Chapter 38: A friend's success

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Kakashi Hatake was thrown across the training ground and landed heavily on the ground.

Yuichi Yuuki stood at the center of the field, looking triumphant as he gazed at Kakashi Hatake. Despite the intensity of their fight, they both knew it hadn't been an all-out battle.

Kakashi stood up, his body aching from head to toe. Yet, he welcomed the pain, seeing it as a challenge, a trial. His father had always told him that a ninja must endure hardships far beyond what ordinary people could.

At that moment, Kurenai Yuhi approached, carrying a medical kit. Namikaze Minato probably never imagined they'd need the kit so soon. After both Yuichi and Kakashi applied the ointment, they sat together in the pavilion.

Yuichi's upper body was still exposed, showing a dark, bruised fist mark on his chest. Kakashi carefully tended to his own injuries, while Obito Uchiha sat nearby nursing the bump on his head.

Sarutobi Asuma swallowed hard, but the look in his eyes was one of excitement. Watching such a fierce battle stirred something inside him—he found it thrilling!

As Kakashi applied his ointment, Yuichi touched the wound on his chest and stood up. "Alright everyone, it's time to get back to training. We shouldn't let fights like this happen too often."

"Huh?" Asuma blinked in surprise, looking at Yuichi.

Kakashi nodded in agreement. "Yeah, fights like this can delay our training."

Yuichi had originally planned to practice climbing trees today but got carried away and ended up fighting Kakashi instead. He realized he wouldn't be able to train properly now.

At that moment, Kurenai, still holding the medical kit, made a suggestion in a soft voice, "How about we take a look around the area instead?"

"Huh?" Yuichi was surprised by her suggestion and looked at Kakashi. "Do you know what's around here?"

Kakashi shook his head. "Not really. I don't come here often. I usually train at home or in Konoha's training grounds. I just happened to remember this place yesterday."

Yuichi considered it for a moment. "Alright, maybe later. For now, let's rest." He casually patted Kurenai on the head and lay down on the bench, resting his head on her lap.

Kurenai, blushing slightly, nodded. "In that case, I'll train hard too," she said determinedly. "I have people I want to protect!"

With that, she got up and ran to the training field to practice the fire release technique that her father had taught her.

Seeing Kurenai's dedication, both Asuma and Obito looked at each other, then quickly followed her lead.

The Uchiha clan had given Obito the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique as soon as he had entered the academy. Even someone like Obito, who didn't have the best reputation among the Uchiha, was provided with these clan techniques. As for Asuma, he had inherited the Fire Release: Burning Ash technique from his Sarutobi clan, a powerful fire jutsu known for reducing anything caught in it to ashes.

Watching the three of them practice their fire techniques, Yuichi lazily lay on the bench, observing their efforts. Everyone here seemed to favor Fire Release techniques. Kakashi, on the other hand, was still too sore to join in and sat nearby, watching.

"I said, aren't you going to train?" Kakashi asked, looking at Yuichi. "Your injuries don't seem that bad."

Yuichi closed his eyes and responded lazily, "I've got internal injuries from your punches. Can't train today."

Kakashi twitched at his words. By now, he was well aware that Yuichi had a unique constitution. The damage he'd done wouldn't have hindered Yuichi much at all, but seeing him lazing around, Kakashi decided not to push it.

On the training field, Kurenai concentrated as she practiced forming the hand seals, focusing on controlling her chakra. "I have to succeed!" she muttered to herself, her face filled with determination.

She wanted to get stronger. She couldn't bear the thought of holding Yuichi back.

Suddenly, a burst of fire erupted from her mouth, the flames reaching four or five meters ahead, charring the surface of the training post.

Seeing Kurenai's success, Obito, who had just been gathering chakra in his throat, choked and coughed up some sparks and smoke. He stared at her in shock.

"I lost… to Kurenai?!" Obito was dumbfounded. He couldn't believe it.

Asuma was equally stunned, his mouth hanging open. "You're kidding!"

Kurenai, unaware of their reactions, jumped with joy. "I did it! I performed the fire technique!"

Her excited shout caught Yuichi's attention. He opened his eyes, glanced at the training post, then turned to Kakashi. "Did Kurenai do that?"

Kakashi nodded, his expression still slightly surprised.

Yuichi instantly stood up and walked over to Kurenai. "Wow, Kurenai! You did the Dragon Fire Technique!"

Kurenai beamed at him, her face full of pride. "Yes! I did it!" she exclaimed, then added bashfully, "I'll protect you too, Yuichi! And my dad."

Yuichi smiled and patted her on the head. "You're amazing, Kurenai. I'm sure you'll become a strong ninja."

Kurenai blushed happily, her eyes sparkling with joy. Meanwhile, Obito and Asuma exchanged glances, both feeling a pang of frustration. Watching Kurenai succeed while they struggled hurt even more than their own failures.

To make matters worse, she was showing off her success in front of them.

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