Ring—ring—ring—!
The bell of Konoha Ninja Academy rang out, announcing the end of today's classes.
The classroom instantly felt like a cage that had burst open; chattering students poured through the doorway, excitedly discussing tomorrow's graduation exam, Ninja-team assignments, and the Genin life that lay ahead.
"I heard a Chunin will come as a temporary examiner tomorrow—so nervous!"
"I must…""Hey, have you finished your taijutsu-sparring homework?"
Amid the noisy crowd, Tejima Shinichi strolled out of the classroom with his hands in his pockets, unhurried, only after the room had emptied.
His slightly messy black hair was streaked with a few strands of deep brown, as though sun-bleached.
Sharp, clean-cut features—straight nose, well-defined lips—formed a face handsome beyond his years
His eyes, a dark amber in the sunlight, swept forward with indifference; he had zero interest in the heated discussions around him.
He had long since seen through the racket of these brats.
Graduation?
Genin?
Boring.
The corridor was still packed.
"Hey, who do you think will be Top Student this graduation exam?"
Inuzuka Kiba asked loudly, an arm around Akamaru.
"Need you ask?" Nara Shikamaru yawned and scratched the back of his head in annoyance. "It'll be that monster Shinichi—perfect theory scores, and no one's beaten him in combat either."
Though he spoke casually, Shikamaru's eyes were grave.
Because Tejima Shinichi's strength was on an entirely different level—terrifyingly out of reach.
Crunch-crunch… Leaning against the wall, Akimichi Choji kept munching chips without looking up. "I agree with Shikamaru—Shinichi really is scary!"
"Tch," Kiba scoffed. "The guy's strong, sure… but Sasuke's no slouch either!"
Yet the moment those words left his mouth, they lit a fuse and sparked an all-out war.
"Of course Sasuke-kun's amazing!" Yamanaka Ino cut in, voice rising. "But Shinichi-kun's more consistent—he beats Sasuke for first place every single exam without fail!"
Someone took instant offense.
Haruno Sakura shoved Ino aside and retorted, "What would you know, Ino-pig! Sasuke-kun's cool and improving super-fast! Shinichi's great, sure, but Sasuke-kun is way more—"
"More what?" Ino glared back, hands on hips. "Forehead-girl, you're the one who knows nothing! Shinichi-kun's calm composure is what a true pro looks like!"
…
In seconds the corridor turned into their battlefield, argument blazing.
Choji shrank his neck and stuffed chips faster, muttering, "Women really are scary…"
Shikamaru watched the quarrel escalate, pressed his temples, sighed, and turned to the culprit beside him. "Hey, Kiba—look what you started."
Kiba scratched his cheek sheepishly; Akamaru gave a low "woof," and Kiba mumbled, "I-I didn't mean for them to go off like that…"
Not far away, Tejima Shinichi swept his cool amber gaze over the quarreling Ino and Sakura, then at the troubled Shikamaru and awkward Kiba, finally lingering on Choji who was accelerating his chip-eating.
He watched these soon-to-graduate classmates waste energy on meaningless bickering. Only when Shikamaru dragged the grumbling Kiba and Choji away, and the two girls stalked off in opposite directions, did Shinichi slowly step forward.
Tejima Shinichi exhaled softly.
"I really don't get it…"
"We're all going to be Ninja who might lose our heads at any moment—why are these girls turning red over such pointless stuff?"
Would being star-struck keep you alive on a mission?
Though… you all did survive to the finale.
Walking down the corridor, he hadn't reached the gate when another familiar racket hit his ears—
"Sasuke, you bastard! Why's Sakura always orbiting you?!"
A shrill voice exploded.
Tejima Shinichi stopped and looked—sure enough, it was that ever-yelling Uzumaki Naruto.
The blond tornado was glaring at Uchiha Sasuke, shouting his lungs out.
Uchiha Sasuke gave him a cool glance and didn't even break stride.
"Troublesome Dead-last."
With that, Sasuke kept walking.
"Who're you calling Dead-last?!"
Naruto bristled, claws out, lunging to grab Sasuke's collar—
Sasuke sidestepped and casually elbowed him in the gut.
"Gah—!"
Clutching his stomach, Naruto crouched in pain, then stubbornly lifted his head and snarled, "Damn it… Sasuke, that was a sneak attack… just you wait, next time I'll—"
Tejima Shinichi stood nearby, watching quietly.
He was the Top Student of their year, yet Naruto only had eyes for Sasuke's 'flirt-fights'!
Not that Shinichi envied them, of course.
Truly worthy of Indra and Ashura—foes for a thousand years.
Still… Shinichi shot Sasuke a meaningful glance. "Hmph, naturally evil Uchiha… but I have to admit, the Sharingan really is an enviable Bloodline Limit!"
It's just too cool!
Shinichi shook his head and kept walking.
Just then—
Bang!
A shadow flew in from the side and slammed into his shoulder before he could react.
Shinichi sidestepped and saw it was Uzumaki Naruto—
The kid had charged Sasuke again, only to be kicked flying, careening straight into Shinichi.
"Ow-ow-ow…" Naruto rubbed his butt, looked up, met Shinichi's eyes, and muttered awkwardly, "O-oh, it's you, Shinichi."
Shinichi raised an eyebrow, slowly crouched, rested a forearm on his knee, and looked down at him.
"Naruto, this is the third time this week I've seen you get booted through the air."
Naruto's blue eyes widened in indignation. "Y-you shut up! It hasn't been three times!"
Geez, Naruto, why do you sound like Naruko?!
Thwip!
Before Naruto could retort, Shinichi flicked him on the forehead.
Not hard, just enough to make Naruto yelp and clutch his brow.
Shinichi straightened, hands back in his pockets, and walked off, tossing over his shoulder,
"Can't you stay out of trouble for once?"
Behind him, Naruto hopped in place, rubbing his head and yelling,
"Aargh! Shinichi, just 'cause you're Top Student doesn't make you better than me! If I could beat you—and Sasuke—just you wait!"
Across the way, Uchiha Sasuke stood motionless, eyes locked on Shinichi's retreating back, lips pressed into a thin line.
That guy—!
From the day they entered the Academy, he'd sat firmly above Sasuke.
Theory, taijutsu, Ninjutsu—every exam, that name ranked higher: Tejima Shinichi.
He had never once forced Shinichi to go all-out.
That effortless, bottomless depth grated on the proud Uchiha.
After all, he too bore the title of Genius.
"Hey! Sasuke!" Naruto's yell jerked him back. "Spaced out? Scared of that guy too?"
Uchiha Sasuke shot Naruto an icy glance.
"Idiot."
"Who're you calling idiot?!"
"Whoever answers me."
Sasuke's voice carried its usual sneer, but when his gaze swept again toward the direction Tejima Shinichi had vanished, a competitive fire burned deep inside.
Clearly, Uchiha Sasuke cared a lot about Uzumaki Naruto's words.
Ignoring the shouting Naruto, he stepped off in pursuit.
With graduation approaching, Uchiha Sasuke wanted to know just how strong the Top Student who had always outshone him really was.
"Ahhh! Sasuke! You're ignoring me again!"
Uzumaki Naruto clawed at his hair, yet as he watched the two leave, a defiant spark flashed in his blue eyes.
"Hmph, so what if he's the Top Student! I, Uzumaki Naruto, will surpass you all sooner or later!"
Still… even after the beating, Uzumaki Naruto seemed pretty… happy about it.
The moment Tejima Shinichi left the school gate he sensed eyes on his back.
He kept walking, only glancing sideways.
It was Uchiha Sasuke.
The black-haired boy followed, dark eyes locked on him in open challenge.
Uzumaki Naruto hopped beside him, but Sasuke paid no heed.
Shinichi couldn't be bothered and headed on.
"Shinichi!"
Uchiha Sasuke's voice rang out behind him.
Tejima Shinichi stopped and half-turned.
Uchiha Sasuke closed the gap until barely a meter separated them.
Uzumaki Naruto trotted up, watching the pair in curiosity.
"Something you need?"
Tejima Shinichi asked.
Uchiha Sasuke's stare was sharp.
"Tejima Shinichi," he said, using the full name, "every practical exam these years—victory went to you."
Shinichi stayed silent, waiting.
"Graduation's near," Sasuke continued, resolved. "I want to know how big the gap between us really is."
He lifted his chin slightly; Uchiha pride lent him imposing Aura even while issuing a challenge.
Tejima Shinichi looked intrigued:
"So?"
"Fight me. Right now."
Uchiha Sasuke stated his purpose outright.
Beside him, Uzumaki Naruto's eyes went wide.
"Eh?! Sasuke, you… here and now?!"
Seeing Sasuke's earnest face, Shinichi found it amusing.
That stubbornness of charging in despite knowing the odds—classic Second Pillar.
With a grin at Sasuke's attempt to look mature, Shinichi said:
"In that case… hm, evil Uchiha brat, bring it."
Sasuke froze, then exploded:
"What did you say?!"
The phrase "evil Uchiha" stabbed like a needle; Sasuke's face darkened, rage eclipsing the last of his calm.
"Uchiha honor… will not be defiled!" he growled through clenched teeth. "You dare… I'll make you pay!"
Without another word Sasuke shot forward.
A fierce kick whipped toward Shinichi's ribs.
Rather than retreat, Shinichi stepped in and shot his left hand out.
Smack!
A dull impact.
He caught Sasuke's ankle dead-center.
Sasuke's face twisted; he tried to yank free, but the grip felt like an iron shackle.
Damn it—why is the strength gap still this huge!
"Uchiha taijutsu—just this?"
Shinichi flashed a grin at Sasuke's alarm.
"Too slow, power scattered. If that's all… Sasuke, you're nowhere near catching me."
"You—!" Sasuke's face went livid with fury.
Balancing on one foot, he arched back and whipped his other leg like a lash at Shinichi's head.
The strike came fast, cutting the air.
"Still don't get it?"
Shinichi spoke calmly.
While talking he wrenched the captured leg hard.
"Time to finish this."
The sudden force flipped Sasuke off balance; his body was swung overhead.
Thud!
Thud!
Shinichi slammed him twice against the hard ground, ruthless and clean.
Dust puffed upward.
Shinichi let go.
Sasuke lay crumpled, the world spinning, vision blurring, pain radiating everywhere; even breathing stung.
"…Hn… ugh…" Groaning, he tried to rise but lacked the strength.
Beside him, Naruto gaped, eyes round, rooted in shock.
Shinichi brushed non-existent dust from his hands and looked down at Sasuke.
"Happy now?"
Honestly—flash of cool for a second, then back to being trashed.
With that, Shinichi turned away without another glance.
Naruto forgot to breathe, mouth open as he stared.
The Sasuke he chased could never last even one move against Tejima Shinichi.
"S-so awesome…" Naruto murmured.
Realization hit; he darted to Sasuke's side and crouched, panicking:
"Hey! Sasuke! You okay? You alright?"
Sasuke lay motionless, eyes unfocused on the sky, chest heaving.
Everything hurt—especially his back and guts, as if they'd shifted inside.
Through the ringing he faintly heard Naruto's noisy voice but paid no mind.
After a moment the dizziness ebbed; teeth clenched, he pushed onto an elbow and sat up.
He waved off Naruto's offered hand and, swaying, stood on his own.
His gaze first bored into the direction Shinichi had left—already empty—then turned to the worried Naruto.
Lips pale, voice hoarse with pain, he muttered:
"I'm going home… and today… you tell no one."
Without waiting he limped toward the Uchiha compound.
Naruto scratched his bright blond hair, watching the retreating figure, and mumbled:
"Alright… stuck-up Sasuke."
He spun to leave, then froze.
Wait… did Sasuke just say "tell no one"?
An idea lit up like a bulb.
Don't tell anyone?
So this secret belongs only to him, Uzumaki Naruto—Sasuke's embarrassing moment no one else must know.
"Hehe…" His grin spread ear to ear, sly and gleeful.
He could already see it: next time Sasuke sneered or called him "Dead-last," he'd casually remark—
"Sasuke, you wouldn't want everyone hearing about that day at the gate…"
What a priceless face the stuck-up guy would make… "Hehehe…"
The empty school gate echoed with the blonde's mischievous laughter.