Tejima Shinichi looked at Uchiha Sasuke in front of him.
Six years at the Ninja Academy, and he had fought Uchiha Sasuke countless times. Every time, the black-haired kid had walked in with his head high and left grinding his teeth. Even when knocked to the ground, those black eyes still burned with defiance.
Now, Uchiha Sasuke had his head lowered and his back bent. That pride looked like firewood soaked through by water —nothing left to burn.
Tejima Shinichi's mouth twitched.
"Fine."
Uchiha Sasuke jerked his head up. His body visibly stiffened; he clearly hadn't expected that answer. Every prepared argument jammed in his throat.
"W-what did you say?"
"I said fine." Tejima Shinichi's tone stayed flat. "I'll take you on as my student."
Uchiha Sasuke straightened, naked shock on his face. He stared at Tejima Shinichi as if judging whether the words were real.
Tejima Shinichi ignored his astonishment.
He had agreed without hesitation for one simple reason.
His promise to the Third Hokage —to become Konoha's next Kage.
Since he would shoulder that responsibility, guiding the Village's future strength was part of the job.
Better to steer Sasuke onto the right path now than let him be lured astray by Orochimaru later.
After all, Uchiha Sasuke was the strongest prospect of their year besides himself —and the reincarnation of Indra.
Letting him follow Orochimaru and turn rogue would be a loss to Konoha and no help to his own future rule.
Rather than let hatred drive the boy into darkness, keep him within reach now.
"Why?" Uchiha Sasuke finally asked. "Why did you agree?"
Tejima Shinichi met those puzzled black eyes.
"What are you saying!? Sasuke."
"I agreed because you're my comrade!"
Uchiha Sasuke's pupils shrank.
His lips moved as if to refute the word "comrade." Between them there had only ever been rivalry —when had they been comrades?
…Maybe "rivalry" wasn't even the right word. More like… being pummeled by Tejima Shinichi for six straight years!!!
Tejima Shinichi didn't give him a chance to speak.
"A Konoha Ninja won't turn a blind eye to a comrade's plea. And my teaching style definitely won't disappoint you."
Uchiha Sasuke's gaze sharpened again. "As long as I get stronger, I'll take any method."
Tejima Shinichi nodded at the renewed fighting spirit in those eyes.
"In that case, follow me—"
Before he could finish, a commotion nearby cut him off.
Both turned to see, at the corner where they had parted earlier, Konohamaru sitting on the ground, Kankuro holding him up by the collar, Temari standing by with arms folded.
Uchiha Sasuke's gaze locked onto the forehead protectors on the two newcomers —Hidden Sand Village.
"Hm!? Sand Ninja? What are they doing here?"
Tejima Shinichi didn't answer; he only snorted coldly.
"Reckless… acting this arrogant in someone else's Village!"
With that, his figure vanished from the spot.
Uchiha Sasuke gasped. "So fast! I can't even see him!"
In the distance, Kankuro dangled Konohamaru by the collar, sneering at Uzumaki Naruto. "I hate brats. If you make me unhappy—"
He never finished the sentence.
Tejima Shinichi appeared between Kankuro and Temari, arms draped over their necks, yanking them toward him.
Kankuro felt a crushing force on his throat; his breath choked and the rest of his words died.
Temari, equally startled, tried to draw her Three Stars Fan —but the arm across her neck sent her off balance and she stumbled.
Caught by the sudden assault and overwhelming strength, both froze in shock, faces etched with terror.
They had no idea how this person had even appeared!
"Acting this cocky on someone else's turf?" Tejima Shinichi's voice rang beside their ears. "Tired of living?"
His arms tightened, pressing the two face-to-face.
Kankuro's face flushed scarlet; he gurgled, struggling futilely against the iron grip.
Temari, breathing hard, managed to turn her head. "W-who are you?!"
Konohamaru, freed, scrambled up and hid behind Tejima Shinichi, thrilled and relieved. "Shinichi-nii!"
Udon and Moegi ran over, the three kids huddling together, staring nervously at the scene.
Not far away, Uzumaki Naruto's mouth hung open, eyes round as saucers.
"A-awesome! He took those two down in one move!"
Sakura Haruno covered her mouth, equally stunned. "Shinichi… when did he…?"
Uchiha Sasuke stood frowning.
Watching Tejima Shinichi effortlessly restrain the pair, he sensed something and whipped his gaze to the other side.
On a big tree nearby, a figure hung upside-down from the trunk, merged with the shadows.
Had he not stood at a distance, Uchiha Sasuke might have missed him entirely.
"Let them go."
Gaara's voice drifted down as his body turned to sand and floated from the tree.
His gaze was still hollow, but a faint, murderous aura began to drift from his body.
Tejima Shinichi seemed not to feel the icy killing intent. He tilted his head, glanced at the two squirming in his arms, and tightened his grip.
Kankuro's vision darkened; Temari let out a stifled groan of pain.
"I asked you a question," Tejima Shinichi said. "In someone else's Village, bullying little kids —who gave you the guts?"
"Bastard…"
Kankuro hissed the word through clenched teeth and tried to control the crow on his back, but the Chakra threads had only just formed before a stronger force scattered them.
Tejima Shinichi didn't even look at him; his gaze settled on Gaara.
"Control your subordinates. Otherwise I won't mind disciplining them in your Kazekage's stead."
Gaara's pupils shrank slightly.
The killing intent around him thickened; the sand on the ground stirred without wind.
Uchiha Sasuke snapped into a combat stance, a Kunai already in hand. He felt the almost tangible murderous aura and cold sweat broke out along his back.
'This red-haired kid… is strong!'
Uzumaki Naruto and Haruno Sakura were also shaken by the aura and instinctively stepped back.
The atmosphere became razor-taut in an instant.
At that moment Tejima Shinichi released his grip.
Kankuro and Temari stumbled backward, clutching their throats and gasping, faces full of shock and anger.
"Scram." Tejima Shinichi flicked his hand as if brushing off filth. "Don't let me catch you bullying kids in Konoha again."
Kankuro burned with rage and was about to retort, but Temari yanked him back, her eyes wary as she looked at Tejima Shinichi.
Gaara's murderous aura slowly receded.
He studied Tejima Shinichi with a deep stare, those empty eyes seeming to see straight through him.
Gaara: "Tell me… your name."
Tejima Shinichi only met his gaze coolly, saying nothing.
"…"
Seeing this, Gaara frowned; a ripple seemed to flicker across those lifeless eyes.
In the end, he asked no further.
"Let's go, you disgrace to the Village."
Gaara said to Kankuro, then turned and walked away.
Kankuro's face changed; after a wary glance at Tejima Shinichi he followed with Temari, and the three quickly vanished at the street's end.
Only when the Hidden Sand group had completely disappeared did everyone breathe out.
"S-so scary…"
Konohamaru patted his chest, still rattled.
Udon and Moegi nodded repeatedly.
Uzumaki Naruto bounded over, excitedly slapping Tejima Shinichi's shoulder.
"Shinichi! That was so cool! What was that move just now? Teach me, teach me!"
Haruno Sakura came up as well, worried. "Shinichi, won't this cause a diplomatic incident…?"
Hearing her, Tejima Shinichi turned to look at Sakura.
"Diplomatic incident?"
"If we don't even dare stand up when outsiders bully the kids in our own Village, then… that Village has no reason to exist."
At those words, Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi's eyes lit up, gazing at Tejima Shinichi in pure admiration.
"Well said!" Konohamaru pumped a small fist. "Big brother Shinichi is so awesome!"
Uzumaki Naruto leaped excitedly. "Exactly! That's the spirit, Shinichi!"
Sakura opened her mouth, thought it over, and swallowed whatever she'd been about to say.
Uchiha Sasuke stood to one side, silently watching.
He recalled how fast Tejima Shinichi had subdued the two Sand Ninja, and the tone in which he'd spoken of "comrades."
This man seemed different from the Shinichi he'd known at the Ninja Academy —someone who'd only ever overpower opponents with strength and kept an aloof character.
Without another word, Tejima Shinichi turned toward Uchiha Sasuke.
"Let's go. We'll continue our earlier topic."
Uchiha Sasuke's eyes lit up; he immediately followed, and the two quickly disappeared around a corner.
Only Konohamaru's trio and Team 7's Naruto and Sakura remained.
Konohamaru stared after Tejima Shinichi, face full of awe. "Big brother Shinichi is so cool!"
Udon adjusted his glasses. "Not only strong, but he speaks with real presence."
Moegi nodded hard. "Way more reliable than some self-proclaimed big brother."
The three kids swiveled in unison to look at Uzumaki Naruto.
Konohamaru planted his hands on his hips and looked up. "Big bro, you were so lame! You actually got scared off by that gourd guy!"
Naruto flushed red, waving his arms. "W-who got scared off? That was a strategic retreat! And Shinichi moved too fast, before I could—"
Sakura sighed and punched him on the head. "Shut it, dead-last. If Shinichi hadn't shown up today, who knows how bad things could've gotten."
Clutching his head, Naruto squatted and mumbled, "Sakura, you too…"
Konohamaru's group exchanged glances, then shook their heads in perfect unison.
"As expected… Big brother Shinichi is still the reliable one."