"Your Ice Release is getting more and more polished."
"It's all right. Nothing special. It's still not at the level I imagined."
Yuzuru lay on the grass with a foxtail stem between his lips, gazing at the sky.
"We'll be going to the Ninja Academy in two months. Is there anything you want to do?"
Kakashi lay down too. They both gazed quietly at the sky, enjoying this peaceful everyday life.
"Something I want to do? Hmm, does getting a few girlfriends count?"
Kakashi: ?
"What do you mean, a few girlfriends?"
"Well, I have a lot of love to give."
Kakashi looked at Yuzuru, at a loss for words.
His little brother was very talented, but he had a lazy disposition.
"I'll become a ninja who surpasses Father."
Kakashi spoke of his dream.
"A ninja? Well, good luck with that."
Two months later, it was time for new students to enroll at the Ninja Academy.
Generally speaking, the Ninja Academy stipulated that children started school at six, but some gifted children entered early, like Yuzuru and Kakashi now.
Accompanied by Hatake Sakumo, the two arrived at the school gates.
Just then, they both looked toward a peculiar father and son.
Green bodysuits, bowl cuts, thick eyebrows, and a perpetually pumped-up state of mind.
Hmm...
Yuzuru glanced at Kakashi, then at Might Guy.
"I get the feeling he'll be really close friends with Kakashi."
"Who? Him? Are you kidding?"
Kakashi's eyes immediately widened.
As luck would have it, Might Guy heard this and immediately ran over excitedly.
"I know you, Kakashi, the White Fang's son, the boy genius! My name is Might Guy. From now on, you'll be the goal I work toward. Youth needs a goal worth chasing!"
"That's right, Guy! I'm proud of you for thinking that way. After registration, we'll run five laps around Konoha. That's the hot blood of youth!"
"Yes, Father!"
Watching the two inexplicably hug each other in tears, then just as inexplicably get fired up, Kakashi looked utterly dumbfounded.
"As expected, you're something else! You have my approval. Youth means never giving up! Guy, I believe you can beat Kakashi!"
Naturally, Yuzuru never minded stirring up more trouble when there was a spectacle to watch, and immediately gave him an encouraging thumbs-up.
The father and son, Might Duy and Might Guy, froze at the sight. This was the first time anyone had acknowledged them, but that feeling moved them even more.
"Thank you for acknowledging our youth! In that case, Guy, we'll add another five laps after registration!"
"Yes, Father!"
Watching this strange pair, Kakashi felt a sense of foreboding for the first time.
Hatake Sakumo stroked his head and said with a smile, "Yuzuru is right, Kakashi. Guy will be a very strong opponent."
"Really?"
Kakashi had always trusted Hatake Sakumo's words completely, but this time, he chose to doubt them.
Just then, Yuzuru spotted those familiar rubies.
Likewise, Kurenai Yuhi spotted Yuzuru and immediately ran over, pulling Yūhi Shinku along.
"This is great, Yuzuru! I didn't expect us to start school together. I wonder if we'll be in the same class?"
"Well, maybe."
"Hehe, long time no see. You're getting prettier and prettier, Yuzuru."
Kurenai Yuhi looked at Yuzuru and said with a beaming smile.
"How many times have I told you? When you compliment boys, use 'good-looking' or 'handsome.'"
Yuzuru looked at Kurenai Yuhi, his face full of helplessness.
"Hehe, same thing."
The parents of both families also smiled and nodded in greeting, then began chatting.
Soon, the children finished registering one after another, and the adults took them out to eat.
Classes officially started tomorrow, so they still had today to relax.
Kurenai Yuhi happily pulled Yuzuru along as they ran around the two adults.
In a sense, the two could be considered childhood sweethearts, having known each other since they were a little over three. Although Yuzuru and Kakashi rarely went out, almost every time Kurenai Yuhi came to play with Yuzuru, he invariably obliged her requests.
"By the way, Sakumo, I heard Yuzuru has awakened Ice Release?"
Yūhi Shinku looked at Yuzuru and stroked his stubble as he spoke.
"Yes, but he doesn't have any Ice Release Ninjutsu yet. I've decided to take a mission to the Land of Water sometime soon."
Sakumo nodded.
"It looks like you have high hopes for the little fellow."
"Fairly high, I suppose. After all, having a kekkei genkai but being unable to use it would be far too wasteful."
Everyone arrived at the Akimichi Clan's barbecue restaurant and ate barbecue together.
It had to be said that the Akimichi Clan really knew their food. Yuzuru also loved this restaurant's barbecue and often came here with Kurenai Yuhi.
Juicy and bursting with meaty fragrance, paired with the Akimichi Clan's special dipping sauces and dressings, it was paradise for any meat eater.
After the meal, they waved goodbye. Back home, Yuzuru and Kakashi did not train as usual, but dutifully rested instead, getting their energy up for school tomorrow.
Early the next morning, after breakfast, Yuzuru and Kakashi brought their boxed lunches to the Ninja Academy.
Without any trouble, they were assigned to the same class.
There were also some other familiar names, such as Might Guy, Rin Nohara, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, and... Obito Uchiha.
That name made Yuzuru take a couple of extra looks.
Not because of the Uchiha Clan's fame, but because of the person himself.
Without saying anything more, Yuzuru immediately went to the back of the classroom by the window and claimed that special seat.
Kakashi was just about to sit beside him when Yuzuru waved him away.
"?"
Seeing the question marks filling Kakashi's eyes, Yuzuru said with a look of disdain, "I like solitude. Don't bother me."
"Quit your #%#&$ act."
Kakashi muttered something, then sat directly in front of Yuzuru.
After turning selectively deaf, Yuzuru spotted Kurenai Yuhi entering the classroom and was just about to greet her, but the little ruby spotted him first, then happily came over and sat beside him.
"Hehe, this is great! We're in the same class. By the way, why is Kakashi sitting alone in front?"
Kurenai Yuhi looked at Kakashi as she asked.
"He doesn't like me, so I can only sit back here all alone."
Yuzuru immediately played the guilty party who complained first.
Kakashi: ...
What can I say?
Just then, a girl with purple stripes painted on both cheeks came up beside Kakashi. "Classmate, is this seat taken?"
"No."
Kakashi rested with his eyes closed, in no mood to pay attention to anyone else.
Of course, it was definitely not because Yuzuru had angered him. He, Kakashi, was emotionally stable.
Just then, some more familiar faces arrived in the classroom one after another.
Asuma had initially looked thoroughly impatient, but the moment he saw Kurenai, he quieted down.
At that moment, he felt as though he had fallen in love.
No, it seemed he had already had his heart broken.
Seeing that cute girl laughing and chatting with the boy beside her, Asuma immediately grew jealous.
Children always liked to compare themselves with others, especially at their age.
Yuzuru noticed this rebellious boy too, but couldn't be bothered with him and simply kept chatting with Kurenai.
Rin joined in as well, since the three were talking about things children liked, such as where the tasty snacks were and where it was fun to play.
Only Kakashi wore a mask and put on a cold, aloof act by himself.
Before long, Might Guy arrived in the classroom too. His eyes lit up when he spotted Kakashi, and he immediately sat in the row in front of him.
"Yo, my eternal rival, Kakashi! I'm here! Have a youthful duel with me after class!"
Kakashi finally opened his eyes, then immediately closed them again upon seeing Guy.
"No thanks. I have things to do."
"Really? That's a shame, then~"