In the blink of an eye, school was over. The classroom, which usually emptied out the instant the bell rang, still had a third of its students. They had heard about the duel between Asuma and Hagawa and had stayed behind specifically to watch.
Many were curious about this fight because it was a hot topic. Asuma Sarutobi, son of the Hokage, was one of the acknowledged geniuses. Although not on Kakashi's level, he was still well-known in the class. Hagawa, the transfer student, was someone most people had no impression of. Since enrolling, he had been unremarkable, neither causing trouble nor standing out.
"Kakashi, who do you think will win?" Rin Nohara asked, looking at Asuma and Hagawa on the field.
"I don't know," Kakashi said, shaking his head.
"It's obviously going to be Asuma!" Obito interjected. "He's Lord Hokage's son!"
"Not necessarily," Kakashi said. He felt that Hagawa was far too calm, as if he was certain of victory.
"Then let's make a bet," Obito said, his eyes darting around.
"What kind of bet?" Kakashi paused. "If it's another duel, then count me out."
"Hmph, it's not," Obito said, glancing at Rin. "Whoever wins has to treat Rin to a meal."
"Why am I being treated to a meal?" Rin asked, blinking her eyes.
"Well..." Obito's face flushed red as she stared at him, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say.
"I accept," Kakashi said with an indifferent look.
"Excellent!" Obito was instantly invigorated. Is the two-person world I've been dreaming of finally about to happen?
"I really don't know what to do with you two," Rin said with a helpless smile. She was used to her two friends being at loggerheads. Although it almost always ended with Obito's defeat, maybe this time he would win. She also thought Asuma had a better chance of winning. As a ninja from a civilian background, Rin knew very well the advantages that came with being from a clan.
On the field, Asuma frowned slightly. What he hated most was being called the Hokage's son. No matter how great that man was, what did it have to do with him?
"Remember this! The one who defeats you is Asuma Sarutobi!" Asuma shouted at Hagawa.
"..." Hagawa's mouth twitched. His old habit of feeling secondhand embarrassment was acting up again. What kind of chunibyo declaration was that? But for a five or six-year-old kid, it was just right.
The spectating students grew excited, their eyes glued to the two of them.
"Let's go!" Asuma raised his hands, enjoying being the center of attention.
Hagawa, expressionless, formed the Seal of Confrontation. It was a required step for any formal ninja spar. Asuma did the same.
Once the seal was complete, he stood his ground and immediately threw two shuriken. One after the other, they flew at a tricky angle, heading straight for Hagawa's vital points. It was worth noting that since this was a spar, they were using wooden ninja tools.
The sound of weapons cutting through the air echoed. Hagawa's response was also two shuriken. The shuriken collided mid-air. Asuma's two shuriken were knocked to the ground, but Hagawa's two continued on their trajectory with unabated momentum.
"How is that possible?" Asuma was in disbelief. He clearly remembered that just a week ago, during shurikenjutsu class, Hagawa couldn't even hit the target. Now he could knock down his shuriken? This meant Hagawa's technique and strength were both superior to his. What kind of progress was this?
Though shocked, Asuma's hands moved quickly, forming seals. Substitution Jutsu!
A puff of smoke appeared. His body shifted to the left as the two shuriken disappeared into the smoke. Two thunks were heard. A wooden log was left in his place, having taken the hits for him. The Substitution Jutsu was essentially a sleight of hand. With enough proficiency, it could almost look like a Space-Time Ninjutsu.
"Your shuriken skills are not bad, but this is as far as you go, Hagawa," Asuma said grimly, glancing at Kurenai on the sidelines. His plan was to win in a single blow. He had already wasted time; if this dragged on for too long, there would be no glory in winning. An evenly matched fight between someone who had been enrolled for two months and someone who had been here for a week was just embarrassing.
Body Flicker Technique!
Chakra swirled around Asuma's feet, and his speed suddenly increased. He leaned forward, charging at Hagawa with a kunai gripped in his right hand. The distance between them closed rapidly.
"Move, Hagawa!" Kurenai's little face was filled with worry as she watched Hagawa stand motionless.
"He must be scared stiff!" Obito said, shaking his head. "He hasn't even learned the three basic Academy jutsu. The match is already decided."
Just then, Hagawa quickly formed a hand seal. However, when the seal was complete, nothing happened, as if the jutsu had failed. Just as Obito was about to speak, a look of confusion crossed his face. Asuma had stopped in his tracks.
"It's a genjutsu," Kakashi said, his eyes lighting up. "The match really is decided."
"A genjutsu?" Obito was stunned. The other students, lacking Kakashi's insight, looked at each other, confused about what was happening.
(Switching to Asuma's perspective)
He saw Hagawa form the hand seal and prepared to defend himself. But when nothing happened, he couldn't help but laugh. A failed jutsu casting was a common occurrence for beginners. Clearly, Hagawa's proficiency was insufficient.
"You lose!" Asuma shouted, arriving in front of him and thrusting his kunai forward. But in the next second, it hit empty air.
"What's going on?" Asuma instinctively turned his head and saw Hagawa standing behind him. How did he dodge that? He couldn't help but frown.
"You can't possibly dodge this jutsu!" Asuma put away his kunai and clapped his hands together. Wind Release: Gale Palm!
Chakra transformed into a violent gust of wind that shot towards Hagawa at high speed.
"Impossible!" Asuma's pupils contracted violently. Hagawa had dodged again. Wind Release was known for its speed and sharpness; not even a Genin, let alone an Academy student, should be able to react that fast.
"I don't believe it!" Asuma immediately formed another seal. Wind Release: Gale Palm appeared once more. But it was still useless.
Asuma subconsciously gritted his teeth as a wave of dizziness washed over him. Using Wind Release consecutively had drained his chakra quickly. He looked at Hagawa, who stood quietly not far away, completely unable to understand. It was as if he himself was caught in a genjutsu.
Hm? A genjutsu?
Asuma suddenly realized. But he didn't know how to break it. They haven't taught that yet! His private tutor had never imagined he would encounter a genjutsu user in his first year. For a moment, Asuma was awkwardly stuck on the spot.
Hagawa slowly walked forward. The jutsu he had cast was the Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique. It makes one see the most terrifying scene in their heart. And what Asuma feared most right now was losing to him.
(Back to reality)
The genjutsu was dispelled. Asuma opened his eyes and saw a kunai at his neck.
"Are you okay?" Hagawa asked, putting away the kunai.
"..." Asuma was choked with anger. His chest heaved, and he looked like he was about to faint.
"Take a deep breath. It's normal to feel dizzy," Hagawa said calmly. "You used too many ninjutsu."
"You!" Asuma raised a trembling hand and pointed at him. Although they were words of concern, for some reason, all he felt was his blood boiling with rage.
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