Asuma wasn't the only one being stubborn; Ryota was too.
He declared that his Uchiha Clan was not inferior to anyone.
Even knowing he couldn't win, Asuma still chose to challenge Seiryū.
Even if he couldn't last a single move, no one mocked Asuma for overestimating himself. Instead, they felt he was someone who faced difficulties head-on.
After all, Seiryū's reputation as a genius was well known.
Losing would be considered normal.
Furthermore, persistence and never giving up are excellent qualities for a ninja; losing confidence is the most terrifying thing.
Therefore, Ryota stepped up.
And then, he fell down.
The time was similar to Asuma's—instantly defeated in one move!
Seiryū had done this considering Asuma's feelings, as he was the son of the Hokage and had also contributed a mission reward. He was Seiryū's good classmate, good friend, and good reward package.
Shouldn't Seiryū consider the other party?
"..." Silently forming the Seal of Reconciliation, Ryota returned to the crowd, though the unconcealed resentment in his dark eyes was obvious.
Last time, he could at least exchange two or three moves, but this time, he couldn't even clearly see the opponent's movements.
His efforts had not only failed to close the distance between them but had widened it!
He urgently desired to awaken his Sharingan in his heart; only by awakening the Sharingan could he possibly defeat Seiryū!!
Watching Ryota leave, Seiryū muttered to himself: Could it be that my provocation is about to cause him to awaken his eyes?
In Seiryū's eyes, every member of the Uchiha Clan was a lunatic and a zealot.
They blacken instantly at the slightest disagreement, after which their strength skyrockets, making them even more terrifying than a Wuxia protagonist who falls off a cliff and gains a master's legacy.
It's simply unreasonable.
Perhaps stimulated by him, Ryota, who never appeared in the original work, might awaken his eyes directly at the age of six.
Breaking the Uchiha Clan record and becoming the Uchiha Clan's strongest genius is not impossible... Seiryū silently cheered Ryota on: Getting stronger is good! That way, there will be more opportunities to farm System Missions!
Kakashi and Asuma had successively contributed two rewards to him, proving that the method of farming System Missions was feasible.
Ryota had also contributed one before.
Moreover, the reliable System considered him a member of the Shiba Clan, one of the Five Great Noble Clans.
Doesn't that mean the value is greater than Kakashi or Asuma's?
There is a possibility of refreshing the mission again!
These talented classmates are all walking reward packages; no amount is too much. Seiryū expressed anticipation for challenges from other classmates.
Hmm, now Seiryū doesn't reject being challenged; it's a good thing!
However, there were no more stubborn people... Seiryū returned to the crowd and said to Guy next to him: "Guy, let's go train together after school. I promised you before, 'Next time for sure,' and I am a man of my word!"
Guy had just gone to challenge Kakashi and didn't choose to challenge him.
Hearing Seiryū's words, Guy instantly became spirited, revealing a mouthful of white teeth and giving a thumbs-up: "I won't lose to you, Seiryū!"
Seiryū was embarrassed: "We're just exercising; do you need to be so passionate?"
He didn't need to research and develop the Rasengan, and Sealing Techniques was progressing steadily.
Now, Seiryū needed to start considering the next "compulsion." Learning Kenjutsu was naturally the first priority, but physical fitness couldn't be ignored either.
Many exercises couldn't be performed in the backyard, especially stamina training, as Chakra reserves are linked to stamina.
Since Seiryū possessed the constitution of the Uzumaki Clan, he naturally needed to utilize this talent well and not let it go to waste!
Guy refuted Seiryū's words: "This is youth! Passion never dies!"
Seiryū's mouth twitched: "Yes, youth!"
At this moment, Kakashi also approached, suggesting: "Can you take me along?"
Seiryū had become much stronger than before, so he must be cultivating very diligently. He wanted to know what kind of training Seiryū was doing to improve so quickly... He wasn't trying to secretly learn, just curious about Seiryū's usual training methods, which he could... well, borrow!
Guy was slightly surprised: "Kakashi, you too?"
Kakashi was a cool and aloof person, and he simply replied: "Mm."
Seiryū was amused: "Everyone is competing this hard?"
He originally wanted to find an opportunity to "casually encounter" the Hatake father and son and try to see if Sakumo Hatake could provide some guidance on Kenjutsu.
It didn't have to be their family's Hatake Blade Technique; basic Kenjutsu would suffice, as the goal was just to complete a mission.
Now that Kakashi had proactively sought him out, he was naturally happy.
Kakashi said plainly: "To surpass you, I don't want to always be second. I don't think I can beat you in the written exams, but I still have a chance in actual combat!"
He didn't delusionally hope to surpass Seiryū in the written exams, especially since test questions now often included problems from Seiryū's practice booklet.
If the exam only tested the understanding of the Will of Fire, he might have a chance to win, as Seiryū's score in that area was only slightly above average.
But if it was a purely theoretical written exam, Seiryū's dominance was unshakeable—he was simply monstrous.
Even older students wouldn't help.
Regarding actual combat, he felt he still had a chance to beat Seiryū, since Seiryū was one year older than him, meaning he was disadvantaged by age.
Seiryū curled his lip: "That won't be easy. You'll need to double your effort to catch up to me!"
Kakashi said: "That day will come!"
Listening to the words of the two people he regarded as rivals and goals, Guy was deeply moved, tears instantly streaming down his face, and his voice became impassioned: "Waaah, Father! I can feel youth even more strongly now!"
"Friends, rivals, and goals, growing stronger together through healthy competition—this is what youth should be! I'm truly fired up!!"
This was the first time he had so directly experienced what youth was; it was so moving and exhilarating.
Father really hadn't lied to him.
He also needed to work harder, burn himself even more brightly, and grow stronger alongside his friends, rivals, and goals. He wouldn't give up, so as not to let youth down!
Seiryū: "..."
Kakashi: "..."
Guy was always so eccentric, and they still couldn't quite get used to it.
Especially the strange looks cast by the surrounding classmates, which made both Seiryū and Kakashi feel so awkward their toes were curling inside their shoes... However, neither of them left immediately.
They were friends; they couldn't dislike the other party over something so small. They needed more tolerance, and thinking about it carefully, Guy was a decent person.
He was a friend worth making.
School was soon over.
Seiryū said to Kurenai, "Kurenai, you go back first. I'm going to train with Guy and Kakashi. You can join us if you want."
Kurenai shook her head, "I won't go. I have to go grocery shopping with Father at the market."
Seiryū handed his schoolbag to Kurenai, "Then please take my schoolbag home for me."
Kurenai: "..."
That hateful Seiryū, making her do manual labor!
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)