Killing intent flickered in Ichie's eyes. This time, her strike carried a ruthless edge; the moment she threw the kunai, her figure moved with blinding speed, rushing out.
Upon seeing Bai Lu, she was momentarily stunned.
"Do you treat your classmates with such a heavy hand? Ichie, this doesn't seem like the usual you."
Bai Lu easily flicked the kunai away with a single finger. He suddenly ducked low, bracing one hand against the ground, and delivered a side kick. The sheer power of it forced a muffled groan from Ichie on the spot.
With a backflip, Ichie opened up some distance, looking at him with a face full of wariness and shock.
"Why are you here? And your strength..." Ichie's expression shifted slightly as she pulled out a new kunai, gripping it tightly.
This place was the reason she had been able to grow stronger over the past year. It was the source of her breaking free from a mediocre destiny and gaining the clan's attention. She absolutely could not allow it to be discovered by an outsider!
"You really are hardworking. To think that your rapid progress this year was due to this method... Over this past year, you must have eaten through a whole layer of topsoil. If I hadn't come an hour early today, I really wouldn't have found you..."
Bai Lu sized up Ichie. This was also the first time he had seriously observed this Uchiha.
Hmm, for now, he didn't see any signs of genetic mutation, like extra organs popping out... "To be able to positively guide such a dangerous power on a large scale—Ichie, they've all misjudged you. You are a Genius, a true Genius."
Bai Lu spoke with a serious expression.
Ichie's face, previously filled with killing intent, froze. A look of confusion and horror appeared.
"How do you know?!"
"The reason is simple..."
Bai Lu's hands formed Hand Seals. Then, under Ichie's wary and furious gaze, he crouched slightly and slammed his palm against the ground!
Slap!
The Radiation buried deep underground was instantly absorbed by Bai Lu. Even if someone noticed something wrong later, they wouldn't find any clues.
"I admire your courage and your resolve to get stronger. If you want to continue growing, then come find me... at the very least, I won't make you eat dirt anymore."
Bai Lu smiled and turned around, exposing his back to the utterly shocked Ichie, walking away at a leisurely pace.
"..." Waves of shock crashed through Ichie's heart. She confirmed it repeatedly: the eerie power that stimulated her body and made her stronger had vanished... "Who exactly are you!!"
...Ninja Academy.
Anyone who had just walked through the gates could see Might Guy running laps on the playground like a fool. His father, Might Duy, was currently standing outside the fence, shouting encouragement.
By the time Bai Lu arrived at the school.
"Guy, you idiot!"
Duy threw a heavy punch through the fence, sending his son Guy flying.
"Waaaah! I'm sorry, Father! I've let you down again! I'm almost eleven, and I still can't manage a thousand laps around the playground! I'm such a failure!"
Might Guy knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly.
"Guy, my son! You shouldn't give up so easily! Your Taijutsu is the medal that witnesses your youth! Youth never lies!"
"Waaaah! I understand, Father! I'll do eight hundred push-ups right now! If I can't do eight hundred push-ups, I'll jump rope fifteen hundred times!"
"Guy!"
"Father!"
The father and son embraced and wept together.
"..."