While Uchiha Hayashi and Minato were chatting leisurely inside the classroom, the third match between the fifth-year students and the graduating class had already begun in the arena.
Yes, this was already the third round.
The second match had ended earlier when Hyuga Hiashi had chosen to forfeit. Because of that, the current battle was a relay between two fifth-years.
Although the graduating class had managed to take down one opponent, they were ultimately overwhelmed when facing two fighters at once. Victory belonged to the fifth-years. Still, it was a costly win—one of their members ended up injured even worse than Hyuga Himeji.
At the moment, Hyuga Hizashi remained beside Tsunade, helping to watch over his sister, Himeji.
As for Hyuga Hiashi—the young clan heir—well, no one cared much for him right now. He had been the one who beat his own sister into such a state, earning himself more scorn than respect.
The audience had made their feelings clear when Himeji was carried off the field earlier.
"Hiashi-kun, why would you do that?!"
"That rotten Hiashi from the graduating class! What a disgrace!"
"Unforgivable! I'm putting him on my list of the top ten people I'd never want to date!"
"That's right! He doesn't deserve a girlfriend before graduation!"
Although Hiashi himself had sustained even more serious injuries, no one had sympathy left to spare for him.
The competition results now stood clear. The only teams still standing were:
Uchiha Hayashi's team from the second year.
Aburame Shibi's team from the third year.
Hyuga Himeji's team from the fifth year.
But things weren't as promising as they looked on paper.
Though Tsunade's medical ninjutsu was remarkable, Shibi's teammates had been injured so badly that only he remained capable of fighting. Meanwhile, Himeji's team had also been whittled down—just her and one other teammate were still able to compete.
"So basically, for the top three spots, it's a selection between you six now," Nawaki announced, appearing out of nowhere once again. With that smug grin of his, he looked more like an information broker than a competitor, as he began whispering deals into Hayashi's ear.
"Your opponents are Aburame Shibi from third year, Hyuga Himeji from fifth year, and Shimura Miya," Nawaki analyzed seriously.
"Hmm, but Himeji should still be badly hurt, right?" Uchiha Hayashi asked, frowning. "Is your sister's medical ninjutsu really that amazing?"
"Of course," Nawaki boasted without hesitation. "She's my sister, after all. Her skills are naturally extraordinary."
But then he leaned closer and explained, "Her injuries weren't as serious as they looked. Most of the damage came from being sealed by the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. Once her chakra points were released, she recovered quickly."
So, despite how harsh Hiashi's blows had seemed, he had actually gone easy on his sister?
Hayashi couldn't help but think: He does care for her deep down, huh?
With a mischievous grin, Nawaki suddenly added, "Oh, right—my sister told me to deliver you a message. If you manage to get into the top three, you absolutely have to choose her as your instructor. Otherwise… she said she'll break all three of your legs."
Hayashi's expression darkened.
"Why? Just because she's a Konoha Jonin, she can boss me around like that? That's blatant abuse of power!"
But his complaints did little to ease his nerves. He could still remember Tsunade's terrifying fists.
Nawaki wasn't done either. "My sister also kept repeating something earlier. What was it again…?"
He deliberately slowed his words, teasing Hayashi, "She said she'll definitely 'choukyou' you sooner or later. What does that even mean again?"
Hayashi stiffened. Something about that word sent a chill down his spine.
"…Training," Nawaki finally said. "That's right, she said you need proper training."
"Training? Couldn't she use words like guidance or education?" Hayashi grumbled.
Still, something about the way Nawaki had said it felt off. Why did a six-year-old even know such strange vocabulary?
Suspicion flashed in Hayashi's eyes. "Nawaki, how do you even know that word?"
The boy scratched his cheek guiltily. "…I saw it in Jiraiya-nii's manga."
Hayashi narrowed his eyes. "What kind of manga?"
"He said it was about life lessons and ethics. Oh, and he told me not to tell my sister."
Hayashi sighed. Jiraiya hasn't changed at all. When it comes to certain topics, not even the Hokage-sama—who's called the Professor—can match him.
At that exact moment, Jiraiya sneezed in his hospital bed. The movement pulled at his injuries, but he was too busy ogling the nurse changing his bandages to care.
Back in the arena, Hayashi rubbed his temples. "Why does your sister want me as her student anyway?"
Nawaki glanced around nervously, making sure Tsunade wasn't within earshot.
He whispered, "I risked my life to get this intel, so you owe me a bowl of ramen."
Hayashi sighed. With Nawaki, there was no choice but to pay up.
Nawaki beamed. "Eyewitnesses said that before Jiraiya-nii was beaten to a pulp, he tried bargaining for mercy. He told Tsunade it was all your fault—that you were the one who made him do it. He even claimed you used genjutsu on him."
"What?!" Hayashi's face went pale.
"So, if you don't pick my sister, or if you don't make the top three… well, let's just say you won't die a pretty death."
"And if I do pick her?" Hayashi asked cautiously.
"Then at worst, you'll end up like Jiraiya-nii—just a few broken bones." Nawaki grinned.
"Thud." Hayashi dropped to the floor in despair. Mikoto rushed over immediately, helping him up as cold sweat drenched his back.
While the two whispered in their corner, Orochimaru had already stepped into the center of the arena to announce the next stage.
Meanwhile, Tsunade had reclined onto a lounge chair in the treatment area, looking utterly relaxed. Perhaps she was already planning how she would deal with Hayashi later—or maybe she was calculating how much money she had left for another round of gambling.
"The top six contestants have now been decided," Orochimaru declared. "They are: Uchiha Hayashi, Uchiha Mikoto, and Namikaze Minato from the second year; Aburame Shibi from the third year; and Hyuga Himeji and Shimura Miya from the fifth year. The upcoming matches will determine their specific rankings."
As he spoke, Orochimaru's hands blurred through seals, conjuring another number box beside him.
"The rules remain the same—whoever draws the same number will face each other."
"The three winners will each receive private instruction from myself, Jiraiya, and Tsunade. This is an invaluable opportunity."
He paused before adding, "Furthermore, after graduation, there's a very high chance of being placed under the command of an elite Jonin."
The words sounded promising. But among the final six, aside from Namikaze Minato—who truly was a commoner—everyone else hailed from powerful clans.
For them, the real prize wasn't just the mentorship of the Sannin, but the connections and future paths that came with it.
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