Nicely done

As Asuma Sarutobi roared, a small, agile monkey with brown fur nimbly climbed onto his shoulder, its furry tail winding around his forearm as its bright black eyes scanned its surroundings.

Yet, despite being the summoned beast Asuma Sarutobi had called forth, it did not obey his command to turn into a weapon.

Instead, it simply remained crouched on Asuma Sarutobi's shoulder, watching everyone around it curiously.

"...What are you doing?!"

Seeing that the Sarumaru he had summoned was completely ignoring his orders, Asuma Sarutobi's already flushed face grew even redder.

"Looks like you're not up to much either."

Uchiha Gen spoke softly, watching the monkey on Asuma Sarutobi's shoulder with interest.

Well, Asuma Sarutobi was Hiruzen Sarutobi's son. Having a summoned beast that could turn into a weapon was perfectly normal.

But...

He was rather curious. What changes would these summoned beasts have undergone in this Shinobi World?

"Hmph! What do you know?! Sarumaru, if you don't transform, I'm never summoning you again!!"

Asuma Sarutobi shook his shoulder and barked the order. His "threat" worked. Sarumaru immediately leaped into the air, thick, ocher chakra suddenly wrapping around its body as it rapidly shrank and changed shape.

In an instant, the monkey vanished, and a heavy staff, solid throughout and bearing a few patterns, landed firmly in his palm. About two meters long and hard to the touch, it was the ninja tool the monkey had transformed into.

"Interesting."

Watching Asuma Sarutobi holding the staff, Uchiha Gen couldn't help smiling. This sense of the unknown was what made things interesting.

You never knew what sort of stunt those familiar characters would suddenly pull.

The instant Sarumaru finished transforming, Asuma Sarutobi struck first. He lunged forward, sweeping the staff out with a sharp rush of wind. Powerful gusts wound around its length, clearly the beginnings of Wind Release chakra coating.

There was no need even to activate his Sharingan to anticipate Asuma Sarutobi's movements.

Facing the attack, Uchiha Gen merely twisted sideways and darted back, easily avoiding the heavy blow.

The wooden staff slammed down, smashing a shallow crater into the ground.

Asuma Sarutobi tried to lift it for another strike, but a foot planted itself firmly on the wooden staff.

"Seems I overestimated you. You're really so slow~."

Standing on the wooden staff, Uchiha Gen looked down at Asuma Sarutobi, who gripped it with both hands, and spoke with a smile.

"You Uchiha bastard! What are you acting so smug for?! Sarumaru, transform!!"

Realizing he couldn't pull the wooden staff free with Uchiha Gen standing on it, Asuma Sarutobi immediately shouted again. The next moment, the staff in his hands erupted in white smoke. Sarumaru returned to its small monkey form and sprang at Uchiha Gen from the side, its claws coated in sharp chakra as they raked toward his flank, while Asuma Sarutobi rapidly formed hand seals.

"Hahaha! Pay for your arrogance, Uchiha Gen! You're finished! Fire Release: Fierce Fire! Wind Release: Flowing Clouds!"

Asuma Sarutobi formed his hand seals extremely quickly, and the two ninjutsu he unleashed seemed to require very few seals. In an instant, fierce winds carrying flaming meteors swept toward Uchiha Gen, engulfing the space before him.

At the same time, Sarumaru's claw strike came from behind him.

Yet, after swiftly completing his seals and unleashing his ninjutsu, Asuma Sarutobi saw Uchiha Gen standing leisurely opposite him, showing no intention of attacking.

"Oh no! Uchiha Gen, get out of the way!"

Seeing Uchiha Gen remain motionless, a flicker of panic crossed Asuma Sarutobi's face. Although he disliked Uchiha Gen, he had never actually intended to hurt him.

But the next second, a familiar voice sounded behind him.

"What sort of stupid brain gave you the illusion that you could hurt me? Oh, right, one more thing. That 'acting smug' you mentioned? We Uchiha are born this way. No need to be jealous."

Asuma Sarutobi whipped his head around, only to see Uchiha Gen smiling at him.

The next moment, a familiar pain struck his other cheek.

Meanwhile, the "Uchiha Gen" caught between the ninjutsu and Sarumaru dissolved into illusory crows that scattered into the air.

"Genjutsu?! Aaaah! Damn you, Uchiha Gen! Is using underhanded tricks like this all you can do?!! Kurenai, I didn't mean there was anything wrong with genjutsu."

Having suffered the same fate twice, Asuma Sarutobi instantly flushed red and roared in anger. But the words had barely left his mouth before he realized something was wrong. He immediately turned to Kurenai Yuhi, who was watching from the side, and explained.

Uchiha Gen, however, had no intention of waiting for his explanation. He kicked out, sending Asuma Sarutobi flying into an intimate kiss with the ground.

Thud!

As Asuma Sarutobi went flying, Sarumaru, who stood nearby scratching its head, also vanished in a puff of white smoke.

"Uchiha Gen wins!"

The moment Asuma Sarutobi hit the ground, Sarutobi Ichino immediately announced the result, as though afraid Asuma Sarutobi would get back up.

"Nicely done!"

With the match decided, Uchiha Gen turned and walked off the stage. As he passed Sarutobi Ichino, the man's low voice reached his ears.

In response, Uchiha Gen merely made a gesture, reminding Sarutobi Ichino not to forget what he had promised him.

This kid.

"Next match, Genma Shiranui versus Kurenai Yuhi!"

"Step right up! Don't miss out! Last day of our clearance sale on quality ninja tools!!"

"Twenty percent off weekend meals at Yakiniku Q! Limited spots, first come, first served!"

Another weekend had arrived.

As he walked along Konoha's main street, shops on both sides called out energetically to draw in customers.

After a week of classes, Uchiha Gen understood the importance of balancing work and rest. Checking in and getting stronger every day was already exhausting, so naturally, he needed a proper rest on the weekend.

As for his destination today...

Half an hour later.

Standing atop the rock face carved in the likeness of the inherently evil Tobirama Senju, he took in the unobstructed view of Konoha below and the occasional Ninja Hawk flying through the sky to deliver mission assignments.

Uchiha Gen was in an inexplicably good mood. As Konoha's most famous landmark, Hokage Rock looked imposing, but it was actually open to the public. Normally, as long as you didn't do anything provocative like scribble graffiti on the carved faces, no one would bother you.

"No wonder everyone likes looking at the scenery from high places. The view from the very top really is good. Those two certainly knew how to pick a spot."

Sitting cross-legged on Hokage Rock with a bottle of cola in hand, Uchiha Gen gazed down at Konoha and sighed softly.