"Stop avoiding and face me now!"
Tsunade stood at the center of the stage, the ground around her littered with deep punch holes.
"Huh... huh..." Sakumo struggled to catch his breath on the other side.
On paper, they had the same power level, but Tsunade's brute strength overwhelmed Sakumo. Although the Hatake Clan possessed many ninjutsu, most were designed to injure or execute opponents—something forbidden by the exam rules.
Besides, Hatake's chakra pool was small, and his body was pushed to the limit. Tsunade, however, showed no sign of fatigue.
Sakumo knew he couldn't keep running forever.
"Come on. Let's finish this once and for all."
This was his last chance to turn the tide. Akabane watched closely, eager to see Sakumo's next move.
In the blink of an eye, they attacked simultaneously, exchanging punches and kicks. Kunai scattered everywhere as they fought both offensively and defensively.
Tsunade spotted an opening and launched her attack.
"Not good!"
Sakumo sensed the danger. He hadn't expected Tsunade to exploit even the slightest gap.
Miraculously, he dodged but landed awkwardly, losing balance for a moment. Seizing the chance, Tsunade's second punch landed squarely on him.
He was blasted off the stage as if hit by a boulder.
...
"The second match, Tsunade wins!"
Hiruzen quickly declared her the victor and checked on Sakumo's condition.
"That was our amazing Tsunade-hime!" the crowd erupted in excitement.
They bowed to each other and left the stage.
"The next match is..." Hiruzen began.
After her fight, Tsunade didn't even break a sweat.
As she descended from the stage, she spotted Akabane watching from the side. A hint of joy appeared on her face as she slowly approached him.
"I knew you'd come out to watch my match. What do you think?"
Akabane didn't answer. Instead, he lay down and immediately fell asleep.
"Hey, you!"
Tsunade frowned, then sat beside him, pouting.
At first, she thought he was teasing, but soon realized Akabane was genuinely asleep.
After Tsunade and Sakumo's match, excitement dwindled. No other matches drew much attention.
After the seventh match ended, before Hiruzen could call Akabane's name, Ryuu stood and confidently walked to the center of the stage.
"Next, Ryuu versus Kurama Akabane."
He shot Akabane a proud glare.
But...
Akabane was still asleep.
"Akabane Ku..Ra..Ma!?"
Hiruzen called out again, scolding.
He had seen Akabane sitting next to Tsunade moments ago—why hadn't he come up?
"Oy Akaba! Wake up!"
Tsunade shouted several times but couldn't rouse him, so she slapped him hard.
"Whoa!" Akabane suddenly woke, still groggy and out of sorts.
"It's your time, hurry up."
Tsunade whispered. Akabane lingered briefly, trying to shake off the sleep.
Ryuu glared impatiently.
"Come on. You can go back to sleep after we finish this."
Ryuu tried to taunt him, but Akabane ignored him, still half-asleep.
Nodding, he said, "Since yesterday, it seems you and I have something to talk about."
"Ah."
Ryuu sneered.
Akabane took his position on stage, clutching his drawing tools, waiting for Hiruzen's signal.
...
"Ready?
...
...
Begin!"
"Translocation Jutsu!"
Ryuu vanished instantly.
However...
Akabane noticed Ryuu's location and threw a handful of kunai.
Ryuu parried with a swift kick.
At first, he thought this match would be easy.
But it had just begun.
Turning his head, Ryuu saw Akabane hadn't moved from his spot.
"Don't underestimate me!"
Ryuu formed hand seals and spun around.
"Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu!"
"What? He already learned Fireball Jutsu!"
"This is not good..." Akabane was slightly taken aback.
"Akabane!"
Some classmates watched nervously.
"Stop it!"
Hiruzen rushed to intervene with Translocation Jutsu, but shocked at Ryuu's skill, he was a few seconds too late.
The huge fireball engulfed Akabane instantly.
"How did he already master this ninjutsu?!"
"This is too dangerous for Akabane!"
The Uchiha clan's reaction varied.
Though Fireball Jutsu was only a C-rank technique, its power was overwhelming for an academy student.
Classmates stared in disbelief, convinced Akabane was caught.
Except for Tsunade.
"Tsuna-chan, didn't you see that? Akabane was swallowed by the fireball!"
Jiraiya was terrified and puzzled.
Orochimaru was equally shocked but quickly analyzed the situation.
Akabane must have avoided the blast somehow. Closing his eyes, Orochimaru sensed a huge chakra signature impossible for a mere clone.
"Is he really hit by that fireball?"
"No, he used Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Tsunade stated confidently.
"Also, the outcome is decided. See for yourselves."
Everyone turned to look where Akabane should be.
Hiruzen hurried onto the stage and found only a piece of burnt paper—the rest of Akabane was gone.
Meanwhile, Ryuu collapsed, drained from using all his chakra for the Fireball Jutsu.
"I'm here, sensei."
Suddenly, Akabane emerged from the crowd by the side of the stage, holding his drawing tools.
"It was a genjutsu!"
"Shadow Clone Jutsu? When..."
Jiraiya gasped. He'd believed Akabane had been caught.
"Akabane-kun must have used Shadow Clone and Substitution Jutsu simultaneously when Ryuu released the fireball, then slipped into the crowd instantly."
Tsunade explained, her expression a mixture of shock and admiration.
Though not difficult to execute, it required perfect chakra control and concentration.
"You went off the stage!"
Kawaki tried to defend Ryuu.
"So what?"
Akabane sneered, unconcerned.
"Stop, you..."
Kawaki started to protest, but Hiruzen cut him off.
"He didn't break any rules, Kawaki. Using a Shadow Clone is allowed and it's the point of this combat exam."
Kawaki was left speechless.
Hiruzen said nothing about Akabane stepping offstage.
Akabane packed away his drawing tools as Ryuu slowly regained consciousness.
"Hahaha, I won!"
Ryuu laughed despite his swollen mouth.
He remembered defeating Akabane with his fireball—but no one celebrated. Not even his clanmates; some even laughed at him.
"Sorry, boy, you've already lost. Besides, you used Fireball Jutsu, forbidden in this exam. You'll repeat the academy year as punishment."
Hiruzen scolded.
Akabane was thankfully unharmed, but Ryuu had broken the rules by using a lethal jutsu.
"What? So I lose?"
Ryuu's biggest worry was not repeating the grade but losing to Akabane.
"Brother, you lost because of his genjutsu."
Kawaki felt embarrassed for him. Witnessing a Uchiha descendant lose so easily was humiliating.
Yet, he sighed in relief.
If Ryuu had won, Kawaki himself would have been scolded by the clan elders.
At least now, things felt better than before.