9 Chapter 9

As soon as the school bell rang, students flooded out of the classrooms, fearing they might lag behind if they didn't hurry.

Kyomu, on the other hand, was in no rush. Like a leisurely stroll, he trailed behind.

"Kyomu, school is over. Can't you be a bit more energetic?" Obito, leading by four or five paces, turned back to call out. "Hurry up, or we'll run out of time."

Kyomu raised an eyebrow. "I can keep up, and why are you in such a hurry to get beaten up?"

"Nonsense. Kakashi and I haven't decided who will beat whom. Anyway, walk faster!"

Kyomu remained silent, but his pace quickened.

The four of them walked together, led by Obito, and after half an hour, they arrived near the remote Uchiha residence.

It was hard to imagine that the Uchiha, renowned throughout the ninja world, lived in a place far from the center of Konoha.

However, there must be a reason for the Uchiha clan to receive such special treatment.

But Kyomu didn't care about all that. He only cared about how much useful knowledge he could secretly learn in the training ground today.

Strength always ranked first in this world.

Stretching lazily, Kyomu found an opportunity to slip away. "You guys go ahead and fight for a hundred rounds. I'll wander around and see if there's a good place to pass the time."

Obito, focused on a battle with Kakashi, didn't intend to stop him. "Hey, don't go too far, and don't wander near the training grounds opened by my other clan members. If something unpleasant happens, I won't be able to control it."

Though he didn't plan to interfere, a warning was still necessary. People with personalities similar to Obito's were rare in the Uchiha clan.

If Kyomu wandered into places he shouldn't, it was normal to face some unnecessary trouble.

"I know. I'm well aware," Kyomu naturally understood that Obito's words were not empty. "I'll be nearby, call me when you're done with your fight."

With that, Kyomu turned and left casually. In the not-so-large training ground, only Kakashi, Obito, and Rin remained.

"Kakashi, today I must show you my true strength!" Kakashi's face showed no extra expression; he just waved at Obito, appearing fearless.

Obito was just being stubborn. At this stage, his strength was truly indescribable.

Meanwhile, watching from the sidelines, Rin seemed to anticipate Obito's fate, squinting her eyes without much interest.

As expected, when Obito faced Kakashi, he was completely overwhelmed in both combat skills and intelligence.

In just one or two moves, Kakashi could easily knock Obito to the ground. But Obito refused to admit defeat. Even with a bruised and swollen face, he insisted on a hundred rounds of battle.

The thirteenth time he fell, Obito got up for the thirteenth time, only to be knocked down by Kakashi in two more moves.

Getting up again, being knocked down again—this repetitive cycle made Rin unable to bear it.

At the same time, Kyomu had leisurely reached a simple training ground opened by another Uchiha clan member.

Without going deeper, Kyomu climbed onto a large tree, lay on a branch, and fell asleep.

This open and obvious behavior, even a ninja with little battle experience or just starting school could easily notice where Kyomu was.

Considering the proud nature of the Uchiha clan, Kyomu's behavior actually reassured them. What they were truly sensitive to was someone secretly spying, not Kyomu's behavior that was evident at first glance.

As expected, a Uchiha ninja soon arrived at the training ground. He noticed Kyomu sleeping on the tree branch from a distance.

Pausing, activating the Sharingan instantly, the Uchiha ninja's scrutinizing gaze fell on Kyomu.

In just two or three seconds, he withdrew his gaze, showing a touch of disdain.

Just a kid who wandered here to sleep, without any threat. Moreover, he could confirm that Kyomu was really sleeping, without any traces of disguise.

Without any vigilance, the Uchiha ninja confidently walked into his private training ground to carry out various daily exercises.

Uchiha ninjas were disciplined; otherwise, they wouldn't have gained such fame in the ninja world.

First, he warmed up with Uchiha-style throwing techniques, then performed Uchiha-style fluid techniques, and finally practiced the Uchiha clan's proficient Fire Release techniques.

As for worrying that Kyomu might be learning by watching nearby?

Nonsense. Uchiha-style throwing techniques, Uchiha-style fluid techniques—why were they named "Uchiha Style"?

The reason was simple. Without the Sharingan, learning them would be like copying blindly, resulting in something messy and ineffective. Apart from wasting time, there would be no benefits.

And for the final practice of Fire Release techniques, expecting a four or five-year-old kid to learn everything while sleeping?

Absolutely impossible, even for the all-powerful Sharingan.

"Hey, Kyomu!" Kakashi's voice came from a distance. "So, you're hiding here to sleep!"

"Huh?" The training Uchiha ninja focused his gaze. "Does this kid have companions? Why are they coming near our clan's residence?"

Feeling puzzled, he stopped his actions. With a few Body Flicker Jutsu, he intercepted Kakashi just before he reached Kyomu.

"Kid, explain your intentions."

Hearing this, Kakashi couldn't help but take a step back, staring at the two Sharingan eyes that were crimson and covered by a mask, looking tense.

Sharingan—two Tomoe Sharingan at that. This was the first time Kakashi had seen it since he was four years old.

"Scared stiff, kid?" The Uchiha ninja spoke with a cold tone. "This is private territory. Leave with your useless companion, or I won't say it a second time."

"Who are you calling useless!" Kakashi clenched his fists. "Besides, this is just near the Uchiha clan residence, not your private territory."

Boom!

Suddenly, a powerful kick soared. Although Kakashi managed to cross his arms to protect his chest, he was still kicked far away. After a few tumbles, he stood up again.

Looking up, Kakashi's eyes showed a solemn color. This was the first time he had seen a Sharingan, especially a two-tomoe Sharingan, at the age of four.

At the same moment, the Uchiha ninja threw three shurikens with one hand. The shurikens flew towards Kakashi, each taking a strange and unpredictable trajectory.

Kakashi quickly grabbed a kunai, but before he could block the incoming shurikens, their trajectories changed again.

Clang, clang, clang!

Three crisp sounds echoed, and one of the shurikens made a sharp turn, directly flying towards Kyomu, who was not far away. The other two nailed themselves just two centimeters in front of Kakashi's feet.

Bang!

At the same moment, the shuriken aimed at Kyomu lodged itself into the tree trunk, waking Kyomu up from his dream.

"What the hell!"

Uttering a curse subconsciously, Kyomu fell from the tree.

"If you step over these two shurikens, no one can save you."

With a swift movement, the Uchiha ninja threw another shuriken towards the tree trunk where Kyomu was sleeping. The sound of the shuriken hitting the trunk disturbed Kyomu's dream.

"What the hell!"

Uttering a curse subconsciously, Kyomu fell from the tree.

"Don't go near him, or you'll regret it."

Swish!

Leaving these words behind, the Uchiha ninja used Body Flicker Jutsu to leave his original position. By the time Kyomu was about to hit the ground, he was already there.

Grabbing the back collar of Kyomu, the Uchiha ninja used Body Flicker Jutsu again. However, Kakashi had already crossed the area marked by the shurikens with hand signs, ready to save Kyomu.

With a flick of one hand, the Uchiha ninja tossed Kyomu towards Kakashi, but before Kakashi could reach out to catch him, Kyomu performed a few elegant somersaults in mid-air and landed steadily.

"Heh, it seems you have a good relationship. You actually ignored my previous warning." The Uchiha ninja sneered and then turned his back. "But I'm in a good mood today, so I'll let you off. Get lost."

Kakashi clenched his fists, his eyes glaring at the Uchiha ninja's back, full of anger. After two or three seconds of silence, he finally pulled Kyomu away.

At the same time, the battered Obito was limping towards them.

"Uncle, you..."

"Did you bring them here?" The Uchiha ninja stared at Obito, "I hope this is the last time. Do you understand?"

"But... they are my friends, and I just..."

"Uchiha doesn't need friends." Glancing at the injuries on Obito's body, the Uchiha ninja said, "And your performance doesn't resemble an Uchiha at all. It's simply a disgrace to our clan!"

Obito opened his mouth, wanting to say something but choked. In the end, he could only lower his head and walk away silently.

Indeed, being ruthlessly beaten a hundred times by people of the same age, Uchiha was not a fitting surname for someone like Obito.

Feeling uneasy, Obito caught up with Kakashi and Kyomu. "I'm sorry..."

"There's nothing to apologize for. It's just a matter of skill." Kakashi shook his head. "But his attitude is really terrible!"

(End of Chapter)