"Seal of Opposition!"
On the training grounds of the Ninja Academy, the students of Class A had formed a wide circle.
At the center stood their homeroom teacher, Umino Iruka, with Ye Dou and Naruto Uzumaki facing each other. By sheer misfortune—or perhaps fate—they had been paired up for today's lesson.
This class was focused on practical combat training.
Following Iruka's instructions, both boys raised their hands in unison and formed the Seal of Confrontation.
In the shinobi world, this hand sign—"Opposition Seal" (対立の印, Tairitsu no In)—made with both hands in the Ram seal position, is a traditional gesture symbolizing respect before a battle. It announces one's readiness to fight, and it's an etiquette observed especially in Konohagakure.
At the Valley of the End, the great stone statues of Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama face each other in the same pose—forever locked in their final opposition.
In contrast, the "Seal of Reconciliation" (和解の印, Wakai no In) is exchanged after combat, symbolizing forgiveness and the restoration of bonds between comrades.
Other villages might not hold such customs in high regard, but in Konoha, this etiquette is sacred and taught from the very start of shinobi education.
Everything set, Iruka raised his arm and called out, "Begin!"
Naruto Uzumaki charged first. He didn't hesitate—just rushed straight ahead, fist raised to strike Ye Dou.
Naruto had always been a bit dense when it came to tactics—whether it was due to the Nine-Tails sealed inside him or the years of isolation that made him hypersensitive to others' emotions, no one could say for sure.
Though he laughed with the other kids, deep down, he knew—they pushed him away, treated him as a clown. He understood it, but he didn't let it break him. He just hated being alone.
So he endured the ridicule and kept smiling, just to avoid the empty silence of his apartment.
But ever since he met Ye Dou, things changed. Naruto found himself hesitating more, wondering about that cold gaze.
Maybe it was because they shared something—rejection, loneliness—and yet, Ye Dou was still stronger.
Naruto didn't want to admit it. Admitting that would mean his entire way of life—his constant need for acceptance—was wrong.
So he made up his mind: he would beat Ye Dou. He would prove that his path wasn't a mistake. That needing others wasn't weakness.
"Get ready, jerk!" Naruto shouted, lunging in with everything he had.
But Ye Dou's response was faster. And colder.
Bang!
With a blank expression, Ye Dou's fist collided with Naruto's, sending him flying backwards. He hit the ground hard, dazed.
The clash ended in an instant—too fast for most to react.
Everyone knew Naruto was the class's "dead last," and that Ye Dou was a powerhouse in taijutsu—he'd even pushed Uchiha Sasuke into retreat once.
But a one-punch knockout? That stunned even the teacher.
Iruka blinked, momentarily lost for words, then declared, "The match is decided! The winner—"
"Wait!" Naruto, face bloodied, struggled back to his feet. He wiped his nose on his sleeve. "I haven't lost yet!"
Ignoring Iruka's calls to stop, Naruto charged again.
"I don't care if I lose to anyone else—but not to you!"
He roared with everything he had, fists clenched tighter than ever. But once again—
Bang!
A single blow sent him soaring backward.
Still, Naruto got up. Again. And again.
Bang!
No matter how many times he was knocked down, he refused to stay down.
"Damn it… I'm not done yet!"
---
In the Hokage's Office, two shinobi watched the scene unfold from the window above the training ground.
"That kid… is that the student you were talking about?" Kakashi Hatake asked, arms folded.
"Yeah," replied Might Guy, his usual grin subdued. "His name's Ye Dou. Impressive, right?"
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "Impressive? He's using Naruto like a punching bag. That's impressive?"
There was a rare trace of anger in his voice. As his former ANBU captain, Kakashi knew more than most—he knew Naruto's true identity, the son of the Fourth Hokage, and the vessel of the Nine-Tails.
He had once even considered adopting Naruto himself, but Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi had denied him.
"What are you saying, Kakashi?" Guy laughed, but his tone soon turned serious. "Isn't friendship between men forged through fists? Just like you and me?"
Then he added, voice low and resolute, "Ye Dou doesn't let people in. You of all people should understand that."
Kakashi fell silent. He did understand.
He had once lived like that—closed off, emotionless. Ever since his father's suicide, Kakashi had put the mission above all else, even his teammates.
It wasn't until Obito Uchiha gave his life for him that he understood—"those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum."
With a heavy heart, Kakashi murmured, "I was never a good role model…"
"Then I'll be one for Ye Dou!" Guy said, striking a pose, his eyes blazing. "The path of youth is paved with hardship! He's going to fall and bleed—but every time he does, I'll help him back up!"
"This is the power of youth, Kakashi!"
Kakashi sighed, dead fish eyes rolling. "Good luck with that."
Guy flashed a thumbs up. "Oh, don't worry—Ye Dou will become an even better ninja than me!"
---