"I didn't expect Chisuke to actually become Pakura's disciple. He's the strongest among us now."
Stepping out of his house, Kyosuke smiled as he recalled Chisuke's smug attitude in the dream space lately.
Still, thanks to Chisuke, Kyosuke had learned many new techniques and gained deeper theoretical insight—about chakra control, ninjutsu structure, and combat fundamentals.
With his strength steadily improving, he could comfortably maintain his "genius" persona at the Academy.
His mood was excellent.
"Today we start shurikenjutsu training. Time to impress everyone again."
More than twenty days had passed. All the students had mastered chakra refinement, so the curriculum had progressed into taijutsu and basic ninjutsu training.
When Kyosuke arrived at school, he greeted classmates warmly. He had built solid rapport.
A few compliments here, sharing meals, training together—that was enough to win over most children.
For someone who had lived two lifetimes, it was effortless.
"Hey! Today's shuriken practice! Just watch my incredible performance—this is an Uchiha specialty!"
The moment Kyosuke entered the classroom, he heard Obito boasting again.
Few people responded.
Over the past weeks, Obito's mediocre performance had earned him little respect.
Spotting Kyosuke, Obito brightened and hurried over.
"Kyosuke! Let's compete in shuriken throwing today!"
Guy immediately objected.
"Kyosuke's learning it for the first time today! You've practiced before—that's unfair!"
"Shut up, bushy brows! As a man, Kyosuke will accept!"
Obito looked eager. Clearly, he wanted to redeem himself.
Kyosuke wasn't about to fall for provocation. He pointed toward the quiet figure seated in the back.
"Kakashi's the real prodigy here. If you want to prove something, challenge him. If you beat him, you're number one. Beating me doesn't make you first."
Recently, Kakashi's outstanding performance had earned unanimous praise. Takahara Naoyasu had even remarked that Kakashi already possessed the ability of a genin and might graduate early.
Obito glanced at Kakashi and grimaced.
He had secretly challenged Kakashi before.
It hadn't gone well.
"Hmph. Once I beat you, I'll deal with him next."
"Fine," Kyosuke said lightly. "But if I win, you treat Guy and me to barbecue."
Improving his diet was always welcome.
"Deal."
Obito agreed instantly. After all, Kyosuke had only just bought his first set of tools a few days ago—and had even dragged Obito along to get an Uchiha-family discount at the shop.
There was no way he'd lose.
After the teacher's explanation, practice began.
When Kyosuke held the shuriken, it felt strangely natural. His body already knew how to aim, adjust for wind, control force.
But he couldn't be too good immediately.
Even prodigies required a visible learning curve.
He deliberately used improper form.
The shuriken grazed the target and missed.
At the same time, gasps rose nearby—
Kakashi had landed every throw dead center.
Takahara walked over to Kyosuke.
"Don't focus on hitting the bullseye yet. Focus on proper form. Adjust gradually based on your own build. Once you find what suits you, accuracy will follow."
The teacher valued Kyosuke highly and carefully corrected his mistakes.
Kyosuke improved steadily.
Seeing such rapid progress, Takahara was secretly delighted—though outwardly he kept a stern expression and warned against arrogance.
After the teacher left, Guy gave a thumbs-up.
"You've already surpassed me!"
Kyosuke glanced at Obito's darkened face and grinned.
"Guy, eat lightly at lunch. Save room for dinner."
"HAHA! Barbecue is youth!"
That evening, without surprise, Kyosuke defeated Obito in the throwing contest.
Without the Sharingan awakened, Obito's actual ability was unremarkable.
The next day after school, however, a new challenger appeared.
Asuma Sarutobi.
Kyosuke looked at him helplessly.
"Kakashi's number one. Why does everyone come after me?"
Asuma rolled his eyes.
If I could beat Kakashi, I'd challenge him.
Recently, at home, the Third Hokage had repeatedly praised Kakashi and Kyosuke—telling Asuma to learn from them.
With his pride, Asuma couldn't stand it.
He would defeat Kyosuke—and prove his father wrong.
"Enough talk. I'm beating you today."
"Standard stakes. Loser buys barbecue."
"Fine."
Another meal opportunity. And beating the Hokage's son might improve his impression in certain circles.
They found an open training ground.
Kyosuke formed the Seal of Confrontation properly.
"Hmph. Just like the old man—so formal," Asuma muttered, but returned the seal.
"I'm coming!"
Asuma attacked first.
His taijutsu was solid—stronger, faster, more coordinated than Obito's. After blocking twice, Kyosuke felt a tingling numbness in his arms.
Defeating Asuma wasn't hard.
The challenge was doing it within the limits of what a current Academy student should display.
Kyosuke smirked slightly.
After blocking a punch, he suddenly formed hand seals and shouted loudly:
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
"What?! You know the Great Fireball?!"
Asuma's eyes widened in shock. Instinctively, he raised his arms to shield his face and dodged aside.
In that split second of disrupted balance—
Kyosuke rushed forward and knocked him down cleanly.
"Asuma. I win."
He calmly formed the Seal of Reconciliation.
Asuma scrambled up, brushing dirt off his face.
"You cheated! That doesn't count!"
Kyosuke crossed his arms, adopting a teacherly tone.
"Asuma, weren't you listening in class? A shinobi uses every available method to win."
"Ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, weapons, traps, deception—all are tactics. Intelligence gathering and analysis are critical."
"We train together every day. You know I can't use the Great Fireball Technique. Yet you still fell for it. That's arrogance."
"One day, your opponent won't be a classmate. Losing to me costs you barbecue. Losing to an enemy costs your life."
Asuma's pride wouldn't allow him to concede. He huffed and stormed off.
Far away, the entire scene was reflected in a crystal ball.
The Third Hokage watched quietly.
"…When will Asuma outgrow that temperament?" he sighed. "Jiraiya, what do you think of Kyosuke?"
Beside him, Jiraiya looked impressed.
As a civilian-born shinobi himself, Jiraiya understood hardship. That was why he had taken Minato Namikaze as a disciple—and later even taught Yahiko and the others.
"He's promising. With proper guidance, he could become a remarkable shinobi. But, old man—I'm not taking on any new students right now. Ask Tsunade or Orochimaru."
He understood the Hokage's intent—and refused bluntly.
After years of mentoring, he was tired.
The Third Hokage frowned.
"You devote yourself to teaching outsiders, yet refuse to guide Konoha's children? Irresponsible."
Of the Sannin, he favored Jiraiya most and had long hoped to pass the title of Hokage to him.
Jiraiya, however, wanted none of it.
Seeing the lecture coming, Jiraiya leapt out the window.
"Old man! I've got… artistic research to conduct! Don't call me!"