Sometimes, the sharpest weapon isn't strength—but a well-told lie.
"Why didn't you show up last night? You broke your word—achoo!"
Sarutobi Daiki's face looked pale as he spoke, only to be interrupted by a loud sneeze.
Early autumn had arrived.
He had waited in a short-sleeved shirt until midnight the night before—
and caught a cold for his troubles.
Hyuga Nami hesitated beside them, her bright eyes flickering.
She clearly wanted to ask—
Kai… why didn't you come?
"You're a coward! A weakling! You've disgraced the Uchiha!" Daiki snapped again after another sniffle.
Kai said nothing at first.
He simply tilted his head slightly upward, gazing out the window at a forty-five-degree angle.
His eyes turned distant.
Confused.
Lost.
"When I was very young… my parents died in the Third Great Ninja War."
His voice was calm, yet heavy.
"They didn't get to raise me… but I'm still grateful to them. They were heroes. They protected the village."
"After they passed, an elderly neighbor took me in. She's the only person I can rely on now."
He paused, his tone softening.
"Last night, just as I was about to leave… her asthma flared up again."
"I had to call the neighbors and rush her to the hospital."
"I was afraid of losing her… so I stayed there all night."
Kai turned back, looking at Daiki with a sincere apology in his eyes.
"Daiki… I really couldn't leave."
"I'm sorry."
In reality—
he had completely forgotten about the challenge.
He had assumed Daiki was joking.
He hadn't expected the guy to actually wait there at ten.
So—
he made something up.
Flawlessly.
And without the slightest guilt.
You challenge me out of nowhere—
why should I take it seriously?
"So that's what happened…" Nami's eyes reddened instantly, her heart softening.
"Kai… that's so sad…"
Daiki, on the other hand—
was completely stunned.
He disliked the Uchiha, sure.
But he wasn't unreasonable.
If he were, he would've just brought a few clan members and cornered Kai outright.
Instead, young and simple-minded as he was—
he believed every word.
Now, guilt flooded his chest.
Thinking back on his own aggressive behavior—
he felt ashamed.
Like he wanted to dig a hole and hide in it.
"Then… our match…" he began, only to stop himself.
"If I fight him now… even if I win, it won't be honorable."
"I'll wait until his grandmother recovers!"
"I'm going to be Hokage—I have to be upright! I won't take advantage of someone!"
His resolve hardened.
Looking at Kai, he forced a smile.
"Konoha Hospital has great medical ninja."
"Your grandmother will be fine."
"Maybe… I could visit her this afternoon?"
His expression carried genuine concern.
He wanted to make up for it.
Kai almost laughed.
You're getting way too involved, buddy.
He shook his head.
"My grandmother likes peace and quiet."
"She doesn't want visitors."
No way.
He didn't even know where the hospital was.
If he actually took Daiki there—
the lie would collapse instantly.
Thinking about it made his head ache.
One lie—
always required more lies to sustain it.
A perfect circle.
"Alright…" Daiki nodded, not pressing further.
Patients needed rest, after all.
…
Time flew.
In the blink of an eye, more than two months passed.
The Asura's Chakra's energy had increased by over 30,000 points.
At this rate—
another five months—
and it would reach Level 2.
Kai was only six.
He had time.
By adulthood—
he might even upgrade his Sharingan to the Mangekyō stage.
And with the Asura's Chakra—
the side effects would be drastically reduced.
Perhaps even—
completely eliminated.
During these two months—
Itachi often came by.
They talked.
They shared thoughts.
Their friendship steadily deepened.
Inside the classroom—
the morning theory lesson dragged on, as dull as ever.
Many students were dozing off.
The Akimichi kid was secretly munching snacks, thinking he was being subtle—
completely unaware that Watanabe Yū was watching him the entire time, rolling his eyes.
Kai, however—
was genuinely interested.
The lessons covered geography, culture, and the nations of the world—
details never fully explored in the original story.
He listened attentively.
Beside him, Nami took careful notes.
Every now and then, she would rest her chin on her hand and glance at him.
"Kai is so focused… such a good student."
"If only I could be like that…"
"And… he's really handsome…"
Her cheeks flushed faintly.
Then her gaze shifted—
to Daiki.
Who was fast asleep.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she let out a quiet huff.
"Class dismissed!"
The bell rang.
Daiki stretched, feeling refreshed, gulped down some water—
then cautiously turned to Kai.
"Hey… Uchiha Kai."
"How's your grandmother doing?"
"I'm not asking because I want to challenge you! I'm just… concerned."
Even he didn't believe himself.
His face turned red with embarrassment.
Kai paused his writing and looked at him, hand on his forehead.
This guy…
was hopeless.
You want to challenge me—
just say it.
If you don't say it—
how am I supposed to refuse you?
"She's not better yet," Kai replied with a polite smile.
Nami immediately caught on.
"Daiki, you shouldn't do that!"
Flustered, Daiki hurriedly defended himself.
"I really am just concerned!"
Then, pretending indifference, he added,
"Beating this Uchiha would be easy anyway."
Kai sighed.
"If you want to fight, there are other Uchiha in the school."
"Why me?"
Daiki stared at him bluntly.
"I don't know why."
"I just don't like your face."
"I want to hit you."
"…Fair enough. You win."
At that moment, Watanabe tapped the blackboard.
"To assess your progress this past month—this afternoon, we'll have a taijutsu sparring session."
"Your performance will count toward your final evaluation."
"No absences."
"Give it your all."
Daiki's eyes lit up.
Opportunity.
Had arrived.
—
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