The morning sun barely peeked over the horizon when Hyuk arrived at the training grounds. He had always preferred the quiet of dawn; it was a time when everything was still, and he could focus without distractions. His mind was sharp as ever, but today, it was clouded by the thoughts of the previous night's encounter with Reina.
He didn't know why he was still thinking about her. It wasn't like him to get distracted. She was just another passing figure, another piece in the world that didn't matter. But there was something about her—the way she had seen through his cold exterior—that lingered in his mind.
This is pointless. Hyuk pushed the thought aside as he approached the training ground, where his teammates were already waiting. Naruto was his usual loud self, bouncing with excitement. Sasuke leaned against a tree, brooding as always. Sakura smiled nervously when she saw Hyuk, but he barely acknowledged her.
"I'm going to crush this test!" Naruto boasted, punching the air. "I'll show Kakashi-sensei I'm gonna be Hokage for sure!"
Sasuke scoffed, his eyes cold. "You're an idiot."
"Shut up, Sasuke!" Naruto snapped back, but before the two could escalate their usual argument, Kakashi appeared in a puff of smoke, as calm and unbothered as ever.
"Good morning," Kakashi said lazily, his single visible eye scanning the group. "Ready for the survival training?"
Naruto pumped his fists, Sasuke remained silent, and Sakura looked eager, but Hyuk stayed cold, focused. This is just another test. Nothing more.
"Alright, the rules are simple," Kakashi continued. "Your objective is to get these bells from me." He held up two small silver bells attached to his belt. "You have until noon to take them. If you fail, you go back to the Academy."
"But wait, there are only two bells!" Sakura pointed out.
"That's right," Kakashi said with an eye-smile. "One of you will definitely be sent back."
The tension immediately thickened. Naruto's face twisted in determination, and even Sasuke's eyes sharpened, ready for the challenge. Hyuk, however, stood motionless, his expression unreadable. Two bells, but four of us. He's testing more than just our strength.
As the test began, Naruto charged in recklessly, yelling at the top of his lungs. Kakashi effortlessly dodged every attack, barely moving from his spot. Sasuke, meanwhile, vanished into the trees, no doubt planning a more strategic approach.
Hyuk stayed back, observing the situation. He wasn't interested in rushing into battle like Naruto. Kakashi isn't just testing our combat skills—he's testing how we think.
He moved silently, slipping into the shadows of the trees, his sharp eyes tracking Kakashi's every movement. His mind was already calculating possibilities, weighing every angle. While Naruto flailed and Sasuke plotted, Hyuk had a different strategy.
I'll wait.
He could feel Reina's words from the previous night creep into his thoughts. "Power is a tempting goal, but it can be a lonely one." He clenched his fists. What does she know? This is the only way.
From his vantage point, he saw Kakashi easily handling Naruto's sloppy attacks. The Jonin barely broke a sweat as he continued to toy with his students. It was clear Kakashi was skilled—far beyond what any of them could handle alone. Hyuk's cold gaze locked onto Kakashi's movements, studying every subtle shift.
He's not showing everything. He's testing our patience.
Suddenly, Sakura screamed. Hyuk's eyes flicked toward her direction. Kakashi had trapped her in a genjutsu—an illusion designed to exploit her fears. She's already out.
Naruto wasn't faring any better. He had summoned several clones, but Kakashi was dispatching them with ease, not even bothering to look serious. Sasuke, on the other hand, had finally made his move, launching a series of shuriken from the treetops.
Kakashi dodged them all, but Sasuke's attacks were calculated. The last shuriken veered sharply, forcing Kakashi to block with a kunai. In that moment, Sasuke charged in from the side, his Sharingan flickering briefly as he attempted to grab the bells.
But Kakashi was faster. He caught Sasuke by the wrist, flipping him over and sending him crashing into the ground.
Now. Hyuk moved.
In the split second Kakashi was focused on Sasuke, Hyuk appeared silently behind him, his hand reaching for the bells. Kakashi's reaction was instantaneous—he twisted around, kunai in hand—but Hyuk was already gone, moving with the precision of a shadow.
Kakashi's eye narrowed in surprise. "You're fast."
Hyuk didn't respond. His eyes remained cold, calculating. Speed isn't enough. He's reading us too easily.
"I see," Kakashi said, lowering his kunai slightly. "You're the patient one, aren't you? Waiting for the right moment." His tone was almost impressed, but there was still a hint of amusement.
Hyuk remained silent, his mind working rapidly. He's underestimating me. I need to force him to show more.
As Kakashi refocused on the group, Hyuk's thoughts drifted, unbidden, back to Reina. Her words, her presence—they had left an impression on him he hadn't expected. Why can't I shake this? He scowled inwardly, pushing her from his mind. Focus. Power is what matters.
Kakashi suddenly moved, fast, targeting both Hyuk and Sasuke at once. Hyuk narrowly dodged the strike, but Sasuke was already countering, the two of them working in tandem without even speaking.
For a moment, Kakashi's expression changed. He wasn't smiling anymore.
Hyuk seized the opening, launching himself forward, his eyes locked on the bells. This time, he was close—closer than before. Kakashi shifted, just as quick, but Hyuk anticipated it. Now.
But before his hand could grasp the bell, Kakashi vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving only a log in his place.
"You're quick," Kakashi's voice called from behind him. "But you're not thinking about the bigger picture."
Hyuk turned slowly, his cold eyes meeting Kakashi's gaze. The Jonin wasn't smiling anymore. "There's more to being a ninja than speed and power, you know."
For the first time, Hyuk felt something stir within him—an unexpected frustration. He hated being lectured, especially by someone like Kakashi. But Kakashi wasn't wrong.
And that only made it worse.