Although Kyomu acted nonchalant, his progress in studies couldn't be overlooked. Ninja instructor Torii Shuzo treated him as a genius due to his learning pace.
Because of this, Shuzo tolerated Kyomu's subsequent nonchalant behavior in class.
Despite this tolerance, Shuzo wanted to encourage Kyomu to not waste his 'talent.'
Sharing the same thoughts as Shuzo was Kakashi.
As Kyomu's desk mate, after two days of interaction, Kakashi was convinced that Kyomu was a genuine genius.
To be able to perform so well even while daydreaming and acting nonchalant, what could Kyomu achieve if he put in effort?
During break time, Kakashi coldly brushed off attempts by girls to strike up conversations, even from Rin.
Seeing there were no people around, Kakashi turned to the uninterested Kyomu. "I now believe you are a genius."
"Oh, so you admit you were scolding me yesterday?" Kyomu raised an eyebrow and handed a drawing to Kakashi. "Here, a gift for you. Thanks for helping me out yesterday."
Kakashi's eyes widened, and he absentmindedly accepted the drawing from Kyomu.
Upon a closer look, Kakashi almost burst into laughter. If not for the mask covering his face, his big white teeth would have been visible.
The drawing depicted the scene from the first class that morning when Kakashi effortlessly lifted Kyomu from his seat.
"I can see it now, you're truly bored."
Despite his sarcastic remark, Kakashi's actions were quick and natural. He neatly folded the drawing and stashed it in his ninja pouch.
"Well, geniuses live in a lonely and desolate world. Without finding something to do, it's challenging to pass these boring days."
Kakashi rolled his eyes. "Look at what you're saying. And don't underestimate me!"
Poking Kyomu's arm, Kakashi extended another invitation. "How about a sparring session after school today?"
"No." Kyomu decisively refused.
His passive skill, the 'King of Nonchalance,' had a duration of only one month. He had to make the most of this passive skill and maximize his strength.
Kyomu avoided activities like sparring and rigorous training. He could skip them, after all.
However, in Kakashi's eyes, Kyomu deliberately avoiding a fight seemed like a bad attitude.
"Aren't you the one who keeps saying you're a genius?" Kakashi mocked. "Why, afraid of failure, genius?"
"Of course." Kyomu didn't take the bait. "Is a failed genius still a genius? As long as I don't engage in a fight, I won't fail, and I'll remain a genius."
This silenced Kakashi completely, leaving him with a sense of powerlessness.
After glancing at Kyomu, Kakashi couldn't help but raise his hands in resignation. "You don't seem like someone my age, and you lack the most basic competitive spirit."
"So you should learn from me." Kyomu boldly declared. "Learn to avoid unnecessary conflicts, reject internal struggles, and you'll save yourself from a 70-year detour, enjoying a wonderful life of nonchalance."
What ridiculous logic!
Rolling his dead-fish eyes, Kakashi decided not to bother with Kyomu anymore. He lifted his butt off the seat and headed straight towards Obito not far away.
At that moment, Obito was chatting happily with Rin. However, upon seeing Kakashi approaching, his smile immediately disappeared.
He already had some opinions about Kakashi.
And the reason was simple – how could Kakashi be so fierce to reject Rin, such a gentle and beautiful girl?
"Hey, apologize to Rin."
Kakashi paused, unable to comprehend why Obito said that. "Why should I apologize?"
Seeing Obito wanting to speak, she hurriedly pulled his sleeve and shook her head to signal him not to intervene.
"That's okay, pretend I didn't say this."
Kakashi nodded. He didn't want to waste his energy on such trivial matters. Right now, his only desire was to find an opponent and identify his weaknesses through battles.
As the bearer of the Uchiha surname, following Kyomu, Kakashi was undoubtedly his second choice.
"I have something to say." Kakashi looked at Obito seriously. "I want to spar with you, see if Uchiha is as formidable as rumored."
"Spar with me?!" Obito's eyes widened, excitement filling them the next moment. "Are you sure? I'm very powerful!"
"Sure."
"Good, let's go!" Obito stood up, glancing back at Rin. "Rin, do you want to watch?"
Sitting in the corner, Kyomu observed everything. He immediately saw through Obito's intentions.
Obito wanted to showcase himself in front of Rin.
No action spoke louder than defeating potential rivals to prove one's excellence.
After a brief consideration, Rin nodded in agreement. Following Kakashi and Obito , she left the classroom.
Not only Rin, but most students in the classroom also followed suit. They wanted to witness the legendary Uchiha's true strength.
Kyomu was no exception. Mixing with the crowd, he followed them out, intending to find a place to continue his nonchalant behavior while observing the techniques and combat experience of Kakashi and Obito.
Soon, dozens of people followed Kakashi and Obito to the playground, forming a circle around them voluntarily. Kakashi and Obito stood in the center.
Kyomu opted not to join the crowd. Instead, he sat on a swing nearby, swinging absentmindedly, as if the happenings before him had nothing to do with him.
"I'm up!"
Obito shouted, clenching his fists and charging towards the casually standing Kakashi.
Observing Obito rushing towards him, Kakashi's eyes revealed a hint of disappointment.
While Obito had some sense of rhythm in his attack, it only slightly surpassed that of an ordinary person. Compared to competitive geniuses, the gap was noticeable.
Taking a step back, Kakashi effortlessly avoided Obito's first punch as if he had predicted the attack route.
Unaware of the gravity of the situation, Obito continued to swing his fists, attacking Kakashi with somewhat impatient steps.
Two, three, four times... Obito's attacks, more than a dozen in a row, all missed, and Kakashi easily dodged them with the leisurely pace of a casual stroll.
"Too slow."
Kakashi shook his head, disappointment deepening in his eyes. "Maybe you're just a fish that slipped through the Uchiha net. I might have set my expectations too high."
"What do you mean?" Obito became agitated. "If you have the guts, fight back, don't keep dodging and embarrassing yourself."
Provoked and no longer willing to take it lying down, Kakashi, with a subtle movement, exploited one of Obito's many attacking flaws, launching a swift and unexpected counterattack.
A punch, a kick, almost without pause, landed on Obito, quickly bringing him to the ground.
"Alright, it's over."
Kakashi crouched down, placing a hand on Obito's neck. "In a real fight, you would be dead by now."
"Again!" Obito refused to accept defeat. "I was careless just now, next time..."
"No next time."
Kakashi shook his head, stood up, and turned to leave.
The surrounding students automatically made way for Kakashi, watching as he walked straight towards Kyomu, who was swinging on the swing.
"My only acknowledged opponent, do you want to have a match with me?"
"Me?"
Kyomu snapped out of his thoughts, casting a somewhat resentful glance at Kakashi. "Can't you be a bit more responsible with your words? Don't hype me up too much."
Kakashi, with a concealed smile behind his mask, raised a corner of his mouth. "If you don't agree to spar with me, in some time, challengers will surround you. Do you believe that?"
"Of course, I believe." Kyomu jumped off the swing, standing steadily in front of Kakashi. "But I won't accept, just like how I rejected you."
"Let's wait and see."
Leaving behind these words, Kakashi turned and left the sports field.
As for the students around, their attention shifted away from the departing Kakashi. All eyes were fixed on Kyomu.
Among them was Might Guy, blending in the crowd like an inconspicuous bystander.
Trouble was brewing!
(End of Chapter)