A few minutes later, the highly anticipated test to determine if the students would be promoted to genin began. To everyone's astonishment, Naruto not only passed each segment but did so with top-tier scores. Whispers of disbelief echoed in the minds of his classmates; how could this boy, once deemed useless and untrained, outshine everyone? Sasuke, in particular, felt a surge of frustration as he watched Naruto's impressive performance, realizing that the very person he had underestimated was soaring above him.
From his vantage point, the Hokage observed with surprise, noting that Naruto had even surpassed the legendary scores of his father and Itachi. The air crackled with tension as the exam neared its conclusion.
Finally, it was time for the crucial combat tests. The first two contestants called to the ring were none other than Naruto and Sasuke. As they stepped forward, each boy was a portrait of contrast – Sasuke, his brow furrowed in anger, and Naruto, flashing a confident smile that seemed to light up the atmosphere. Iruka stood between them, his voice ringing out with authority: "Hajime!"
In an instant, Sasuke launched himself at Naruto with a flurry of swift, precise movements. But Naruto, in a moment of fluid calm, raised his hands and snapped his fingers. Time itself seemed to halt; everyone in the arena froze, subjected to this unforeseen phenomenon. Naruto tapped a finger thoughtfully against his chin, contemplating his next move. An idea blossomed in his mind, and he exclaimed, "Yes, that's it!"
With a sense of purpose, Naruto decided to adjust the rules of engagement. If he fought in his current form, victory would come effortlessly—so instead, he conjured a clone, bestowing it with three pivotal attributes, ensuring a balanced contest. First, he infused the clone with mastery of Jeet Kune Do, matching Sasuke's skill in the Uchiha style. Next, he granted it the blinding speed of a jounin, tempered with Sasuke's raw strength. Lastly, with the spirit of competition in mind, he aimed to awaken Sasuke's Sharingan during this clash, endowing his clone with a unique dojutsu—the Tengentsu Eye. This eye permitted its wielder to perceive the chaos of the present and discern the opponent's movements and capabilities.
Now, with an electrifying sense of anticipation, Naruto prepared for the bout. He made himself invisible in a flash, a strategy to further intensify the challenge. Another snap of his fingers, and time resumed.
Sasuke, undeterred, charged at what he believed to be his friend. A heavy fist arced toward Naruto's face, but in a dazzling display of skill, Naruto seized Sasuke's wrist, executing a flawless judo throw that sent Sasuke crashing onto the ground. The impact jolted his spine, pain radiating through his body. As he struggled to regain his footing, he searched frantically for Naruto, but he found only an empty space.
Suddenly, Naruto reappeared behind him, delivering a powerful kick to Sasuke's back that sent him hurtling across the ring. The relentless assault continued, Naruto evading each strike with a grace that belied his earlier reputation. Sasuke, now struggling to find his rhythm, was battered and bruised, his pride and spirit taking a heavy toll.
Minutes felt like an eternity as Naruto maintained his grip on the fight, dominating Sasuke with his superior speed and ferocity. Just when it seemed the match would end with Sasuke down for the count, an unexpected transformation occurred. Amidst the blood and exhaustion, fueled by the cheers of his devoted fan girls, Sasuke summoned the strength to rise again. The clamor of the spectators faded as he closed his eyes and summoned his inner fire. When his eyelids fluttered open, they revealed the iconic one-tomoe Sharingan.
Naruto's clone, sensing Sasuke's awakening, felt a rush of excitement and closed its own eyes, then opened them again to reveal the shimmering power of the Tengentsu Eye. The true battle was just beginning.