Uchiha Shinichi

The next day, Ye Feng arrived at school early. There were still very few people in the classroom. Obito, who had left even earlier than he had, actually hadn't arrived yet. He had probably been held up helping an old lady cross the road again.

Since the teacher hadn't arrived yet, Ye Feng didn't need to hide anything and began training. But before he had trained for long, the shadows of a group of people fell over him, and he sensed that quite a few people had surrounded him.

He opened his eyes and saw a boy of eight or nine standing directly in front of him. Judging by his clothes, he was also an Uchiha. Beside him stood Uchiha Lie, his face bruised and swollen.

"You're Uchiha Yefeng?" The Uchiha leading the group spoke first, his face expressionless.

"That's me. What do you want?" Ye Feng wasn't intimidated. At this age, everyone had limited chakra and didn't know any powerful ninjutsu. Almost no one could be stronger than Ye Feng.

"My name is Uchiha Shinichi. I'm Uchiha Lie's older brother and Uchiha Fū's older cousin. I heard you beat both of them up. Although they're unruly and good-for-nothing, that doesn't mean just anyone gets to discipline them. I challenge you. I'll wait for you on the training ground shortly. Whatever the outcome, this matter will end here, and no one will trouble you over it again."

With that, the poker-faced boy turned and left, completely disregarding whether Ye Feng had agreed.

After Uchiha Shinichi left the classroom, it immediately erupted into chatter. Uchiha Shinichi was a renowned genius of the Uchiha Clan. Although he was only in his fourth year at the Ninja Academy, his strength had long since surpassed that of a Genin. Many suspected he already had the strength of a Chunin, though no one knew his actual strength.

Uchiha Shinichi issuing a challenge today was an unprecedented first, and his opponent was Uchiha Yefeng, who had only just enrolled. How could such sensational news fail to attract attention?

"Isn't this just bullying? A nine-year-old challenging a four-year-old? Has he no shame?"

"Shh. Keep your voice down. He's from the Uchiha Clan. There are a few Uchiha Clan members in our class too."

"Ye Feng, don't listen to him. With such a huge gap, it's perfectly normal for us not to accept." Rin Nohara also urged Ye Feng not to go.

Even Ye Feng's supporters weren't optimistic about this challenge and hurried to persuade him not to walk into trouble.

Ye Feng could sense that Uchiha Shinichi was persistent. If he didn't deal with him, his days ahead would never be peaceful.

So Ye Feng gave a soft chuckle, stood up, and headed for the door. Everyone around him was surprised by his actions.

Inuzuka Clan Fengyu and Kurenai Yuhi, who had now arrived in the classroom, had also heard about Uchiha Shinichi wanting to compete with you. They hurried to block the doorway, refusing to let Ye Feng out. They too were convinced you were no match for Uchiha Shinichi and that going out would only get you beaten up.

"It's fine. I'm just going to talk to Uchiha Shinichi. Don't worry. I'm not stupid. I won't go looking for a beating," Ye Feng reassured them.

"Really just to talk?"

"Do I look like an idiot to you?"

Uchiha Shinichi had already made his declaration. If Ye Feng didn't go, he wouldn't give up so easily. If they could resolve things through a conversation, so much the better.

Inuzuka Clan Fengyu and Kurenai Yuhi stepped aside, letting Ye Feng head for the training ground.

Kurenai Yuhi was a little more composed and hurriedly said to Inuzuka Clan Fengyu:

"I'll go keep an eye on Ye Feng. Hurry and find Mr. Sato Ichiki, just in case something happens."

The two went their separate ways.

In the small Ninja Academy, news that Uchiha Shinichi, a genius of the Uchiha Clan and the academy's top student, had challenged a newly enrolled first-year quickly spread throughout the school. Although it smacked of bullying, it made for plenty of gossip.

Before long, the training ground was packed with people, all wanting to see just what sort of person this first-year Uchiha Yefeng was to have prompted a challenge from Uchiha Shinichi.

Ye Feng arrived at the training ground as well. The crowd immediately opened a path wide enough for one person, allowing him through.

Ye Feng now saw Uchiha Shinichi standing with his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes closed.

He really knows how to play it cool, Ye Feng thought, and his words were no less cutting:

"What I despise most is using power to bully others. Those two younger brothers of yours aren't good people either, bullying others with the backing of their clan. Beat the little ones, and a bigger one comes along. Once I beat you, will an old one show up next?"

"Sharp-tongued brat. I know better than you what those two are usually like. I have just as little regard for trash like that. But they're my younger brothers. I'll discipline them myself. I don't need an outsider like you interfering."

Uchiha Shinichi exuded an imposing presence, and his forceful words added to it:

"I, Uchiha Shinichi, stand by my word, and I never use power to bully others. Fight me today, and whatever the outcome, everything that happened before will be wiped clean. I can guarantee that no one will trouble you over this matter again."

Ye Feng was somewhat surprised. Uchiha Shinichi really is different from the average Uchiha. It feels like he does have some principles, but he's a little too arrogant. If I can win him over, he'll be a great help in the future.

"Very good. Your principles alone have earned you some of my respect. Then let me see how much strength you actually have!" Ye Feng was also eager at the prospect of a worthy opponent and wanted to test Uchiha Shinichi's strength.

The spectators also marveled at the presence the two exuded.

Kurenai Yuhi, however, was beside herself with anxiety.

Didn't he say he was only coming to talk? How did it turn into a fight again? Didn't Inuzuka Clan Fengyu go to find our homeroom teacher? Why aren't they here yet? If they don't come soon, it'll be too late!

Meanwhile, Ye Feng's homeroom teacher, Sato Ichiki, and Uchiha Shinichi's homeroom teacher, Fujii Ichiro, were already standing at the office window, watching Uchiha Shinichi and Uchiha Yefeng face each other on the training ground below. Beside them, Inuzuka Clan Fengyu was frantic. "Mr. Sato Ichiki, hurry down and stop them! If you don't go now, it'll be too late. If they start fighting, something could easily go wrong."

Sato Ichiki, however, was in no hurry and said calmly, "Don't worry. Can't you see how composed Uchiha Yefeng looks? He must have some confidence. Besides, there's an expert at the training ground who won't let anything happen to them. Just watch and put your mind at ease."