Late Year 8 of Konohagakure.
The first term at the Ninja Academy was about to end, and with finals looming, Zhao Yi Qianming felt nothing but anticipation.
Almost half a year of academy life had brought him tremendous progress.
Compared to his ignorant, green self six months ago, Zhao Yi Qianming could now use the Three Basic Techniques with ease, and his Shuriken and Kunai throwing ranked near the top of the class. In Taijutsu, too, he'd poured in grueling effort; every sparring session ended with Zhao Yi Qianming putting his opponent on the ground.
Across the entire first year, aside from Kakashi—whom he had yet to face—no one could match him in Taijutsu. Not even Might Guy from the original timeline's 'Taijutsu prodigy' track measured up yet.
Guy was the slow-burn type: lay in deep foundations first, bloom late. For now, he was bottom of the year. Only Zhao Yi Qianming knew what heights this person would reach in the future.
This term's exams would be his second clash with Kakashi.
If history stayed on course, Kakashi would apply for early graduation next year—which meant Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake, would die next year.
From what Zhao Yi Qianming had gathered, although the Second Shinobi World War had ended, frictions between the major villages hadn't stopped; funerals were held at the memorial stone almost daily.
As far as he could see it, there had been no true victors in the Second Shinobi World War. The conflict only deepened hatred between the villages and sharpened their hostility.
Judging from the original story, the third war would break out just a year or two after the second halted.
After school, Zhao Yi Qianming walked home alone.
Even after half a year, he hadn't made many friends. He'd intended at first to befriend certain key figures from the original timeline, but when it came down to it… how was he supposed to make friends with five-year-old brats?
Tonight, he didn't plan to train—he wanted to reset and face tomorrow's exam in top condition.
"Hey! Might Duy! You and your kid still 'training'?"
As he walked, a mocking shout drifted out of an alley.
"An eternal Genin really does work hard! Ah-hahaha!"
Two Chūnin were openly jeering at Might Duy and his son, Might Guy, as if the sight were the funniest thing in the world.
Zhao Yi Qianming stopped and, keeping to the wall's shadow, watched in silence.
"Oh! Thanks for the encouragement!" Might Duy gave the two Chūnin a thumbs-up, taking no offense at their ridicule.
One had to admit—Might Duy's heart was iron. Though he'd never shone in Ninjutsu, with sheer human will he mastered the forbidden [Eight Gates]; even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist would one day fall to him.
Zhao Yi Qianming had seen this scene in the manga, but facing Might Duy in person still hit hard.
Anyone else, being insulted like that in front of their child, would likely fly into a rage. Yet Might Duy could take it as encouragement, stick to his ninja way, and walk straight on without wavering.
It sounded simple, but doing it was anything but.
Zhao Yi Qianming asked himself honestly: in Duy's place, even knowing he couldn't win, if he were humiliated like that, could he keep his hands to himself?
True strength wasn't just raw power. Without a heart to match that power, reaching the summit would be impossible.
While Zhao Yi Qianming was lost in thought, the two Chūnin left. He noticed, though, that Might Guy quietly followed them.
Swoosh!
"Ungh! That hurts!"
A stone struck the back of one Chūnin's head. Eyes blazing red with fury, Might Guy glared at them.
"Huh? So it's Might Duy's kid!"
"What do you want?"
"Don't you dare mock my dad again!" Might Guy roared.
"Bold little brat, aren't you?" one Chūnin sneered, face twisting.
The two Chūnin traded jeers as they advanced on Guy.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Just as Guy was about to take a beating, two Shuriken whipped out from the alley corner, streaking toward the Chūnin.
They sprang back, evading the surprise attack—but before they landed, two more Shuriken sliced toward them.
Suspended midair with nowhere to plant their feet, they could only snatch out Kunai and bat aside the second pair.
"Who's the coward in the shadows?!"
"Show yourself!"
"Two Chūnin bullying a child—you're a disgrace to Konoha's shinobi." Zhao Yi Qianming stepped out of the darkness, eyes cold as he fixed them with his gaze.
"Another brat. Kids these days sure are cocky, huh?" one Chūnin said with a frosty smile.
"You're… Qianming!" Might Guy stared at Zhao Yi Qianming, thought for a moment, then finally called his name.
"Die, you little punks!"
Smarting from the ambush and the loss of face, the two Chūnin shouted and rushed Zhao Yi Qianming together.
He slipped back twice in quick hops, dodging the first man's strike—but no matter how he twisted, he couldn't escape the second Chūnin's kick.
"Hn? The Clone Technique?" The Chūnin's kick dispersed Zhao Yi Qianming's double, and he froze, unsure when the boy had used a jutsu.
"Brat! Now you've really made me mad!"
Humiliated, the two Chūnin spotted Zhao Yi Qianming's real body and charged again.
"Idiots."
Zhao Yi Qianming let out a cold snort and sliced through a taut steel wire with his Kunai.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
He'd set a simple trap before making a move. Blinded by anger and shame, the Chūnin never guessed he'd be waiting with a trap.
As the wire snapped, dozens of Shuriken launched from blind angles, converging on the two. Caught off guard, they blocked some with Kunai, but several still slashed bloody lines across their arms and legs.
Perched on the wall above, Zhao Yi Qianming looked down at them and said icily, "If I'd used explosive tags just now, you'd already be dead. Get lost. Don't let me see you again. I'm sparing your lives for the village's sake."
"Brat!" They glared up at him, eyes promising murder.
But if Zhao Yi Qianming actually started detonating explosive tags, it would likely draw the Uchiha Police Force—or even the Anbu. With that in mind, neither Chūnin dared make a reckless move.
Too prideful to slink off first, they stood there fuming.
Seeing that, Zhao Yi Qianming called to Might Guy, "Guy! We're leaving!"