If Senju Gen can't block the next few moves, he'll lose.
Uchiha Yuan silently observed the two figures flickering across the training field, his sharp gaze tracking their every motion. He had already discerned that Senju Gen was gradually falling into disadvantage.
Through careful observation, Yuan noticed that Uchiha Shinsuke's strikes were swift and agile, while Senju Gen's taijutsu emphasized raw power.
In other words, the Uchiha specialized in speed and precision—attacking in quick bursts—whereas the Senju focused on endurance, resilience, and sustained combat.
Yuan could tell that in the course of their exchanges, Shinsuke had landed three clean punches for every one Xuan managed to connect.
Bang! Bang!
After a flurry of heavy impacts, the two fighters abruptly broke apart.
Shinsuke flipped gracefully in midair and landed lightly on his feet. Xuan, on the other hand, staggered back seven or eight steps before finally steadying himself.
The crowd murmured uncertainly—who had actually won?
Xuan rubbed his chest, then smiled brightly. Forming the Seal of Reconciliation, he admitted, "I lost."
In the final exchange, Shinsuke's speed had suddenly surged—his movements a blur—and three consecutive punches had landed squarely on Xuan's chest before he could react.
"Senju Gen, you're strong," Shinsuke replied seriously.
Unlike before, there was no arrogance or mockery in his tone. He returned the Seal of Reconciliation with equal respect.
With no more challengers stepping forward, the onlookers gradually dispersed.
Later, just before the next class began, Yuan returned to the classroom and happened to meet Senju Gen walking from the opposite end of the corridor.
"Yuan-kun."
"Senju-san."
They paused, exchanging glances for a few seconds. Then Xuan smiled and nodded politely before entering the classroom.
Yuan noticed a sheen of sweat on Xuan's forehead—evidence that, after the spar, he had continued training on his own.
—
After school.
Uchiha Yuan stepped through the Academy gates. Groups of students were chatting and laughing as they headed home together.
Feeling his stomach growl, Yuan turned down the road toward Konoha's busy commercial district.
At the entrance, he stepped into Ichiraku Ramen.
"One large bowl of pork cutlet ramen, please."
"Oh, it's Yuan-kun! Coming right up," Teuchi the owner greeted him cheerfully.
Moments later, a girl about Yuan's age carried the steaming bowl over to him.
"Yuan-kun, here's your ramen."
"Thanks, Ayame."
Yuan picked up his chopsticks, ready to dig in—when the shop curtain was suddenly lifted.
Someone stepped inside and sat down right next to him.
A cool, emotionless voice followed.
"One seafood ramen—with extra fish balls."
Yuan noticed Ayame's expression light up with delight. Curious, he turned his head.
The newcomer was a silver-haired boy. Though half his face was covered by a black mask, his sharp features were unmistakably handsome.
"Right away, Kakashi-kun!" Ayame said brightly before hurrying to the back kitchen.
So it's Kakashi.
Yuan studied him openly. This was the second time he had seen Hatake Kakashi—the first being at the memorial service for the Fourth Hokage.
Kakashi had sensed Yuan's gaze immediately. He had intended to ignore it, but when the boy's stare lingered without restraint, Kakashi finally turned his head, expression unreadable.
Meeting that cold, emotionless gaze—still and deep like a stagnant pond—Yuan simply smiled.
"What a lucky day, to run into the famous Kakashi-senpai in person. I've heard so much about you.
I'm Uchiha Yuan, a fifth-year at the Academy. Our instructors often speak of you—they say you're the most gifted student ever to graduate from the Academy."
Kakashi didn't react at all. His eyes remained dull and detached; he merely glanced at Yuan, then looked away again.
Footsteps approached—Ayame returned with a steaming bowl of ramen.
"Kakashi-kun, here's your order."
Kakashi accepted it, snapped apart his chopsticks, and was about to eat—when he suddenly froze.
Yuan was still watching him.
Kakashi's cool gray eye turned toward him again, but Yuan merely smiled, calm and polite. "Please, go ahead, Senpai."
Their gazes met again. The chill in Kakashi's eyes deepened, sharp enough to pierce.
Yet Yuan's expression didn't change—his smile remained warm, his posture untroubled, as though completely oblivious to the unspoken tension.
Whoosh!
In the next instant, Kakashi's figure blurred and vanished.
What speed! Yuan thought, startled. I couldn't even track him—just as expected of Kakashi. He's every bit as formidable as the rumors say.
Outwardly, however, he only put on a confused look, standing up and glancing around.
"Huh? Where did Kakashi-senpai go?"
From behind the kitchen curtain, Ayame peeked out. Seeing the untouched bowl of seafood ramen still sitting on the counter, her expression fell.
"Kakashi-kun left already?"
"Yeah," Yuan said, feigning innocence. "He just vanished all of a sudden."
A flicker of amusement crossed Yuan's eyes. He could still sense Kakashi's chakra signature—lingering just outside the Ichiraku stand.
He smiled mischievously and said, "Maybe Kakashi-senpai didn't like your ramen, Ayame. Look, he didn't even take one bite! That's terribly rude of him. Next time I see him, I'll have to scold him on your behalf."
Outside, Kakashi's chakra wavered ever so slightly.
Clearly, Yuan's words had stirred something beneath that calm, lifeless surface.
Ayame frowned, puffing her cheeks. "Yuan-kun, don't say things like that. Kakashi-kun must've just been called away for a mission."
Yuan chuckled, sliding the untouched seafood ramen toward himself. "Well, since he's gone, and it'd be a shame to waste good food—how about I help finish it?"
He picked up the chopsticks, took a bite, and nodded in appreciation.
"Delicious! The texture, the broth—it's even better than the last time I had seafood ramen here. You really put your heart into this, Ayame. Kakashi-senpai's missing out."
Ayame smiled faintly, though her eyes were still tinged with disappointment. "Thank you, Yuan-kun."
Outside, perched atop a nearby rooftop, Kakashi listened to the exchange.
For the first time, his blank, dead-fish eyes twitched with irritation.
Great. Another weird Uchiha.
As if one idiot Obito wasn't enough…
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