20. The Flourishing Konoha

Physical training was scheduled for the afternoon, but the morning class was Konoha History.

"Today's lesson is about the Third Hokage," said the teacher, Eichiro, standing at the podium. "Please listen carefully. This is a key topic for the final exam and will definitely appear on the test."

Hanekawa casually propped up his Konoha History textbook on his desk to block the teacher's view.

He had already mastered most of the material to unlock the "Scholar" title and didn't need to follow along step by step. Moreover, his recent excellent performance made Eichiro more lenient, allowing him to ignore minor infractions.

"The Third Hokage, hailing from the Sarutobi Clan, is the current Hokage. Under his leadership, Konoha has flourished," Ryoichiro continued.

When the Sarutobi Clan was mentioned, the teacher's gaze naturally drifted toward Sarutobi Asuma. The other students followed suit.

Asuma frowned.

Although his relationship with Hiruzen Sarutobi had improved since the genjutsu-dispelling lessons, he still felt irritated by the constant reminders of being the Hokage's son.

He wanted people to think of him as Asuma Sarutobi first, not merely as the Hokage's child.

"The Third Hokage is the direct apprentice of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, and has mastered all the ninjutsu of Konoha," Eichiro continued. "He's known by many titles—'The Strongest Hokage,' 'Professor of Ninjutsu,' and 'Hero of Shinobi.'"

Many students wore expressions of admiration and longing.

Hanekawa, however, wasn't moved. Sure, he's the strongest—if you conveniently forget about the beginning, middle, and end of the story.

He pulled out a math workbook and began solving problems. Whether he could ace the theoretical exam depended on getting the math questions right.

---

When the morning classes ended, it was time for the midday break.

Asuma let out a long sigh.

That old man sure knows how to write self-praise. The lecture had been nothing but accolades, and it made him nauseous.

When I become Hokage someday, I'll… double down on this!

Asuma set his textbook aside and turned his head, only to see Kurenai running over to Hanekawa's seat with her lunchbox.

His face stiffened immediately.

Damn that Hanekawa brat! This is intolerable! I'll challenge him!

"Hanekawa," Asuma stood up and walked over, declaring, "I want a duel with you!"

Kurenai instinctively looked up, her face showing surprise.

In her view, Asuma had lost so badly last time that he had no chance against Hanekawa. Challenging him again would only end in the same result.

"I'm not the same person I was before!" Asuma noticed her expression and quickly exclaimed.

Why are you yelling so loudly? Hanekawa thought.

After a moment's consideration, Hanekawa replied, "We have a practical lesson in a couple of days."

We can fight during class and save time.

"Fine!" Asuma's spirits lifted at Hanekawa's agreement, and he said confidently, "This time, I'll definitely win!"

Over the past two weeks, he had not only learned techniques to counter illusions but also sparred with genjutsu specialists.

How could I lose now? Are you going to one-shot me? Impossible!

I'll turn the schoolyard into my victory stage, and everyone will rise to cheer for me!

"Good luck," Hanekawa said with a smile.

"..." Asuma faltered.

Hanekawa's nonchalant attitude made Asuma seem overly aggressive.

As Asuma began to feel guilty, he noticed Kurenai's reaction.

You're being too babyish!

He realized that Kurenai's impression of him was growing worse by the second.

Is Hanekawa doing this on purpose, or is it just accidental?

Grinding his teeth, Asuma turned and returned to his seat.

At this point, explanations were pointless. The only solution was to defeat Hanekawa.

---

"Let's eat," Hanekawa said casually, handing Kurenai a pair of chopsticks.

"Do you have confidence?" Kurenai asked, picking up a piece of fried shrimp. "After all, he's the Hokage's son. He must have some way to counter your genjutsu."

"I know."

Hanekawa nodded and spoke.

This time, he decided to win in a different way.

"That's good."

Kurenai relaxed after hearing that.

At a nearby desk, Nohara Rin opened three lunch boxes.

She picked up her chopsticks and first handed them to Uchiha Obito.

"Thank you, Rin!"

Obito smugly glanced at Kakashi, who was looking elsewhere.

Obito followed his gaze and saw Hanekawa.

Unable to help himself, Obito spoke up, "It was just luck that beat Asuma last time."

As a member of the Uchiha clan, Obito had always looked down on genjutsu users from the bottom of his heart.

"Do you think luck alone could have defeated Asuma?"

Kakashi casually asked as he took the chopsticks from Rin's hand.

"Why not?" Obito snorted and said, "If I hadn't held back my ninjutsu last time, Asuma would have lost for sure!"

"There's no 'if' in being a ninja."

Kakashi said bluntly, "You lose, you lose. You win, you win."

"You!"

Obito's body trembled with anger.

"Obito."

Rin gently tugged at his sleeve and said softly, "Try the tempura I made. How does it taste?"

"Rin's tempura is definitely top-notch!"

Obito immediately smiled and said.

---

The lunch break ended, and it was time for the dreaded physical training.

"Start with 100 laps around the field!"

Eichiro called out, standing at the starting line.

The whole class dashed forward.

Leading the pack was Obito, who accelerated from the start to take the lead. He glanced back at Rin, trying to catch her attention.

"Idiot."

Kakashi muttered coldly.

Rin could only shake her head in resignation.

Who starts with a sprint?

Hanekawa kept his breathing steady and ran at a constant pace alongside Kurenai.

As time passed, the gap started to show.

Obito was the first to run out of energy and fell to the back of the pack.

Leading the race now were Kakashi and Might Guy.

Hanekawa, Kurenai, and Asuma were in the second group.

After 90 laps, the situation changed again.

Asuma watched helplessly as Hanekawa passed him.

He wanted to stop him but had no strength left.

He was already at the point where his steps were faltering.

Kakashi glanced at Hanekawa, who had been steadily keeping pace with him, and furrowed his brow.

He clearly remembered from the last physical training that he hadn't even made it into the top ten, let alone second place.

Now, Hanekawa was keeping up with him.

He could clearly hear Hanekawa's breathing.

It was a little erratic but still controlled.

Kakashi's expression became serious as he continued to push forward.

As they approached the last lap, most of the students were exhausted and sitting on the ground resting.

Only three were still running: Kakashi, Might Guy, and Hanekawa.

"What's up with this guy?"

Kakashi panted, his rhythm starting to falter.

Every time he thought Hanekawa's stamina was nearing its limit, Hanekawa somehow managed to recover.

Am I going to lose?

Although Kakashi hadn't trained specifically for physical endurance, the intensity of his swordsmanship practice had kept him in good shape. Combined with his natural talent, his physical strength surpassed that of most low-ranked ninjas.

Kakashi gritted his teeth, gathered his remaining strength, and started to speed up.

"This is youth!"

Might Guy, watching the two of them race, suddenly trembled with excitement.

Hanekawa's lips twitched.

But... what a great opportunity!

He wasn't holding back anymore—he was about to unleash everything!

______

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