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Leaf Village Barbecue Shop.
Looking at Asuma Sarutobi's little gang, who seemed to have risen through connections, Uchiha Yoru gave them a mocking smile, seemingly ignoring them.
His fingers lightly tapped on the table, and Uchiha Yoru narrowed his eyes, smiling, and said, "Maito Gai always says that hard work can catch up to talent. I've never doubted that, but some things, no matter how hard you try, you can never catch up."
A flash of red light appeared in his black eyes, and Asuma Sarutobi sneered even more, shrugging to indicate that they shouldn't bring up such topics at today's class reunion.
However, Kawazu Tetsu, Kamizuki Izo, and Ebisu's faces showed a hint of embarrassment. Inside, they felt deeply aggrieved and powerless. The fleeting red light was the Sharingan, a clear statement that he was an Uchiha, and no matter how hard they tried, they could never become part of the elite.
"Kai, everyone's here. Let's get the meat on the grill early." The rivalry among the group had escalated from the youthful competition in the Ninja Academy to the current political divides. Kurenai Yuhi smiled casually and teased Maito Gai.
Maito Gai, though passionate, was not a fool. His thick-skinned nature was part of his character, but he was observant enough to understand Kurenai Yuhi's meaning. He immediately broke into a hearty laugh.
"Kakashi and I were late today, so we'll treat everyone."
It was true that sometimes you needed someone like Maito Gai. In his cheerful laughter, everyone seemed to put aside their differences. As the meat started grilling, the group chatted and laughed, a rare moment of ease.
Looking at everyone, Uchiha Yoru smiled and chatted with them, but he subtly glanced at Kakashi, wondering if this reunion was really for Kakashi.
Kakashi looked lifeless, and it seemed this gathering was indeed for his sake. Even in Maito Gai's hearty laughter, his worried gaze never left Kakashi.
"Kakashi, Yoru is the second person after you to become a Jounin and has even awakened the Sharingan. I wonder who is stronger between the two of you?"
Well, Maito Gai might not be a fool, but his thick-skinned nature and blunt speech left everyone speechless. Kurenai Yuhi held her forehead in exasperation. How could he say such things? He was truly exasperating.
Anko Mitarashi, with a haughty look, said to Maito Gai, "Orochimaru-sensei has trained Yoru meticulously. His strength is definitely not inferior to Kakashi's."
She seemed to fear that Yoru's Jounin rank was watered down and might tarnish her teacher's reputation, so she brought up Orochimaru.
Clearly, this name was effective, but Asuma Sarutobi wasn't intimidated. Your teacher is Orochimaru, but my father is the strongest Third Hokage.
"Haha, I heard you awakened the Sharingan, even with Double Tomoe. Congratulations."
Asuma Sarutobi's congratulatory smile hid a hint of provocation. Uchiha Yoru naturally understood the underlying meaning, especially since there was a Three-Tomoe Sharingan present.
However, Uchiha Yoru waved it off with a smile, "Asuma, you're too kind. After all, I live up to the Uchiha name, just as you inherited the Third Hokage's smoking habit."
When Uchiha Yoru teased Asuma about inheriting his father's smoking habit, Anko Mitarashi burst out laughing, "I didn't notice until now. When did you learn to smoke, Asuma?"
Among the group, besides Maito Gai, Anko Mitarashi was the least calculating. After all, she became Orochimaru's disciple right after graduation.
With such a powerful mentor, she only needed to focus on improving her strength. Surrounded by envious and flattering gazes, she naturally didn't experience much.
A class reunion, indeed, no matter the world, once people's thoughts mature, such gatherings become tainted.
Each had their own small group, and even in this small gathering of nine classmates, the village's political landscape was reflected.
"Hey, Kakashi, let's have a competition. Let's see who can eat the most!"
The enthusiastic Maito Gai shouted, trying to rouse Kakashi's spirit. However, Kakashi, facing his energetic friend, opened his lifeless eye and looked at the food calmly.
"Sure."
A single word, devoid of all vitality, seemed more like a lifeless agreement to avoid being disturbed. Maito Gai, full of fighting spirit, quickly wolfed down his food, while Kakashi lifted a corner of his mask and ate slowly, head down.
With his head down, only half of his face was visible, but what Kakashi looked like was no longer important. What mattered was that his current state was extremely dangerous.
Ninjas were trained as tools of war, and this lifeless demeanor not only showed a disregard for others' lives but also for his own.
"Kakashi, how is your Sharingan working?"
Uchiha Yoru smiled casually and teased, his eyes flashing red as he activated his Sharingan. In that moment, he fulfilled his wish to see Kakashi's true appearance.
The group was startled by his words, and some frowned. Asuma Sarutobi, who didn't get along with him, sneered and sized up Uchiha Yoru, mocking, "Kakashi became a Jounin at twelve through his battle achievements and even created the A-rank ninjutsu Chidori. Unlike some people who only parrot others."
Clearly, Asuma Sarutobi was stirring trouble, or perhaps he just found Uchiha Yoru annoying and wanted Kakashi to teach him a lesson.
When Kakashi heard this, he subtly tried to cover his eye but stiffened and withdrew his hand, looking down and responding calmly, "Oh, the Sharingan works well."
The once proud genius had become like this, causing everyone to shake their heads. Uchiha Yoru, however, smiled and shook his head, "Kakashi, the Sharingan isn't easy to control."
He was speaking the truth, but in Maito Gai's eyes, it seemed Uchiha Yoru was eyeing Kakashi's Sharingan, after all, it belonged to the Uchiha clan.
Maito Gai laughed, "Yoru, Kakashi has inherited Obito Uchiha's will and won't let the Sharingan down."
Seeing Maito Gai's misunderstanding, Uchiha Yoru chuckled, "Kai, you might be misunderstanding. Since the Uchiha clan has recognized Kakashi, they won't go back on it. I was just giving a friendly reminder as a classmate."
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(End of Chapter)