"I yield to your skill, classmate Kakashi."
Watching Kakashi's dazed expression, Shinichi Higashino slowly retracted the long sword he had pressed against the other's throat.
Five years of planning, achieved in one morning.
Shinichi had replayed this scene countless times in his mind, imagining the ecstasy of defeating this Genius, but now that it had truly happened and the dust had settled, all he felt was a deep, pool-like calm.
And even... a trace of indescribable emptiness.
"I lost." Kakashi regained his composure and looked at the black-haired boy before him.
"You won this time, but that doesn't mean my father's swordsmanship is lacking, it's just that I..." He pursed his lips, not saying words like "unskilled" or "lacking power."
"Next time, I will win it back!"
Shinichi met his gaze, his face still bearing that gentle and sunny smile: "I look forward to our next match, classmate Kakashi."
"Ahem." Matsumoto Fumio stepped forward at the right moment, standing between the two, and announced loudly, "This practical assessment ends here. The winner—Shinichi Higashino!"
"Shinichi! Shinichi! Shinichi!!"
Before Teacher Matsumoto finished speaking, the Class Two queue erupted like a long-suppressed volcano! The deafening cheers shot straight into the sky.
Among them, Might Guy's rough and heroic voice was like a war drum, leading the entire class's excitement: "That was brilliant! Shinichi! You're incredible!! I knew you could do it!"
"H-he actually won?!" Shizune's eyes were wide and her mouth hung open.
Compared to the excitement of Class Two, Class One was engulfed in silence.
"Kakashi..." Nohara Rin clasped her hands tightly to her chest, her small face filled with worry.
"That Kakashi guy... he actually lost..." Uchiha Obito was a bit flustered. He had thought he would be happy to see Kakashi fail, but that wasn't the case; instead, he felt a strange unpleasantness in his heart.
In the crowd, Might Guy, who had also witnessed the entire process, remained silent, but the eyes beneath his thick brows burned with an unprecedented flame.
"Now, please perform the Reconciliation Seal!" Teacher Matsumoto announced loudly at the appropriate time, pulling everyone's attention back to the ceremonial procedure.
Shinichi and Kakashi extended their hands to form the Reconciliation Seal. After performing the seal, Kakashi said nothing, turned, and walked back to the Class One queue.
Shinichi, however, did not return to the Class Two team with him.
Teacher Matsumoto noticed his hesitation and asked gently.
"Classmate Shinichi, is there anything else?"
A look of suitable distress mixed with apology appeared on Shinichi's face. He bowed slightly and spoke sincerely: "It's like this, Teacher Matsumoto, although now might not be the most appropriate time... I have recently encountered something that has made me a little uneasy and confused. Considering that after today's exam, I might not see you again until next semester, I must take the liberty of consulting you here."
"What is the problem? Tell me."
Shinichi organized his words and described the issue with a slightly uncertain tone: "It's just that recently, when I sleep at night, I occasionally feel very strange. Sometimes, in the middle of the night, I inexplicably feel that the surroundings are noisy, but I can't tell where the sound is coming from. Other times, I vaguely sense something nearby, but when I wake up, everything is normal."
"Furthermore... when I wake up, I always feel a bit tired. I checked, and the Chakra in my body seems to be less than before I fell asleep. It's as if... when I enter deep sleep, the Chakra uncontrollably dissipates outwards slightly."
He appropriately revealed the slight uneasiness characteristic of a young boy: "Teacher, is this... a problem with my cultivation? Or is there some hidden danger in my body?"
"This..." Hearing this, Teacher Matsumoto immediately furrowed his brow, resting his chin on one hand, lost in thought.
"Sensory Talent!" Teacher Inoue, the Class One homeroom teacher standing nearby, exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. He spoke first, with a hint of interest: "Classmate Shinichi, the phenomena you described are very much like the initial awakening of Sensory Talent! You likely possess the innate potential to become a Sensory Ninja!"
"Yes, yes, yes! Sensory perception!" Teacher Matsumoto also suddenly realized, enlightened, and the doubt on his face vanished, replaced by surprise: "That's right! The unconscious release of Chakra during deep relaxation, creating a weak resonance with the external environment or creatures, thus generating strange sensations or even vague informational feedback... This is precisely one of the common signs during the initial awakening of Sensory-type Ninja talent!"
"Sensory Ninja?" Shinichi appropriately displayed suitable confusion and curiosity.
Seeing this, Teacher Inoue proactively explained to all the students listening attentively: "A Sensory Ninja refers to a special type of Ninja who, either innately or through training, can highly refine and release their own Chakra to probe the environment, sense life signs, and especially detect the Chakra of others. They are like the eyes and ears of a team, playing an irreplaceable role in reconnaissance, vigilance, and tracking. For example, the Yamanaka clan here in Konoha is skilled in Sensory Ninjutsu."
Teacher Matsumoto took over, gently reassuring Shinichi: "So you don't need to worry. This is not a bad thing; on the contrary, it is a manifestation of talent worth celebrating! It means that on the path of a Ninja, besides your excellent physique and willpower, you may also possess rare and valuable Sensory Talent!"
"When you go back, ensure you rest well. You can try to calm your mind and focus when you are awake, actively trying to capture and familiarize yourself with the subtle feeling of that external sensory release, but don't try to force control or worry. If you have similar situations or new discoveries after school starts, you can always come and find us."
"A Sensory Ninja? So that's what it is." Shinichi showed a relieved yet slightly enlightened expression. He respectfully bowed to the two teachers: "Thank you, teachers, for resolving my confusion. I feel much more at ease."
Under the varied gazes of the crowd, Shinichi calmly retreated back into the Class Two group.
What he had said was, naturally, all false.
He had no problem with Chakra leaking out during sleep, nor was he a natural Sensory Ninja prodigy.
This was still part of his carefully planned persona management.
Taking advantage of the perfect timing—having just defeated Kakashi head-on and becoming the focus of the entire venue—he publicly sowed the seed that he might possess Sensory Talent, using the gentle method of seeking advice for a problem.
Authoritative teachers had made the judgment and explanation of "suspected Sensory Talent" on the spot, and numerous classmates had heard and witnessed it firsthand.
The seed of impression had been planted.
Once this perception was conveyed home through the mouths of students, perhaps recorded by the teachers' pens, and gradually spread throughout Konoha Village... then, the world would believe that Shinichi Higashino possessed Sensory Talent.
At that time, there was a high probability that new entries related to sensory perception would condense on his Personal Panel.
Shinichi always followed one core principle in crafting his persona: proceed steadily, move from reality to illusion, and accumulate small victories into a great triumph.
He never hoped, nor would he rashly weave those super personas that were like castles in the air, directly generating powerful entries such as Wood Release, Sharingan, or other Bloodline Limits, or even Six Paths Reincarnation or Law of the Word.
These were lies that could be exposed with a single touch, and the required cognitive intensity and breadth to generate them would undoubtedly reach a terrifying degree.
Therefore, he always started with traits that were supported by his background, real-life performance, or reasonable logic, and could withstand basic scrutiny and the test of time.
Sensory Talent was one such trait.
Like traits such as great strength and diligence, this was not exclusive to Bloodline Limit Ninja; ordinary Ninja could also possess Sensory Talent.
After Shinichi returned to the crowd, the final practical assessment continued.
Although the subsequent matches also had highlights, with the earth-shattering duel preceding them as a benchmark, the remaining matches inevitably seemed somewhat dull.
The students from both classes either went all out or responded cautiously, and it wasn't until the sun began to set that all assessments were finally completed.
The exam was over, but the turmoil stirred up by this assessment, especially one of the duels, was far from settling. Instead, it was like a massive stone thrown into a lake, and the ripples were rapidly spreading.
On the streets of Konoha, on the way home from school.
"Hey, did you hear? That Genius Kakashi from Class One, first year, lost to a student in the same grade in today's practical assessment!"
"What? How is that possible! Didn't the teachers say that Kakashi's strength was already enough to graduate and become a formal Genin? Last time, two seniors who graduated this year and became Genin came looking for trouble because they disliked Kakashi's reputation as a future Hokage, but Kakashi defeated them both."
"It's absolutely true! Furthermore, Kakashi even used his sword later—the swordsmanship of Lord White Fang! You know he never used a sword against any opponent before!"
"Hiss, he used his family's swordsmanship and still lost? Where did this monster come from? What's his name?"
"Shinichi Higashino! From Class Two, first year. They say he's a commoner!"
A well-informed senior student asserted the name confidently.
A certain training ground, evening.
"Chen-sensei! Chen-sensei! Did you know? Shinichi! That's my deskmate, Shinichi Higashino, the one I told you about! He defeated Kakashi Hatake in the practical assessment today!"
Might Guy rushed into the training ground, shouting loudly at a short, stout middle-aged man in the field who wore small, round sunglasses and had a slightly comical demeanor. His dark face was full of excited pride.
"Oh?" The man called Chen-sensei stopped what he was doing, adjusted his sunglasses, and spoke with a trace of surprise and interest: "That kid... is that strong?"
He knew the reputation of the Hatake boy and vaguely understood the weight of his talent.
Near a certain mansion.
"Shizune, how was the final exam today?" Tsunade, one of the Three Sannin with blonde hair, asked Shizune, who had just returned home, without lifting her head from the book she was casually flipping through.
"The top spot should be that Hatake kid, right?"
"It was alright." Shizune put down her schoolbag, her tone still somewhat listless, and then added: "However, the first place winner in the practical assessment this time wasn't Kakashi Hatake."
"Hmm?" Tsunade looked up and raised an eyebrow: "Then who was it?"
"It was Shinichi!" Shizune answered seriously: "He beat Kakashi, in both matches!"
"Shinichi?" Tsunade paused, seemingly searching her memory for the name: "The deskmate you occasionally mentioned before, the one who seems very diligent and quite strong?"
"Yes." Shizune nodded, recalling the storm-like attack and the long sword that had stopped steadily at her opponent's throat.
Third Hokage's Residence, dinner time.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was warm. Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, his wife Sarutobi Biwako, and his eldest son Sarutobi Shinnosuke were all present.
Asuma, slightly agitated, was gesturing and describing the duel he had witnessed that afternoon.
"...And then, that guy Shinichi, with one strike, sent Kakashi's short sword flying! Then came another attack, which Kakashi couldn't block at all! Finally, the sword was held against his neck! It was too fast!"
The Third Hokage listened silently, his chopsticks pausing slightly.
Shinichi? The child who carries a giant stone... actually managed to defeat Kakashi head-on?
At this moment, Sarutobi Asuma suddenly said, "Old man, what exactly is Sensory Talent? Teacher Inoue said today that Shinichi Higashino might possess Sensory Talent..."
The Third Hokage's eyes flickered, and he mused, "Sensory Talent is a very precious ability..." Hatake Residence, in the courtyard.
Hatake Sakumo stood quietly under the veranda, watching his son, who had been practicing continuous sword swings without a word since returning from school.
After a long while, Hatake Sakumo gently spoke, "Kakashi, it's time to eat."
Kakashi's movements stopped. He slowly sheathed his sword and turned to face his father.
"Father, I..."
"Eat first." Hatake Sakumo interrupted him, his tone peaceful.
Dinner proceeded in relative silence. It wasn't until after the meal that the father and son returned to the courtyard.
"I heard about what happened today." Hatake Sakumo looked at his son: "How does it feel to lose?"
"...Very unwilling." Kakashi lowered his head and clenched his fists: "I was too careless, and my strength..."
"Kakashi." Hatake Sakumo placed a hand on his son's shoulder: "Look at me. A temporary win or loss is nothing in a long Ninja career. Defeat is a mirror that lets you see your own weaknesses. In my eyes, your talent and potential are far greater than mine were back then. Your future is definitely not limited to this."
Kakashi looked up, and the flames reignited in his eyes: "I will definitely defeat him next time, Father!"
Hatake Sakumo smiled with satisfaction: "I believe you. However, training must be done step-by-step; do not seek quick success."
He paused, and his tone shifted to instruction:
"Right, I have to leave the Village early tomorrow morning for a mission. It might take a while. While I'm gone, you must take care of yourself. If there's anything you don't understand about training, you can write it down and wait for me to return..."
"Yes! Father, please be careful on your journey!" Kakashi nodded solemnly, transforming the bitterness of defeat and the worry of his father's departure into even stronger motivation.
The night in Konoha gradually deepened, but the name Shinichi Higashino, along with his feat of defeating Kakashi Hatake head-on and the vague rumors of his Sensory Talent.
Spread like a patch of wildfire suddenly ignited, leaping and spreading through every corner of the Village at an astonishing speed, scorching the perceptions of many people.
One week later.
The impact of defeating Kakashi was immediate. When Shinichi walked on the streets, he could more frequently feel the sideways glances and scrutiny from passersby, occasionally catching fragments of hushed discussions.
This level of recognition was far beyond what he had achieved through years of prior accumulation.
During this period, new entries were generated on Shinichi's Personal Panel, and some existing entries were upgraded.
However, the most anticipated and core change Shinichi was hoping for had been slow to appear.
Just as Shinichi was becoming somewhat disappointed, feeling that his plan might have failed.
On this morning, after he finished his morning training, returned home, and completed his ablutions, his mind habitually scanned his Personal Panel.
At the very top of the Talent Entry column, without any warning, a beam of azure light suddenly emerged!
The light was pure and deep, possessing a certain transcendent quality, completely different from the white and green glows before.
Within the light, a completely new line of text, seemingly condensed from starlight, slowly appeared and solidified.
[Genius (Blue): You are an absolute Genius who exhibits outstanding talent in all aspects. The efficiency and upper limit in all fields, including learning, cultivation, practical combat, and innovation, receive comprehensive and significant enhancement.]
"Heh heh... heh heh heh heh..."
Looking at the newly generated entry above, a curve appeared at the corner of Shinichi's mouth. A low, trembling laugh spilled from his throat, initially barely suppressed.
But that emotion, suppressed for far too long, quickly became like volcanic lava that had finally found a fissure, and could no longer be restrained!
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"