Lunchtime at Qingfeng Camp was as lively as ever.
The cafeteria buzzed with conversation as recruits discussed training, upcoming missions, and the latest rumors spreading throughout the camp.
At one corner table, Meng Qiuqiu was happily gnawing on a chicken leg when a shadow suddenly fell over him.
A figure had appeared beside the table.
"Ahem."
The newcomer coughed lightly.
Meng Qiuqiu looked up.
The moment he recognized the person, his expression changed.
Without hesitation, he grabbed his tray and stood up.
"Please, take my seat!"
His movements were so smooth and practiced that it was obvious he had no intention of becoming a third wheel.
The newcomer was none other than Mo Guanguan.
Seeing her arrive, everyone nearby immediately became interested.
Mo Guanguan calmly placed her tray beside Zhao Mu.
Then she smoothed out her skirt and sat down gracefully.
The surrounding recruits exchanged meaningful glances.
Their gazes moved back and forth between Zhao Mu and Mo Guanguan.
A few even revealed knowing smiles.
Understanding the situation, they quickly found excuses to leave.
Within moments, the crowded table had become surprisingly empty.
Only Zhao Mu and Mo Guanguan remained.
Mo Guanguan poked absentmindedly at the food on her plate.
However, her attention wasn't on the meal.
Her bright eyes remained fixed on Zhao Mu.
A flame of curiosity burned within them.
"Zhao Mu."
"Hm?"
"Who taught you your martial arts?"
Zhao Mu calmly swallowed a mouthful of vegetables before smiling.
"I'll answer your question after you answer mine."
Mo Guanguan blinked.
"What question?"
Zhao Mu rested his chin on one hand.
"Which family are you actually from?"
The question instantly froze her expression.
Then her cheeks puffed up with annoyance.
"Hmph!"
She turned away stubbornly.
"Fine, don't answer."
"But I can tell one thing."
Her eyes narrowed.
"The person who taught you must be an expert who spent years fighting on real battlefields."
"I've met plenty of soldiers."
"You can't fool me."
There was confidence in her voice.
The identity of Zhao Mu's master wasn't exactly a secret.
Many people already knew that his teacher was Bu Yanhuan.
Still, Zhao Mu had never been interested in advertising it.
He simply smiled.
"You guessed correctly."
Mo Guanguan immediately looked pleased.
Then her expression became serious.
"Since I was little, I haven't lost to many people."
"Apart from my two older brothers, I don't acknowledge anyone from my generation."
She pointed her chopsticks toward him.
"But after coming to Qingfeng Camp, I've been losing to you again and again."
"Hmph!"
"I'm not convinced."
Her eyes burned with determination.
"Don't say I'm bullying you."
"Train hard."
"When your Combat Level catches up to mine, we're going to have a proper fight."
Zhao Mu rubbed his forehead helplessly.
"Do we really have to fight?"
"Absolutely."
Her answer came instantly.
Without hesitation.
Without room for negotiation.
"If I don't beat you at least once, I won't be able to sleep peacefully."
What she didn't say aloud was that Zhao Mu had already become an obsession.
Every competition.
Every test.
Every ranking.
She wanted to surpass him.
Even if it was only by a single point.
Even if it was only by running one second faster.
Winning against Zhao Mu had become her goal.
Seeing the determination on her face, Zhao Mu could only surrender.
"Fine."
"I agree."
"Good."
Mo Guanguan finally smiled.
A bright and satisfied smile.
For her, that promise alone made today's meal worthwhile.
Meanwhile, neither of them noticed how many people were secretly observing them.
Or perhaps they simply didn't care.
After all, both Zhao Mu and Mo Guanguan had become famous figures throughout the New Recruit Camp.
Their performances had been dazzling.
So dazzling, in fact, that even the B-Rank Special Recruits, Shao Han and Shen Moran, had been overshadowed.
As a result, seeing the two geniuses eating together naturally sparked endless speculation.
"Heavens, look at that."
"Did Zhao Mu and Mo Guanguan really get together?"
"I knew it!"
"A talented man and a talented woman. This is what destiny looks like."
Another recruit sighed dramatically.
"It seems my chance of escaping singlehood is finally here."
The recruit beside him immediately rolled his eyes.
"Please find a mirror before speaking."
"You're single because of an innate deficiency."
The surrounding tables erupted with laughter.
The atmosphere throughout the cafeteria remained cheerful and relaxed.
Most recruits were enjoying themselves.
Most.
But not everyone.
At another table, Shao Han sat silently.
Or rather—
He wasn't eating at all.
Several of his followers sat nearby.
Their expressions were gloomy.
Not a single person spoke.
The atmosphere around them felt completely different from the rest of the cafeteria.
It was obvious that Shao Han was in a terrible mood.
Ever since arriving at Qingfeng Camp, things had not gone according to plan.
He had expected to stand at the center of attention.
Instead, Zhao Mu had repeatedly stolen the spotlight.
Again.
And again.
And again.
The frustration had been accumulating for a long time.
And now, it was finally reaching its limit.
---
After lunch, Zhao Mu left the cafeteria.
Wrapped in a piece of cloth were two vertebrae taken from the Beast King.
These were the hardest bones he had collected.
His destination was the Engineering Department.
He intended to forge his first Ember Remains.
Once successful, he would officially become a true Jinhai Master.
That status would allow him to earn far more resources than before.
Without a powerful family behind him, Zhao Mu had no shortcuts available.
If he wanted to become stronger, he could only rely on himself.
Hard work.
Talent.
And determination.
Those were the only assets he possessed.
Carrying the wrapped materials, Zhao Mu walked along the forest path leading toward the Engineering Department.
After a while, he spotted a familiar figure.
A young man leaned against a large tree.
His hands were tucked into his pockets.
His head tilted upward at exactly forty-five degrees.
His face wore an expression of profound loneliness.
As though he carried the weight of the world upon his shoulders.
Zhao Mu recognized him instantly.
Shao Han.
For a moment, Zhao Mu simply stared.
Then he smiled.
The smile grew wider.
Finally, he walked over.
"Shao Han."
The young man slowly lowered his head.
"Zhao Mu."
His tone was deep and dramatic.
Zhao Mu glanced at him.
Then he looked around.
Then back at him.
"What are you doing?"
Shao Han frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Zhao Mu pointed at his pose.
"Trying to cosplay as a tragic literary hero?"
"Girls don't fall for that anymore."
"You should update your strategy."
The carefully cultivated atmosphere shattered instantly.
Shao Han nearly choked on his own saliva.
All his preparation.
All his dramatic posing.
Destroyed in a single sentence.
"You..."
His expression twitched.
"You're still as sharp-tongued as ever."
Zhao Mu shrugged.
"If you have something to say, just say it."
"I'm busy."
Shao Han took a deep breath.
Then another.
Finally, he looked Zhao Mu directly in the eyes.
"Zhao Mu."
"Let's fight."
The atmosphere suddenly changed.
Gone was the awkwardness.
Gone was the comedy.
Only seriousness remained.
"Seven days from now."
"We'll hold a public duel at the training grounds."
His eyes sharpened.
"Do you accept?"
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)