Asuma Sarutobi had been quietly observing Kurenai Yuhi. When he noticed the pity and concern in her eyes as she looked at Kakashi, he couldn't help but pout, irritation bubbling up inside him.
Kakashi glanced at the two women standing before him and said softly, his voice calm and distant,
"I'm sorry, Yuhi, Shizune. I just want to be alone."
Hearing this, Kurenai Yuhi and Shizune couldn't help but show disappointed expressions.
Seeing the gloom on Kurenai's face, Asuma finally snapped. He turned toward Kakashi and shouted,
"Kakashi, you bastard! How can you just brush off Yuhi's concern like that?!"
"Asuma!"
Kurenai placed her hands on her hips, glaring at him in anger.
At that moment, a young figure approached.
Uchiha Gen stopped in front of the group and waved casually at Kakashi, a smile on his face.
"We meet again, Senior Kakashi-kun."
When Kakashi saw him, his gaze remained indifferent, but beneath his mask, the corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
That thick-skinned Uchiha brat again…
Kurenai and Shizune exchanged surprised looks.
"An Uchiha?" Kurenai murmured.
Asuma stopped arguing altogether, his eyes shifting back and forth between Kakashi and Uchiha Gen in disbelief. He stepped forward and asked bluntly,
"Hey, kid. How do you know Kakashi?"
Uchiha Gen smiled politely.
"Senior Kakashi-kun is a famous genius. He's admired by nearly everyone at the Ninja Academy. How could I not know him?"
Asuma clicked his tongue in annoyance, instinctively glancing at Kurenai.
Kurenai and Shizune both smiled. Kurenai chuckled softly.
"Looks like you're still popular, Kakashi—even with the younger generation."
That single sentence made Asuma's mood sink further.
He puffed out his chest and turned toward Uchiha Gen.
"Then do you know who I am?"
Uchiha Gen tilted his head, shook it, and said calmly,
"No. As for nobodies, we Uchiha don't waste our attention on them."
Asuma's face instantly darkened with rage. He reached out to grab Uchiha Gen, shouting,
"You damn Uchiha brat! Remember this name—Asuma Sarutobi! I'll be a powerful ninja someday!"
Uchiha Gen shifted his footing slightly and effortlessly dodged the grasp. Ignoring Asuma, he turned to Kakashi and said,
"By the way, Senior Kakashi-kun, I ate your ramen last time. I hope you don't mind."
After a brief silence, Kakashi replied flatly,
"…It's fine. Just consider it my treat."
With that, Kakashi continued walking forward—only to be stopped by Kurenai and Shizune once more.
"Kakashi, you actually treated someone to ramen?"
"Kakashi-kun, you should at least attend today's gathering."
"And you owe us ramen too."
Before Kakashi could respond, a loud presence appeared behind him.
A man dressed entirely in a green training suit slapped Kakashi on the shoulder. When Kakashi turned, he was greeted by a wide grin and shining white teeth.
"Yo, Kakashi! It's been thirty-four days since our last meeting!" Might Guy laughed.
"To celebrate, let's run twenty laps around Konoha!"
Seeing the green suit, Uchiha Gen instantly recognized him—Konoha's Noble Green Beast, Might Guy.
At the same time, Gen's keen perception sensed an astonishing vitality and strength within Guy's body, like a blazing furnace of blood and chakra.
Still, upon hearing Guy's suggestion, Gen's expression stiffened slightly.
What kind of logic is that…?
"Senior Kakashi-kun, goodbye."
Seeing Kakashi being surrounded by his peers, Uchiha Gen turned and left. His voice caught Might Guy's attention.
Guy watched the boy's retreating figure, the smile on his face slowly fading.
"Asuma," Guy said suddenly, "did you notice that Uchiha kid?"
Asuma raised an eyebrow.
"What about him?"
"He's strong," Guy replied seriously. "Extremely strong."
Asuma blinked.
"How can you tell?"
Guy flashed a thumbs-up.
"I can feel it."
Asuma burst out laughing and waved it off.
"Tch. Just another one of your instincts, huh? You're getting more outrageous every year."
Given Guy's reputation for eccentricity, no one took his words seriously.
---
Uchiha Gen returned to the Uchiha clan grounds, walking along a narrow forest path toward his home.
Suddenly—
Clang! Clang!
The sound of metal striking wood echoed from deeper within the forest.
Curious, Gen followed the noise and soon arrived at a small clearing.
There, a young boy was practicing shuriken throwing.
Though the figure was small, Gen recognized him immediately.
Uchiha Itachi.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Shuriken flew through the air in rapid succession, striking the target dead center from multiple angles.
While the Uchiha were famous for Fire Release, their true strength lay in their perception. The Sharingan granted unparalleled insight, and as a result, the clan had inherited exceptionally refined shuriken techniques.
Watching Itachi's movements, Gen realized that his skill already surpassed that of the chūnin instructors at the Academy.
Itachi leapt and spun, his figure shifting fluidly as shuriken were launched from impossible angles.
Standing at the edge of the clearing, Gen couldn't help but feel admiration.
Though he didn't agree with Itachi's eventual path, Gen acknowledged his talent.
Uchiha Itachi… a true prodigy.
Few in this era could compare to him.
Suddenly—
Whoosh!
A sharp sound cut through the air.
A shuriken embedded itself into the tree beside Gen's head.
Itachi had misjudged.
Earlier, he had thrown three shuriken perfectly. This time, attempting five at once, only two struck the target.
Itachi frowned—then noticed Gen.
His eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected anyone to be nearby.
He quickly jogged over, anxiety clear on his face.
"I'm sorry! I didn't know someone was there—I almost hurt you."
If that shuriken had veered even slightly more, it wouldn't have struck the tree—
It would have struck Uchiha Gen.
---
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