"What a lively scene."
Nohara Rin glanced around and sighed in amazement.
The road was packed with students heading to the ninja academy, both returning upperclassmen and new freshmen.
"We're second years now. When the first-year students see us, shouldn't they call us senpai?"
Kurenai Yuhi's eyes lit up as she asked, an idea sparking in her mind.
Hanekawa is way too strong—she'd given up on making him her subordinate. But perhaps she could enjoy playing the role of the big sister among the first-year students.
"Technically, yes," Rin nodded and added, "I wonder if there are any impressive freshmen this year."
"There are!"
Uchiha Obito seized the opportunity, squeezing to her side. "Uchiha Tetsuka! He's a genius who's just as good as me!"
Rin's expression turned subtly awkward.
A genius on par with you—does that even count as a genius?
"And compared to Kakashi?" Rin asked after some thought.
She originally wanted to compare him to Hanekawa but decided against it. That would just be cruel, so she substituted Kakashi instead.
"Well... probably about the same," Obito replied uncertainly.
"No way!"
Kurenai lifted her chin slightly, her expression proud.
"Hanekawa could take on ten of him at once!"
Kakashi glanced at her.
Rin clearly meant me!
But recalling his earlier defeat, he moved his lips but stayed silent.
Hanekawa, half-focused on the conversation, smiled faintly at the little girl's praise.
At the same time, he examined the requirements for the three entries needed to synthesize the B-Rank entry Seal-less Healing.
One thing he appreciated most about the system was that it wasn't cryptic. The conditions for triggering each entry were clearly laid out.
Among them, the C-Rank entries Medical Chunin and Robust were the simplest.
The former just required him to continue learning medical ninjutsu.
The latter, similar to the E-Rank entry Healthy Body, required his physical strength to reach the level of an elite Chunin.
Over the past two months, Hanekawa had been training using techniques from the Lightning Release Chakra Activation scroll.
As a result, his progress bar for the Robust entry had already reached 10%.
The Swift Whirlwind entry, however, was more troublesome.
It was a synthesized entry, requiring the combination of the E-Rank entry Body Flicker Technique, the D-Rank entry Genin-Level Swordsmanship, and the D-Rank entry Genin-Level Wind Release.
"Stop right there!"
Just as the group of five arrived at the academy gates, they were blocked by someone.
They turned toward the voice and saw a black-haired boy.
Dressed in dark clothing with his hands in his pockets, he exuded arrogance, his demeanor full of pride.
"It's you, Tetsuka."
Uchiha Obito immediately recognized him.
Hanekawa, after a brief moment of thought, recalled who Uchiha Tetsuka was.
In the original series, Tetsuka was a Jonin of the Uchiha clan, possessing a three-tomoe Sharingan.
His only significant appearance was alongside Uchiha Inabi and Uchiha Yatsushiro, interrogating Uchiha Itachi after Shisui's death.
"And who are you?"
Uchiha Tetsuka glanced at Obito and asked with disdain.
"Uchiha Obito!"
Obito's face froze, and he erupted, shouting, "What's with today's disrespectful juniors! You should call me senpai!"
"Oh, it's you."
Tetsuka sneered. "The clan's dead last. You're an embarrassment to the Uchiha name!"
"What did you just say?!"
Uchiha Obito glared angrily.
"Am I wrong?"
Uchiha Tetsuka responded fearlessly. "Every Uchiha who enrolls always ranks in the top three—except you."
"I... I... I was just going easy on them!"
Obito stammered awkwardly, but his words remained defiant.
Tetsuka's statement wasn't false.
Obito's poor performance had made him unpopular among the younger Uchiha generation.
"Weaklings always have excuses,"
Tetsuka said dismissively, then turned to the group. "Which one of you is Hanekawa?"
"What do you want with him?"
Obito glanced at Nohara Rin and patted his chest. "If there's a problem, I'll handle it!"
"You can't."
Tetsuka shook his head bluntly. "I want to challenge him and reclaim the Uchiha's rightful number one spot."
"Unbelievable!"
Obito trembled with anger.
So being number one makes you so great? Why does everyone go looking for Hanekawa?!
"Go on, Kakashi," Hanekawa said after a pause. "Let's not waste too much time."
"…?"
Hatake Kakashi's young face was filled with confusion.
Am I some kind of summoned beast?
"Don't tell me you can't beat him?" Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.
"It's a piece of cake," Kakashi replied in a calm but firm tone.
"Arrogant!"
Tetsuka snapped back, finally reacting with anger.
"You're too noisy."
Kakashi unsheathed his short sword, and in an instant, his body vanished.
Before Tetsuka could move, he felt a chilling sensation on his neck.
Instinctively lowering his head, he saw the blade pressed against his skin, the faintest sting emanating from it.
Kakashi had used a basic attack—with astonishing results.
"H-How is this possible?"
Cold sweat dripped from Tetsuka's forehead.
"You're not much better than Obito,"
Kakashi remarked coldly.
"Kakashi!"
Obito's eyes turned red as he growled, "What do you mean by that?!"
"Nothing,"
Kakashi replied calmly, withdrawing his sword.
"Just wait until I awaken my Sharingan! You'll all lose to me!"
Obito gritted his teeth.
"Me too!"
Tetsuka, as if reminded of something, regained his confidence.
"Let's go,"
Hanekawa said, walking past them and into the academy.
"Are all Uchiha this eager to fight?"
Kurenai whispered as she followed him.
"Just don't play with them,"
Hanekawa replied casually.
The Uchiha are all trouble—and befriending them might even get you used as fodder for awakening their Sharingan.
"Got it."
Kurenai nodded, glancing at him. Her cheeks turned slightly red as she said softly, "I'll stick with you."
Hanekawa paused briefly.
Kids in the ninja world really are precocious.
But Kurenai wasn't the only one with intentions toward him.
"Hanekawa-kun!"
"You've gotten even more handsome after two months!"
"Hanekawa-kun looked at me! Ahhh!"
As soon as Hanekawa entered the classroom, he was greeted with enthusiastic cheers.
The girls, in particular, waved at him excitedly, their joy palpable.
Kurenai snorted softly and stepped in front of Hanekawa, as if to shield him.
Nohara Rin glanced over instinctively, feeling a twinge of envy for reasons she couldn't quite understand.
"That annoying little Hanekawa!"
Sarutobi Asuma clenched his jaw and glared at him.
Noticing the look, Hanekawa wondered if Asuma's strength had reached Chunin level.
Based on his analysis, his Wind Release talent wouldn't improve further unless Asuma achieved that rank.
Quite troublesome.
Hanekawa's thoughts shifted to his D-Rank entry, Genin-Level Wind Release, which required him to learn three Wind Release jutsu to trigger it.
But Tsunade wasn't a Wind Release user.
Maybe… I can get Asuma to teach me.
As Hanekawa returned to his seat, he mulled over how best to utilize this potential "tool."
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