Life at the ninja academy was meaningless.
At least, that was how Uchiha Kin saw it.
The knowledge taught at the academy was already etched in his mind, the "Will of Fire" had been tossed into the trash, and as for combat experience—
He believed true skill came from real battles.
The clamor of noise around him roused Kin from his thoughts. He raised his head, the setting sun casting its glow on his face.
He also spotted Inoue Satoru, whose expression was dark.
Best to ignore him.
Namikaze Minato, who had been about to shake Kin awake, awkwardly retracted his hand.
Kin had woken up just in time.
No need for Minato to call him.
"We're going out for barbecue. Kin, want to join?"
Kin glanced at Uzumaki Kushina, who was waiting nearby, ears perked up. Minato's smile was as bright as the sun. Though the two were still in the stage of oblivious crushes, Kin had no interest in being third wheel.
But—
"You're treating?"
If someone else was paying, that changed things.
Minato hesitated, his expression turning sheepish. As the sole ninja from an ordinary civilian family, treating everyone was beyond his means.
"I'll pay!"
Uzumaki Kushina slammed her hand on the desk. After all, these two were her only underlings.
Without realizing it, Kin had been unofficially adopted into Kushina's circle.
The moment Kushina declared she'd pay—
Kin vanished from his seat.
"Eh!?"
Where'd he go?
"Hey, what are you waiting for?" Kin reappeared at the classroom door, waving them over. "Let's go. Barbecue time."
If you weren't enthusiastic about free food, something was wrong with you.
Minato: "..."
Kushina: "..."
How were you so smooth—and so fast!?
"Wait!" Hyuga Kiyoshi stepped forward, his face dark.
"I'm coming too."
Kiyoshi had long wondered how Minato's skills had improved so rapidly. Today, he'd uncover the secret.
"I'm not paying for you," Kushina huffed, turning away. She barely knew Kiyoshi.
Truthfully, aside from Minato and Kin, no one in the class willingly interacted with her.
She wasn't about to be a fool.
Kiyoshi smirked and waved a hand dismissively.
"I'll treat everyone."
The Hyuga clan was wealthy. Even as a branch family member, he could afford this meal.
"Now that's what I call a baller move."
Kin clapped Kiyoshi on the shoulder, startling him so badly he nearly lashed out with Gentle Fist.
Hadn't this guy been at the door? When did he get here? How was he so sneaky!?
No—
Kiyoshi studied Kin, who was practically vibrating with barbecue anticipation.
This guy wasn't ordinary.
Inoue Satoru watched, expression darkening, as the students ignored him and left the classroom.
A profound doubt settled over him.
"…Am I really cut out to teach?"
Kin was far from ordinary.
And neither Minato nor Kushina were simple, either.
At the barbecue joint, Kiyoshi stared at the towering stack of empty plates.
His heart ached.
This kind of appetite was beyond normal. His wallet's screams echoed in his ears.
"Sorry, wallet. I can't save you," Kiyoshi mourned silently.
The Hyuga clan kept their word. He wouldn't go back on his promise.
Especially not in front of a damn Uchiha.
The Hyuga were Konoha's number one!! (Screamed internally)
"Another round, boss!" Kin called out.
Kiyoshi's face fell. Maybe stubbornness wasn't always the answer.
Kin and Kushina were locked in a fierce battle over the last slices of meat.
Their eyes met, sparks flying.
A worthy rival.
Chopsticks clashed like swords on a battlefield, snatching up meat at blinding speed.
Minato shot Kiyoshi an apologetic look before joining the fray, barely salvaging a single slice.
Since training in basic chakra exercises, his appetite—and strength—had grown exponentially.
Though he couldn't match the other two, he was a budding glutton himself.
Kiyoshi watched the plates pile up, each one a blow to his savings.
But he still didn't grasp the truth.
The dining table was a battlefield.
He picked up a slice of meat—only to bite empty air.
"Where's my meat!?"
The trio avoided his gaze, cheeks bulging as they chewed. Worst of all, they didn't even pause to explain.
Oh, so that's how it was.
"Byakugan! Activate!"
Kiyoshi entered the fray, wielding his chopsticks with the precision of Gentle Fist.
He finally understood the rules of this war.
Those who couldn't grab meat were doomed to eat plain rice.
By the time Kin leaned back, toothpick in hand, thoroughly satisfied—
Kushina was glaring at Kiyoshi.
"You cheated!"
Who the hell used a bloodline limit and taijutsu during a meal!?
That was just unfair!!!
Kiyoshi turned to her, tears streaming down his face as he gestured to the mountain of plates.
"Got a problem?"
He'd spent a fortune. Was he supposed to starve?
Kushina looked away, chastened.
"I can chip in a little."
Minato offered his meager allowance.
Kiyoshi's eyes welled up at the sight of the 100-ryō note.
This was why Minato topped the popularity charts.
Even in his darkest hour, Minato extended a helping hand.
But as he reached for the money, his expression twisted.
Minato was his lifelong rival! How could he accept charity!?
"I won't fall into your trap!"
Kiyoshi refused with heroic resolve.
"Huh?" Minato scratched his head, baffled.
"Hey, pay up already."
Kin, utterly shameless, prodded them along while picking his teeth.
"Oh, and let's hit the training ground after. I've got something to teach you."
He'd mastered a new trump card—the Four Styles—and was ready to pass them on.
There was even room for further development.
Too bad his "golden finger" limited him.
Confused but curious, Kiyoshi went to settle the bill.
Under the barbecue owner's poorly suppressed grin, Kiyoshi emptied his wallet.
The man's smirk, unshaken by ninjutsu, said it all.
Clutching the last few coins, Kiyoshi felt exhaustion weigh on his soul.
"Maybe my cousin will let me crash for a few months…"
Months of savings, gone in one meal.
What kind of black holes were these three?
Outside, he found the trio deep in conversation. Fists clenched, he approached—only to hear Kin remark:
"The streets are emptier lately."
Even in the commercial district, foot traffic was sparse. Including their group, you couldn't fill two hands.
Kiyoshi shared what he'd heard from Hyuga clansmen.
"Word is, shinobi from the Land of Earth and Land of Wind are trying to invade. Most of the village's forces are out scouting or defending."
Minato sighed. "People are scared. They're staying indoors in case enemy ninja attack."
Kushina stayed silent. Of the four, only she knew war's cruelty firsthand.
The scent of conflict hung in the air.
"We'd better get stronger. By the time we graduate, we might be headed to the front lines."
Kin's tone was casual, but he knew—they'd be dragged into war.
"So what's this thing you're teaching us?" Kiyoshi asked.
Kin shot him a glance, resting his head on interlaced fingers.
"Follow me and you'll see."
Seeing Minato and Kushina's lack of hesitation, Kiyoshi trailed after Kin.
They wound through streets, the path growing quieter.
Then, into the forest.
"Why so far out?"
Minato was the one who asked.
Last time, they'd trained by a stream. Now, they were deep in the woods.
Kin grinned. "Found a secret spot. We can train there—just us."
His gaze flicked to the bushes as he said "us."
Kushina and Minato noticed but stayed silent.
Since practicing basic chakra control, their senses had sharpened. The ANBU tailing Kushina hadn't gone unnoticed.
Kushina pretended ignorance; Minato, though clueless, knew better than to pry.
In a clearing stood a dilapidated training ground.
The trio sat while Kin perched on a stump, hands behind his back.
"Today, I'll teach you four taijutsu techniques."
"Taijutsu?" Kiyoshi scoffed. He'd expected something grander.
"Not convinced? Want a demo?"
Kin's smile was infuriating.
Kiyoshi, who refused to bow even to Minato, leapt up, falling into stance.
"Bring it—"
Before he finished, Kin was nose-to-nose with him, that smirk unbearable.
"First of the Four Styles: Soru (Shave)."
Kiyoshi struck instantly, Gentle Fist a blur.
Yet Kin weaved through the strikes like paper, untouched.
"Second Style: Kami-e (Paper Drawing)."
Frustration mounted. Kiyoshi attacked faster, harder—
Then Kin stopped dead, body rigid. Seizing the chance, Kiyoshi struck chakra points across his body.
But Kin stood firm, unharmed.
Even had the gall to wink.
This guy was worse than Minato!!
Then—
Kiyoshi stepped back, hands behind him, red and swollen.
How was his body this hard!?
Kin's voice was calm.
"Third Style: Tekkai (Iron Body)."
He raised a finger, drove it into a nearby branch—leaving a perfect hole.
"Fourth Style: Shigan (Finger Gun)."
"These are the Four Styles I'll teach you."
(End of Chapter)