"First round: Uchiha Aozora versus Uchiha Mukashi! Both of you, please step onto the stage immediately, or it will be considered a forfeit."
The referee checked the large screen, then scanned the crowd and loudly announced.
As soon as the referee finished speaking, a sharp whistle suddenly rang out. Then a black figure instantly swooped down from the stands, flipping and jumping midair, fully displaying his agile skills.
As the figure landed, the audience erupted into enthusiastic cheers, mixed with many female admirers' shrieks.
"Mukashi-kun, go for it!"
"Mukashi, unbeatable!"
"Mukashi-kun, knock your opponent to the ground!"
"..."
Hearing the cheers from all directions, especially the high-pitched female voices, Mukashi kept his usual cold demeanor with eyes closed, though his lips couldn't help curling into a smile.
Aozora sighed inwardly. Sure, half the sixteen contestants were jonin—but drawing another jonin in the first round? That just wasn't how a protagonist's luck was supposed to go.
Shisui saw Aozora's slightly dejected face and mistook it for worry about having no support. He then said earnestly, "Aozora, don't worry—even if I'm the only one here, your older brother will definitely cheer for you the loudest!"
"Uh..."
Seeing Shisui's serious look, Aozora could only reply, "Alright then! Thanks in advance, bro."
After saying that, he lightly pushed off with his toes and effortlessly leaped onto the arena platform.
Compared to Mukashi's flashy entrance, Aozora's arrival appeared calm, light, and elegant—exuding an ethereal charm.
A gentle breeze lifted Aozora's soft, flowing hair, making his perfect face appear even more lively.
In an instant, the Uchiha girls who had been cheering for Mukashi changed their minds, while those who hadn't cheered before also became smitten.
This is "Genius Aozora"?
So handsome!
Immediately after, deafening roars and shrieks erupted across the arena like a tidal wave, drowning out the loud encouragement from Shisui, Tetsuka, Shuichi, and others supporting Aozora.
"Ahh~ so handsome!"
"This must be Aozora? I'm completely hooked on him!"
"Aozora! Aozora!"
"..."
Shisui looked bewildered at the female clan members shouting Aozora's name like crazy, feeling somewhat dazed.
He had prepared himself to be Aozora's solo fan club, yet now he wasn't even sure whether he would qualify to join that group.
Fugaku watched the unusually excited female clan members and began considering whether future matches should restrict female attendance.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi kept his eyes locked on Aozora.
Since graduation, Aozora had been remarkably active. Coincidentally, during this time, the Uchiha had started changing.
Even someone as thick as him could tell Aozora had something to do with the Uchiha turning around.
Back on the field, Mukashi noticed his earlier cheers had vanished, replaced entirely by female voices chanting someone else's name.
Mukashi opened his eyes to examine his opponent, inwardly cursing, "Pretty boy!"
He had taken excellent care of his skin already, yet it still couldn't match Aozora's white, tender, and glossy complexion.
As for looks—he considered himself handsome among humans, but Aozora was absolutely not human!
Knowing he was outmatched in appearance, Mukashi decided to challenge Aozora with raw power, earning cheers from the female crowd once again.
The referee didn't waste a second and raised his hand, declaring, "Barrier up! The match begins!"
As soon as the referee finished speaking, three tomoe appeared in Mukashi's eyes. He then declared confidently, "Aozora, you can't match me in strength. Surrender now!"
Aozora also activated his Three Tomoe Sharingan, smirking slightly. "Where did you get this confidence? Come on, show me what you've got!"
Aozora had received full intelligence on this opponent from Fugaku and had studied detailed profiles on all seven other Jonin-level fighters as well.
Among these seven, Mukashi was considered the most naturally gifted, yet his actual strength was the weakest.
Mukashi originally only possessed the power of an elite Chunin or Tokujō-class ninja. It wasn't until last year, when his Sharingan evolved into the Three Tomoe form, that he reached true Jonin-level strength—an ability still not worth fearing.
Seeing the Three Tomoe in Aozora's eyes, Mukashi dropped his earlier dismissive attitude, his gaze suddenly turning sharp.
"I'm going to start!"
After warning his opponent, Mukashi swiftly formed hand seals and unleashed the Uchiha clan's signature Ninjutsu. At the same time, Aozora performed the exact same hand seals.
[Fire Release – Great Fireball Technique!]
[Fire Release – Great Fireball Technique!]
Two voices rang out almost simultaneously, followed by two equally massive fireballs rushing toward each other.
The two giant fireballs collided in the center of the arena, sending waves of intense heat outward.
Taking advantage of the distraction caused by the fireballs, Mukashi immediately flung over a dozen shuriken before charging forward toward Aozora.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! —
Mukashi's shuriken met Aozora's mid-air, clashing against each other before falling to the ground.
At the same time, both fighters charged at each other and launched into close-quarters combat.
Instantly, fists met fists, feet met feet—they clashed head-on.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Crack! Snap!
Fireballs exploded, kunai struck kunai, blows landed evenly—perfectly equal in skill and force.
This fierce battle filled the audience with adrenaline, only to leave them stunned and confused.
Besides their different appearances, everything else—their movements, jutsu, even the force behind their attacks—was completely identical. As a result of their exchange, both fighters were sent flying backward exactly the same distance.
"Are they just putting on a performance? How come they're so identical?"
"Yeah! If it weren't for their outfits, I'd swear it was the same guy fighting his own reflection!"
"Is this a fixed match?"
...
This mirror-like fight surprised ordinary spectators but shocked the Uchiha present even more.
The Sharingan had a powerful gift—the ability to copy techniques instantly!
However, the Uchiha rarely used this during battle.
Because even a simple taijutsu move could vary greatly in effectiveness depending on the user's mastery.
Recklessly copying techniques without proper understanding would lead to disaster—like a clumsy imitation that ends in failure.
Yet here, both fighters' ninjutsu, taijutsu, and throwing techniques were completely identical—clear proof that one had copied the other.
And this wasn't basic mimicry—it was total replication.
This deadlock only proved one thing: one fighter's abilities far surpassed the other's.
Kintai's expression turned solemn yet appreciative at the same time.
The solemnity came from recognizing that Aozora might become an obstacle for Ryoichi and Shinki. The appreciation, however, stemmed from Aozora's talent.
Fugaku felt amazed inwardly. He never expected Aozora to develop his Sharingan so quickly, already capable of skillfully using the Three Tomoe Sharingan.
At this rate, even without Yakton, Aozora's strength could reach the level of an Elite Jonin.
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't tell who had copied whom between the two, he sensed Mukashi's sinking morale.
Looking at Aozora's calm expression, a hint of wariness flickered in his eyes.
Outstanding intelligence, formidable power, and even perfect looks—so far, he hadn't detected any flaws in Aozora.
Crash!
Suddenly, Mukashi and Shisui both launched roundhouse kicks, then flew backward.
Seeing Aozora holding a kunai in the same reverse grip, sweat beaded on Mukashi's forehead.
This wasn't just sweat from intense battle—it was cold sweat brought on by immense pressure.
After only a few exchanges, he realized his techniques were being copied. Yet no matter how he changed tactics—switching between taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu—the opponent reflected every move as if in a perfect mirror image.
The only difference was when they both cast genjutsu—he always regained clarity a step later than his opponent.
He knew—he was no match for his opponent.
Looks—he'd lost. Strength—he'd lost that too.
Mukashi helplessly fixed his hair, and Aozora imitated him.
Sighing, he murmured bitterly, "Konoha already has me, Mukashi. Why does it need another one like me—Aozora?"
After saying this, he raised his right hand in surrender.
This time, Aozora didn't copy.
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