The next day followed the same old routine: home, academy, training. The only difference was that he hadn't done his homework, not a single character written.
In the morning, after breakfast, he set off for school alone, without the dogs. His four hounds—Smarty, Zato, Masao, and Kage, his four celestial kings—saw their "Dog General" off to school.
The "Dog General's" steps were heavy, his face etched with a morose expression, as if he were walking to his doom. After all, who in this world could possibly go to school with a joyful heart?
Ryoto was utterly dissatisfied with his current schedule. School during the day, sessions with a famous tutor in the evening, and special training on the weekends. This was no way for a child to live. There was no youth, no passion. Nothing even close. It was enough to make one want to hang themself.
Ryoto buried his face in his desk. Outside the window, sparrows chirped on the wires, and the monotonous drone of Takeru at the blackboard was lulling him to sleep. He turned his head. Both of his deskmates were absent again.
They're sick? I'm so jealous. Not only do they get to skip school, but they'll also miss the Third Shinobi World War. Just lie comfortably in a hospital bed, wait for time to pass, and grow up to an age where you can drink alcohol. Maybe their families will even talk them out of becoming ninja.
His own body, however, was as healthy as an ox, so he couldn't count on such joys.
A piece of chalk struck Ryoto squarely on the head. He ignored it, not lifting his face from the desk.
I'm sleeping so soundly, and you have the nerve to wake me?
A second piece of chalk hit his head. Then a third, a fourth...
Takeru crushed the chalk in his hand and stared at Ryoto with a grim expression.
I thought you were a genius, but if you're not, what right do you have to sleep? And to not even listen in class!
"Ryoto!" Takeru roared, slamming his hand on the desk. "Get up!"
Alright, alright. Ryoto stood up and looked at Takeru with an innocent expression. What can you do.
"Is my lesson not interesting?"
"Yes," Ryoto answered instantly.
Takeru's face darkened.
"So you know everything?!"
"One plus one equals two..." Ryoto began without a hitch. Today's lesson was mathematics, the basics of addition and subtraction. Such nonsense, of course, couldn't possibly interest him. It was pure torture, and a single glance at the board made Ryoto question his own intelligence.
Excellent, you've memorized it well.
Takeru cut him off, his face grim. "Go to the back of the classroom and stand there!"
Ryoto went to the back, lowered his head, and promptly fell asleep.
Such excellent sleep quality...
Watching this scene, the boys were filled with admiration.
That Ryoto, he really knows how to stand out.
The girls stole glances at Ryoto.
Kakashi was also watching secretly. A rival for life, is he...
Obito sat at his desk, muttering to himself as he bent his fingers, sweat beading on his forehead. Next to him, also sweating profusely, Might Guy was doing the same.
I can't lose to Ryoto, I have to get all the calculations right. If I can beat Ryoto, I'll be the coolest guy in class. And then the girls will look at me... right?
Glancing at Guy, Obito looked seriously at the teacher and, covered in sweat, continued to silently bend his fingers.
…
After standing like that all day without incident, Ryoto waited for classes to end. On the way home, he walked ahead of everyone, heading towards the Hatake residence. Kakashi, following behind, couldn't stand it.
He quickened his pace, dashed past Ryoto, glanced back at him, and slowed down. Beneath his new mask, his lips curled into a smirk. Rin walked cautiously behind everyone, hiding behind the streetlamp posts. They continued in this strange state, not disturbing one another, until they reached the Hatake home.
Rin hid around the corner, watching as Kakashi and Ryoto entered the house one after the other.
What's the connection between Kakashi and Ryoto? Maybe I should ask Kakashi tomorrow...
Thoughts swirled in Rin's little head. A moment later, with her backpack on, she started walking back. She had come too far.
…
At the Hatake estate, in the same backyard with the dojo where the collapsed wall had yet to be repaired, White Fang sat under an awning, leisurely sipping tea. It was clear he knew how to enjoy life and was not like a typical ninja.
"I have arrived, teacher," Ryoto bowed. "I ask for your guidance again today."
Kakashi dropped his backpack and sat to the side, his eyes fixed on them.
"The rules are the same," White Fang said, setting down his cup and standing up. "Wound me, and you can go home."
Ryoto nodded and, without wasting a moment, shrugged off his outer shirt, crouched low, and assumed a fighting stance.
Kakashi's eyes widened.
It's starting!
White Fang stepped forward, one hand behind his back, hiding what he was doing. It seemed to be a repeat of yesterday.
"The same trick won't work twice," said White Fang. "Ryoto, besides the face, do you know of any other vulnerable spots on the human body?"
There are plenty.
"The throat, eyes, heart, lungs, spleen, abdomen, joints, feet..." Ryoto replied.
"Correct," said White Fang. "This is knowledge every ninja must possess, especially those like us who specialize in tactical planning and swift, deadly attacks. We strive for maximum efficiency, for a one-hit kill, without wasting a single drop of extra chakra. Ready?"
Ryoto nodded.
"Begin!"
With those words, White Fang lunged forward. After two exchanges, he found an opening in Ryoto's defense. And then...
"Village Hidden in the Leaves' Secret Taijutsu Technique! Thousand Years of Death!!!"
He formed a hand seal, but it was a seal-less technique. The minimum difficulty to master it was E-rank; even an idiot could do it. The maximum difficulty was limitless. Its destructive power was exceedingly cruel, without any embellishment. Like a white fang, it ruthlessly tore through Ryoto's defense and plunged straight into his rear.
Ryoto's eyes bulged from their sockets. Clutching his backside, he shot into the air and, tracing a graceful parabola, crashed into the pond in the yard.
Fish food?
The koi in the pond immediately swam over and stared curiously at Ryoto, who was curled up like a shrimp underwater, clutching his rear and twitching as he released a stream of bubbles.
Sitting on the side, Kakashi's eyes were wide, and he was beaming with delight.
That's it! Dad, I want to learn that!
After a while, Ryoto surfaced, one hand covering his rear. He climbed onto the bank, soaked and with a burning backside, collapsed onto the ground, and looked at White Fang's gentle smile.
This guy... He's damn vindictive!
"Ryoto, besides the face..." White Fang smiled, "...the anus is also a deadly vulnerable spot on the human body. It's difficult to control the release of chakra from the tenketsu in that area. Your Four Legs Technique is still far from perfect..."
Ryoto stared at White Fang...
"Ahaha..." White Fang scratched his head and laughed. "Did I go too far? You're not going to cry, are you? I didn't hit you that hard. Besides, Kakashi is watching."
"That technique... it's so low, like something from a children's fight," said Ryoto, who, of course, had no intention of crying.
"Nonsense. Stepping on toes, poking eyes—any means are good as long as they work." White Fang's expression turned serious, and he raised an index finger. "By the way, in a fight between girls, the most effective thing is to pull their hair. Even if they're ninja. As they say, all's fair in war. So, if you ever encounter a female ninja who is confident enough to wear long hair, be extremely careful. For example, with your mother."
Ryoto looked at White Fang and nodded in agreement, as if to say, You would know, wouldn't you.
Seeing this, White Fang froze for a moment, then winked, returning the same knowing look.
"Exactly!" White Fang, having received Ryoto's approval, smiled. "You didn't pass today's test, so you'll have to stay and study hard."
Kakashi watched the scene. They were laughing and chatting, and there was an inexplicably harmonious quality about them, as if they were a real father and son. And then...
"Father! I want to learn that too!" Kakashi couldn't hold back any longer, jumping to his feet and shouting.
Ryoto struggled to his feet and, with a shake, flicked the water droplets from his hair and body.