Today, Asuma felt inexplicably uneasy.
Even though Ryoma had already agreed to his request for a sparring match, for some unknown reason, Asuma felt things were not that simple.
Although up to this point, Asuma remained very confident he could defeat Nara Ryoma, he was all too familiar with the Nara clan's secret techniques.
Asuma believed that as long as he concentrated fully and gave it his all, Ryoma would have no way to catch him with a secret technique and thus activate his Kekkei Genkai.
Asuma even felt that even facing a Ryoma who had awakened his Kekkei Genkai, his own chances of winning were still higher.
Looking at the innocent Asuma before him, Ryoma stated his "little wager."
"Alright, Asuma, I'll spar with you, but if you are defeated by me without even managing to touch me once, then from now on you must acknowledge me as your big brother, willingly become my underling, and follow my orders.
Of course, if you can touch me once before I defeat you, then I lose, and I'll become your underling instead. What do you think, Asuma~"
Hearing this outrageous condition, Asuma was momentarily stunned.
What the hell, this just puts me directly in the certain loss category!
This is looking down on me, Asuma, way too much!
Not even letting me touch you!
My god, this youngster!
In disbelief, Asuma repeated Ryoma's bet back to him, asking Ryoma, "Are you sure, Ryoma? Are you that confident you can defeat me, even to the point of not letting me touch you once?"
Asuma even started to wonder if Ryoma deliberately proposed this bet because he wanted to become Asuma's underling.
This cunning Ryoma.
Then he saw Ryoma give a mysterious smile. "Never mind that, just tell me if you dare accept this bet or not."
Asuma had his pride too! With such a condition being proposed, if he didn't accept, how could he, Asuma, keep his standing in the school from now on!
Asuma readily agreed, "Fine! Then don't you regret it, Ryoma. I won't be holding back against you!"
Ryoma still looked utterly confident.
Their voices were not quiet, attracting the surrounding onlookers once again.
"Did you hear that? That guy Ryoma is going to compete with Asuma. They say if Asuma just touches Ryoma once during the match, Asuma wins!"
"What?! That's too arrogant. Asuma isn't a pushover like Tobitake Tonbo. Asuma's strength has long reached Genin level. How dare Ryoma accept such a bet?"
"You don't know? This bet was proposed by Ryoma! Having a Kekkei Genkai really changes things, huh. Makes him feel invincible, doesn't it?"
"Holy crap! This youngster..."
Ignoring the voices around them, Ryoma and Asuma put some distance between each other.
Asuma had no intention of underestimating his opponent. During Ryoma's match with Tobitake Tonbo earlier, he had already noticed some clues.
He was confident he could easily win this bet!
"Having one more underling isn't a bad thing, right?" Asuma thought to himself.
Little did he know, Ryoma was thinking the exact same thing.
Asuma took his stance, holding his signature weapons, the chakra blades, in both hands.
He was ready to counter any sneak attack from Ryoma at any moment.
He knew that if he got caught by Ryoma's Shadow Imitation Technique, combined with Ryoma's unreasonable Kekkei Genkai, then he really would lose the match without being able to touch Ryoma even once.
But Asuma was also confident. Using his Wind Release ninjutsu and his far superior shuriken skills, not only winning the bet, but even defeating Ryoma wouldn't be difficult.
After all, the Shadow Imitation Technique had limits in both range and speed!
"As long as I can grasp the limits of Ryoma's Shadow Imitation Technique, the scales of victory will tip in my favor!"
Thinking this, Asuma prepared to make the first move, to test where Ryoma's limits actually lay.
This would allow him to formulate a better strategy.
Just as Asuma was about to strike, he saw the shadow beneath Ryoma begin to expand in a circular shape.
Asuma had no time to think, hastily retreating another two steps.
After all, no one knew what this new technique was.
Then a shadowy figure, arms crossed, slowly rose from Ryoma's shadow.
Seeing this, Asuma thought for a moment and understood what Ryoma intended to do.
"Is he worried he can't handle my ninjutsu and shuriken, so he specifically summoned this thing to help?"
Asuma looked at the area of shadow beneath Ryoma's feet and revealed a knowing smile.
"I see, Ryoma. It seems the scales of victory in this match have already begun to tilt in my direction!"
Just as Asuma felt this spar was once again firmly within his grasp.
Ryoma, as if pondering, stroked his chin, putting on a thinking pose.
After a short while, Ryoma smacked a fist into his palm and extended one finger.
Ah! I have an idea!
Around the originally solitary shadow figure, three more shadow figures gradually rose.
Four Ninja Corps shadow soldiers now stood before Ryoma, their crimson eyes fixed intently on Asuma.
It made Asuma's hair stand on end.
Asuma's knowing smile froze. This guy was really hiding his depth well.
He actually had three more of the same things!
But our Asuma still hadn't lost his fighting spirit!
"It's fine. Although the number increased, Ryoma's consumption must have increased too. Plus, these things are limited by Ryoma's shadow technique. Calm down, Asuma. First, find a chance to use ninjutsu to break his technique!"
Putting thought into action, Asuma began quickly circling around the area, swiftly throwing shuriken from his hands, his eyes revealing a determined glint in the face of a powerful foe.
He watched for an opening from Ryoma.
Ryoma, however, remained unhurried. He casually waved a hand towards the four shadow soldiers.
The shadow soldiers received their king's command and instantly scattered, launching themselves in different directions.
...
To be honest,
the moment Asuma saw the shadow soldiers step outside the range of Ryoma's shadow,
his originally resolute heart
was simply shattered...
Dammit, you didn't say these things could run around!
This is bullying an honest man!
Asuma struggled to dodge the shadow attacks while shouting at Ryoma, "Ryoma, you brat! This isn't honorable!"
Ryoma picked at his ear.
"What? Didn't catch that, Asuma. Hey, I believe you're a man of your word, right?"
"Ryoma! You bastard!" Asuma roared while sprinting.
Finally, after two and a half minutes of pursuit,
the poor Asuma was finally caught.
After his attempts to resist failed,
Asuma looked at his predicament, surrounded by men, with more men pressing in,
and instantly yielded to Ryoma's overwhelming force.
Looking at Asuma, who was being brought over supported by two shadow soldiers, Ryoma patted his shoulder with profound gravity.
"Asuma, oh, no, I should call you little Asuma now, hahaha. You still need more training, alright!
Oh right, call me big brother~"
Ever since Brother Kakashi left, on that day, Asuma finally remembered once again, the fear of being dominated!