"Shion's challenging Sasuke? Has she lost her mind?"
"Idiot, Shion's obviously trying to follow Yakumo's path, challenging the academy's geniuses one by one to make a name for herself!"
"So, Shion's not targeting Sasuke specifically—she's competing with Yakumo?"
The onlookers, all Shinobi Academy students, were well-versed in the past exploits of the academy's top talents. It didn't take long for some to deduce Shion's true motive behind challenging Sasuke.
Hearing the whispers of the crowd, Sasuke's irritation flared!
Among the academy's so-called four geniuses, being the first challenged by Yakumo had already been a humiliation in Sasuke's eyes, compounded by his crushing defeat at her hands. That memory was a painful scar, and now Shion was ripping it open, leaving him both ashamed and enraged.
With one hand on his hip, he barked, "Stop stalling—let's begin!"
Shion and Rock Lee exchanged a glance, nodding to each other.
Seeing the solemn determination on their faces, Sasuke couldn't help but smirk. "You'll soon realize this is nothing but a farce! Shion, you're foolish enough to challenge a Mangekyo Uchiha. I don't know who gave you the courage. But don't worry—dealing with you two won't even require my Sharingan!"
With that, Sasuke confidently beckoned Shion and Lee to make the first move.
On the sidelines, Yakumo watched, her brow slightly furrowed.
She had sensed Shion's competitive streak lately, but challenging Sasuke so brazenly and publicly seemed reckless to her.
Even Yakumo herself, despite her skills, wouldn't claim guaranteed victory against Sasuke, who had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Having spent time in the organization, she knew exactly what a Mangekyo Uchiha represented!
Neji and Kimimaro were also drawn to the challenge. For some reason, their gazes briefly met before they looked away.
Clearly, they were reluctant to bring their Akatsuki identities into the pure environment of the academy.
But soon, both felt a stir from their "biological exoskeletons," which, like curious children, seemed eager to join the excitement with the other students.
Neji whispered, "H, be careful. This is the academy, with lots of teachers around. Don't let anyone notice you!"
The "biological exoskeleton" calmed slightly, using its enhanced pure Byakugan to secretly observe the challenge unfolding nearby.
Shinji, who had been mentally planning the optimization of the Third-Generation Aging Agent, was also drawn to Shion's high-profile challenge.
"This girl…"
He shook his head, exasperated.
Shion's intentions were transparent to him.
Her strength had surged from practicing Water Breathing, and with her bell artifact damaged, her miko powers were awakening, spurring her to compete with Yakumo.
On the field, Sasuke beckoned Shion and Lee again, growing impatient. "Hurry up, don't waste my time!"
"Sasuke, watch out!"
Lee issued a warning, then dashed toward Sasuke in a blur.
Sasuke smirked. "You're the one who needs to watch out!"
At Lee's current speed, Sasuke could track him without even activating his Sharingan. With a quick glance, he predicted Lee's attack, standing his ground and raising his right arm to block.
Thud.
As expected, a dull thud sounded as Sasuke's arm intercepted Lee's kick!
Sasuke opened his mouth to taunt, but his expression shifted. The force of Lee's kick far exceeded his expectations.
His right arm throbbed, and the sheer impact sent him stumbling several steps to the left.
"What's going on? How is Lee's kick so heavy!?"
The thought flashed through Sasuke's mind.
Whoosh.
At that moment, Shion closed in, launching a fierce assault on Sasuke.
In an instant, they exchanged dozens of blows, their speed and strength leaving the onlookers dumbfounded!
"Is that really Shion?"
"No way!"
"Just a couple of weeks ago, I beat her. How did she get this strong?"
Gasps and exclamations rippled through the crowd.
Not only the regular students but even geniuses like Yakumo, Neji, and Kimimaro showed traces of doubt.
Shion's taijutsu improvement was so stark it felt almost unnatural.
Breathing Techniques, to an extent, amplified one's physique, with greater effects for those with naturally strong constitutions.
Shion, as the ninja world's miko, was born with an exceptionally robust physique.
Amid the crowd's astonished cries and the mounting pressure from his opponents, Sasuke was both shocked and furious. "One after another, they master secret techniques and test them on me! Do I really look like such an easy target!?"
At that moment, Lee, having failed to land his initial strike, rejoined the fray.
Shion's eerie, rapid movements had drawn too much of Sasuke's attention, creating an opening for Lee's bold, powerful attacks.
For some reason, while Lee's speed was average, each move carried tremendous force. Sasuke initially tried to block, but after a few jarring impacts left his arms aching, he wisened up, dodging Lee's attacks instead.
After a prolonged skirmish, the surrounding clamor grew louder.
Some marveled at Shion and Lee's rapid progress, while others remarked that Sasuke, with his Mangekyo Sharingan, couldn't overpower two supposed underdogs.
"I can't keep tangling with these two!"
Feeling the weight of the spectators' gazes, Sasuke decided to end it quickly.
Shion's speed matched his, making her tricky to handle, so he opted to use a minor illusion to disorient her, deal with the slower Lee first, then focus on Shion.
With his plan set, Sasuke leaped back, creating distance while forming a hand sign to cast a small illusion.
Without his Sharingan, he had to rely on hand signs for illusions.
A gentle breeze swept through, causing Shion to pause.
"Got her!"
Sasuke thought, then tapped the ground, shooting toward Lee like an arrow.
Facing Sasuke's aggressive charge, Lee displayed a composure rare among students. Realizing his speed was inferior, he judged that dodging would only make him more vulnerable and chose to meet Sasuke head-on!
Just as Sasuke and Lee were about to collide, Shion, seemingly dazed by the illusion, suddenly darted in from the side, her kick aimed at Sasuke, who was fixated on Lee.