Afternoon.
After finishing the shuriken throwing and the survival drill, the fourth years returned to the field and lined up in their class sections again.
If you looked closely, you would notice the formation had changed. Instead of forming a circle like in the first stage, the fourth years now spread into two rows, leaving a wide open space in the middle.
As the teachers called names, students stepped out one by one, then returned to their rows with either joy or frustration on their faces.
Those who were more seriously hurt were sent to the medical ninja first.
"Group Thirteen, Kushina Uzumaki versus Eriko."
As match after match ended, Yuya called out the next pairing in the Fourth Year Class One area.
The moment Eriko heard her opponent's name, her face went pale.
The classmates around her looked at her with pure sympathy.
In just three months, the entire class's impression of Kushina had changed completely.
With Yami backing her, Kushina did not experience the bullying from the original story at all. Instead, she flipped the situation and bullied the people who had mocked her.
That terrifying brute strength was no joke. Even Yami, who had matured early, nearly threw up from one solid punch.
For everyone else, it was even worse.
Every combat assessment, anyone matched against Kushina ended up on their knees and vomiting.
If it got serious, some would pass out on the spot.
So in addition to Yami, Class One had gained another opponent they all prayed not to draw.
"Te teacher… can I forfeit?" Eriko raised her hand, her voice shaking.
"No."
Yuya scolded her sternly. "A combat assessment is not only a simulation of a life and death battle. It is also meant to let you experience the joy and sense of achievement that comes with victory, and the frustration and unwillingness that comes with defeat. Those experiences increase your physical energy and mental energy. So I do not want to hear the word 'forfeit' from your mouths again. Understood?"
On the last word, Yuya's gaze turned sharp as he glared across the entire class.
"Yes!"
Everyone who got caught by that stare straightened up and answered loudly.
So Eriko had no choice but to walk out, shoulders slumped.
Kushina did not hold back at all against someone who had once mocked her. She Body Flickered in and finished it with a single punch.
Eriko's eyes rolled back, and she collapsed unconscious on the spot.
Yuya's mouth twitched.
Seriously, how much hatred was that?
It had been months, and she did not even give the other girl a chance to form the reconciliation seal. She had no intention of forgiving them at all.
Because Kushina's status was special, Yuya did not dare lecture her. He could only give the medical ninja beside him a look, signaling him to take Eriko away for treatment.
"Match over. Winner: Kushina Uzumaki."
After announcing the result, Yuya continued with the next pairing.
"Group Fourteen, Minato versus Yami!"
The moment those two names were called, everyone's eyes lit up.
"They finally got matched again. This is going to be good."
"We get to see Minato and Yami fight again. If I remember right, their last match was in the first semester of third year."
"When we get matched against them, we just get destroyed instantly. I wonder how much stronger they are now after another year."
"Minato, do your best. You have to win this time!"
"Minato, please get revenge for us." (whisper)
As the class cheered for Minato, Kushina looked openly annoyed.
The moment she returned to her spot, she slapped Yami on the shoulder and shouted, "Yami, beat that pretty boy up for me!"
Hearing that, Minato's already awkward expression turned into a helpless smile. How much damage those words did to his heart, only Yami probably understood.
Yami said nothing. He walked into the open space and stood to Yuya's left.
Minato stepped to the right, facing Yami.
Looking at his two best students, Yuya's eyes filled with anticipation as he raised his voice. "Both of you, form the confrontation seal!"
Yami and Minato raised two fingers like a blade and spoke at the same time. "Please instruct me."
"Begin!"
Yuya lifted his arm high and swung it down, stepping back to clear the field for them.
Unlike the other students, who charged the instant the signal dropped, Yami and Minato did not attack right away.
They stared each other down, their eyes locked, as if sparks might fly between them.
Then Yami spoke first. "Want to make it a no rules duel?"
Minato froze for a beat.
Looking at the burning battle intent in Yami's eyes, he could not help remembering the last time they fought, and the faintly disappointed look Yami had shown afterward.
It was a look Minato had never seen from him toward anyone else, not even when Yami fought Kushina.
It was like Yami cared about facing him more than anyone.
And when Minato thought about how Yami had earned the favor of the girl Minato liked, something inside him stirred. The usually gentle Minato suddenly wanted to prove himself. His emotions caught fire, and a rare edge of fighting spirit rose in his gaze.
"Fine. I have no objections."
The corner of Yami's mouth lifted. He turned to Yuya. "Yuya sensei, I want to request a no rules duel."
Minato also nodded at Yuya, showing he agreed.
"This…"
Yuya looked caught off guard, clearly torn.
"Let them," the medical ninja beside him said with a smile. "It will let everyone see what real talent looks like. Besides, with the two of us here, nothing will happen."
A genius without a bloodline limit could be impressive, but even then, using a single C rank elemental technique was already outstanding.
Some experienced genin were only at that level.
From the medical ninja's perspective, as long as they prepared for that, nothing dangerous should occur.
Yuya agreed. He nodded at Yami and Minato, his expression serious.
"Request approved. From this point on, you may use any methods you have. Do not hold back. If either of you is in danger, we will step in and stop the match."
Then Yuya turned to the two rows of students.
"Everyone, move back another five meters."
Gulp.
The atmosphere was so heavy that the students could not speak. Almost by instinct, they all stepped back together, then stared at the two boys with tense faces.
In that moment, everyone could feel it.
Between them and the two standing in the center, there was an invisible barrier.
It was not just a difference in level.
It was a gap they were destined to never cross.
(End of Chapter)
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