Uchiha Mukaku, carrying a rather heavy Morino Ibiki, arrived at a more secluded area of Konoha Ninja Village. He was contemplating which direction to go at an intersection when the boy on his back suddenly woke up.
Uchiha Mukaku, who noticed it first, immediately let go, allowing the boy to fall to the ground. Then he turned to the bewildered Morino Ibiki and said, "Since you're awake, go home yourself!"
After walking a few steps, Uchiha Mukaku stopped, indignant, and scolded without turning his head, "If you're bad, practice more. If you can't take a beating, don't fight!"
Morino Ibiki, whose entire back was in excruciating pain, stared blankly at the opponent in front of him. Only when the other person had walked far away did he suddenly react.
Just then, a seemingly honest and reliable boy appeared in front of Morino Ibiki, pulled him up from the ground, and asked, "Are you alright?"
"My back and butt hurt terribly!" Morino Ibiki replied foolishly. The person in front of him was Toko. He and Morino Ibiki lived in adjacent neighborhoods and became friends after entering the Ninja Academy.
"You scared me to death! I thought you were dead. The moment you charged, you were taken down by an over-the-shoulder throw, and then you lost consciousness. I really thought you'd been beaten to death!" Toko exaggeratedly described, his face full of drama.
"Then how did I end up here?" Morino Ibiki asked, a bit confused.
"I was surprised too. After Uchiha Mukaku took you down, he didn't just leave you there. Instead, he asked the teacher where your home was and carried you back!" Toko chattered, explaining.
Morino Ibiki was a little surprised to hear this answer. As he was stunned ing, Toko continued, "I originally wanted to help you, but Uchiha Mukaku was always there, so I could only follow quietly!"
Morino Ibiki patted the other person's shoulder, recalling Uchiha Mukaku's appearance when he made his move, and said understandingly, "I can understand. That guy is indeed quite intimidating!"
He had originally thought the skirmish on the first day of school was just an accident, and today he wanted to regain his face from the other party. He didn't expect the other party to be so formidable; he couldn't even last a single round and was even sent back by him. This made Morino Ibiki blush a little.
...
The next day, during lunch break, behind the Ninja Academy's teaching building, Morino Ibiki found Uchiha Mukaku resting in a tree in the school's backyard.
At that moment, Uchiha Mukaku, who was napping in the tree, slowly opened his eyes, turned his head, and lazily said to Morino Ibiki below, "You are not my opponent, so don't come looking for trouble and just add to your humiliation."
"Big Brother Uchiha, I've come to follow you!" Morino Ibiki's words blurted out. Before his voice had completely faded, he bowed deeply and respectfully.
This somewhat surprised Uchiha Mukaku. He was about to flatly refuse, but then he changed his mind just as the words were on the tip of his tongue. Having a subordinate by his side seemed to have no downsides, so he asked, "Reason?"
"I just feel that Big Brother you are especially amazing!" Morino Ibiki answered without hesitation.
This was truly a simple and shallow reason, but Uchiha Mukaku wasn't picky. A subordinate who came to him was a bonus. After a brief thought, he responded, "Alright." After saying that, he tossed a few coins into the other person's arms and then instructed, "Go buy two drinks."
Morino Ibiki showed no displeasure and obediently bought two drinks and returned. Seeing this, Uchiha Mukaku used the Chakra in his feet to firmly adhere to the tree trunk and calmly walked down from the tree. He picked up one of the drinks from the other person's arms, took a sip, and said, "That one's yours."
"Yes, Big Brother!" Morino Ibiki replied joyfully. Although he didn't quite understand the deeper meaning, Uchiha Mukaku didn't refuse him and even treated him to a drink, so he must have been willing to be his Big Brother.
When the two returned to the classroom, all their classmates' gazes focused on them. Seeing Morino Ibiki respectfully following behind Uchiha Mukaku, everyone felt worried and secretly thought, "This is bad. Uchiha Mukaku, that brute, is starting to form a gang. This guy isn't going to bully people, is he?"
Soon, the bell for class rang, and they began their first Ninja combat practice class. The teacher led everyone to the school's training ground, intending to explain the essentials of Taijutsu combat to these newly enrolled Ninja.
However, due to Uchiha Mukaku's actions, these children were somewhat distracted. The teacher, noticing the situation, decided to let them personally experience the difference between themselves first, to make them realize the importance of practical lessons.
So he called out the names of Kakashi Hatake and Asuma Sarutobi. One was the child of the elite Jonin Sakumo Hatake, and the other was the Third Hokage's youngest son. Both had excellent upbringing and would certainly serve as good examples.
Sunlight spilled onto the Ninja Academy's training ground. Two small figures stood opposite each other. Kakashi's eyes were sharp, and his white hair gently swayed in the breeze, his unique mark. Asuma, on the other hand, had a serious expression, his hands clenched into fists, radiating an unyielding aura.
The aura of battle spread through the air. Almost simultaneously, both moved. Asuma, like a nimble young cheetah, charged fiercely towards Kakashi. His footsteps were solid and powerful, each step kicking up a small cloud of dust. His right fist shot directly towards Kakashi's face. This punch was incredibly fast, creating a gust of wind, clearly the result of long and arduous training, indicating a very solid foundation in Taijutsu.
Kakashi, however, was unhurried. He slightly shifted his body, easily dodging Asuma's fierce punch. Then, Kakashi quickly counterattacked, pivoting on his left foot, his body rapidly spinning, and his right leg sweeping like a whip towards Asuma's waist.
Asuma's reaction was also swift. He lunged forward and raised his other forearm to block the opponent's whip kick. The opponent's powerful force caused Asuma Sarutobi, who received the blow, to involuntarily retreat a few steps.
Kakashi Hatake immediately closed in, his palm heading straight for the opponent's chest.
Asuma Sarutobi dodged sideways, gripping the opponent's wrists with both hands. He pulled backward, attempting to unbalance the body, and brought his left knee up directly towards the opponent's chest and abdomen.
Kakashi Hatake pressed down on the opponent's knee with one hand, blocking the enemy's attack. In this stalemate, neither could continue attacking, so they tacitly released their grips, creating distance to regroup.
Kakashi attacked again, his body like a flash of lightning, instantly appearing in front of Asuma. His fist, carrying immense power, smashed towards Asuma's face.
Asuma reacted quickly; he leaned his body backward, avoiding Kakashi's attack. At the same time, his right foot swiftly kicked out, aiming for Kakashi's abdomen.
Kakashi's body shifted slightly, avoiding Asuma's attack. His left hand quickly extended, grabbing Asuma's ankle.
Asuma lost his balance, and his body fell backward. Kakashi seized the opportunity to attack; his right hand quickly extended, thrusting towards Asuma's chest.
Asuma's body flipped in the air, avoiding Kakashi's attack. After landing, his body quickly leaped backward, preparing to create distance from Kakashi.
But Kakashi anticipated his move, lunged forward, and kicked Asuma Sarutobi, who hadn't even landed yet, sending him sprawling.