold back a little longer.

As long as Ling Feng gets taken down a peg, that's enough. Showing off can wait.

Rin Nohara is watching, after all!

Little did he know, Rin Nohara's gaze had been fixed solely on Ling Feng the entire time. As for Obito...

Sorry, but Ling Feng moves so fast that I can barely keep my eyes on him. How would I have time to pay attention to anyone else?

Hearing Kakashi's countermeasure, Ling Feng could not help voicing his admiration. It really was impressive, getting straight to the heart of the matter.

Unfortunately, the idea was still too naive!

Just when everyone thought they were certain to land a hit on Ling Feng this time...

Ling Feng vanished from the area covered by Fish Reflected in Earth!

Startled, Kakashi realized what had happened.

"What? Fish Reflected in Earth combined with the Body Flicker Technique!"

"First, he uses Fish Reflected in Earth to reach the very edge of its range, then activates the Body Flicker Technique the instant he appears, getting a step ahead of his enemies!"

"Heh. You really are the best of this bunch!"

Ling Feng had already appeared outside the area and spoke to Kakashi with a faint smile.

Skill was skill. There was no need to belittle it.

Because no matter how skilled Kakashi was, he could never be stronger than Ling Feng!

"But I'm still nowhere near you!"

Kakashi could not help clenching his fists. At that moment, his fighting spirit finally stirred.

It had been a long time since he had faced such a powerful opponent. Kakashi had even thought no one in his generation could possibly emerge who was worthy of his serious attention.

And now, an even more unfathomable expert had suddenly appeared!

"Work together! Don't give Ling Feng any openings!"

Kakashi did not know what Ling Feng would do next. He could only gather those who could still fight and have them ready to respond at any moment.

But Ling Feng laughed.

Banding together to guard against me?

How amusing.

How could the likes of you possibly stop me?

Sage Body, activate!

Byakugan, activate!

Ling Feng took a deep breath and used the Body Flicker Technique again, appearing before Kakashi in an instant.

To capture the bandits, first capture their leader. Once Kakashi fell, the other side's morale would crumble.

Kakashi was shocked. With more than twenty people still standing, he had not expected Ling Feng to come straight for him.

What incredible confidence!

Not far away, the elite ANBU member observing from the shadows was also dumbfounded.

What kind of tactic was this?

Knowing a B-Rank Earth Release technique at his age was certainly impressive, but how much chakra did he have left?

A ninja without chakra was essentially unable to fight, unless his Taijutsu was exceptionally good.

Just as that thought crossed the elite ANBU member's mind...

A clear shout rang out.

"Taijutsu: Front Lotus!"

Boom!

The elite ANBU member's mind practically exploded on the spot.

What?!

You're a five-year-old brat whose body hasn't even fully developed, and you've already mastered the Front Lotus?

How is your opponent, Might Guy, supposed to feel about that?

If the intel is right, this should be Might Guy's father's signature move!

Even Might Guy hasn't learned it yet, so how are you already using it?!