Unfortunately, Ishikawa did not arrange for Kōichi to spar against Kakashi.
Ishikawa was an experienced, distinguished Konoha Chūnin and also a good teacher who understood his students. He knew very well how important self-confidence was for a child!
Kakashi was the esteemed son of Lord White Fang, born into a prestigious Konoha clan, and had been hailed as a genius from the moment he entered the Ninja Academy. He was the top student of the academy!He had cultivated chakra in just a few days!
Kōichi, on the other hand, was just a war orphan, raised in an orphanage, a civilian ninja. Although Kōichi was also a genius,Ishikawa wouldn't directly compare him to Kakashi. He was afraid that if Kōichi lost to Kakashi,it would damage Kōichi's self-confidence.
However, since Kōichi had spoken so confidently earlier, Ishikawa, who had originally planned to only pair him with another civilian student, now felt compelled to let Kōichi experience a fight against a clan child! A genius must be tempered and experience setbacks! A genius who sails through smoothly most often meets an untimely end!
On the training grounds, seeing Kōichi and Ishikawa emerge from the school building together, the group of waiting students settled down and stopped their playful antics. This was the first practical combat sparring class since enrollment,and everyone was looking forward to it!
"Why is Kōichi always sticking to Teacher Ishikawa these days!" Asuma grumbled,looking at Kōichi with clear displeasure.
Ebisu, beside him, chimed in, "Right? Even when I want to ask the teacher questions, Kōichi is always there. This guy is really annoying, always having questions all day long."
Asuma's gaze towards Kōichi grew even more unfavorable.
As for his peers in the same year, Kōichi didn't pay them much mind. He understood clearly that this was just a child's mentality of vying for favor. It was just like back in elementary school in China,where students all wanted to be close to the teacher to gain more attention and affection.
As the first practical combat sparring class for this year's Ninja Academy students, not only were the students eagerly anticipating it, but many of their parents were also watching with keen interest.
However, because the school gates were closed, not many people could watch it live and in person. Most could only ask their children about it after school.
Of course, there was one exception!
Sarutobi Hiruzen!
The Third Hokage of Konoha, known as the Professor and a master of ninjutsu.
As Asuma's father, while the Third maintained a stern exterior, he privately paid close attention to his son. Hearing that today was the first practical combat class,the Third, after finishing his official duties, took some time to come to the top floor of the school building.
He was, in name, still the principal of the Ninja Academy, so he naturally had the right to enter.
Using the keen eyesight of a shinobi, he could clearly see the group of children on the training grounds in the distance.
"They are all Konoha's future!" he remarked.
A teacher from the school beside him added: "Hokage-sama, this year's batch of children is quite promising. Asuma, Yūhi Kurenai, Gekkō Hayate, Shiranui Genma... they are all excellent shinobi seedlings."
This teacher knew how to phrase things well. He didn't specifically praise Asuma just because he was the Hokage's son. Instead,he mentioned the others together, making it seem natural while still pleasing the Third Hokage.
The Third nodded, taking a puff from his pipe. "For promising seedlings, we should create the best environment for them to grow. Fortunately, the village is currently at peace. If this were during the Warring States period or the Second Great Shinobi War, they might already be on the battlefield."
The Chūnin teacher who had spoken earlier was taken aback. "Five or six-year-olds on the battlefield?"
The Third glanced at him, a sorrowful look in his eyes. "War never cares if you are a child or an adult. One of my clansmen, only six years old, died in the Second Great Ninja War."
He sighed and waved his hand. "Never mind, let's not talk about that. Among this year's students, which child has shown the most promise?"
The Chūnin teacher replied happily, "Hatake Kakashi! As the son of the White Fang, he hasn't tarnished that name. He will undoubtedly be the top rookie of this year!"
However, upon hearing this, a faint trace of gloom flickered deep within the Third's eyes.
Konoha's White Fang... that man who stood above his own three disciples... Was his son also so outstanding?
"Hokage-sama, the matches are beginning." "Oh?The first one is Asuma?"
---
Down on the field, Ishikawa held the roster, but his gaze swept over the students before him. "The first match:Kōichi versus... let's see... Ebi..."
Just as Teacher Ishikawa's gaze landed on his side of the group, Asuma pushed past Ebisu and stepped forward. "Teacher,let me be the one to spar with Kōichi!"
Ishikawa fell silent. This was the Second Son of the Third Hokage. In a way, his family background and heritage were even more profound than Kakashi's. He hesitated.
Yet, as he hesitated, Kōichi took a step forward. "Please advise me!"Kōichi said, accepting the challenge.
Ishikawa sighed internally. "First, form the Seal of Confrontation!" "Please!"said Kōichi. "Please!"replied Asuma.