Chapter 8 Asuma is angry and humiliated
"Asuma, are you sure you want to challenge Kakashi?" the teacher asked curiously.
Hearing this, Asuma glanced at Kakashi and suddenly felt a pang of regret as he remembered Kakashi's reputation as the top student. However, there was no turning back now, especially since his crush, Kurenai, was already looking his way.
If he backed down, he'd be humiliated.
"Of course, Sensei! Sparring with someone who forfeited before even stepping into the ring wasn't even a warm-up," Asuma said, trying to sound casual, with a blade of grass dangling from his mouth.
The reason he kept the grass in his mouth, while also mocking Haneda, was because he thought it made him look cool.
Sure enough, his words caught the attention of the other students.
"Asuma, huh? The son of the Hokage—this should be interesting."
"Heh, but Kakashi is the son of Lord Sakumo."
"Why are you comparing their backgrounds? Kakashi's the top student, but as for Asuma…"
The student didn't finish his sentence, but the implication was clear.
...
The teacher gave Asuma a serious look, then turned to Kakashi:
"Asuma has challenged you to a friendly match, Kakashi. What do you think?"
"Okay."
Kakashi, as always, kept his response short.
The two of them then took their positions on opposite sides of the field, facing each other.
Asuma, seeing the calm expression on Kakashi's face, felt a bit nervous.
After all, standing before him was the legendary genius, the boy whose name was always on his father's lips: *Kakashi Hatake*.
Asuma scoffed, trying to bolster his confidence.
"I'm not afraid, especially not for Kurenai!" he thought to himself.
As soon as the teacher waved the flag, signaling the start of the match, the two formed opposing seals, and the battle officially began.
Asuma took the initiative, charging forward with a kunai in hand.
*Clang!*
Kunai clashed with kunai, sparks flying lightly from the collision.
Kakashi's eyes flickered as he instantly spotted Asuma's impatience to win.
However, recalling his father's advice, Kakashi hesitated for a moment, pausing his attack.
'An opening!'
Asuma's mind screamed, and without thinking, he swung his kunai again and again.
But Kakashi, with far more combat experience, easily sidestepped and twisted his body, avoiding each strike.
Just then, Asuma felt a familiar gaze on him—it was Kurenai!
In that moment, Asuma's thoughts raced.
'This so-called genius isn't all that great after all. Maybe his reputation is just blown out of proportion.'
Trying to impress his crush, Asuma sneered:
"So, this is the so-called genius, huh? Not as impressive as I thought."
Kakashi, ignoring Asuma's remarks, was busy trying to figure out a way to let Asuma lose gracefully.
His father had told him not to bully his classmates just because he was stronger. He also reminded him that strength was meant to protect comrades and the village.
However, as Asuma's arrogance grew, Kakashi hesitated.
'If defeating an opponent is the mission, a ninja must ensure victory.'
'But then, what's more important—comrades or the mission?'
While Kakashi was lost in thought, Asuma launched another attack, forcing Kakashi to retreat momentarily.
"Is this really the famous Kakashi? He's not so tough!" Asuma muttered, biting down on the blade of grass in his mouth, feeling increasingly pleased with himself.
He shot another glance at Kurenai in the crowd—she was watching him!
'I'm going to crush Kakashi and win Kurenai back!'
"So much for the legendary genius—he's no match for me, Sarutobi Asuma!" he boasted even more.
"Enough!" Kakashi finally snapped.
With a substitution jutsu, he suddenly broke free from Asuma's assault.
As Asuma blinked in confusion, staring at the wooden log now in front of him, a cold voice came from behind.
"If this were a real mission, you'd already be dead."
Asuma felt a chill at his throat—it was the sensation of Kakashi's kunai pressing lightly against his neck.
"What the... how did this happen?"
"When did he use the substitution jutsu?!"
Before Asuma could process it, the teacher waved the flag, announcing the result.
"Kakashi Hatake vs. Asuma Sarutobi—Kakashi wins!"
As the match ended, cheers erupted from the girls in the crowd.
"Wow, Kakashi is so cool—he won in one move!"
"That cold voice, those smooth moves—I'm in love!"
"Ahhh!!! Stop screaming! Kakashi is mine!"
"Get lost! He's mine!!!"
...
Watching the girls cheer for Kakashi, Asuma grew increasingly frustrated, especially since he had taunted Kakashi earlier.
Then he saw Kurenai's face among the cheering crowd.
She was also rooting for Kakashi!
Humiliation, frustration, and anger swirled in Asuma's mind.
"It's over, Asuma," Kakashi said, extending his hand to form the seal of reconciliation.
But to Asuma, this gesture felt like blatant mockery.
"Enough! I don't need your fake sympathy, you worthless son of the White Fang!" Asuma shouted angrily.
"The White Fang???"
Asuma's words caused the entire training ground to fall silent.
Most of the students in Class A were from major clans, and the White Fang was a taboo topic—no one dared to bring it up.
The teacher, now in a panic, found himself in a difficult situation—on one side was the son of the White Fang, and on the other was the son of the Hokage.
How was he supposed to handle this?
Especially now that the Hokage's son had just verbally attacked the son of the White Fang!
The teacher's mind raced as he considered the implications, but in the end, he decided to scold Asuma:
"Asuma, this is a school! We judge people based on their abilities, not by attacking their families!"
Noticing the disappointed look in Kurenai's eyes, Asuma felt even more ashamed and enraged.
Why did his classmates favor Kakashi?
Why did the teacher favor Kakashi?
Why did Kurenai favor Kakashi?
'I won't stand for this!'
"I'm not wrong!!!" Asuma shouted.
"The White Fang was a loser! The villagers called him a loser! He was a disgrace to Konoha!" Asuma yelled.
After his outburst, Asuma scanned the crowd, his eyes finally locking onto Kakashi as he continued:
"He abandoned the mission to save his comrades, causing the village to suffer huge losses. Even the people he saved criticized him!"
"Isn't that the definition of a loser?!"
As Asuma hurled these insults, Kakashi stood frozen in place, the hand that had been forming the reconciliation seal falling limply to his side.
One by one, memories flashed through his mind…
Walking home, hearing the villagers whisper and insult his father.
At home, seeing his father's tired face forcing a smile, pretending not to care but deeply affected by the villagers' accusations.
And worst of all, the very comrades his father had saved, turning around and blaming him…
The doubts buried deep in his heart resurfaced once again.
'For a ninja, what's more important—completing the mission or saving your comrades?'
'Father, did you make the right choice?'
***
To read advanced chapters upto 33 and support me p@treon.com/NahinS77
Change @ to a
There will always be 30+ chapters before public release.
Thanks for reading.