Kiyosuke Asakawa, always kind to others, never one to offend anyone—yet today, someone came looking to teach him a lesson?
Konoha was supposed to be a harmonious family where shinobi didn't fight among themselves.
"Are you sure that brat is here, Mizuki? I sacrificed training time to help you teach this punk a lesson. Don't make me waste my trip," another voice chimed in, childish and clearly belonging to a young boy.
From the conversation, Kiyosuke realized who was causing trouble—none other than Mizuki.
Had this guy sent his older sibling to pick a fight because Kiyosuke had made him cry earlier?
This was truly...
Not wanting trouble, Kiyosuke moved toward the riverbank to escape, but two white-haired figures—one large, one small—stepped out from the bushes.
Tsk!
What caught his attention most was the older boy, wearing a Konoha forehead protector—clearly a graduated ninja already taking missions. With a face similar to Mizuki's, he must be the brother. And beside him, of course, was Mizuki, wearing a triumphant smirk.
Spotting Kiyosuke, Mizuki exclaimed, "Kiyosuke Asakawa! I've been looking for you! This is my big brother Kaneki, an excellent Genin on the verge of becoming a Chunin. He's here to avenge me today!"
Kiyosuke sighed wearily: "Seriously? I made you cry once, and you're this petty?"
Is your big brother a master at passing the buck? Wouldn't it be better to blame the world... or even Shi Chen?* (*Note: Reference to a character from another series, retained for cultural flavor.)
Kaneki, Mizuki's brother, snorted: "So you're the one who bullied my little brother? Brat, you're asking for a beating!"
Wow!
Talk about shamelessness! A Genin picking on a kid?
"Hmph! You only beat me today because I had a stomachache. If I wasn't in pain, my brother wouldn't need to intervene!"
How dare you say that?
No wonder he'd grow up to (incite) the Jinchuriki into trouble—even at this age, he showed talent for twisting the truth. With a little training, he might become a master of lies.
"You can't admit defeat and use such an excuse? If you can't take a beating, how can you be a ninja?"
"You..." Before Mizuki could retort, Kaneki stopped him. "Enough. Kid, let my brother beat you up, and this ends. You have two choices: either my brother beats you, or I do. Pick one."
Kiyosuke scratched his ear: "I choose option three."
"What?"
"Beating both of you up."
"Arrogant!" Kaneki fumed. A mere Academy student dared to threaten him? He needed to teach this brat a lesson. "Do you think you're like that kid Kakashi?"* (*Note: Reference to Hatake Kakashi, a prodigious ninja.) Jealousy burned in Kaneki's heart—Kakashi had become a Chunin at such a young age, and now this brat was provoking him. This was suicide.
Seeing his brother enraged, Mizuki stepped back and hid behind a tree. Humph, better if his face gets smashed in—then no one will like him anymore.
"Tsk."
Kiyosuke retreated to the riverbank as Kaneki charged. Unlike his brother's mindless attacks, Kaneki showed experience, leading with a kick—longer legs first. Kiyosuke dodged, and as Kaneki's foot landed empty, Kiyosuke stamped on the back of his knee, forcing him to one knee. A roundhouse kick followed, sending Kaneki staggering toward the water.
"Brat!"
Kaneki reached to grab him but was met with a kick to the face, plunging him into the river with a splash.
Kiyosuke turned to Mizuki: "Now it's your turn."
"Impossible! There's no way! You can't beat my big brother!" Mizuki's tiny mind reeled. Why? Why could this guy defeat his brother? He was just a student like me!
"Human constitutions can't be compared. You can only get angry— 极度愤怒 (extremely angry)! But I? I get stronger." Kiyosuke cocked his head. "Mizuki, is your brother really a ninja?"
"You brat! Don't get cocky!"
Kaneki clambered out of the river and charged again, faster this time. His fist swung, but Kiyosuke caught it with a smaller hand. Instantly, Kaneki felt searing heat—like plunging his fist into fire.
Kiyosuke's other hand released sparks, igniting Kaneki's pants.
"Big brother! Your pants are on fire!"
"Hot! Hot! Hot!"
Kaneki yanked back his blistered hand and dove into the water again.
"Watch this! I won't fall for your tricks again!" Standing in the water, Kaneki formed hand seals rapidly. Water surged around him, and with the final seal, he yelled: "Water Release: Surging Wave!"
A column of water shot toward Kiyosuke. To avoid suspicion, Kiyosuke mimicked hand seals and shouted: "Fire Release: Jet Flame!"
BOOM!
Icy water clashed with scorching fire, forming... steam!
White vapor shrouded the area. Kaneki scrambled out of the water as Mizuki called: "Big brother! Where are you?"
"Over here! I'm—"
Suddenly, he heard his own voice and yelled, "Mizuki, don't trust that! I'm over here!"
"Big brother! Aah!"
At his brother's cry, Kaneki raced toward the sound. As he emerged from the steam, a searing sensation hit him. He turned to see a flaming fist expanding before his eyes.
"Fire Fist!"
The punch slammed into his chest, hurling him into a tree. His insides felt displaced, and burns stung his skin. He lay in a tight corner.
Kiyosuke stepped on his shoulder, holding up Mizuki—who'd wet his pants—and smiled: "Let me ask you a question. What's 1000 minus 7?"
Kaneki trembled: "Nine... nine hundred and ninety-three..."
"Good math!"
A kick to Kaneki's face knocked him unconscious.
Dropping Mizuki aside, Kiyosuke grinned brightly: "I've always wanted to see this expression—fear of me. So, will you ever send someone to trouble me again?"
"Nononono! Please don't hit me!"
Mizuki wailed, only to receive another kick.