Some battles are won… simply by not showing up.
"Challenge me?"
"What did I even do?"
Kai looked up in mild disbelief, following the voice.
Blocking the classroom door stood a chubby boy, staring at him with sharp eyes full of disdain.
The boy wasn't tall. His round face and forced ferocity only made him look… oddly harmless.
Kai frowned slightly.
He had a good memory.
If he recalled correctly—
this kid was Sarutobi Daiki.
From the same clan as the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Ever since Hiruzen rose to power, the Sarutobi clan's status had surged.
They were now one of Konoha's top families.
Large.
Influential.
Full of capable shinobi.
Growing up in that environment, Daiki had long developed an unfriendly attitude toward the Uchiha.
And in Class 1-3—
Kai was the only Uchiha.
Which made him the perfect target.
"Sarutobi… we're classmates. You shouldn't do this," Hyuga Nami stepped forward hurriedly, her voice tinged with pleading.
"We're supposed to be friends. We should get along…"
Daiki turned his head sharply and snorted.
"This is between me and that Uchiha."
"It has nothing to do with your Hyuga clan."
"Move."
Arrogant.
Like a puffed-up rooster.
"Why do you want to challenge me?" Kai asked calmly.
He had kept a low profile all day.
How had he still ended up provoking this guy?
It didn't make sense.
Daiki replied coolly,
"The Uchiha boast about the Sharingan being the strongest bloodline in Konoha."
"Today, I want to see if that's true."
"Come on!"
"Show me what your Sharingan can do!"
He spread his legs and struck an exaggerated, overly dramatic fighting pose.
"…I'm not. I didn't. Don't make things up."
Kai fired back with a clean triple denial.
The Sharingan was powerful—
but claiming it was the strongest in Konoha?
That would be disrespecting the First Hokage's Wood Release.
"Excuses only make you look weak!"
"You're destined to become a stepping stone on my path to Hokage!"
"When people hear you were defeated by Lord Daiki, you should feel honored!"
Daiki puffed up with self-importance.
After a brief pause, Kai said plainly,
"How about this—I admit the Sharingan is the weakest bloodline. I surrender."
"Can I go home now?"
Kai was confident—
he could defeat this kid in a single move.
But Daiki was from the Sarutobi clan.
The problem wasn't beating the small one—
it was what might follow.
If this escalated and Hiruzen stepped in…
Even Fugaku might not be able to protect him.
Better to avoid trouble.
At least for now.
"Hide if you must," Kai thought.
"I can wait."
"What?!" Daiki staggered, eyes wide in disbelief.
This—
was about the honor of two clans!
And this guy just… brushed it off?
"Do you have no sense of clan pride?!" Daiki demanded angrily.
"Clan pride?" Kai replied casually.
"Can you eat that?"
"…!"
Daiki was momentarily speechless.
This was supposed to be a glorious clash—
and it had turned into this?
"If you don't accept my challenge, I won't let you leave," Daiki sneered, planting himself firmly in the doorway.
Thankfully, only the three of them remained.
Otherwise, this would've been painfully awkward.
After a moment of thought—
Kai smiled faintly.
"Fine. I'll accept your challenge."
"Oh?" Daiki's eyes lit up.
At last—some backbone.
"Tonight. Ten o'clock. The clearing behind the Hokage Rock."
"We'll settle it there."
Kai's expression hardened slightly.
"You think an Uchiha would be scared off by a few words?"
"Good!" Daiki beamed.
"Whoever doesn't show is a pig!"
"No problem," Kai said confidently.
"Tonight, I'll show you the power of the Sharingan."
A decisive battle—
under the Hokage Rock.
Daiki suddenly frowned.
"Why ten o'clock? Why not earlier?"
"I need to rest," Kai replied smoothly.
"I want to face you at my best."
"…Fair enough."
Daiki nodded, fully convinced.
Beside them, Nami clenched her fists, anxiety written all over her face.
"If I tell the teacher, they'll both be punished… no, I can't do that. They'll hate me…"
"They're both from great clans… they should hold back…"
"I'll sneak out tonight and watch. If something happens, I can help…"
"Yes… that's what I'll do."
She quietly encouraged herself.
…
With his backpack slung over his shoulder, Kai walked home.
The streets were lively.
But many villagers cast glances his way—
whispering, pointing.
Some didn't even bother hiding their disgust.
Kai didn't care.
Once he entered the Uchiha compound, the atmosphere shifted immediately.
People greeted him warmly.
Despite their cold exterior, most Uchiha were deeply loyal and supportive of one another.
A tightly knit clan.
—Madara and Obito being notable exceptions.
Back in his courtyard—
Kai prepared a simple dinner.
Vegetables.
Cheap cuts of meat.
After eating, he took a comfortable bath.
Before nine o'clock—
he was already in bed.
Early to bed, early to rise.
Healthy habits.
"…Feels like I forgot something."
He turned slightly, pausing.
Then shrugged it off.
"Probably just tired."
"Sleep."
He closed his eyes.
And drifted off.
…
11:00 PM.
Behind the Hokage Rock.
"I've been waiting an hour…"
"Why isn't Uchiha Kai here? Did he get scared?"
Sarutobi Daiki stood atop the hill, teeth clenched, anger simmering.
"As expected… Uchiha are all cowards!"
"If he's not here by midnight, I'll deal with him tomorrow!"
Not far away, hidden behind a large rock—
Hyuga Nami crouched quietly.
She had snuck out under the cover of night.
As a branch family member, the restrictions on her were less strict.
"Why hasn't Kai come…?"
He was already an hour late.
To her, that meant breaking a promise.
That wasn't right.
And yet—
she felt conflicted.
Part of her hoped he would come.
Part of her hoped he wouldn't.
Time passed slowly.
Kai never appeared.
Above them, a few white birds drifted across the night sky…
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