"Hurry, hurry, or we'll miss it!"
"This way, we'll be there any minute!"
Drawn by the commotion, the rest of the elite class, along with a few teachers, suddenly crowded into the dueling arena's entrance. Soon, the auditoriums on both sides were packed, buzzing with anticipation.
"What's going on?" Obito muttered, voicing the collective confusion of the elite class. Why the sudden influx of spectators?
"Hahaha, Murayama-sensei, you kept this quiet! Two more geniuses graduating early from your class, and you didn't tell us? If other students hadn't tipped us off, we'd still be in the dark!" Several teachers approached Murayama Shigeru, who stood near the edge of the arena, their tone a mix of jest and genuine interest.
"Uh, haha, it wasn't meant to be a secret, but I didn't want to cause unnecessary excitement. Please, have a seat," Murayama Shigeru chuckled, quickly ushering Obito, Asuma, and a few nearby students to the back before inviting the teachers to sit closer. This was a significant event. Hatake Kakashi's early graduation had also been under Murayama-sensei's guidance. If he'd endorsed these two, their potential must be considerable.
"To have two such promising students graduate early… Murayama-sensei, you truly have a knack for this," one male teacher said, his gaze lingering on Renzou Uchiha and Kai in the arena, a hint of envy in his voice.
"Indeed. Murayama-sensei is a gold-medal teacher, personally appointed by the Third Hokage. We should all take this opportunity to learn from his methods," another teacher agreed, their eyes also fixed on the two young figures with keen interest. Who wouldn't desire such talented students? In their own regular classes, the odds of discovering such a gem were slim, leaving them to wait, year after year, hoping to find that one exceptional talent.
"Ahem, let's discuss my 'methods' later. The assessment appears about to begin," Murayama Shigeru said, deflecting the praise as he caught sight of three figures entering through the arena doors. All three wore Konoha headbands. The first was a Chūnin-vested middle-aged man, followed by two arrogant-looking young men with similar features, who strode confidently towards the arena floor. Murayama Shigeru's eyes widened slightly, and he quickly changed the subject. As expected, the teachers immediately turned their attention to the unfolding scene. The students in the auditorium also noticed the newcomers. The teachers subtly directed their own classes to quiet down. Once a hush fell over the spectators, the teachers settled back to observe.
"Greetings. I am Murayama Shigeru, their teacher. May I inquire about the format of this assessment?" Murayama Shigeru approached the middle-aged man, offering a polite bow before posing his question.
"Hello, Murayama-sensei. I am Mizutani Ze, sent by the Hokage-sama to serve as the referee. As for these two," Mizutani Ze gestured to the two teenagers beside him, "they are the opponents for Uchiha Renzou and Uchiha Kai." Mizutani Ze introduced himself with a smile, then stepped aside to allow the two Genin to come forward.
"I am Hayato Miyazaki, Konoha Genin."
"I am Matsumoto Shuichi, Konoha Genin." After their brief introductions, the two Genin stood with a hint of disdain in their eyes as they looked at Renzou Uchiha and Kai opposite them.
"Then I'll head back to the stands. Feeling a bit tired," Murayama Shigeru said, his expression subtly displeased at the two Genin's lack of courtesy. After a quick nod to Mizutani Ze, he turned and rejoined the audience.
"Miyazaki Hayato and Matsumoto Shuichi?" Asuma muttered, then his eyes widened in recognition. "I remember them! They participated in the Chūnin exams last year. At fourteen, their strength was nearly Chūnin-level. However, they ran into Kakashi in two consecutive rounds of the preliminaries and were both eliminated. They missed the Chūnin exams last month due to a mission, otherwise, they would have undoubtedly become Chūnin based on their skill."
"What?!"
"How can Renzou and Kai possibly win against opponents that strong?" Asuma's words rippled through the audience, the realization that the two teenagers facing Renzou Uchiha and Kai were practically Chūnin at fourteen, causing a wave of concern for the younger students. Even Murayama Shigeru's face betrayed a hint of worry, a bead of cold sweat trickling down his temple.
"Both parties, please step forward." Seeing that the designated time had arrived, Mizutani Ze waved the four young ninjas closer. Once they were standing before him, he spoke with a serious tone. "This will be a two-on-two team battle. There is only one rule: no intentional harm resulting in death. Understood? Both sides, please retreat and prepare to engage."
"Two brats think they can skip ahead? Ninja isn't some child's game. We'll show you the harsh reality of this world," Shuichi Matsumoto sneered as he backed away, his gaze fixed on Renzou Uchiha and Kai. Though Hayato Miyazaki remained silent, the contempt in his eyes was palpable.
…
"Did they… miss something up here?" Renzou Uchiha asked Kai, a strange look on his face as he pointed to his own head.
Kai, equally perplexed by their opponents' arrogance, simply nodded in agreement. Ignoring the Genin's taunts, the two academy students focused on Mizutani Ze, awaiting the signal to begin.
"Damn brats. Let's teach them a painful lesson."
"Agreed. An arm apiece and a memory that'll last a lifetime." A dark look crossed the two Genin's faces. After a brief, silent exchange, a sinister smirk spread across their lips.
Renzou Uchiha exchanged a quick glance with Kai. They understood each other perfectly, a knowing smile playing on both their faces.
Seeing both sides ready, Mizutani Ze raised his left hand. "Begin!" He swiftly brought his hand down and moved to a position beneath the auditorium, his eyes intently following every movement of the four young ninjas.
"Little devils, you'll remember this day!"
"Yes, prepare to pay the price!" The two Genin roared, their hands already moving in rapid succession through a series of seals.
"Fire Style: Fire Bomb!"
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
A stream of fire erupted from Miyazaki Hayato's mouth, instantly transforming into a large, bursting fireball laced with oil. It hurtled forward. Matsumoto Shuichi, right beside him, followed up immediately, a powerful gust of wind expelled from his lungs, fueling the flames. The wind-enhanced fireball rapidly expanded, soon engulfing nearly half of the dueling arena! A wave of intense heat washed over Renzou Uchiha and Kai.
"That's… a combination ninjutsu!" Murayama Shigeru gripped the railing tightly, his eyes glued to the two academy students, ready to intervene if necessary. Exclamations of shock rippled through the audience. All eyes were on Renzou Uchiha and Kai. In many minds, they had already lost.
"Be careful, Renzou," Kurenai murmured, her gaze fixed on the two figures in the arena. Despite knowing Renzou Uchiha's capabilities, she couldn't suppress her worry.
"Hmph, such rudimentary skill," Uchiha Kai scoffed quietly, his hands already completing a swift sequence of seals. He glanced at Renzou Uchiha beside him, a silent understanding passing between them.
"Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique!"
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Both academy students acted simultaneously. The temperature around Uchiha Kai noticeably spiked as flames erupted from his mouth, instantly coalescing into a fiery dragon in mid-air. On the other side, Renzou Uchiha expelled a massive dragon's head, which then split into three, firing a volley directly towards their two opponents.
"This is impossible!" A collective gasp swept through the audience. Matsumoto Shuichi and Miyazaki Hayato's eyes nearly bulged from their sockets. How could two mere academy students know B-rank ninjutsus?
The two attacks collided. The wind-fueled fireball held for a fleeting moment before being overwhelmed by the two fiery dragons, the flames tearing through its defenses. Water and fire clashed, creating a billowing cloud of white mist. Simultaneously, the two fiery dragons were almost upon the stunned Genin.
"Not good! X2" The two Genin exclaimed in surprise, their hands flying through another set of seals.
"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall! X2" Two earthen walls erupted from the ground, just in time to meet the fiery onslaught. But they offered little true resistance.
Boom! After a brief moment, the earthen barriers shattered under the combined force of the dragons, sending chunks of earth and rock flying. The fiery dragons, having expended their energy, dissipated. The residual force spread across half the arena, white mist swirling amidst the scattered debris.
"Hoo… hoo…" Hayato Miyazaki and Shuichi Matsumoto no longer possessed their earlier arrogance. They were disheveled and clearly shaken. The Earth Flow Wall had bought them a precious instant to dodge, narrowly avoiding the full force of the attack, but the shockwave had still thrown them back.
"How could they be so… strong!" Hayato Miyazaki panted, his gaze fixed on Shuichi Matsumoto. Before he could finish his sentence, a figure blurred into existence behind Matsumoto Shuichi. Almost simultaneously, a voice echoed from behind Miyazaki Hayato.
"You should be more concerned with yourself."
"Leaf Hurricane!"
Before Miyazaki Hayato could even turn his head, he found himself flying backward, a sharp, brutal impact slamming into his side. He thought he vaguely heard the sickening crack of bone.
Shuichi Matsumoto had just registered Hayato Miyazaki's warning. In a panic, he could only fling two shuriken.
"Hmph, there's nowhere to hide before these eyes," Uchiha Kai sneered, the two tomoe in his blood-red Sharingan spinning wildly. Matsumoto Shuichi watched in disbelief as Uchiha Kai swayed, effortlessly dodging the thrown shuriken, before closing the distance in a blur. Their eyes met. Suddenly, all Matsumoto Shuichi could see were those crimson eyes. Fear surged through him, his legs trembling. The next thing he knew, a kunai was pressed firmly against his throat.
On the other side of the arena, Miyamoto Hayato, enduring agonizing pain, was attempting to rise when a sharp kunai flashed, ending his struggle.
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End of Chapter 36