I Really Don't Want to Hit You (Two/Two)
Iruka's words were like a bomb, instantly igniting the excitement of the audience.
"Challenging Sasuke as soon as he arrives?"
"Although I can't stand Sasuke sometimes, I have to admit that he's really strong."
"But Senju-kun is a few years older than Sasuke."
A murmur spread through the crowd, some students whispering among themselves. However, that kind of sentiment was fleeting.
"Age doesn't matter. Remember, even real Chunin weren't Sasuke's match before."
"Yeah, yeah! I saw it with my own eyes last time—Sasuke-kun completely crushed those troublemakers!"
"He was so cool back then!"
"What do you mean, back then? Sasuke-kun is still cool!"
With that, a chorus of excited screams erupted from the girls in the class, all cheering for Sasuke.
Sasuke, however, remained indifferent, his expression unfazed by the commotion.
In truth, he had long stopped caring about the admiration of his classmates. The last time he took action, it wasn't for the sake of showing off but because someone had dared to insult the Uchiha clan right to his face.
They had brought it upon themselves.
Right now, Sasuke wasn't interested in fighting. He just wanted to return to the Uchiha compound, continue practicing his Fire Release techniques, or maybe even go hunting with his brother, Itachi.
"Well, what do you think, Senju-kun?" Iruka asked, trying to gauge Xu Fan's response. To him, this was a great opportunity to observe the new student's abilities.
"No need."
Iruka blinked, surprised.
The voice hadn't come from Xu Fan—it was Sasuke who had spoken.
Gasps spread through the classroom.
"What?!"
"Did Sasuke just refuse?"
"No way—he's backing down?"
Sasuke, standing at the center of everyone's attention, heard every questioning voice but remained unfazed. His only concern was getting back home as soon as possible. If he was lucky, he might run into his brother.
"Just declare him the loser," Sasuke said flatly, his voice calm and assured.
His words caused an even greater uproar.
"I knew it! That's so like Sasuke!"
"So cool! He didn't even ask him to surrender—he just declared his victory!"
"Too domineering! As expected from the genius of the Uchiha clan!"
"Sasuke-kun is amazing, unlike Naruto, who just talks big." Sakura huffed, unimpressed by Naruto's usual antics.
Many assumed Sasuke had admitted defeat, but in reality, he simply didn't think Xu Fan was worth his time.
And honestly, that wasn't unreasonable.
Sasuke had always been the top student in class, and as a member of the Uchiha clan, he had every reason to be confident.
In an instant, almost all the female students sent admiring glances his way.
Meanwhile, Naruto slumped in frustration.
"Why do I always get dragged into this?" he muttered, annoyed that Sasuke always ended up stealing the spotlight.
Determined, he pointed at Sasuke.
"If you're so confident, then fight me instead!"
"Alright, alright," Iruka sighed, rubbing his temples.
As much as he acknowledged Sasuke's talent, he wished the boy would make more of an effort to bond with his classmates.
That said, there was no denying it—Sasuke Uchiha was a true prodigy.
He was a genius.
Xu Fan, on the other hand, felt a bit conflicted.
Sasuke really knows how to make an entrance.
Everything he did, from the way he stood to the way he spoke, radiated an effortless arrogance.
But...
Seeing his classmates sneering at him, Xu Fan found it difficult to just let this slide.
Truthfully, he hadn't planned to fight Sasuke. He had come here to sign in, receive his rewards, and go about his day.
But now, if he refused, he'd lose all credibility.
It felt almost like being in junior high school, where a random kid would suddenly jump out to shake you down for lunch money.
"Well, Mr. Iruka, can we dismiss class now?" Sasuke asked impatiently when he noticed Iruka still hesitating.
Xu Fan shook his head and stepped forward, positioning himself opposite Sasuke.
"Actually... I really don't want to hit you."
The classroom fell silent.
Even Naruto, who had been itching to challenge Sasuke, suddenly went quiet. His eyes flickered between Sasuke and Xu Fan, fists unconsciously clenching.
One was the guy who always stole the spotlight.
The other was someone who recognized Naruto's dream of becoming Hokage.
For the first time, Naruto felt torn.
On one hand, he wanted Xu Fan to win.
But on the other...
He knew Sasuke better than anyone.
Sasuke was strong.
Really strong.
Not just as the top student in class—he was someone even Chunin-level ninjas struggled against.
Xu Fan was going to lose.
And he was going to lose badly.
As for the other students, they barely even considered the possibility of Xu Fan winning.
"Go, Sasuke!"
Sakura cheered.
"Yeah! Go, Sasuke-kun!"
Ino quickly cupped her hands around her mouth to make her voice louder than Sakura's.
"Ugh, you pig!"
"Wide forehead!"
The two glared at each other, then immediately resumed their impromptu shouting match.
"Go, Sasuke!"
"Come on, Sasuke-kun!"
Watching the scene unfold, some of the boys instinctively backed away.
Unlike the fangirls, a few of them secretly hoped that Sasuke would struggle a little—just enough to humble him.
But deep down, they knew the truth.
Sasuke was unbeatable.
He was on another level.
"You probably don't understand what the Uchiha name means," Sasuke said coolly, hands still in his pockets as he gazed at Xu Fan.
Xu Fan sighed.
"I'm from the Senju clan, you know..."
Sasuke scoffed.
He knew all about the history between the Uchiha and Senju clans.
But that was ancient history.
The Senju were nothing more than a shadow of their former glory.
They couldn't compare to the Uchiha of today.
"Come at me, new kid," Sasuke said, still refusing to take his hands out of his pockets.
"Sasuke," Iruka warned, emphasizing the importance of proper formality.
Even in practice matches, the Seal of Reconciliation was necessary.
"I know, Mr. Iruka."
With a sigh, Sasuke finally raised his hand and formed the seal.
Xu Fan mirrored the gesture.
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office, deep within the Hokage Tower...
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat in front of his crystal ball, using his Telescope Technique to observe the events unfolding at the academy.
"A battle between a Senju and an Uchiha on the first day..." he mused.
It was an unexpected development.
And yet, he couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia.
The sight reminded him of two legendary figures who once fought in the Valley of the End.
But times had changed.
Due to the policies of the Second Hokage, the Uchiha clan had long since grown resentful.
And now, a new battle was about to begin.