3: The So-Called Genius
Takashi looked at Masahiro with skepticism: "Is that true or false?"
Seeing Takashi's doubtful gaze, Masahiro crossed his arms and said carelessly, "Of course it's true. I am the number one genius of the Hagoromo Clan."
Judging by the successful extraction of Chakra on the first try just now, even without the system, he would still be a genius. Since he is a genius, he must proclaim it loudly! Masahiro neither accepted nor learned the trick of pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger.
After all, he had suffered enough mediocrity as a Corporate Slave in his previous life. Now that he had finally gained supreme talent in this life, if he didn't openly flaunt it, wouldn't it be like Wearing Fine Clothes in the Dark?
"Stop joking. Even if vanity is at play, you shouldn't boast about extracting Chakra on the first try."
A mocking voice sounded. Masahiro followed the sound and saw it was none other than Retsu.
Masahiro raised an eyebrow upon hearing this and retorted, "Even if vanity is at play, you shouldn't claim others can't do something just because you couldn't."
"You—"
Retsu's face flushed crimson with anger. It was true that he hadn't succeeded in extracting Chakra on the first try; it had taken him an entire afternoon.
But even at that speed, his grandfather had praised him as a once-in-a-million genius.
So, when he heard that most adult males in the clan had gone to the battlefield, he volunteered to his grandfather that he wished to come to the Clan Academy to study the subsequent Ninja courses.
In reality, he held the same thought as Masahiro: possessing talent yet not announcing it widely, wouldn't that be like Wearing Fine Clothes in the Dark?
How could Retsu, who thought this way, accept the reality that a peer possessed greater talent than him? Besides, it wasn't certain if what this person said was even true!
"Since you claim you've already extracted Chakra, do you dare to fight me? As long as you survive five moves, I'll believe what you said is true."
A fight can indeed show very clearly whether a person has Chakra. After all, regardless of the amount of Chakra, possessing it grants overwhelming combat power against commoners.
However, there are many ways to test if someone has Chakra, and the method Hagoromo Retsu proposed was certainly the most ridiculous.
Hagoromo Jūzaburō looked at Masahiro with difficulty. He also didn't believe that someone could successfully extract Chakra on the first try, as such a thing was unheard of.
The situation clearly showed that Retsu was deliberately causing trouble. As the teacher, he was internally unwilling to let an ordinary Child fight Retsu, who was already considered a Ninja.
But Hagoromo Jūzaburō was just a minor figure in the Hagoromo Clan. Given that he had already slightly offended Retsu moments ago, if he refused Retsu's request again, he feared his life would become difficult later on.
Seeing Jūzaburō's dilemma, Masahiro shrugged indifferently and said airily, "It's alright, Teacher. Admitting someone is stronger than yourself is indeed a very difficult thing. I understand."
'Masahiro, don't be reckless.'
Takashi tugged on Masahiro's sleeve. Although he didn't speak, a single glance was enough for Masahiro to understand his meaning.
Masahiro gave Takashi a reassuring look, then stepped forward: "Come on, Young Master Retsu, let me help you clearly see reality."
Masahiro emphasized the four words "Young Master Retsu," making it hard not to suspect he was mocking Retsu—a Ninja who shamelessly bullied a commoner within the clan.
Sure enough, the moment Masahiro finished speaking, waves of discussion erupted across the Training Ground.
Children's hearts are always filled with a sense of justice. From their perspective, the strong-bodied Retsu was bullying the slender Masahiro over a mere joke.
The surrounding chatter made Hagoromo Retsu's face turn red. He glared at Masahiro and said through gritted teeth, "You better have really extracted Chakra."
After speaking, he didn't wait for Masahiro's reaction and dashed forward.
"So fast!"
"Is this what a Ninja is like?"
The exclamations of amazement from those around him filled Retsu's heart with satisfaction.
This is right. I am the most outstanding genius of the Hagoromo Clan. As for Masahiro and Takashi, they are just commoners. They should just lie obediently on the ground and repent for their lies.
"Eh?—"
There was no imagined feeling of a fist hitting flesh. Masahiro, who Retsu expected to be lying on the ground wailing, dodged the attack at the last moment, fluttering like a butterfly.
Retsu missed completely, and unable to stop his momentum, he stumbled a few steps before steadying himself, looking at Masahiro in surprise and doubt.
Compared to an ordinary Child, Retsu's speed was indeed fast. But in Masahiro's eyes, his movement trajectory was clearly visible.
"One."
Masahiro looked at Retsu, who was standing stunned, and held up one finger. No extra words or movements were needed; the mockery was complete.
Didn't you say you'd finish me in five moves? That was one move already!
"Damn it."
Retsu lunged forward again, simultaneously clenching his right fist and aiming for Masahiro's face. Masahiro slightly shifted sideways, dodging Retsu's attack, and in the brief moment Retsu was distracted, Masahiro quickly grabbed Retsu's arm and executed an Over-the-Shoulder Throw.
With a muffled "thud," Retsu was thrown into utter confusion. Waves of gasps echoed across the empty Training Ground.
"Hiss—"
"That must have hurt a lot, right?"
After lying on the ground for a while and finally recovering, Retsu roared in exasperation, "That was just an accident! Again—"
Before Retsu could stand up and finish speaking, Masahiro powerfully pushed off with his left leg, dashed next to Retsu, then stepped on Retsu's back and yanked his arm back forcefully.
"Ah—Ow! Ow! Ow!"
Masahiro leaned down close to the grimacing Retsu and flashed a 'V' sign.
It was unclear whether he meant 'move two' or 'victory.'
"This guy."
Seeing Masahiro subdue Retsu in just two moves, Takashi adjusted his glasses and shook his head with a light smile.
Hagoromo Jūzaburō, standing nearby, also watched the triumphant Masahiro in the arena with a shocked expression. He had been ready to intervene and save Masahiro at any moment.
After all, a Ninja is a Ninja; the difference in combat power between having Chakra and not having it is vast.
As for believing Masahiro's words? It wasn't that he looked down on Masahiro, but successfully extracting Chakra on the first try was something he truly dared not even imagine.
But everything happening before his eyes had completely overturned his understanding.
Although the fight ended extremely quickly, he was someone who had been through hundreds of battles, and whether or not the two had used Chakra could not escape his perception.
He was certain that both people in the arena had just utilized Chakra.
Masahiro was wearing a standard gray and white Clan Robe that had been washed until it was faded, making it obvious at a glance that he was an orphan.
It was impossible for someone to have taught him beforehand, so it could only be—
Retsu saw Jūzaburō arrive in the middle of the field using the Body Flicker Technique, his face lit up with joy, and he started complaining, "Teacher, quickly make him let go of me! I can still—"
Who knew that Jūzaburō would completely ignore the disheveled Retsu lying on the ground, and instead speak gently to Masahiro: "Good Child, let me check your Meridians."
How could the grandson of the Third Elder be as important as a genius like Masahiro? Even if the Third Elder came in person, Jūzaburō would bet that he would place more importance on Masahiro.
A genius of this caliber could lead the Hagoromo Clan to advance further, contend in the Ninja World, and acquire more resources.
"Uh, okay, alright."
Jūzaburō grabbed Masahiro's arm and carefully probed with his own Chakra. Sure enough, he detected a Clump of Chakra that was still very weak but definitely present.
Excitement on his face, he released Masahiro's arm and smiled as he said to everyone, "Let's stop here for today. Everyone go home early."
After speaking, he nodded toward Masahiro and disappeared with a "chua" sound using the Body Flicker Technique, never once remembering to look at Retsu lying on the ground.
Seeing this, Masahiro extended his right hand and looked at Retsu with a smile: "Young Master Retsu, how long do you plan on lying there?"
Masahiro possessed a pair of 'Peach Blossom Eyes.' Although he was still young, he looked dazzling when he smiled.
But in Retsu's eyes at that moment, Masahiro's face looked more hateful than someone from the Shimura Clan.
"Don't get too carried away! I'll fight you again after I learn Ninjutsu."
Retsu slapped Masahiro's hand away, shakily climbed off the ground, and ran off without raising his head, his voice sounding slightly choked with tears.
"Tch, boring."
Masahiro clapped his hands and brushed aside the hair that had fallen over his temples due to the vigorous movements.
The Hagoromo Youth who had watched the good show stared brightly at Masahiro in the arena, chirping non-stop, but none dared to step forward and speak to him.
After all, this excessively beautiful person had just defeated Retsu in only two moves. Before figuring out his personality, no one wanted to risk getting beaten up for rashly interrupting him.
They could only watch with curious eyes as Masahiro and Takashi left the Training Ground.
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