Chapter 2: 1000 - 7 Equals What?

Ace had always been kind to others and never offended anyone. Today, someone actually wanted to come and teach him a lesson?

Konoha was supposed to be a harmonious family where internal strife was unheard of.

"Are you sure that brat is here, Mizuki? I sacrificed my training time to help you teach this kid a lesson. Don't make me waste my trip," said another voice, still youthful, indicating its owner was also a young child.

From what he heard, Ace realized who was causing trouble: it was Mizuki.

This guy got his older sibling to come and pick a fight just because he was beaten and cried today?

This is really...

However, not wanting any trouble, Ace walked to the riverbank, preparing to leave.

Just then, two white-haired figures, one big and one small, emerged from the bushes.

'Tsk!'

The one that caught his attention was the older child, who wore a Konoha forehead protector, clearly a graduated ninja already taking on missions.

The older kid's face resembled Mizuki's, so he was probably Mizuki's brother. The smaller one was, of course, Mizuki, wearing a triumphant smirk.

Seeing Ace, Mizuki immediately said, "Ace, I've been looking for you! This is my big brother, Kaneki. He's an excellent Genin, soon to be a Chunin. He's here to avenge me today!"

Ace sighed and said, "Really? Just because I made you cry, you're this petty?"

Is your brother particularly good at shifting blame? Can't he just blame the world or something?

Kaneki snorted, "So you're the one who bullied my brother? You little brat, you're asking for a beating!"

Wow!

You have no shame!

A Genin picking on a little kid!

"Hmph! You only beat me today because I had a stomachache. If my stomach wasn't hurting, I wouldn't need my brother's help at all." Mizuki said.

'How can you say that with a straight face? No wonder you can teach the future ninja jesus to do bad things. Even at a young age, you show such a talent for twisting the truth. With a bit of training, you might become a master of lies in the future.'

"You couldn't beat me and now you're making excuses? Stand straight and take your beating. Can't even accept defeat, and you call yourself a ninja?"

"You..." Mizuki wanted to retort, but his brother Kaneki stopped him and said, "Alright, enough arguing. Kid, get beaten up by my brother and we'll call it even. You have two choices: either my brother beats you up, or I do. Choose one."

Ace picked at his ear and said, "I choose the third option."

"What?"

"I beat both of you up."

"Arrogant!" Kaneki was furious. This little brat, still a student at the ninja academy, dared to say he would beat them up. It seemed he needed to teach this kid a lesson.

"I see you don't know what's good for you. Do you think you're that brat Kakashi?" He was jealous of Kakashi, who was already a Chunin at such a young age. Now this kid was provoking him too. It was infuriating.

Seeing his brother angered, Mizuki took a few steps back and hid behind a tree. He hoped his brother would smash Ace's face in so badly that he'd never be popular again.

"Tsk."

Ace retreated to the riverbank as Kaneki charged forward.

Unlike his younger brother's reckless attacks, Kaneki was more experienced.

He kicked out, his leg longer than his arm, but Ace dodged it, making Kaneki miss completely.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ace kicked Kaneki's knee, forcing him to kneel. He then spun around and landed a roundhouse kick, nearly sending Kaneki into the water.

"Damn brat!"

Kaneki reached out to grab him, but instead, he received a kick to the face, falling into the river with a splash.

Ace looked at Mizuki and said, "You're next!"

"No way! Absolutely no way! You can't beat my brother!" Mizuki's young heart was shattered. How could this guy defeat his brother?

And, brother, aren't you a ninja? How could you be beaten by this guy? He's just a student like me!

"People's physiques aren't all the same. You can only get stronger in extreme anger. But I'm different, I get stronger all the time. Mizuki, is your brother really a ninja?"

"Damn brat! What are you so smug about?!"

Kaneki climbed out of the river and, without any hesitation, rushed at Ace.

This time, he was much faster. He threw a punch, which was caught by Ace's smaller hand.

Suddenly, Kaneki felt an intense heat, as if his fist was in a fire.

Ace extended his other hand, releasing sparks from his fingertips, which ignited Kaneki's pants.

"Brother, your pants are on fire!"

"Hot! Hot! Hot!"

Kaneki quickly pulled back his burned hand and jumped into the river again.

"You won't trick me this time, you damn brat!" Standing in the water, Kaneki started forming hand seals rapidly. The water around him gathered as he completed the final seal. "Water Release: Water Wave!"

A water column surged towards Ace.

To disguise his abilities, Ace pretended to form hand seals and spat out a stream of fire.

"Fire Release: Flame Jet!"

Boom!

The cold water column clashed with the searing flames, creating a massive cloud of steam.

In an instant, white steam obscured the view. Kaneki quickly climbed out of the water, hearing Mizuki's voice, "Brother, brother, where are you?"

"I'm here, I'm fine."

Suddenly, he heard his own voice again and immediately shouted, "Mizuki, don't listen! I'm over here."

"Brother, ah!"

Hearing his brother's scream, Kaneki ran towards the sound. As he revealed himself, he felt intense heat and turned to see a flaming fist closing in.

"Fire Fist!"

The fist slammed into his chest, sending him crashing into a tree. He felt his organs shift painfully, and several parts of his body were burned.

Ace approached, holding Mizuki by the collar, who had wet his pants.

Smiling, Ace asked, "Now let me ask you a question. What is one thousand minus seven?"

Kaneki trembled and stuttered, "I-It's... it's nine hundred and ninety-three!"

"Good math skills!"

Ace kicked Kaneki in the face, knocking him out.

Tossing Mizuki aside, Ace beamed, "I've always wanted to see this expression on your face, this fearful look. So, will you still try to cause me trouble in the future?"

"No, I won't! Please, don't hit me!"

Despite his plea, Mizuki received another kick.