Facing a Chunin!

On the street, Asuma's two lackeys dropped from the air and launched straight into an attack on Mu Feng.

Watching from the sidelines, Kurenai Yuhi felt her heart tighten.

"Come on, Mu Feng!"

As the two lackeys closed in on Mu Feng, he still showed no intention of dodging, and Kurenai grew increasingly nervous.

Meanwhile, a gleam flashed in the eyes of Asuma's two lackeys.

"We'll avenge the boss..."

"For the boss..."

Both shouted excitedly.

But just then...

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two of Mu Feng's clones suddenly appeared beside them.

They raised their legs and delivered two solid kicks, sending the airborne lackeys flying.

Neither of them was even as good as Asuma at taijutsu. Mu Feng's clones could handle them easily!

The two lackeys hit the ground.

Asuma's trio had officially lost!

Their attack had unfolded over several dozen seconds, yet their defeat had come in an instant.

After being sent flying by Mu Feng's clones, the two lackeys got to their feet, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"That's not the Clone Technique!"

"They have solid bodies! They're shadow clones!"

"He actually knows how to use shadow clones!" one lackey exclaimed.

Off to the side, Asuma was gradually recovering as well.

But the moment he raised his head, three Mu Fengs appeared in front of him and surrounded him.

"Well? Had enough?"

"Promise you won't pester Kurenai again, and I'll let you go!"

Mu Feng looked down at Asuma as he spoke.

"Damn you, Mu Feng! I'll never give in! You think you can steal Kurenai away? Dream on! Pah!" Asuma's face was furious, and he clearly refused to concede.

He was even less willing to agree to Mu Feng's condition.

"So you won't agree, and you won't give in!"

"Fine, then I'll beat you until you do!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the clone beside Mu Feng slammed a fist into Asuma.

"Mu Feng, let our boss go! Our boss is Lord Hokage's son! You can't treat him like this!"

Seeing the three Mu Fengs surrounding Asuma, the two lackeys immediately rushed over and shouted, but they dared not attack. They knew they were no match for Mu Feng.

"Damn it, Mu Feng! Just you wait!"

"I'll never admit defeat!"

Even after taking a punch, Asuma kept shouting, refusing to give in!

Then Mu Feng's second clone joined in.

But Mu Feng only wanted to teach Asuma a lesson this time, so he didn't hit him too hard.

The lackeys watching nearby, however, grew anxious at the sight.

"Hurry! Go get Lord Hokage!"

"Right, right! Get Lord Hokage!"

Both immediately thought of Asuma's father, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi!

With that, they ran toward the Hokage Building.

But before they had taken even two steps...

Whoosh!

An adult man wearing a forehead protector appeared before them and glared fiercely at Mu Feng.

"How dare you! A Uchiha dares lay hands on Lord Hokage's son!"

"Release young master Asuma at once!"

The moment he finished speaking, the adult man rushed straight up to Mu Feng.

Hearing him, Mu Feng turned to look at the man. He wore a Konoha forehead protector and appeared to be in his twenties. Judging by his outfit, he looked more like a Chunin.

The Chunin stared at Mu Feng, his eyes filled with anger and displeasure, as though Mu Feng were his sworn enemy.

"Oh, someone's finally come to stand up for him?"

The sight of the man immediately reminded Mu Feng of Ebisu, the teacher who stayed by Konohamaru's side.

Now it seemed Asuma had probably enjoyed the same treatment as a child. He was the Third Hokage's son, after all!

"A Chunin?"

Mu Feng asked tentatively.

"Hmph! Since you know, release young master Asuma immediately! Young master Asuma is far above the likes of you! Otherwise, don't blame me for getting rough, you Uchiha brat!" the Chunin said through gritted teeth.

From his tone, Mu Feng sensed not only his displeasure toward him, but also his hostility toward the Uchiha Clan.

That immediately fired Mu Feng up!

"Getting rough? How, exactly?"

"As it happens, I've been looking for a Chunin to test my current strength against!"

"You'll do just fine!"

Mu Feng raised an eyebrow as he spoke.

"Heh, you little brat. You're awfully young to be talking so big! The Uchiha really are all alike!"

"In that case, I'll teach you a lesson myself! Give you something to remember!"

Naturally, the Chunin had no reason to fear a child of seven or eight.

With that, he walked toward Mu Feng.

But just then, Asuma stood up.

"This is my business! Stay out of it! Go back and tell him that if I, Asuma, want to become stronger, I'll do it on my own, not by riding on the title of the Hokage's son!"

Asuma glared at the Chunin, looking even angrier than before.

Hearing this, the Chunin frowned, his gaze darkening slightly.

"Young master Asuma, my duties are to teach you and ensure your safety! He has already..."

"He's my classmate. We were just messing around..." Asuma wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and spoke stubbornly.

His words left Mu Feng a little surprised.

The original story had also mentioned that before Asuma grew up, he had been a rebellious delinquent. Only after the Third Shinobi World War, when he spent several years traveling to gain experience and then returned to Konoha, did he become mature and steady. Asuma's current behavior largely fit that portrayal.

But Mu Feng had finally found a suitable opponent to practice against, and he wasn't about to let this chance slip away.

Besides, with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan activated, fighting meant learning ninjutsu, which meant earning blackening points.

"Tch, you make it sound like I'm bound to lose!"

"Don't think you're anything special just because you're a Chunin!"

"Today, I, Mu Feng Uchiha, challenge you! I'll show you what the Uchiha Clan is made of!"

With that, Mu Feng stepped straight forward, ignoring Asuma!

At the same time, Mu Feng formed hand seals again.

Poof! Poof! Poof!

Two more shadow clones appeared beside Mu Feng.

His gaze hardened, and all four shadow clones moved at once, launching the first attack.

"Ridiculous! You think mastering the A-rank Shadow Clone Technique lets you defeat a Chunin? I'll teach you a lesson today!"

"Forgive me, young master Asuma! Even if he is your classmate, I won't allow him to provoke me like this!"

The Chunin bowed to Asuma, then assumed a fighting stance.

Watching Mu Feng's four clones charge toward him, the Chunin formed hand seals, then slammed his hand hard against the ground.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow River!"

As his shout rang out, the ground beneath Mu Feng's four clones suddenly turned into a swamp and began to flow.

All four clones immediately lost their balance and were about to crash heavily to the ground.

But at that moment...

Mu Feng, who had remained where he was, showed no sign of panic. He even felt a little delighted.

"It's finally started!"

Mu Feng murmured as a red gleam flashed in his eyes, and three black tomoe settled into place.