The classroom buzzed with restless energy as Iruka-sensei slid the chalk across the board. The characters he wrote were simple: Taijutsu Sparring Evaluation.
A groan rippled through the rows of students.
"Again?!" Kiba complained, tossing Akamaru into the air and catching him with one hand. "We just did this last week!"
"That's because some of you still can't throw a proper punch," Iruka shot back, his scarred nose twitching with irritation. "And don't think I don't know who I'm talking about." His eyes flicked toward Naruto.
The class chuckled. Naruto slouched in his seat, cheeks burning. "Tch… what's so funny? This time I'll crush it, just watch!"
Iruka sighed but didn't argue. Instead, he clapped his hands. "Everyone, out to the yard. We'll run sparring drills."
---
The academy's training ground was a flat, dusty square ringed by wooden posts. Warm sunlight poured down, glinting off the forehead protectors of the instructors watching nearby.
Students lined up along the edges, excitement rising. Sparring day meant a chance to show off.
Iruka unrolled a scroll. "We'll start with random pairings." His eyes scanned the list. "First match… Naruto Uzumaki versus—"
A hush fell over the yard.
"…Sasuke Uchiha."
Naruto froze. His mouth dropped open. "W-what?!"
The other students burst into chatter.
"No way, he's dead already."
"Poor Naruto, he's gonna get wrecked."
"Go, Sasuke-kun! Show him who's boss!"
Ino clasped her hands together dramatically, sighing dreamily. "Sasuke-kun will win in one move~"
Sakura, standing nearby, smirked. "Naruto should just surrender now."
Naruto clenched his fists. He could already feel the smug weight of Sasuke's gaze.
Sasuke stepped into the ring, calm and unreadable, his dark eyes steady. He didn't even look at Naruto like a rival—more like an obstacle.
Naruto's chest burned. Why does everyone always look down on me?
Iruka raised his hand. "Match, begin!"
---
Naruto charged recklessly, fist cocked back. "Take this!"
Sasuke sidestepped effortlessly and swept Naruto's legs out from under him. Naruto hit the ground face-first, dust exploding around him.
The class erupted in laughter.
Naruto scrambled up, red-faced. "D-damn it! I wasn't ready!"
"Excuses," Sasuke said flatly.
Naruto roared and lunged again, this time throwing a flurry of punches. His movements were wild, sloppy, but fast.
Sasuke weaved between them, parrying with sharp, precise blocks. Each movement wasted no energy. Each counter landed with surgical precision—a fist to Naruto's stomach, a jab to his shoulder, a kick to the shin.
Naruto staggered back, gasping.
The crowd cheered. "Sasuke's amazing!" "He's untouchable!"
Iruka frowned but said nothing.
Naruto's vision blurred. His body screamed with pain, but something deeper screamed louder—his pride.
No… I can't lose like this. Not again. Not in front of everyone.
Sasuke moved in to finish it. But just as his foot lashed out for the final blow, Naruto's hand shot up, catching Sasuke's ankle.
For a heartbeat, everyone froze.
Naruto's blue eyes flared—not just with stubbornness, but with something raw, something dangerous.
He twisted, pulling Sasuke off balance. With a shout, Naruto drove forward, landing his first clean strike: a wild but solid punch to Sasuke's chest.
The impact echoed across the yard.
Sasuke staggered back a step, his eyes widening faintly.
The class gasped.
"Did… Naruto just hit him?!"
"No way!"
Naruto grinned through the blood on his lip. "Heh… told you… I'm not useless!"
Sasuke steadied himself, expression cool again, but his gaze sharpened. For the first time, he was actually paying attention.
The two circled, dust swirling at their feet. Naruto's body ached, but his heart pounded with exhilaration. For a moment, he believed he could stand equal.
Iruka raised his hand quickly. "Enough! Match over!"
Naruto blinked. "What?! But I wasn't done—!"
Iruka's voice was firm. "That's enough, Naruto. You both showed what I needed to see."
Sasuke brushed the dust off his clothes and walked back to the line, silent. Naruto stumbled after him, still buzzing with adrenaline.
---
When class ended, the students dispersed in clusters of chatter.
"Did you see Naruto land that punch?"
"Yeah, but Sasuke still owned him."
"Still… kinda surprising, huh?"
Naruto walked alone, fists shoved into his pockets. The sting of laughter still hurt, but under it all was a spark of pride. He had stood his ground. Even if just for a moment.
Sasuke's voice cut through the air. "Don't get the wrong idea."
Naruto turned. Sasuke stood there, hands in his pockets, dark eyes unreadable.
"That hit you landed—it was luck. Don't think it makes us equals."
Naruto scowled, heat rising in his chest. "Tch! Next time, I'll knock you flat on your back!"
Sasuke didn't reply. He just walked away, the late sun glinting on his dark hair.
Naruto clenched his fists, staring after him. One day… I'll surpass you. Believe it.
High above, unnoticed, the Third Hokage watched from a distant balcony, pipe smoke curling in the breeze. His eyes lingered on Naruto, and for a moment, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
The boy was still rough, still foolish. But today, the spark of something greater had flickered.
And sometimes, a spark was all it took to ignite a blaze.
⚡ End of Chapter 3 ⚡