A few days later. The Konoha Ninja Academy's training field was lively with chatter. Dozens of students stood in rows beneath the morning sun, their faces flushed with anticipation and excitement.
Today was the first practical combat class—the one every child had been waiting for. It was time to actually fight.
The instructor standing before them was a chūnin with a scar across his cheek. He clapped his hands loudly to get everyone's attention.
"Alright, everyone! Enough talking! This class will teach you how to fight hand-to-hand—how to defend yourselves before you ever learn ninjutsu. "
His gaze swept over the rows of students. "I'll be watching closely. Show me what you've got! "
He gestured toward the open training field. "Pair up! Start with basic taijutsu sparring. "
The children immediately began chattering and forming pairs. Some of the clan kids looked smug—this was their territory. The Hyūga had Gentle Fist, the Uchiha had their Fire Style and traditional stances, and even the Inuzuka kids had beastlike agility.
The civilian children, on the other hand, looked nervous and awkward. And then there was Naruto.
He stood at the edge of the field, hands in his pockets, watching calmly as everyone picked partners. He hadn't moved an inch.
The others whispered as they noticed him. "Is he really gonna fight? " "He's probably too scared. " "Yeah, the demon fox wouldn't dare hurt anyone in class—or he'll get punished again. "
Naruto ignored them completely. He was used to this. Their words didn't bother him anymore. He'd heard worse every day of his life.
Just as the teacher was about to start, a clear, confident voice cut through the noise. "I'll fight him. "
Every head turned. The speaker was a young boy with jet-black hair and sharp eyes—Uchiha Sasuke.
He stepped forward calmly, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. The teacher raised an eyebrow. "Sasuke, you're sure? "
Sasuke nodded. "Yes. I want to see for myself. "
The instructor hesitated for a moment. Sasuke was a prodigy, already trained by his clan. Naruto, on the other hand… everyone knew his reputation.
But since Sasuke had volunteered, there was no reason to refuse. "Alright, " the teacher said. "Naruto Uzumaki versus Sasuke Uchiha! Step forward! "
The crowd instantly buzzed. "Whoa, the Uchiha heir against the demon fox kid? " "This is gonna be good! " "Bet Sasuke wins in three seconds. "
Naruto walked to the center slowly, his expression unreadable. Sasuke's gaze was cool and steady. There was no hatred in it—only curiosity. He wanted to test Naruto.
He didn't know why, but something about the blond boy felt different. He wanted to see how far that difference went.
The instructor raised his hand. "No ninjutsu, no weapons. Hand-to-hand combat only. When one of you yields, the match is over. Begin! "
He swung his arm down. The instant the signal came—
Sasuke moved. Fast, sharp, precise. His footwork was flawless, his body low to the ground as he darted in, aiming a straight punch for Naruto's chest.
Gasps rippled through the watching students. Even without Sharingan, Sasuke's taijutsu was already far beyond normal kids.
But just as the punch was about to land—
Naruto tilted his head slightly. Swoosh! The strike missed by a hair.
Before Sasuke could recover, Naruto's hand shot out—not to strike, but to tap lightly on Sasuke's wrist. The force redirected Sasuke's balance perfectly, sending him stumbling half a step forward.
Naruto's voice was calm. "Your stance is solid, but your center of gravity's too far forward. "
Then—he raised one leg and swept it gently through the air.
Sasuke didn't even see it. One moment he was standing, the next he was flat on his back, the sky spinning above him.
The crowd went silent.
Even the instructor blinked in disbelief. That wasn't brute strength. That was pure technique. Fluid, effortless, efficient.
Naruto had countered Sasuke's attack with the grace of a seasoned martial artist.
Sasuke sat up quickly, his eyes wide. That move—that control—was nothing like what he'd expected.
He clenched his fists and stood again. "Not bad…"
Naruto smiled faintly. "Coming again? "
Sasuke nodded. This time, his movements were faster—a combination of kicks and feints, each one sharper than the last.
But no matter how he attacked, Naruto avoided everything by a hair's breadth, each dodge smoother than the one before. Every counter he made looked simple—but each carried terrifying precision.
He wasn't just defending. He was studying. Every time Sasuke moved, Naruto's eyes gleamed with analysis, as if he were learning something new in real time.
The watching students were speechless. "What's going on…? Sasuke can't land a hit! " "Isn't that kid supposed to be weak? " "He's playing with him…"
Even the instructor's mouth twitched slightly. This wasn't luck or coincidence. Naruto's movement was deliberate—disciplined, practiced, almost professional.
After another flawless dodge, Naruto suddenly vanished from sight—a single, lightning-fast step.
Wham! Before Sasuke could react, Naruto was behind him, a gentle tap of his hand landing on Sasuke's back.
"Match over. "
Sasuke froze. Then he turned slowly, eyes wide. He hadn't even seen it happen.
The instructor raised his hand hesitantly. "Uh… winner, Naruto Uzumaki. "
For a long moment, no one spoke. The students just stared, mouths hanging open.
Naruto walked off the field casually, his face calm, as if nothing special had happened.
Behind him, Sasuke stood still for several seconds before clenching his fists tightly. For the first time in his life, someone his own age had completely outclassed him.
He watched Naruto's retreating back and muttered, "…I'll catch up to you. "
Naruto didn't turn around, but a small, knowing smile curved his lips. Then chase me, Uchiha. Because by the time you reach me… I'll already be beyond your sight.