"Uchiha Yusuke! Afternoon practice class. One-on-one duel. You dare fight me?"Ayato didn't raise his voice—he just sharpened it, like a blade dragged along stone. A performance of anger, nothing more.
"Hmph. If you're desperate for a beating, I'm happy to deliver it," Yusuke snorted. Ayato wasn't even a blip on his radar.
Ayato ignored the sighs and pitying looks around him and returned to his seat.
"System," he muttered inwardly, "that flashy title I unlocked… does it actually raise combat power?"
A crisp, emotionless reply echoed in his mind:
[System Notice: Title does not increase Combat Stat. Title grants +Charm, +Fame, and ×2 Luck in Lottery draws.]
"…So basically useless. You could've just said that."He rolled his eyes. "If you don't want to give rewards, at least lie creatively."
Around him, students whispered.A good show is coming.
Morning classes dragged by—nothing but dry theory. Then afternoon arrived.The air shifted the moment they stepped onto Training Ground No. 5.
"In this class, you'll duel in assigned pairs," their homeroom instructor barked. He was a retired field shinobi—blunt, scarred, all business. "Six groups total. Match continues until one side admits defeat. I record the results. Clear?"
"The first group—Uchiha Yusuke vs. Hyūga Tenshin."
A clash between clan heirs right off the bat.
But before either boy could step forward—
"Teacher, I want to change opponents."Yusuke pointed straight at Ayato."I want to challenge Kirimine Ayato."
"You're sure?" The teacher's tone dropped, heavy with disdain. "What's the point of challenging someone like him?"
"I said what I said. I challenge him," Yusuke answered, eyes sharp with arrogance.
"Fine. Begin. Kirimine Ayato—move. Don't waste time," the instructor snapped.
Snickers erupted around the circle.
"How many moves will he survive? One? Maybe two?""He probably won't even swing. Too scared.""This is why weaklings shouldn't talk big."
The world was simple: without strength, you were nothing.
"Come on, Ayato," Yusuke taunted after the signal. "Show me if you can last longer than a breath. Try not to embarrass yourself too fast."
Ayato inhaled once.Then—he moved.
His body shot forward like a starving hunter lunging out of the dark.
But—
"In front of my Sharingan," Yusuke said coldly as his eyes turned crimson, "your speed is laughable."
Gasps trembled through the students.
Ayato's fist met Yusuke's palm—Blocked. Effortless.
"Now disappear."
Yusuke twisted his grip and hurled Ayato across the dirt like dead weight.
Before Ayato could recover, Yusuke had already formed seals.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu."
The fireball roared out—half a meter wide, blazing hot enough to shimmer the air.
Ayato barely lifted his arms to guard—
BOOM.
The explosion sent him crashing into the wire fencing, metal rattling violently.
Students winced, whispering:
"…Yeah. It's over.""The gap is too big.""He never even stood a chance."
The dust settled.Ayato's silhouette barely moved.