"Teacher Kaino Lu, can we have more combat training? We didn't come here to run laps!"
A wave of complaints spread through the class.
Most students preferred sparring to physical drills. Combat at least came with excitement—and sometimes even cheers.
"Kakashi!"Might Guy's voice rang out across the field, bright and eager."It's time for the best part of youth again!"
He gave a brilliant thumbs-up, his dazzling white teeth practically sparkling in the sun.
"How about a passionate duel of youth!?"
Kakashi gave him a blank stare from behind his scarf.
Wearing those ridiculous green tights, striking exaggerated poses, and making strange declarations… Kakashi honestly wanted to scrub his eyes.
His father, Sakumo Hatake, had once warned him that Might Guy would be a formidable opponent in the future.
Right now, that seemed absurd.
"If you're not running, you'll fall behind."
Kakashi ignored him and started running.
"Wait up, Kakashi! I'm coming too!"
Guy charged after him like a fired-up missile.
"Kakashi's so cool…"
A few girls whispered from the sidelines as they watched him run, practically sighing.
Nohara Rin quietly sped up, trying to keep pace beside him.
"Can you keep up?"Kakashi asked, voice steady.
"Of course,"Rin nodded, doing her best to match his pace.
At the back of the group, Obito scowled.
Seeing Kakashi and Rin chatting as if no one else existed lit a fire in his chest.
He gritted his teeth, surged forward, and darted between them—blocking Rin's view of Kakashi.
"You're running too slow, Kakashi."
Obito smirked, pretending not to be out of breath.
"Idiot."Kakashi glanced at him, unimpressed.
Changing your pace just to show off? You'll only tire yourself out.
He shook his head and kept running.
"That's… Uchiha Seiji."
Kakashi noticed Qingsi ahead of the group.
Despite his slim build, he was keeping a steady, comfortable rhythm. In fact… Kakashi narrowed his eyes.
Was it just him, or was Qingsi running more easily the longer it went on?
By the final few laps, while most of the class was panting and resting, Qingsi was already flipping through a small notebook, casually reviewing notes.
Even Instructor Kaino Lu took notice.
From the Land of Lightning…The instructor recalled the reputation of Kumogakure's physical prowess. It made sense that Qingsi's conditioning was above average.
After all, even the Senju and Uzumaki were better known for chakra and vitality than sheer taijutsu mastery.
"Aren't you tired?"Kakashi asked, approaching him after the run.
Qingsi took a sip from his water bottle and replied calmly:
"I can manage."
With chakra, a trained ninja's endurance far surpassed ordinary people. Long-distance running like this was more about rhythm than brute strength.
Qingsi glanced back at Kakashi thoughtfully.
This boy… would one day create the Raikiri, an S-rank lightning technique, at age twelve.
Ironically, the Sharingan Obito gave him later would hinder his true growth. Without it, he would eventually invent "Shiden"—a seal-less lightning blade that surpassed even Raikiri.
"Kakashi-san, aren't you the truly outstanding one here?"
Qingsi spoke honestly.
Kakashi had the best grades, the strongest chakra control, and no weaknesses.
"Qingsi! Your spirit is burning with the flames of youth!"
Might Guy zoomed over, hair bobbing like a watermelon in the breeze.
"Not really."Qingsi pointed to his own frame."If I want to be a ninja someday, I have to train harder. I'm not strong enough."
"That's true!"Guy nodded emphatically. Under his tight suit was a body built like a stone wall.
Qingsi still had a long way to go.
"Qingsi-kun, you're working hard."
Nohara Rin walked over, wiping sweat from her brow.
Even in the sunlight, the faint sheen of sweat on her fair skin only made her look more radiant.
Obito, lagging far behind, was completely spent.He had broken his rhythm trying to show off earlier, and now he could barely lift his legs for the final lap.
Still… he pushed through.
Just let Rin see me. Just once.
"Lin…"
He finally crossed the line, gasping for air—and looked up just in time to see Rin smiling at Qingsi, standing beside Kakashi and Might Guy.
His heart sank.
"Nohara Rin, could you teach me more ninjutsu today?"Qingsi asked."I think I've got a handle on tree climbing. I want to try an E-rank technique next."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow.
So Rin had been tutoring this guy yesterday?
"Of course,"Rin smiled."That way you'll adapt to the academy faster."
Her tone was warm—gentle, almost doting.
Obito's hands curled into fists.
Why is it always him?
Yesterday, he had tried to walk Rin home. Today, this guy had already stolen her attention.
He's from the Land of Thunder.The enemy nation that was once at war with the Fire Country… and the same one that killed my parents.
And yet… Rin was spending so much time with him.
Obito's chest tightened.
He could understand Kakashi—rivals often shared a certain respect.
But Seiji?
Why him?
"What's wrong, Obito?"
A casual voice interrupted his thoughts.
It was Asuma Sarutobi, sucking on a lollipop as usual.
"Nothing,"Obito muttered, shaking his head.
Asuma shrugged.They weren't that close—he'd only asked out of politeness.
Following Obito's line of sight, he spotted Rin.
Then Kakashi.
Then Qingsi.
"Tch."
Asuma instantly understood.
Everyone knew Obito liked Rin. He wasn't exactly subtle about it.
"What a simp,"Asuma muttered under his breath.
Instead, he turned on his heel, walked toward another group, and smiled at a certain red-eyed girl.
"Hey, Kurenai. Want some candy? You look like you've been working hard."