He—Asakawa Kiyosuke—had always been kind to others. He never picked fights and never made enemies.
And yet, today, someone actually came looking to beat him up?
This was Konohagakure! A peaceful, harmonious village—one big happy family. People here didn't fight among themselves.
"You sure that brat's around here, Mizuki? I gave up training time to help you deal with some punk who bullied you, so this better not be a waste."
Another voice echoed nearby. It sounded young, clearly coming from another kid not much older than Mizuki.
But just from that, Kiyosuke already understood who was picking a fight with him—Mizuki.
So the guy went home crying today and came back with a slightly older friend to avenge him?
Seriously...
Kiyosuke didn't want any trouble. He started walking toward the riverbank, ready to make a run for it.
That's when two white-haired figures stepped out from the trees—one tall, one short.
Tch.
What caught his attention was the older one. He wore a Konoha forehead protector—clearly a genin who had already graduated and started taking missions.
Their faces looked a little alike—probably brothers. And of course, the younger one was Mizuki.
The little brat had a smug, triumphant look on his face.
"There you are, Asakawa Kiyosuke! I've been looking for you!" Mizuki shouted. "This is my big brother Kaneki! He's a talented genin and will be promoted to chunin soon! He's here today to teach you a lesson for me!"
Kiyosuke sighed. "Seriously? I made you cry and this is how petty you get?"
Is your brother the type to pass the blame on others? Why not blame the whole world instead?
Kaneki, Mizuki's older brother, scoffed.
"So you're the one who bullied my little brother? You're asking for it, brat."
Wow.
No shame at all.
A full-fledged ninja picking on kids?
"Hmph! You only beat me earlier because I had a stomachache! If my stomach wasn't hurting, my big brother wouldn't even need to step in!"
You seriously have the guts to say that?
No wonder he'd grow up to manipulate rich brats into doing bad things. Even at this age, he already had a talent for twisting the truth. With some training, he might grow up to be a professional liar.
"You lost and still have excuses? Pathetic. If you can't even admit defeat, what business do you have calling yourself a ninja?"
"You…" Mizuki wanted to argue back, but his brother held him off.
"Enough. Don't waste your breath," Kaneki said. "Listen up, brat. You beat up my little brother. I'm giving you two options: either he beats you up, or I do. Pick one."
Kiyosuke casually dug a finger into his ear and said, "I'll go with option three."
"What?"
"I beat both of you up."
"Cocky little runt!" Kaneki snapped. A ninja academy student had the nerve to say he'd take both of them on? He needed to teach this kid a lesson.
"You think you're Kakashi or something?" Kaneki growled. "Just a punk kid, and already a chunin? Makes me sick just thinking about it. And now you think you're hot stuff too?"
Seeing his brother getting riled up, Mizuki backed away and hid behind a tree.
Hmph. Hopefully his brother would smash this kid's face in so he'd stop being so damn popular.
"Tch."
Kiyosuke retreated toward the riverbank. Kaneki charged forward. Compared to Mizuki's wild flailing, Kaneki had real experience. His legs were longer, and he launched a sharp kick.
But Kiyosuke dodged it cleanly.
As Kaneki's leg landed in empty air, Kiyosuke stepped forward and stomped the back of his knee, forcing him down on one leg. Then he spun and followed up with a spinning kick that nearly knocked Kaneki into the water.
"Little bastard!"
Kaneki reached out to grab him—but got a foot to the face instead. He stumbled and fell into the river with a splash.
Kiyosuke turned to Mizuki. "Now it's your turn."
"N-No way! There's no way you beat my big brother!" Mizuki cried, his little heart shattered. Why? Why could this guy beat his brother?
Wasn't Kaneki a ninja?
How did this guy win? He was just another student like him!
"Not everyone's built the same," Kiyosuke said calmly. "You can only get stronger when you're absolutely furious. But me? I just keep getting better. Say, Mizuki—are you sure your brother's even a real ninja?"
"You little punk! What are you so smug about?!"
Kaneki climbed out of the river, completely soaked. Without a word, he rushed forward again—this time even faster than before. He swung his fist—only for it to be caught by a smaller hand.
A wave of heat shot through Kaneki's fist like he'd stuck it in a fire.
Kiyosuke raised his other hand. Sparks burst from his fingertips—and in an instant, Kaneki's pants caught fire.
"Bro! Your pants! They're on fire!"
"Hot hot hot!!"
Kaneki recoiled, the skin on his hand blistering. With a yelp, he dove back into the river.
"This time, I won't fall for your tricks again, you brat!" Standing waist-deep in the water, Kaneki began forming hand seals. The water around him began to churn.
"Water Style: Surging Wave!"
Water surged upward, forming a powerful column that crashed toward Kiyosuke.
To sell the illusion, Kiyosuke started forming hand seals of his own. Then he opened his mouth and unleashed a stream of fire.
Boom!
Freezing water and blazing fire collided—creating a massive cloud of steam.
Thick white mist engulfed the riverbank. Kaneki scrambled up from the water.
Mizuki's voice called out from the haze. "Bro? Where are you?!"
"I'm over here, I'm fine!"
Suddenly, he heard his own voice again.
"Mizuki! Don't listen to him! I'm over here!"
"Big bro—ahhh!"
Hearing his brother scream, Kaneki bolted toward the sound. As he broke through the mist, a wave of heat washed over him. He turned—and saw a flaming fist coming straight at his face.
"Flame Fist!"
The punch slammed into his chest, launching him into a tree. His whole body screamed in pain, organs seemingly jumbled, skin burned in places.
He slumped down, barely conscious, when a foot stepped on his shoulder.
Kiyosuke walked over, one hand dragging a now-urine-soaked Mizuki by the collar.
Grinning, he asked, "Let me ask you a question. What's one thousand minus seven?"
Kaneki trembled. "It's… nine hundred ninety-seven…"
"Your math's pretty good!"
Kiyosuke slammed a kick into his face, knocking him out cold.
Tossing Mizuki aside, Kiyosuke's smile turned radiant.
"I've always wanted to see this look on your face. This scared, pathetic expression. So? Still thinking of sending people to come bother me?"
"N-No more! I swear! Just don't hit me again!"
Too bad. He still got one last kick.