Chapter 7 Barely Fifty-FiftyAfter greeting the father and son duo Might Duy and Might Guy, he jogged another half-lap around the Village, and upon confirming that his legs were starting to feel sore, he decisively wrapped it up.He knew very well that training was not about working oneself to ruin.Especially now.The Rumble-Rumble Fruit gave him a high upper limit, and Lightning Body Tempering was also useful, but his physical foundation was right there; forcefully copying Guy's reckless training methods would only leave him unable to get out of bed the next day.After returning home, Fang Xu took a quick shower and finished off his breakfast.Rice, eggs, and jerky.It was double the amount from before.By the end of the meal, looking at the empty bowl, he felt a bit helpless."This appetite is growing way too fast."Lightning Body Tempering was indeed effective.But it really burned through money too.However, this matter couldn't be rushed.The most important thing right now was to conceal the Rumble-Rumble Fruit well, steady his footing at the Ninja Academy first, and wait until the next exchange cooldown ended to see if he could trade for something more suitable.Fang Xu packed his things, locked the door, and headed to school.The early morning Konoha was still bustling.There were breakfast stalls along the street, Ninjas flashed across the rooftops, and a few children with schoolbags chased and frolicked as they ran toward the Ninja Academy.It looked very peaceful.But Fang Xu knew better than anyone in his heart that this calmness wouldn't last long.The shadow of the Third Ninja World War was already pressing down on everyone's heads.It was just that most students hadn't truly felt it yet.When he walked into the classroom, several people were already sitting inside.By the window seat, Kakashi Hatake had arrived early.His silver-white hair was a bit dazzling, half his face was covered by a black mask, and only a single dead fish eye was exposed, making him look lazy all over, as if he couldn't muster up interest in anything.The moment Fang Xu stepped through the door, Kakashi raised his eyes and glanced at him.Just a glance.He quickly withdrew his gaze.Fang Xu.Lower-middle tier in the class.Ninjutsu talent was ordinary, Chakra volume was ordinary, and taijutsu had no dazzling performance either.Usually he wasn't the last-place loser, but he definitely wasn't a powerhouse that people would remember.By Kakashi's standards, this level of ability wasn't worth paying attention to.However...Although Kakashi had withdrawn his gaze, a thought still popped into his mind.This guy's face was indeed excessively handsome.If judging solely by appearance, it could barely go fifty-fifty with his own.Of course.On the premise that he took off his mask.Kakashi gave the evaluation very calmly in his heart.In the Ninja Academy, when comparing strength, Fang Xu wouldn't do.When comparing talent, Fang Xu wouldn't do either.But when comparing faces, this guy could indeed be considered one of the few opponents in the class who could make him take things slightly seriously.This was probably one of the few bright spots on Fang Xu.Fang Xu didn't notice Kakashi's inner thoughts.Even if he did notice, he would probably only reply with: "You really know how to add drama to yourself."He walked over to his seat and put down his schoolbag.His deskmate Kurenai Yuhi had already arrived.The young girl had a head of black hair, highly recognizable red eyes, and her sitting posture was much more disciplined than most boys.Rin Nohara in the front row was also tidying up her textbooks.Fang Xu smiled and greeted them."Morning, Kurenai."Kurenai Yuhi looked up with a hint of surprise on her face."Morning, Fang Xu. You came so early today."Fang Xu looked toward the front row again."Morning, Rin."Rin Nohara turned around with a gentle smile."Morning. It really is rare; didn't you used to arrive right on the dot?"Fang Xu pulled out his chair and sat down."The past is the past, now is different."Kurenai Yuhi blinked."How is it different?"Fang Xu thought for a moment, his tone very calm."I realized one thing."Rin Nohara asked curiously, "What thing?"Fang Xu said, "War might be coming soon."As soon as these words came out, both Kurenai Yuhi and Rin Nohara went quiet for a moment.The students in the Ninja Academy were not ordinary children.They all clearly understood what the two words "war" meant.The atmosphere in the Village recently was indeed somewhat different from before.The Ninjas coming in and out of the mission hall had increased.The deployments toward the border were also more frequent.It was just that the teachers wouldn't lay these matters out in the open to talk about.The relaxed look on Kurenai Yuhi's face receded a bit."Why are you suddenly thinking about this?"Fang Xu leaned against the back of his chair, his voice not loud."It's not sudden thinking, it's that I was too lazy to think about it before."He raised his hand and tapped the desktop."We are still in school now, and it looks like we are very far from the battlefield. But after graduation, we will be Genin, and Genin have to do missions. If a war really breaks out, civilian Genin are the most likely to be sent as cannon fodder."Rin Nohara gently bit her lip.These words didn't sound nice.But they were very true.Fang Xu continued, "My talent is average, and my Chakra volume isn't much either. I always felt before that I could just practice slowly, but war won't wait for me to take my time."Kurenai Yuhi looked at him, her tone a bit more serious."So you went for morning exercises this morning?""Mn."Fang Xu nodded."Starting from the most basic physical strength to train. If strength is not enough, slack off a little less. At least when truly encountering danger, there will be one more point of a chance to survive."Rin Nohara said softly, "It's great that you can think this way."Kurenai Yuhi also smiled."Indeed. Today's Fang Xu feels much more reliable than before."Fang Xu raised an eyebrow."Was I very unreliable before?"Kurenai Yuhi nodded very earnestly."A little bit."Rin Nohara couldn't help laughing."It's not that you were unreliable, it's just that you didn't seem so tense before."Fang Xu sighed."No choice, people always have to grow up."Hearing this, the corners of Kurenai Yuhi's mouth raised slightly."Then you must keep it up and not be hot and cold.""Rest assured."Fang Xu said, "This time I don't plan to slack off."The three of them chatted very relaxedly.Fang Xu didn't mention the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, nor did he mention the matter of Lightning Body Tempering from last night.These things absolutely could not be exposed right now.All he could talk about was the change in his training attitude.This was also the most reasonable.A civilian student starting to work hard because he felt that war was approaching.Wouldn't arouse suspicion.Just at this moment, the classroom door was pushed open forcefully.With a bang.Several students who had already arrived looked over.Asuma Sarutobi walked in.He saw at a glance that Kurenai Yuhi and Fang Xu were sitting together, and moreover, the two of them had clearly been chatting quite well just now.What was even more glaring was that Rin Nohara had also turned her body around and participated in the chat.Asuma's face instantly darkened.He naturally liked Kurenai Yuhi.This kind of liking was something quite a few people in the class could see.It was just that Kurenai Yuhi had never given him any special response.Seeing Fang Xu chatting so naturally with Kurenai Yuhi now, the teenage jealousy in Asuma's heart instantly surged up.He strode over to Fang Xu's desk and slapped it with his hand."Fang Xu!"The desktop was shaken by the slap.Kurenai Yuhi's brows immediately furrowed.Fang Xu raised his head to look at him, his tone very calm."Something the matter?"Asuma Sarutobi gritted his teeth and said, "I want to duel you!"The classroom instantly quieted down a bit.Several students immediately looked over.Ninja Academy students of this age loved watching conflicts the most.Especially when one was the son of the Third Hokage, and the other was Fang Xu, who usually didn't stand out much but was very handsome.Such a good show was definitely worth watching.
