Out of that typical teenage-boy stubbornness, Asuma really didn't want anyone to know he was watching that red-eyed girl.
Therefore, before Mizuki could even finish speaking, he shot him a subtle glare.
Mizuki naturally wouldn't dare oppose The Second—the most "powerful" individual in the village. He quickly lowered his head, eyes filled with resentment.
At this moment, Yamakei Kei also realized what was happening. "Asuma, are you planning to run for class president too?"
"That's right." Asuma proudly lifted his chin. "What? Don't think I'm qualified enough?"
"Of course not! Anyone in this class has the right to run for class president." Kei felt his head start to ache. He could clearly tell Asuma was just playing around rather than seriously competing.
Actually, he wasn't too concerned about Seiki losing. He could clearly see that Asuma lagged far behind Seiki in terms of likability among classmates.
What truly concerned him was that Asuma might cause trouble for Seiki after losing the election.
Although he believed Hokage wouldn't care about such a minor matter, as Hokage's son, Asuma could easily find upperclassmen willing to teach Seiki a lesson on his behalf.
Having graduated from the Ninja Academy himself, Kei was all too familiar with the issue of bullying. Even scarier was how teacher intervention often made things worse under these unwritten rules.
"I can only expand the candidate pool so he doesn't lose too badly," thought Kei. Then, he scanned the room hopefully and subtly encouraged them, asking loudly, "Is there anyone else here who wants to run for class president? It's okay—even if you lose, don't worry about it!"
Unfortunately, none of these new students were as perceptive as Seiki—someone who could understand subtleties just from a few hints. In fact, many looked around with indignation and anger instead.
"Whoever dares challenge Seiki will have me—Takaya Ryoji—to deal with!"
"That's right! Other than Seiki, I won't support anyone else!"
"Let that arrogant guy know—we common-born ninjas won't be pushed around!"
Seeing this situation unfold, Kei could only say dryly, "Well then… alright. Please write down the name of your chosen candidate on paper and submit it afterward. Anonymous voting is allowed."
As papers rustled across the classroom, Kei let out a quiet sigh inside, *Sigh... Hopefully Asuma's status as Hokage's son will prevent him from losing too disgracefully.*
Soon enough, everyone completed their votes and brought the papers up to the podium.
While tallying the results, Kei's expression turned increasingly complicated. After forcefully rubbing his cheeks, he coughed and announced, "Ahem, now I shall announce…"
Asuma shouted loudly, "Wait a minute, sensei! You haven't told us the exact vote count yet!"
Kei forced a laugh. "Maybe we don't need to reveal the specific numbers?"
"How could that be? Election votes must be transparent and fair!"
"But still…"
"If you, sensei, aren't willing to announce them, then I'll do it myself!"
With an air of resignation, Kei said, "Since you insist so strongly, then… fine."
Asuma shot up from his seat and shot Seiki a defiant glare as he walked past.
Asuma took the "ballot" and couldn't help but beam after just a glance, "One vote for Asuma Sarutobi!"
Asuma announced loudly, casting a smug sidelong glance at Seiki.
Unfortunately, Seiki smiled calmly with an air of complete indifference, leaving Asuma feeling like his punch had struck cotton.
"Hmph!" Asuma snorted discontentedly before diving back into the pile of papers. "One vote for Seiki Shimaseki… two votes for Seiki Shimaseki… three for Seiki Shimaseki…"
With every slip he pulled out, Asuma's expression darkened further.
After tallying the final one, Asuma rasped weakly, "One vote for Asuma Sarutobi, sixty-nine votes for Seiki Shimaseki… Seiki wins!" (The original story's Ninja Academy student count was far too low to imagine how they could possibly form the Allied Ninja Forces. Here we've increased it slightly.)
Those last words seemed to drain all strength from him. He hung his head, convinced every gaze burning down on him was dripping with mockery.
In truth, no one even bothered to laugh at him — all eyes were on the winner, and mocking a loser was seen as a complete waste of time.
"Great! I knew Seiki-kun would win!"
"What a shame! I wonder who that little mole was who slipped him that one vote?"
It hit Asuma all of a sudden, "Wait… wasn't that vote… mine?!"
At this moment, Asuma was so mortified he wished he could vanish into a hole in the ground. In his earlier excitement, he hadn't even recognized his own handwriting!
"Wonderful, Seiki-kun! I always knew you could do it!" Kurenai leaned in, her cheeks flushed pink as she whispered her congratulations.
"Yes, thank you everyone for your trust," Seiki politely responded to the congratulations surrounding him.
"All the glory, all the cheers — they're his! And me? I've got nothing!" Watching this unfold made Asuma's chest tighten with bitter frustration. With fiery eyes, he shouted, "Seiki Shimaseki! I lost this time, but I'm challenging you again — let's settle this like real ninja!"
Kei Yamakei frowned slightly, "Sarutobi-san, haven't you already mastered chakra extraction? As someone practically halfway to being a ninja, don't you think it's unfair to challenge Seiki, who's still an ordinary person?"
Asuma dumbly asked back, "Huh? He still doesn't have chakra yet?"
Ages five through fifteen are the prime years for physical growth — and the perfect window to start learning ninjutsu. That's exactly why ninja academies typically begin accepting students at age five, teaching them to extract chakra accordingly.
However, just as no two leaves are exactly alike, real differences exist between individuals.
Physically stronger candidates can sometimes begin extracting chakra earlier than average, and ninja schools certainly wouldn't force every student to wait until their fifth birthday to start training.
Therefore, starting chakra training early has usually become a privilege reserved for those from major clans — a subtle advantage generally acknowledged but seldom openly discussed.
Kei Yamakei nodded slightly, "Seiki isn't like you — he doesn't have any specialized instructors helping him along."
"Now that I think about it… he truly is the one who has absolutely nothing."
"Ah... Asuma," he began instinctively, his mouth opening and closing a few times before finally murmuring in a barely audible voice, "...I'm sorry. I didn't know you couldn't perform ninjutsu yet."
Everyone watched in surprise as this unfolded. The arrogant guy actually seemed less annoying than they thought.
Kei Yamakei also exhaled quietly in relief. After all, the son of the Hokage couldn't possibly be someone unreasonable like that.
"Hmph," Asuma huffed defiantly while staring at Seiki, "Don't think this matter's over though. When you've learned ninjutsu, I'll definitely challenge you again! I must prove that only weaklings rely on group strength like you!"
Seiki had never shared Kei's concern from the very beginning. Whether judging from history or personal observation, he could confirm Asuma wasn't truly an arrogant brat—just a rebellious kid seeking attention from his father and others.
With overly dramatic teens like him, sometimes you had to play even more exaggeratedly dramatic!
"Asuma-san, true warriors need no proof!"
Asuma involuntarily stiffened, calming himself as he reconsidered Seiki's earlier words. He suddenly felt they were on the same wavelength.
"Then tell me honestly, who exactly qualifies as a true warrior?"
"Obviously... those who steadfastly walk their own Ninja Way!"
Asuma almost nodded instinctively, but stopped himself upon recalling his current stance.
"Therefore, I hereby accept your challenge!"
"Eh? Did you just say what I think you did?"
"Didn't I already mention earlier?" Seiki solemnly declared word by word, "Only those recognized by everyone can become Hokage! And that—is my Ninja Way!"
While most still looked confused, Asuma immediately got what Seiki meant. "So that's it! You accepted my challenge because you wanted to gain my recognition, huh? You're indeed a true warrior!"
Everyone wore expressions of bewilderment. Why did Seiki-san's seemingly moving speech sound somehow embarrassing when repeated by Asuma-san?
Must've just been the way it sounded coming from different people!
Unfazed by everyone's strange looks, Asuma continued dramatically. If he was openly overdramatic, then Seiki could quietly play the deep, brooding type—it helped maintain his cool image, after all. All he needed to do was drop some vague lines that Asuma would interpret as him having found a kindred spirit.
"Half a month then. Regardless of winning or losing, I'll give it my best effort!"
"Just half a month? Then I won't take advantage of you—I'll share my chakra refinement method so you can master chakra faster!"
"But wait a second!" Kei hurriedly interrupted. "If you're giving away the Sarutobi clan's chakra refinement technique, Seiki could get into serious trouble!"
"Says who said it's the Sarutobi clan's chakra refinement method?" Asuma coolly replied while glancing sideways. "Don't forget—who do you think is known as the 'Professor of Ninjutsu'?"
"Ah, so this was the work of the Hokage Lord..." Kei Yamakei suddenly realized, then his eyes twitched violently. "How could anyone refer to someone like that?!"
"Somehow, there's just something off about the Hokage Lord's son!"
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!