Back in the classroom, Fenghuo realized that Might Guy—currently known just as "Kai" among the students—was also in his class. However, at this time, Guy was as inconspicuous as the rest of the energetic kids, and the original "Fenghuo" had no particular memory of him at all.
After the morning lecture ended, Rin Nohara, Kurenai Yuhi, a flustered Obito Uchiha, and a guarded Asuma Sarutobi approached his desk.
"Fenghuo, this is the bento I promised you!" Kurenai said with a shy smile as she handed over a carefully prepared lunchbox.
Fenghuo accepted it and opened the lid. It was charmingly decorated—kawaii, even. He picked up a piece of sushi. It tasted surprisingly good. Just as he was about to compliment her, he noticed Asuma glaring at the lunchbox with the expression of a man whose territory had been invaded.
Moments later, Rin also produced a bento of her own—eyes locked on Fenghuo.
The food he cooked yesterday had completely won over both Kurenai and Rin. Fenghuo felt like he'd dug himself into a hole. Somehow, this felt like a loss.
Just then, he sensed someone watching him. Turning his head, he spotted Guy—holding a stack of thick pancakes with a hopeful look on his face. From his expression, it was clear he wanted to share, but wasn't sure if he was welcome.
Fenghuo waved him over with a smile.
"Fenghuo!" Guy sprinted up, beaming. "Thanks again for earlier. My dad made these pancakes! Please try one!"
Fenghuo glanced at them. As someone who considered himself a top-tier cook (in part thanks to vague memories of Earth and too many cooking shows), he could tell with one glance—these were crude. Just pan-fried batter with a sprinkle of salt at best. Dry. Likely awful.
"Ah… that's very kind, but you really don't have to—" Fenghuo tried to refuse politely.
But Guy was not the type to give up easily. He immediately teared up, shoved a pancake into Fenghuo's mouth, and cried, "I swear it's delicious! I'd never lie to a comrade!"
"Gghff—!!" Fenghuo's eyes welled with tears. This pancake… is a war crime.
Kurenai and Rin burst out laughing.
"Hey, Guy! What are you doing?!" Obito barked and shoved him aside.
Fenghuo took the chance to spit the pancake into a napkin, barely avoiding suffocation.
"Obito, this is Guy—I met him this morning."
"Huh? We've been in the same class for a year!" Asuma scoffed. "That's pretty rude."
"It's okay! Really!" Guy said with his usual resilience.
"Let's just all eat together," Fenghuo said, taking out the bento he made. As he looked around at the growing group, he realized—if this continued, he'd need to learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu soon. Cooking for everyone was eating up half his day.
…
After lunch, Obito's eyes shifted suspiciously—and he bolted, clutching his stomach in exaggerated pain before Rin could say anything.
Rin was stunned, then put her hands on her hips, frowning at his retreating back. She turned to Fenghuo. "Fenghuo… does Obito even know medical ninjutsu?"
It was phrased as a question, but the tone said otherwise.
Having spent the last year glued to Rin's side, Obito's behavior was already an open book to her. If he actually knew healing techniques, he wouldn't have fled like that.
Even so, Fenghuo felt he should speak up for his brother-in-idiocy.
"Come on, Rin, you know Obito. He's either helping an old lady cross the road or walking beside one who doesn't even need help. He barely has time to practice basic jutsu, let alone learn medical ninjutsu. He's… purehearted like that."
Obito, you owe me for this. I've covered for you like a real brother!
Rin's cheeks puffed in frustration. "I'm never trusting that guy again!"
Fenghuo nodded, satisfied.
At the end of evening class, Fenghuo told Obito he'd be heading out late and that he should make dinner himself.
"What're you up to?" Obito asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Training. Physical training," Fenghuo said.
Obito immediately lost interest and waved him off.
Fenghuo jogged toward the agreed training spot with Might Duy.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Konoha…
In a large Hyuga estate, Hyuga Shinmune knelt before his father, eyes cast down.
"Father…"
Wearing a formal white kimono, Hyugada sat in perfect posture, stern-faced. "You're saying the Uchiha boy said that to your face?"
"Yes…" Shinmune whispered.
Hyugada's eyes narrowed. "No six-year-old would speak like that. Someone's guiding him."
"Huh?" Shinmune blinked. "You think someone… ordered him?"
"Obviously! And you—having already awakened your Byakugan—still lost to an Uchiha child!" Hyugada's tone turned harsh. "You disgrace the clan."
"I-I understand! Please teach me the full Gentle Fist style! I'll master it and defeat Uchiha Fenghuo!" Shinmune prostrated himself.
"Good," Hyugada said. "Fortunately, you apologized. I've reported your progress to the Main Family. Don't fail again. The Main Family is watching."
"Yes, Father! I won't disappoint you!" Shinmune shouted with newfound resolve.
"Tonight, we begin full Gentle Fist instruction."
Clap! Clap!
In a grove southeast of Konoha, sharp impacts echoed through the trees.
Might Duy was hammering his fists into a wooden post, his hands a blur.
Suddenly, he stopped, ears twitching. "Hmm? Fenghuo?"
"Yes, Uncle Duy!" Fenghuo came running, a little out of breath. His eyes, however, burned with excitement. "I'm ready!"
"Splendid!" Duy flashed a dazzling grin and thumbs-up. "The flames of youth burn brightest at dusk! Let's not waste a second! Begin warm-up training!"
Fenghuo felt a stormy sea crashing behind Duy's back. "Warm-up training," he repeated, twisting his neck and waist in an exaggerated way.
Duy facepalmed. "Fenghuo… that's not a warm-up! Go run ten laps around this grove!"
"Ten laps?!" Fenghuo's face turned pale. That's at least a kilometer per lap—10,000 meters! Just for warm-up?!
"Of course! Or if you prefer, 10,000 jump ropes instead!" Duy said sincerely.
Fenghuo's eyelid twitched. This is really how Guy trained in the manga, huh? Might as well embrace it.
"Alright! I'll start running!"
"Wait!" Duy's ears twitched again. He turned and shouted—
"Kai! You're late again!"