Having just endured a long physical exchange, Minato and Shimura Miya were finally forced apart. Both of them were breathing heavily, sweat dripping down their foreheads.
Minato straightened, his expression serious. This was the toughest fight he had faced so far. Their abilities were evenly matched, and both specialized in Wind Release.
It looks like I'll have to come up with another way if I want to defeat Shimura Miya… Minato thought, mind racing for a plan.
But Miya had no intention of letting him recover. The boy from the Shimura clan knew full well that Minato wasn't an opponent to take lightly. He was older, and naturally had more stamina than the second-year student. As long as he kept the pressure on, time itself would hand him victory.
With a determined expression, Miya rushed forward again.
The two clashed once more. Minato ducked under a punch, driving his fist toward Miya's waist. Miya caught it with his right hand, shifted sideways, and drove his knee into Minato's stomach.
A jolt of pain surged through Minato's body. Miya's expression didn't change. He followed with a powerful whip kick that sent Minato flying.
But Minato didn't panic. Even as the kick landed, his hand clamped onto Miya's ankle, dragging him off balance. Both of them tumbled to the ground with a heavy thud.
"Bang!"
They wrestled briefly, then pushed apart again, breathing hard.
Minato quickly lashed out with a whip kick, forcing Miya backward. Miya retreated smoothly, fingers flashing through hand seals.
"Wind Style: Wind Cutter!"
A razor-sharp blade of compressed wind formed in Miya's hand and shot straight toward Minato.
Minato yanked a kunai from his pouch. He braced himself to block.
The kunai met the blade with a metallic screech but split under the force. The altered angle, however, redirected the attack. Instead of piercing Minato's chest, the blade tore across his sleeve, cutting into his arm. Blood streamed down instantly.
"Minato!" Nawaki shouted from below, voice full of panic.
Hayashi frowned. Reckless. Too reckless. Using a kunai against Wind Release? He should've dodged, or used Body Replacement. If Miya follows up right now with shuriken, how will Minato escape?
Sure enough, Miya saw the opening and grinned. He hurled a flurry of shuriken and charged directly at Minato.
Hayashi's frown deepened. Based on my understanding of him, Minato isn't the type to make a foolish mistake like that. He must still have something planned.
On the stage, Minato didn't even try to block the incoming shuriken. Instead, he pulled a smoke bomb from his pouch and threw it down.
A cloud of smoke burst outward, concealing him. When the haze cleared, only a log riddled with shuriken remained.
"When did he use the Body Replacement Technique!?" Miya muttered, shocked. He scanned the arena cautiously, kunai ready.
From the stands, Nawaki blinked in confusion. "Hayashi, did you see it clearly? When did Minato switch? And what was the smoke bomb for?"
Hayashi gave a small smile and shook his windbreaker lightly. "Nawaki, you're mistaken. That wasn't Body Replacement. Minato is truly a genius."
"Not the Body Replacement Technique?" Nawaki repeated, stunned.
Hayashi nodded inwardly. His battle IQ is already on another level. No wonder he'll one day be known as the Yellow Flash.
"Is he behind me?" Miya spun around, sensing danger. Nothing.
Something felt off. What's wrong? Where is he?
Suddenly, the log on the ground shimmered, transforming into Minato.
"Wind Style: Wind Cutter!"
Minato's seals blurred as he released his counterattack.
The blade of wind sliced past Miya's face, shearing off half his black hair. His legs buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, pale and trembling.
If Minato had aimed directly at him, his life would have been over. The message was clear.
"The winner of this match is Namikaze Minato," Orochimaru's hoarse voice declared from the sidelines.
…
"Minato, are you alright?" Hayashi hurried to his side, supporting his staggering frame. Blood was still seeping from Minato's wounded arm.
The truth was simple: Minato had allowed himself to be hit. He'd deliberately endured Miya's Wind Release and shuriken to sell the illusion of desperation. Then, under the cover of the smoke, he had used the Transformation Technique, disguising himself as the log while Miya's focus slipped.
It was a dangerous gamble, the kind of plan that could have failed with even the smallest mistake. But that was the reality of battle. Ninja didn't always fight against weaker opponents. Every opening, no matter how slim, could decide life or death.
"You're far too reckless, Minato. Go to Tsunade-sama at once," Hayashi said firmly.
"Ahahaha, I'll go, Hayashi," Minato chuckled, his face flushed with pride despite the pain. The hard-fought victory against a strong opponent was enough to make him feel accomplished.
Orochimaru's voice rose again. "The third match, and the last of the day. This will decide the top three."
Hayashi crouched slightly, ruffling Mikoto's hair. "Mikoto, do your best."
"Yes, Hayashi," Mikoto replied confidently, her dark eyes shining. She had already received his advice. The rest depended on her own ability.
As Uchiha Mikoto and Aburame Shibi stepped into the arena, Orochimaru raised his voice.
"Then, let the battle begin."
Mikoto's chakra affinity was Fire and Lightning. She had already mastered techniques like the Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu, a wide-range attack perfect against the Aburame clan's insect-based techniques. The matchup seemed favorable on paper.
The air grew heavy as the two prepared. Sparks of tension lit the atmosphere. The next battle was about to erupt.
---
Support & Read chapters in advance on patreon.
patreon.com/Zphyr