"Is it over already? That was so fast!"
"When did Shinji awaken the Sharingan?"
"Obito was actually taken out instantly."
Asuma stared at the outcome on the field, somewhat unable to believe it, muttering softly to himself.
Watching Shinji help Obito off the field, he felt an inexplicable sense of pressure rising within him.
"Has Shinji become this strong after just a few days apart?"
"If I were to face Shinji, I should be able to win, right?"
Kakashi remained silent the entire time, but his gaze was fixed on Shinji from start to finish, never leaving him, following his figure as he moved slowly. His usually expressionless, dead-fish eyes were now slightly narrowed, a flicker of curiosity flashing in their depths.
"It was a Genjutsu," Kurenai Yuhi spoke up, her tone certain. "Obito was already caught the moment he saw Shinji's Sharingan."
She recognized it at a glance—this was a high-level Genjutsu unique to the Uchiha clan.
As a ninja specializing in Genjutsu, she saw through Shinji's method immediately. Biting her fingertip in thought, her gaze inadvertently swept over Rin, and her heart stirred.
"Hmm? Rin's expression is quite calm."
Remembering how confidently Rin had believed Shinji would win earlier, Kurenai leaned over and asked softly, "Rin, did you already know Shinji had awakened his Sharingan?"
Nohara Rin instantly recalled the scene from yesterday when she held Shinji's hand, and her cheeks uncontrollably flushed red.
"Yes! I only found out yesterday."
Thinking that Shinji had awakened his Sharingan because of her, Rin somewhat awkwardly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trying to hide her discomfort.
"Hmm?" Kurenai leaned in closer, her face full of suspicion. "Rin, why is your face so red?"
Rin's heart skipped a beat, afraid Kurenai might notice something amiss. She hurriedly turned her head away and stiffly explained:
"It's... it's just the sun!"
Kurenai Yuhi: "..."
...
Shinji had already walked off the field, and everyone immediately gathered around him.
"Obito is fine. He just needs to rest for a while."
He said softly to Rin.
Nohara Rin immediately breathed a sigh of relief. She hated seeing her comrades injured the most. She looked at Shinji, a bright smile spreading across her face.
"Shinji, you're amazing! And thank you for not hurting Obito."
Anyone could see that Shinji had clearly held back in this match.
Obito stubbornly insisted, "I just got careless and didn't dodge in time. Actually, I could have totally resisted that Genjutsu just now!"
"Obito!" Nohara Rin placed her hands on her hips, exasperated. "Don't push yourself!"
With that, Rin began lecturing Obito. His stubborn nature always made her worry!
Asuma stepped forward and slung an arm around Shinji's neck, laughing heartily. "You really kept this hidden, kid. That was incredible!"
"Alright," Shinji replied. "But let's skip it this time. Using that Genjutsu just now drained quite a bit of my Chakra."
Kurenai Yuhi chimed in, "It is a B-rank Ninjutsu, after all. My father said this technique's power is no joke!"
"Kurenai is right, but I'm not very proficient with this Genjutsu yet."
Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique.
However, Shinji was quite satisfied with the effect of this Genjutsu. As long as the opponent let their guard down even slightly, they could easily fall victim to it. After all, during a battle, who wouldn't look their opponent in the eye?
Well, except for Guy.
Guy had even trained specifically to fight without making eye contact, all for the sake of his lifelong rival, Kakashi.
The second match began immediately.
Minato cleared his throat and called out to everyone, "Kakashi, Asuma, you two will spar in this round. Let me see your true strength."
Kakashi stepped forward in response. "Yes, Minato-sensei!"
Asuma walked onto the field, excitedly waving his fists.
"Kakashi! I won't lose!"
Shinji sat on a bench at the edge of the field, quietly waiting for the battle between Kakashi and Asuma to begin.
Kakashi had just been promoted to Jonin recently, and Shinji realized he hadn't had the chance to give him a congratulatory gift yet.
"I remember there was a book in the System Shop that only cost 100 Points."
He raised his hand to stroke his chin, about to summon the System Panel to check the Shop.
Just then, Kurenai Yuhi walked over and gently sat down on his right side.
"Hmm? Kurenai, is something up?"
Shinji was slightly taken aback before turning his head to ask.
Kurenai couldn't help but look him up and down. Her ruby-like eyes blinked, a hint of mischief flickering in their depths.
She leaned in closer to Shinji and lowered her voice. "Shinji, can you do me a favor later?"
The two were so close that Shinji could even smell the faint orchid fragrance on her—her unique scent.
Though a strange feeling flickered in his heart, his expression remained unchanged. "What kind of favor? We're teammates. If I can help, I definitely will."
Kurenai smiled and lightly punched his shoulder.
"You're a real friend! I want you to help me train in Genjutsu!"
Her talent was already exceptional, but sometimes bloodline was even more unreasonable than talent.
She had always wanted to spar with someone from the Uchiha clan in Genjutsu, but the two Uchiha classmates she knew had yet to awaken their Sharingan, which left her quite disappointed. It wasn't until she saw Shinji's eyes today that she felt the opportunity had finally arrived.
"No problem," Shinji readily agreed. For him, it was just a small favor.
As soon as he finished speaking, Nohara Rin also walked over and sat directly on Shinji's left side.
She smiled at Shinji. "What are you two talking about so secretly?"
As she spoke, she also instinctively leaned closer to Shinji.
For a moment, Shinji found himself flanked by two beauties, making the situation suddenly feel a bit delicate.
In truth, she had just finished lecturing Obito from afar when she saw the two of them huddled together, whispering. An inexplicable restlessness welled up inside her, and she found herself walking over to sit down almost involuntarily.
This was the first time she had taken such initiative, and her heart couldn't help but beat a little faster.
"Nothing much. Kurenai just asked me to help her train in Genjutsu."
Shinji briefly explained what had just happened.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of envy appeared in Rin's eyes. "Kurenai is so lucky to have Shinji helping you train."
Kurenai gave Rin a strange look, feeling that something about Rin today seemed off.
They were both kunoichi and part of the same close-knit circle, as close as sisters.
Rin wasn't acting like her usual self!
"Rin, why are you acting so strange today?" Kurenai decided to ask directly.
"Huh?" Rin's heart skipped a beat. That reflexive reaction just now really didn't seem like her usual self.
Feeling guilty, she glanced at Shinji and hurriedly covered up, flustered: "It's nothing, I just think your team's relationship is really good, Kurenai."
As she said this, she couldn't help but smile knowingly.
Actually, our team isn't bad either. Although Kakashi and Obito always love to bicker and argue, as long as I mediate in between, the time we spend together is still wonderful.
Kurenai didn't dwell on it further and changed the subject, full of curiosity as she pressed on: "So what are Kakashi and Obito usually like?"
Nohara Rin thought for a moment before softly answering: "Obito is very passionate, sometimes so reckless it makes you worry. He feels like a little brother who needs looking after."
As she spoke, she couldn't help but cover her mouth with a light laugh: "But Obito is actually a very good person."
"What!"
Suddenly, a trembling exclamation came from behind the three of them.
Shinji turned to look—the newcomer was Obito. He thought to himself:
"When did Obito get here? I didn't notice at all."
At that moment, Obito's face instantly drained of color, turning deathly pale. Even under the blazing sun, he seemed as if all vitality had been sucked out of him, as though he might collapse at any second.
His eyes were hollow, and he murmured unconsciously: "Little brother?"