COTE x Naruto: New Beginnings

Chapter 2: A for Arrogant

Kakashi surveyed the kids around him, watching in interest as the class dynamics were being formed. This was supposed to be a school, but to the trained eye, this looked more like a battlefield.

In the center of it all was a tall, bald guy who looked much older than most of the scrawny first years gathered around him.

His natural charisma drew them all in - you could tell he was a leader type just by looking at him. He also had a very proper and serious air about him - you could tell he was dedicated not only to his studies but to the workings of the class as well.

However, there was an opposition forming already; Katsuragi Kouhei was clearly not the only leader type there.

At the back of the class, a short girl with shoulder-length pale lavender hair was watching Katsuragi with a wry smile and a sparkle in her eyes, saying something to a blonde boy next to her, who was responding pleasantly.

They looked like they were plotting something and didn't look eager at all to join the majority of their classmates who flocked to Katsuragi.

He easily recognized the girl. Much like himself, Sakayanagi was related to the chairman of the school. She was his daughter in fact. No doubt, she knew a lot about the S System that was unique to this school.

Kakashi did too, being the son of Hatake Sakumo, who used to be the chairman of this school as well.

Sakumo never told Kakashi anything specific, but Kakashi did know that this school was special and that there was a good reason why this school could promise its graduates access to any university they wanted.

Sakayanagi looked as if she wanted to become the class representative, even though currently, Katsuragi was the obvious choice. That was just a deduction he made based off his knowledge of Sakayanagi, which ran a bit deeper than a single glance.

Did she still remember him? He definitely remembered her.

Kakashi wondered about what should he do. Should he hold back his abilities, or should he join the battle? Did he even want to? Was there a reason to? Maybe this would be a somewhat normal school, only with more difficult material covered.

However, Kakashi didn't think he was blowing things out of proportions viewing this class as a battlefield and this school the instigator. He only didn't have any proof for now.

There was one thing Kakashi's father had been right about, though. The ANHS did suit Kakashi. Already, it was making him more invested in it than he planned to be.

It looked like exactly the type of school that would actually challenge him, and Kakashi always looked for opportunities to better himself; both mentally and physically. Would he have to become involved with the class to get that benefit, though? He really didn't feel like participating.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice Sakayanagi Arisu approaching him, a curious gleam in her eyes.

"You seem familiar to me somehow," she said, and Kakashi bit back a curse.

Of course, he did. They had met before when they were much younger, but apparently, he remembered the encounter much better than Sakayanagi herself did, which he found strange.

Young Sakayanagi had promised she'd surpass Kakashi in academics, but it appeared she'd forgotten perhaps. Or maybe, she'd gotten a new rival. Kakashi couldn't bring himself to care either way.

Figuring it was only a matter of time before she either remembered or learned his name from a teacher or someone else, Kakashi decided not to beat around the bush any longer.

"Maa, I'm insulted that you'd forget me," Kakashi drawled, not really serious.

Sakayanagi's brows furrowed in concentration before she smiled smugly.