Chapter 1: The After-School Farce
Ring—ring—ring—!
The bell of the Konoha Ninja Academy rang out, announcing the end of the day's classes.
The classroom instantly exploded like a birdcage thrown open. Chattering students poured out the door, excitedly discussing the upcoming graduation exam, ninja team assignments, and their future lives as Genin.
"I heard a Chūnin will be coming tomorrow as a temporary examiner! I'm so nervous!"
"I'm definitely going to—"
"Hey, did you guys finish your taijutsu sparring practice?"
Amid the noisy background chatter, when the classroom was finally empty, Tejima Shinichi slowly strolled out with his hands in his pockets.
He had slightly messy black hair, with a few dark brown strands mixed in at the tips, as if they had faded after long exposure to the sun.
His facial features were sharp and well-defined—a straight nose bridge, distinct lips—forming a face that already revealed its handsomeness far too early. It wasn't youthful cuteness, but a clean, heroic aura, within which one could vaguely glimpse the sharp, chiseled edges he would have in the future.
Under the sunlight, his eyes appeared as a deep, muted amber. His gaze swept calmly ahead, completely uninterested in the heated discussions around him.
He had long since seen through the noise of these brats.
Graduation?
Genin?
Boring!
The corridor was still packed with students.
"Hey, who do you think will be top of the class in this graduation exam?"
Inuzuka Kiba spoke loudly while holding Akamaru.
"Isn't it obvious?" Nara Shikamaru yawned, scratching the back of his head with a troubled look. "It's definitely Shinichi, that monster. Perfect scores in theory, and as for actual combat… no one's ever beaten him."
Though he spoke casually, there was a heavy look in Shikamaru's eyes.
Because Tejima Shinichi's strength wasn't just impressive—it was on an entirely different level, far beyond people like them… terrifyingly so!
"Crunch crunch…" Akimichi Chōji leaned against the wall, focused on chewing his chips, nodding without even lifting his head. "I think Shikamaru's right. Shinichi is really scary."
"Tch." Kiba curled his lips. "That guy is strong, sure… but Sasuke isn't bad either!"
The moment those words fell, it was as if a fuse had been lit, igniting an unknown war!
"Of course, Sasuke-kun is amazing!" Yamanaka Ino immediately raised her voice. "But Shinichi-kun is more consistent! Every exam, he beats Sasuke without suspense and takes first place!"
As soon as she said that, someone was instantly unhappy.
Haruno Sakura shoved past Ino and shouted back, "What do you know, Ino-pig! Sasuke-kun is handsome and cool, and his strength is improving super fast! Shinichi is strong, sure, but Sasuke-kun is even more—!"
"More what?" Ino glared back defiantly, hands on her hips. "Billboard Brow, you're the one who knows nothing! Shinichi-kun's calm and composed attitude is what a true powerhouse looks like!"
"..."
In an instant, the corridor became their battlefield, arguments flying back and forth nonstop!
Watching the scene, Chōji shrank his neck and shoved chips into his mouth even faster, muttering softly, "As expected… women are scary…"
Seeing the quarrel intensify, Shikamaru rubbed his forehead with a headache and sighed. Turning toward the culprit beside him, he spoke helplessly:
"Hey, Kiba. Look what you started."
Kiba scratched his cheek awkwardly. Akamaru let out "woof" in response as Kiba muttered quietly, "I-I didn't mean it like this… who knew those two would blow up like that…"
---
Standing a short distance away, Tejima Shinichi calmly swept his amber gaze over the arguing Ino and Sakura, then over Shikamaru's troubled expression and Kiba's awkward look, before briefly pausing on Chōji, who was speeding up his chip-eating.
He watched these classmates—soon to graduate together—waste their energy on a meaningless argument. Only when Shikamaru dragged away the still-grumbling Kiba and Chōji, and the two girls glared at each other before heading off in opposite directions, did Shinichi finally step forward.
Tejima Shinichi let out a quiet breath.
"I really don't get it…"
"We're all going to be Ninja who might lose our heads at any moment—why are these girls turning red over such pointless stuff?"
Ninjas could die at any moment. Would fangirling help you survive a mission?
Though… you did all make it to the end of the story…
As he passed through the corridor and approached the gate, another familiar bout of noise reached his ears—
"Sasuke! You bastard! Why does Sakura keep following you around all day?!"
A shrill voice exploded into the air.
Shinichi stopped and looked over—sure enough, it was that ever-yelling Uzumaki Naruto.
Right now, Naruto was sporting his eye-catching blond hair, shouting indignantly at Uchiha Sasuke.
Sasuke merely shot him a cold glance and didn't even slow his steps.
"You're annoying, dead last."
Uchiha Sasuke tossed out the words and kept walking.
"Who are you calling dead last?!"
Naruto instantly blew up, baring his teeth as he lunged forward, trying to grab Sasuke by the collar.
But Sasuke shifted his footing and casually followed up with an elbow strike—straight into Naruto's stomach.
"Ugh—!"
Naruto clutched his belly and collapsed to the ground with a cry. But the next second, he stubbornly looked up, gritting his teeth as he threatened, "Damn it… Sasuke, you sneak-attacked me… just you wait! Next time I'll definitely—"
Tejima Shinichi watched quietly from not far away.
Clearly, he was the top student of this class… yet Uzumaki Naruto only had eyes for Uchiha Sasuke, playing this weird love-hate game!
Of course… Shinichi wasn't jealous or anything!
It could only be said—worthy of Indra and Asura. A pair of rivals bound by fate for a thousand years!
Still…
Shinichi cast a meaningful glance toward Uchiha Sasuke.
'Hmph. The Uchiha really are born evil… but I have to admit, the Sharingan is a truly enviable kekkei genkai!'
After all, it's just too cool!
Shaking his head, Tejima Shinichi continued forward.
But at that moment—
"Bang!"
A shadow suddenly flew in from the side and slammed into his shoulder without warning.
Shinichi shifted aside and focused his gaze—it was Uzumaki Naruto.
No one knew when Naruto had rushed back to challenge Sasuke again, only to get kicked away and sent flying straight toward him.
"Ugh! Ow ow ow…" Naruto rubbed his backside as he scrambled up. When he looked up and saw Shinichi, he froze for a moment before muttering awkwardly, "…I-it's Shinichi."
Shinichi raised an eyebrow, slowly crouched down, bracing one hand on his knee as he looked down at Naruto.
"Naruto, this is the third time this week I've seen you get kicked flying."
Naruto's blue eyes widened, his face flushing. "Y-you—! Stop making things up! There weren't three times!"
Tsk… Naruto, why does the way you talk sound so much like Naruko?!
"Thump!"
Before Naruto could say anything else, Shinichi flicked his forehead with a bent finger.
The force wasn't heavy, but it was enough to make Naruto yelp and clutch his head.
Shinichi stood up, hands back in his pockets, and continued walking, tossing out a single line:
"Can't you behave yourself for once?"
Behind him, Naruto jumped in place, holding his head with a frustrated look.
"...Aaaah! Shinichi, you jerk! Don't think being top of the class makes you amazing! If I could beat you… And Sasuke too! Just you wait!"
On the other side, Uchiha Sasuke stood still, his eyes locked tightly on Shinichi's retreating figure, his lips pressed into a thin line.
That guy—
From the moment he enrolled, he had been firmly pressing down on him.
Theory, taijutsu, ninjutsu… every single exam, that name was always above his—
Tejima Shinichi.
He had never once forced Shinichi to reveal his full strength.
That effortless, unfathomable depth made the proud Uchiha feel deeply irritated.
Clearly… he, too, was hailed as a genius!
"Hey! Sasuke!" Naruto's shout snapped him out of his thoughts. "What are you spacing out for? Are you scared of Shinichi or what?!"
Sasuke shot Naruto a cold glance.
"Idiot."
"Who are you calling an idiot?!"
"Whoever answers me."
Sasuke's voice carried its usual mockery, but when his gaze once again turned toward the direction Shinichi had disappeared, a competitive flame burned deep within his eyes.
Clearly, Sasuke cared a great deal about Naruto's words.
Ignoring Naruto's continued yelling, he stepped forward, following after Shinichi.
With graduation approaching, Uchiha Sasuke really wanted to know… just how strong the class's top student—the one who had always suppressed him—truly was!!
"Aaaah! Sasuke! You ignored me again!"
Naruto grabbed his hair in frustration, but as he watched the direction the two of them left in, a defiant glint flashed through his blue eyes.
"Hmph, so what if you're the top student?! I, Uzumaki Naruto, will surpass all of you sooner or later!"
But still… Despite getting beaten up like that, Uzumaki Naruto actually seemed kind of… happy?!
---
Tejima Shinichi had only just stepped out of the academy gates and walked a few paces when he sensed a gaze on his back.
He didn't stop. Only the corner of his eye flicked backward.
It was Uchiha Sasuke.
That black-haired kid was following behind him, dark eyes fixed straight on his back, filled with unmistakable challenge.
Uzumaki Naruto was hopping around noisily beside him, but Sasuke completely ignored him.
Shinichi couldn't be bothered to care and continued walking forward.
"Shinichi!"
Uchiha Sasuke's voice rang out from behind, stopping him.
Shinichi halted and half-turned around.
Sasuke had already closed the distance. The two stood less than a meter apart.
Naruto also rushed over, staring at the two of them with open curiosity.
"Something you need?" Shinichi spoke first.
Sasuke looked at him, his gaze sharp.
"Tejima Shinichi," he called him by his full name, his tone serious. "These past few years, you've won every practical exam."
Shinichi didn't respond, simply waiting for him to continue.
"Graduation is close," Sasuke went on, as if he had finally made up his mind. "I want to know… just how big the gap between us really is."
As he spoke, Sasuke lifted his chin slightly. Uchiha pride flowed through him— even when issuing a challenge, he carried an imposing presence.
Shinichi raised an eyebrow with interest.
"So?"
"Right now. Fight me again."
Sasuke stated his purpose plainly.
Naruto's eyes instantly widened.
"Huh?! Sasuke, you mean… right here?!"
Seeing how serious Sasuke looked, Shinichi found it oddly amusing.
This kind of stubbornness—knowing the gap yet charging straight into it anyway—was exactly that second pillar's style.
With that thought, Shinichi chuckled. Looking at Sasuke's forced mature expression, he spoke:
"In that case… hmph, you evil little Uchiha brat— come at me."
The moment those words left his mouth, Sasuke froze— then exploded in anger.
"What did you just say?!"
The words "evil Uchiha" stabbed straight into Sasuke's most sensitive nerve. His expression darkened instantly, fury surging into his eyes as his last shred of composure vanished.
"The honor of the Uchiha…" he growled through clenched teeth, "…will not be insulted! You dare— I'll make you pay!"
Sasuke stopped wasting words. His body burst into motion.
A sharp kick swept toward Shinichi's waist.
Yet Shinichi didn't retreat—he advanced instead, reaching out with his left hand.
Smack!
A dull impact rang out.
He caught Sasuke's ankle with perfect precision.
Sasuke's expression changed instantly. He tried to pull free, only to find his leg locked as if clamped in iron—completely immovable.
Damn it… Why is the strength gap still this big?!
"Uchiha taijutsu—that's all?"
Shinichi looked at Sasuke's panicked face and suddenly grinned.
"Too slow. Your power's scattered. If this is all you've got… Sasuke, you're still far from surpassing me."
"You—!" Sasuke's face turned livid, rage boiling over.
Balancing on one foot, he suddenly leaned back, twisting his body and using the momentum—his other leg lashed out like a whip, sweeping toward Shinichi's head!
The feint was fast, cutting through the air with a sharp whoosh.
"Still don't get it?"
Shinichi spoke calmly.
As he spoke, the arm gripping Sasuke's ankle suddenly exerted force!
"This ends now."
The overwhelming strength instantly robbed Sasuke of his balance. His entire body was swung up effortlessly!
Bang!
Bang!
He was slammed hard into the solid ground twice.
The movements were brutally clean.
Dust rose lightly into the air.
Shinichi released his grip.
Sasuke lay sprawled on the ground, his world spinning, vision darkening. Pain surged through every inch of his body, his breathing hitching for a moment.
"…Hng… ugh…"
He groaned as he struggled to rise, but his strength wouldn't answer him.
Nearby, Naruto stood with his mouth hanging open, eyes bulging, completely frozen.
Shinichi brushed nonexistent dust from his hands and looked down at Sasuke.
"Satisfied now?"
Honestly, one second acting cool, the next getting completely crushed.
With that, Shinichi didn't spare them another glance. He turned and walked away.
Naruto, who had witnessed everything, had completely forgotten how to breathe. He stared blankly at the scene before him.
The Sasuke he had always chased after—in front of Tejima Shinichi… couldn't even last a single exchange!
"So… so strong…"
Naruto muttered unconsciously.
The next second, he snapped out of it and hurried over to Sasuke, squatting down beside him, panic in his voice:
"Hey! Sasuke! Are you okay? Are you alright?!"
Sasuke lay on the ground, eyes unfocused as he stared at the sky, chest heaving as he gasped for breath.
Pain wracked his entire body, especially his back and internal organs—it felt as if everything had been knocked out of place.
Through the ringing in his ears, he vaguely heard Naruto's noisy voice, but had no energy to respond.
After a long while, the dizziness finally subsided a little.
Gritting his teeth, he propped himself up on his elbows and, with great difficulty, sat up.
He brushed aside Naruto's hand when it reached out to help, forcing himself to stand using his own strength.
His steps were still unsteady.
Sasuke stared hard in the direction Shinichi had left—but there was no one there anymore.
Only then did he turn to Naruto, who was full of concern. Pressing his pale lips together, he spoke hoarsely through the pain:
"I'm going home first… and about what happened today—don't tell anyone."
With that, without waiting for Naruto's reply, he dragged his aching body and staggered off toward the Uchiha district.
Naruto stood there, watching Sasuke's retreating figure. He scratched his bright blond hair, his face a mix of confusion and worry, before finally muttering softly:
"Got it… You stuck-up Sasuke."
Naruto pouted and turned to leave—then suddenly stopped.
Wait…
Didn't Sasuke just say—
"Don't tell anyone about today!"
A lightbulb flicked on in Naruto's head.
Don't tell anyone?
That meant… this was his, Uzumaki Naruto's, exclusive secret? Sasuke's embarrassing moment that he didn't want anyone else to know about?!
"Hehehe…"
Naruto's lips curled upward uncontrollably. A slightly mischievous, slightly smug grin slowly spread across his face, stretching almost to his ears.
He could already imagine it—next time Sasuke put on that arrogant face or called him "dead last," all he had to do was casually bring up—
"Sasuke, you wouldn't want people to know about what happened at the school gate that day, right…?"
Just what kind of expression that stuck-up guy would make…
"Heh heh heh…"
At the now-empty school gate, the blond boy's distinctly ill-intentioned, silly laughter echoed through the air.
—
End of Chapter