Before they knew it, the school day had ended.
Normally, the moment the bell rang, the classroom would empty out immediately. But today, a third of the students remained behind.
They had heard about the duel between Sarutobi Asuma and Yukawa, and had stayed on purpose to watch the fight.
Many were curious about this match—It was a hot topic.
Sarutobi Asuma, the Hokage's son, widely recognized as one of the class's top talents.
Though not quite on par with Hatake Kakashi, he was still one of the most talked-about students.
Yukawa, the transfer student, left almost no impression on most of them.Since his enrollment, he had been unremarkable—never causing trouble, nor standing out in any way.
"Kakashi, who do you think will win?"Nohara Rin looked toward Asuma and Yukawa, curiosity in her voice.
"No idea," Hatake Kakashi shook his head calmly.
"Obviously Asuma!" Uchiha Obito cut in, "He's the Hokage's son!"
"Not necessarily," Kakashi replied, noting how unnervingly calm Yukawa seemed—like he already had the match in the bag.
"Wanna bet on it?" Obito's eyes lit up with mischief.
"What kind of bet?" Kakashi paused before saying, "If it's another duel, count me out."
"Hmph, no."Obito glanced at Rin, then said, "Whoever loses has to treat Rin to dinner!"
"Why me?"Rin blinked in surprise.
"Uh…"Obito's face turned red as she stared at him—he didn't know how to answer.
"I'll take that bet."Kakashi replied coolly.
"Perfect!"Obito lit up.
Was his dream of a one-on-one date finally coming true?
"Honestly, you two are hopeless."Rin smiled helplessly.She was used to their constant rivalry.
Though Obito almost always lost, maybe this time would be different.She also thought Asuma had the higher chance of winning.
Coming from a civilian background, Rin knew well the natural advantages the shinobi clans held.
On the field, Sarutobi Asuma frowned slightly.
What he hated most was being called the Hokage's son.No matter how great that man was—what did that have to do with him?
"**Remember this—the one who defeats you is Sarutobi Asuma!"Asuma shouted, staring down Yukawa.
"…"
Yukawa's mouth twitched slightly.That secondhand embarrassment flared up again.
What kind of chuunibyou nonsense was that?Then again, for five- or six-year-olds, it was about right.
The crowd of students watching grew more excited, eyes locked on the two fighters.
"Let's do this!"Asuma raised his hands, clearly enjoying the spotlight.
Yukawa, expressionless, formed the Seal of Confrontation—A necessary ritual before any friendly sparring match.
Asuma followed suit.
As the seal was completed, he immediately stood his ground and flung two shuriken with expert form.
One followed closely behind the other—an unusual angle, targeting Yukawa's vital points.
Worth noting: since this was only a training match, they were using wooden ninja tools.
The sound of shuriken slicing through air rang out.
Yukawa responded with two shuriken of his own.
Metal clashed mid-air.Asuma's two were knocked down—But Yukawa's continued forward, not losing momentum.
"No way!"Asuma's eyes widened.
Just a week ago in the throwing class, Yukawa couldn't even hit the bullseye.Now he could deflect his shuriken?
That meant Yukawa had superior technique and strength.
Asuma, stunned, still reacted fast.He quickly performed hand seals.
Body Replacement Technique!A puff of smoke burst out.
His body vanished, replaced by a wooden log.It absorbed the incoming shuriken with a dull thud-thud.
The Body Replacement Technique was, at its core, a sleight of hand.When used proficiently, it could almost resemble space–time ninjutsu.
"Not bad with shuriken, but this is where it ends, Yukawa."Asuma shot a glance toward Kurenai Yuhi, speaking in a low, firm tone.
His plan was to end this in one move.
Now that time was wasted, even a win wouldn't feel satisfying.Barely beating a transfer student who had only been in school a week?Embarrassing.
Body Flicker Technique!Chakra surged at Asuma's feet, boosting his speed dramatically.
He lunged toward Yukawa, a kunai tightly gripped in his right hand.The distance between them rapidly closed.
"Move, Yukawa!"Kurenai's small face was full of worry as she saw Yukawa standing still.
"He's frozen in fear, clearly!"Obito shook his head. "He doesn't even know the Three Basic Jutsu. It's over."
Just then—Yukawa formed hand seals rapidly.
Yet once the seals were complete—nothing happened.No chakra burst, no visual cue.It looked like a failed cast.
Obito opened his mouth to gloat—But then froze, confused.
Because Asuma had stopped moving.
"Genjutsu."Kakashi's eyes narrowed. "The match is already decided."
"Genjutsu?!"Obito stared blankly.
The other students looked at each other, lost—Unlike Kakashi, they didn't have the perception to understand what had happened.
Asuma's perspective.He had seen Yukawa make hand seals and take a defensive stance.But when nothing followed, he chuckled.
A failed ninjutsu—A beginner's mistake.
Clearly, Yukawa lacked the skill.
"You've lost!"Asuma reached him and struck with his kunai.
Only for it to slice through thin air.
"What—?!"Asuma instinctively turned—Yukawa was standing behind him.
How had he dodged that?
Asuma frowned deeply.
"There's no way you can dodge this technique!"Asuma dropped the kunai and slammed his hands together.
Wind Release: Gale Palm!Chakra burst forth, forming a powerful gust of slicing wind rushing toward Yukawa.
"Impossible!"Asuma's pupils shrank in shock.
Yukawa had dodged again.
Wind Release was known for its speed and sharpness—Even most Genin wouldn't react in time, let alone Academy students.
"I don't believe this!"Asuma immediately performed more seals.
Wind Release: Gale Palm!Again, the attack surged—Again, Yukawa evaded it.
Asuma gritted his teeth—A wave of dizziness swept over him.
Using Wind Release repeatedly had drained his chakra rapidly.
He looked at Yukawa, who stood calmly not far away—And a growing sense of confusion took root.
Was he… under Genjutsu?
Wait—
Genjutsu?!
The realization hit him.
But he didn't know how to dispel it.
No one had taught him that yet.His tutor hadn't expected him to face a Genjutsu user in first grade.
Asuma stood frozen in awkward silence.
Yukawa slowly stepped forward.
The technique he'd used was Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique—A Genjutsu that forces the target to witness their worst fear.
Right now, Asuma's greatest fear—Was losing to Yukawa.
The Genjutsu dissipated.
Asuma opened his eyes to see a kunai at his neck.
"You alright?"Yukawa calmly withdrew the weapon.
"…"Asuma's chest rose and fell rapidly, breath catching in his throat.He looked like he might pass out.
"Deep breaths."Yukawa said placidly."Dizziness is normal. You overused your ninjutsu."
"You—!"Asuma raised a trembling hand, pointing at him.
Clearly, it was a genuine gesture of concern—But for some reason, it just made Asuma's blood boil even more.