Chapter 19: Learning in Battle
"You... you're trying to steal my moves again!"
Sasuke glared at Tsuruma Nobuyuki, his voice filled with resentment.
Back in their practical class, Nobuyuki had copied his taijutsu and defeated him. The memory of that loss had burned so deeply that Sasuke had skipped dinner that night out of frustration.
He wouldn't let it go so easily.
But Nobuyuki wasn't about to let a prime opportunity to gain experience slip away.
"I have more chakra than you, and I'm stronger in taijutsu," Nobuyuki stated calmly.
"As for ninjutsu, I've been secretly listening in on the upper-grade classes, so I'm definitely ahead of you there too."
"For the foreseeable future, unless you take advantage of my inexperience with ninja tools right now, you won't have a chance to beat me."
Nobuyuki looked at Sasuke with a confident smirk.
Sasuke Uchiha had always been portrayed as a cool, calculating genius with sharp observational skills. But in truth, his proud and sensitive nature often made him more stubborn than the seemingly clueless Naruto.
When faced with adversity, Naruto had a way of thinking outside the box and overcoming obstacles unpredictably.
Sasuke, on the other hand, would grit his teeth, glare angrily, and charge in headfirst, relying on sheer willpower and the belief in his Uchiha bloodline.
So when Nobuyuki baited him with a mix of provocation and challenge…
Sasuke fell for it.
Without a word, he retrieved two kunai from the target post, gripping them tightly. His sharp eyes locked onto Nobuyuki, filled with determination.
Seeing this, Nobuyuki smiled with satisfaction. He borrowed two kunai from Iruka and took his position opposite Sasuke.
They performed the seal of confrontation, a formality before sparring, then sprang into action.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of clashing metal echoed through the air, like the pounding of war drums.
Extract chakra.
After the initial exchange, Nobuyuki instinctively withdrew 100 points of chakra, entering Genin Mode.
With his chakra-enhanced physical abilities—greater strength, speed, and perception—he immediately overpowered Sasuke, despite the latter's superior kunai skills.
"Not this again!"
Sasuke gritted his teeth as he felt the pressure from each clash.
As an Uchiha, it was unbearable to be overwhelmed in combat, especially by someone who wasn't even from a noble clan.
But no matter how much he resented it, the difference in chakra reserves was undeniable.
Clang!
Using the force of the collision, Sasuke leaped back, creating distance between them.
He couldn't match Nobuyuki in close-quarters combat. So instead, he decided to fight at range, where his kunai skills would shine.
Swish! Swish!
Two kunai shot through the air, one from the left, one from the right, creating a pincer attack.
Nobuyuki hesitated for a brief moment before blocking both projectiles.
But just as he deflected them—
Swish! Swish!
Another two kunai came flying from tricky angles.
For the first time, Nobuyuki found himself slightly flustered.
Despite his Lv.3 Taijutsu, he struggled to keep up. He could only dodge and parry, barely holding his ground.
But then—
The match ended.
Because—
"I'm out of kunai!"
Sasuke's face twisted in frustration.
He hadn't anticipated Nobuyuki's challenge today, so he had only brought four kunai—just enough for standard practice after school.
He had finally gained an advantage, only to run out of weapons at the worst possible moment.
He cursed himself, wishing he could turn back time just to pack more ninja tools that morning.
Nobuyuki, seeing Sasuke sulking, casually waved his hand.
"It's fine. Let's say you won this one."
"As expected of the Uchiha, the most elite clan in Konoha—your kunai skills are incredible! I learned a lot."
While saying this, he discreetly checked his system panel.
In just a few exchanges, his Kunai Mastery (Lv.2, 1/150) had increased to (Lv.2, 17/150).
He had gained plenty from the battle.
Sasuke, hearing his words, softened slightly.
But his Uchiha pride refused to accept a victory that was simply "given" to him.
"This is a draw at best," Sasuke said firmly. "Next time, I'll actually defeat you."
Nobuyuki didn't mind. In fact, he was already thinking about something else—
When is the next time?
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Something about Nobuyuki's eagerness made him uneasy, like he was being taken advantage of.
"You… do you have some kind of ability to learn during battle?" Sasuke asked, his tone suspicious.
Nobuyuki raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.
This guy's instincts were sharp.
Even though Sasuke hadn't guessed the exact nature of his ability, he was definitely onto something.
Seeing Nobuyuki's reaction, Sasuke's eyes gleamed with understanding.
"I knew it!" He crossed his arms with a smug expression.
"You wouldn't bother with anything that didn't benefit you."
Nobuyuki scratched his head. Getting found out so quickly was unexpected.
But after a moment's thought, he realized—
"If even a young Sasuke can figure it out after just a few spars… then experts like the Third Hokage or Uchiha Itachi will see through me even faster."
"In that case, there's no point in hiding it."
Nobuyuki straightened up and looked at Sasuke.
"You're right. I do learn through battle."
"But tell me… isn't growth through combat what being a ninja is all about?"
Sasuke had no response. He just scowled at Nobuyuki.
Meanwhile, Naruto, Kiba, and Shino—who had been watching—looked at Nobuyuki in shock.
Shino, the most analytical of the group, adjusted his sunglasses.
"So, the reason Nobuyuki always goes all out in practical class… is because he learns from every fight?"
Kiba scratched his head, confused.
"But… Shin's opponents in practical class are mostly Naruto."
"What could he possibly learn from fighting that idiot?"
Naruto, who had been nodding along at first, suddenly perked up.
"Wait a minute!" He grinned excitedly. "So that means even Shin has to learn from me! That proves how awesome I am!"
The group collectively rolled their eyes.
Sasuke, in particular, felt like he had misjudged everything.
If Nobuyuki was actually learning from Naruto… then was he really as talented as he seemed?
Or was he just messing with everyone?
After a moment, Sasuke shook his head.
"Doesn't matter," he muttered.
"As long as I beat him before he learns, that's all that matters."
He turned back to Nobuyuki and declared:
"Tomorrow morning, same time. We'll fight again."
"I'll bring all my ninja tools."
Sasuke smirked confidently.
"These aren't just any weapons. They're Uchiha clan kunai—ones that have spilled the blood of countless enemies on the battlefield."
"You better bring some healing ointment… or don't blame me if you bleed out."
Sasuke's words were half a boast, half a warning.
Iruka frowned. "Isn't that a bit dangerous?"
Nobuyuki hesitated.
He had already experienced the lethal precision of Uchiha kunai firsthand today.
Was it really worth the risk… just for experience points?