The training ground of Konoha.
The sky was clear.
Sasuke Uchiha felt especially confident.
Iruka Umino, on the other hand, felt numb.
He knew what Konome Taketori was capable of. Rumors of her had already spread through the teachers' office. Even if Sasuke awakened the Sharingan today, even with all three tomoe spinning, it would not matter.
A blindfold nullified ocular genjutsu.
Silent Water Release crushed Fire Release.
Her speed in taijutsu was so overwhelming that even seeing it was useless. One mistake was enough to send a jōnin like Instructor Kazama, famed for his Wind Body Flicker, straight into the hospital.
This was a natural counter.
Even Fugaku Uchiha himself would have trouble, let alone a boy still fumbling with substitution jutsu.
Iruka knew tension between the Uchiha clan and the village was high. If the clan's second son ended up dead in his class, even the Third Hokage might not be able to shield him.
He chose his words carefully, for Sasuke's pride.
"I think it would be best if "
"Alright," Konome answered before he finished.
Iruka stood frozen at the side of the training field, paper and pen limp in hand. How could a teacher object when his own student was stronger than him?
Konome stepped into the center opposite Sasuke.
Winning Naruto over was almost complete.
Sasuke mattered far less.
He was easy to manipulate, but truthfully, not much to gain from him. Eternal Mangekyō, perhaps later a Rinnegan, but even those were… unimpressive compared to what she already had. The Byakugan suited her better. It was the key to both her "Flesh Dominion" with the Shikotsumyaku, and to controlling rampaging beast chakra with her Silent Water Release.
Her aim was simple: crush Sasuke, show him who the true ruler of this class was, and make sure he followed when the time came to fight Kaguya.
As the two faced off, the classmates stirred with excitement. Finally, a chance to see the mysterious Konome in action.
They had all heard about Instructor Kazama's humiliating defeat. But hearing was one thing. Seeing it with their own eyes was different.
And who better to test her than Sasuke, always ranked first in the practical lessons? The boy pitted against the transfer girl who had hospitalized a teacher. Surely, this would be a fight worth watching.
At least, that was how Sakura Haruno and the other Sasuke fans saw it.
The boys, however, had a different opinion.
"Shikamaru, do you think Sasuke will win?" Kiba Inuzuka tilted his head. Akamaru barked from atop his hair.
Shikamaru Nara rolled his eyes.
"If he doesn't get broken in two, that's already a victory."
His father, Nara Shikaku, had heard of Konome's feats just last night and had warned him:
"Do not make her your enemy. If possible, get close to her. Above all, never raise a hand against her."
As a clever boy, Shikamaru listened. Even earlier, when Naruto was being bullied, he hadn't intervened. If Konome chose not to move, who was he to interfere?
Naruto himself was in the crowd, cupping his hands to his mouth. "Konome, go get him!"
Sakura bristled instantly, and the Sasuke Fan Club roared together, drowning Naruto out. "Sasuke, you're the best!"
"Quiet! Sasuke, go!" Iruka shouted, but even his voice was swallowed.
Facing Konome with confidence, Sasuke bowed his head respectfully. "I am Uchiha Sasuke. Please guide me."
Konome said nothing, as if he did not exist.
The silence burned. Sasuke's face twisted. Arrogant!
"Begin!" Iruka gave the signal.
Sasuke lunged forward, feet moving quick.
And just as quickly, his small body was sent flying back.
Bang.
He skidded across the dirt, raising a cloud of dust. Konome lowered her left leg.
The girls' cheering cut off in shock.
"Go, Konome! Beat up that smug Sasuke!" Naruto's shout rang clear across the field.
Too short to see what had actually happened, he still waved his fists for her.
"Stop, Naruto. It's already over," Choji muttered nervously, tugging his sleeve as Ino glared daggers their way.
"Huh?" Naruto shoved forward to the front, only to see Sasuke groaning on the ground, and Konome standing untouched, not a speck of dirt on her.
"That… that fast?" His voice echoed the thought in every head. No one had seen her move, only Sasuke rushing forward then lying flat.
"Sensei, you can mark it now." Konome's tone was flat.
Iruka blinked awake. "The winner is "
"I haven't lost!" Sasuke snarled, eyes wet, body trembling as he pushed himself up, his back caked with dirt.
"But I have no interest in playing with you." Konome's voice was cold, disdain clear even through her blindfold. "I thought the Uchiha would be stronger."
"You… damn you!"
He lunged again, fist streaking for her face.
Smack.
Her palm caught it effortlessly. His scream followed, bones in his hand crying under her grip.
"Pathetic."
Her cane swept aside his hidden kick, and her foot snapped into his liver.
"Ugh!" Sasuke doubled, face red as a boiled shrimp.
"Do not… insult the Uchiha "
Bang.
Her kick sent him flying again.
"Who insults the Uchiha more than weaklings like you? Arrogant and blind, proud but powerless. If this is what your clan produces, it is pathetic indeed."
The class held their breath. Konome's gaze on him was merciless.
She knew what Sasuke was: an ungrateful wolf, one who would one day bite even the hand that saved him. Karin in the original timeline had learned that the hardest way. Kindness alone would never tame him.
Only the stick and the carrot power and dominance. Only if he was forever beneath her heel would he never dare betray.
As she thought this, Sasuke suddenly raised his head. His handsome features twisted with pain, and fire blazed in his mouth.
Fury consumed him. He forgot the rules. He would make her pay.
All the chakra in his body surged to his throat.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique.
Whoosh.
A ball of flame the size of a melon roared toward Konome, trailing sparks. She had not even raised her hand.
No Silent Water Release. No motion at all.
Had she frozen?
Sasuke licked dry lips, unable to stop the smirk spreading across his face. Revenge at last.
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