Konoha. Training Grounds.
The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, dappling the dirt floor of the training ground.
Nawaki was the first to jump into the center, looking back eagerly at Night, who was strolling over at a leisurely pace.
"Night! Today I'm going to show you the results of my training with Lord Orochimaru. Get ready to lose!"
Night followed, his posture relaxed. He glanced around casually, but in reality, he had already activated the Mind's Eye of the Kagura.
After scanning the environment and confirming a few suspicions, he tapped his toe against the ground in front of him before looking up at Nawaki.
"Bring it on. Let's see what you've got."
Nawaki's expression turned serious. He attacked first, his hands flying through seals—Dragon - Ox - Hare.
"Water Style: Wild Water Wave!"
A high-pressure jet of water shot from Nawaki's mouth, aimed straight at Night.
Night didn't panic. This was Nawaki's standard opener. He knew it well. He side-stepped, easily dodging the blast.
Nawaki wasn't discouraged. He was about to follow up with another jutsu combo when Night's figure blurred.
"Water Style: Water Clone Jutsu."
Night suddenly split into two, both charging at Nawaki from different angles.
"Fast clones!"
Nawaki was impressed. He stopped his hand signs, pulled out a kunai, and threw it at one of the Nights.
At the same time, he pivoted and threw a heavy punch at the other Night closing in on him.
"Eat this!"
Nawaki's punch was heavy and domineering. While it wasn't on the level of his sister Tsunade's monstrous strength, it was far beyond a normal ninja's. It was the classic Senju fighting style: pure brute force and high stats.
Normally, Night would have dodged. But this time, he planted his feet and threw a punch of his own to meet Nawaki's.
BAM!
Fist met fist with a dull thud. Both of them stumbled back a few steps. Nawaki was shocked—not only because he had punched the real body, but because Night's strength had increased dramatically.
Night's arm was numb, but he was satisfied. The Uzumaki physique had boosted his physical stats, but he still had room to grow compared to a genetic freak like Nawaki.
Nawaki didn't have time to think. The Water Clone was already on him. Reacting instantly, he spun and smashed the clone with a backhand blow, bursting it into a puddle of water.
Night didn't give him a break. Shaking the numbness from his arm, he launched a counterattack.
"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"
Flames roared toward Nawaki. He didn't dare take it head-on and twisted his body to dodge.
"Earth Style: Mud Wall!"
A wall of earth rose up, blocking the fire just in time. Night looked at the plain wall—no dog heads carved into it like Kakashi's—and mentally joked about "impure bloodlines."
Nawaki counterattacked immediately, forming Water Style seals again.
"Water Style: Wild Water Wave!"
"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"
Nawaki tried to catch Night during his chakra recovery window, which would have worked on the old Night. But the new Night had chakra to burn.
Water clashed with fire, creating a massive explosion of steam. Seeing Night hold his ground, Nawaki jumped back to create distance.
Suddenly, applause broke out in the training ground.
Clap, clap, clap.
Night walked out of the steam, clapping his hands. He smiled at Nawaki, who was still in a combat stance.
"That's game. Let's go eat."
"???"
Nawaki was completely confused. He stared blankly at Night, who had already dropped his fighting stance.
Night pointed at the ground beneath Nawaki's feet. Nawaki looked down.
He was standing on the exact spot where Night had started the match. There was a small divot in the dirt—the one Night had made with his toe earlier.
A corner of white paper was poking out of the hole. Nawaki pulled it out. Written on it in messy handwriting were three big words:
EXPLOSIVE TAG
Night walked over, took the paper from the dumbfounded Nawaki, and waved it in his face. "Now do you know why it's over?"
Nawaki stared at the ridiculous fake explosive tag, then at his feet. His face went through a rainbow of emotions.
Finally, he snapped out of it and protested, "But the match hadn't even started yet!"
"Ninja battles aren't turn-based games. Winning by any means necessary is the norm," Night said calmly, patting Nawaki on the shoulder.
"Remember, after graduation, every fight could be your last."
Night turned and walked toward the exit. He hoped this lesson would stick. Maybe it could change his friend's tragic fate.
Nawaki scratched his head in frustration but followed him, grumbling, "You're too tricky, Night... You beat me and then lecture me. I'll definitely win next time."
Seeing that Nawaki had accepted the loss, Night grinned. "Let's go, Number Three. Loser pays. I want Yakiniku Q!"
Nawaki didn't argue. Even though the Senju clan had disbanded and integrated into Konoha, their old wealth remained. Money wasn't an issue for him.
Earlier, Night had used Mind's Eye of the Kagura to confirm that they were being watched—by Senju bodyguards and likely ANBU agents. That was why he held back and didn't use any of the Mist jutsus he had acquired.
A Genin surviving the meat grinder of the Land of Whirlpools and bringing back a secret scroll was already suspicious. Showing off too many unknown jutsus would be asking for trouble.
---
Yakiniku Q.
Smoke filled the air as Night devoured plate after plate of grilled meat. The stack of empty dishes next to him was getting dangerously high.
Nawaki tried to keep up, eating competitively to regain some dignity, but he eventually tapped out, clutching his distended stomach.
He looked up and saw Night still eating like a vacuum cleaner. His eyes widened.
"Did you starve yourself during the mission?"
"Growing boy," Night replied without looking up.
When the table literally couldn't hold another empty plate, Night finally put down his chopsticks, satisfied.
He called for the check. The owner of Yakiniku Q beamed as he tallied the bill.
"That will be 3,300 ryo, please."
Nawaki flinched. Two people eating enough to rack up a bill meant for a large party was impressive.
After saying goodbye to Nawaki, Night headed straight for the Hokage's office.
He needed to collect his mission reward. The intel and scrolls he brought back had to be verified first, but now the final bounty should be ready.