"Nothing," Kaoru said, smiling and deactivating his Sharingan.
Shin, a genius disguised as a failure... What was his goal?
Since he hadn't done anything harmful yet, Kaoru wouldn't confront him. He'd wait and see.
"Hey, are you kids slacking off? Mission done already?"
Kurenai Yuhi said, emerging from the house. Only Hina was sweeping. The two boys were idle.
"You're something, letting a girl sweep while you two do nothing," Kurenai Yuhi said, annoyed.
"My bad," Kaoru said, grabbing a broom. Shin put away his scroll and joined the sweeping.
The sweeping was soon done. Kurenai Yuhi taught them the Body Flicker Technique.
Kaoru learned it first, then Hina. Shin played the fool, barely learning it.
The day passed. Team 8 said goodbye to Kurenai Yuhi and headed home. Passing a grove, Kaoru heard shouting and begging.
"Damn outsider, thinking you're so great in Konoha!" a man shouted.
"Please, spare me!" Shin begged, timid and trembling.
"What's going on?" Kaoru frowned, entering the grove.
He saw two figures: a man standing on a rock, looking down at Shin, who knelt in fear.
"What's this?"
Kaoru wondered. Shin was being bullied? He'd usually help, but knowing Shin's secrets, he'd observe first.
"Combat Stance!" Kaoru activated his Sharingan, seeing the man's stats.
"LV7, 1100 health, 700 chakra." Just a strong genin.
"Shin has the power to fight. Why take this abuse?"
Kaoru thought. The grove seemed empty. Hearing them was too convenient.
This was a plot, a show for Kaoru.
"I'll play along," Kaoru thought. He snapped his fingers, and a card flashed.
"Who's there?" The man looked up as a card flew from the trees, piercing his shoulder.
"-200" A red number appeared, and his health bar dropped.
"Damage display?" Kaoru thought, pleased. He stepped out.
"Cough." The man was stunned.
"Kaoru!" Shin cried, seeing Kaoru. Was he acting?
"Get lost!" Kaoru kicked the man away.
"Bang!" The man hit a tree, groaning and spitting blood.
"-190" Another number appeared. The man woke, glared at Kaoru, and limped away.
"Are you okay?" Kaoru asked, helping Shin up.
"Fine. You're amazing," Shin said.
"Why did he attack you?" Kaoru asked, skeptical.
"Sigh," Shin said, looking sad. "He said I didn't belong in Konoha. He beat me. Thanks for coming."
Kaoru smiled. This act was good. He'd thought of Shin as a comrade, but now it felt cold.
They left the grove. Night fell.
"We could be friends," Shin said.
"We're both orphans. My village was destroyed, and your clan suffered the same."
"Getting close?" Kaoru thought, wary. He nodded.
"When I came to Konoha, most people treated me like a dog," Shin said. "I'd rather wander than be humiliated!"
Shin sounded angry, but Kaoru was skeptical.
"Kaoru, have you thought of leaving Konoha?" Shin asked.
"Leaving? Why?" Kaoru frowned. Shin was testing him.
"Don't you hate Konoha? Your parents died on a Konoha mission. Your clan was destroyed. And Konoha can't find the killer, leaving you and your sister alone. Why stay in a useless village?" Shin said, red-faced.
"You know a lot," Kaoru said.
"You know a lot about me," Kaoru said, coldly. Shin was trying to make him defect. He couldn't agree.
"Well..." Shin stammered, scratching his head. "I thought we were friends, so I looked into your past. Sorry for bringing it up."
"It's fine," Kaoru said, smiling.
"It's the past. I want a peaceful life for me and my sister. Leaving would endanger her. I won't do that."
Shin relaxed, relieved. "Really? You never think about it?"
"Never," Kaoru said. "Where else would I go?"
"Good point..." Shin nodded. They walked on.
"I'm fine now," Shin said, releasing Kaoru's arm. "Thanks. I'll be okay."
"Really? Are you sure?" Kaoru asked.
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