"Don't run. Let's settle this!"
In the middle of the training ground, Tsunade stood casually in the center, surrounded by numerous pits of varying sizes smashed into the earth.
These craters were all created through intense impact.
"Haa... haa..."
On the other side, Sakumo panted heavily while gripping his tanto.
Both fighters had exchanged blows, but Tsunade's monstrous strength was terrifying. With their current physiques, anyone hit by even a single punch would likely be finished.
Although the Hatake clan possessed many powerful sword techniques, most were killing techniques only usable in life-or-death duels, thus at an invisible disadvantage under these rules.
His chakra and stamina continued to diminish, yet Tsunade showed no obvious signs of fatigue.
He knew—he couldn't keep dodging forever.
"Come on. Let's finish this."
The Hatake clan wasn't known for having large chakra reserves. This would be his final strike.
High-level matches often ended with a single move. Until that decisive blow landed, nobody could predict who'd win. Akaba focused intently on the two figures in the arena.
In the next second, both fighters lunged forward like two tigers charging out of their cages.
One struck with lightning-fast fists, the other shimmered with blade flashes.
At the moment their attacks met, each dodged the opponent's deadly strike while maneuvering away—but as Tsunade avoided his attack, her foot suddenly slammed down hard.
"Not good!"
Sakumo immediately sensed the danger. He hadn't expected her foot could deliver such monstrous power, leaving him momentarily caught off guard.
Though he quickly steadied himself, when he regained focus, Tsunade's second punch was already before his eyes.
"Tsunade wins!"
After a brief silence, Sarutobi Nennosuke announced Tsunade's name, clearly surprised.
"The Senju Clan truly is amazing."
Honestly, he felt even if he were in Sakumo's place, he wouldn't have anticipated that kick either.
The two exchanged bows before returning to the sidelines.
"Next match."
Despite the previous fight, Tsunade didn't seem tired at all. Upon descending the training field, her eyes immediately fell upon Akaba sitting at the edge.
A hint of joy lit up her face. She quickened her pace for a moment, then slowed to a relaxed stroll as she reached him. "I knew you'd come watch, though earlier you didn't want to join me."
"No, I just didn't expect you'd cause so much commotion," Akaba yawned and sprawled out, ready for a nap.
"You!"
Tsunade frowned angrily, then huffed and sat beside him.
At first, she thought Akaba was just being stubborn, ignoring her on purpose. But after waiting a while, she realized he had really fallen asleep.
Following Tsunade and Sakumo's fight, the remaining matches significantly decreased in intensity, none reaching that level of thrilling confrontation again.
When the seventh round concluded, without waiting for Sarutobi Nennosuke to call names, Uchiha Ryo stood up and walked toward the center of the training ground.
"Next match: Uchiha Ryo vs. Sakuma Akaba."
He cast a proud glance at Akaba, who remained sound asleep.
"Sakuma Akaba?!"
Startled, Sarutobi Nennosuke called the name twice, clearly surprised.
He clearly saw Akaba walk out from the classroom and sit beside Tsunade earlier—why wasn't he responding now?
"Akaba! Akaba!"
Tsunade tried calling several times without success, finally giving him a shove.
"Who is it?!"
Suddenly awoken, Akaba's mood turned sour immediately.
"It's your turn. Go up."
Tsunade whispered. He paused blankly for a moment before turning his gaze toward the center of the arena.
Uchiha Ryo had already taken his position and glared at him intensely.
"Hurry up and get this over with—then you can crawl back to bed."
Uchiha Ryo said mockingly.
Akaba looked drowsy, nodding as he walked forward. "Since school started, that's the first thing you've said that actually makes sense to me."
"Hmph."
Uchiha Ryo sneered slightly and moved toward the other side of the training ground.
Akaba reached his own spot, holding his sketchpad, pencil, and paper, waiting for Sarutobi Nennosuke's command.
"3, 2, 1—ready, begin!"
At once, Uchiha Ryo vanished from sight.
[Shifting Body Technique - D-Rank]!
However,
Akaba threw a kunai, then remained in place without moving.
Uchiha Ryo sneered again, kicking toward the flying kunai. He thought he'd hit Akaba's real body with the kick, but who knew it was just a kunai after all.
Turning around, he saw Akaba still standing there, smirking slightly.
It was solid!
Seeing Akaba lift his brush to paint, Uchiha Ryo formed hand seals instantly, then turned and unleashed a jutsu: "[Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!]"
"What?! At his age, he can already use the Great Fireball Technique?"
"Not good!"
"Akaba!"
Several students close to Akaba immediately stood up in alarm.
"Stop!"
Sarutobi Nennosuke quickly used the Shifting Body Technique to intervene, but ordinary ninja-level body flickering wasn't true teleportation—it was simply high-speed movement using chakra stimulation.
Even though he was a Chunin, he couldn't reach Akaba in time. The massive fireball instantly engulfed Akaba's figure.
"Why would he use such a deadly technique on a student?!"
"Could he be dead for sure?"
"Now he's in real trouble—he attacked someone from the Sakuma clan!"
The other members of the Uchiha clan displayed various expressions.
Though technically a C-rank jutsu, the Great Fireball Technique's power rivaled even B-rank techniques.
Using that kind of jutsu on a student who isn't even a Genin amounted to nothing short of attempted murder.
The students couldn't see what happened beneath the huge fireball. Most believed Akaba hadn't dodged in time and had been completely consumed.
Even Orochimaru, usually calm and composed, stared blankly at the training ground in disbelief.
Only one person reacted differently—Tsunade.
"Tsunade! Akaba was hit directly by the Great Fireball! He must be dead for sure!"
Jiraiya shouted anxiously, confused and furious.
Orochimaru was equally shocked, but soon realized Akaba must have avoided it somehow. Instantly closing his eyes to sense for signs, he found unfortunately that this wasn't Genjutsu.
Could it be a shadow clone?
No, if it were a clone…
"It's [Multiple Shadow Clones]. And Uchiha Ryo has already been caught in the illusion. Watch."
Everyone turned their heads. Sarutobi Nennosuke arrived rapidly at the scene and discovered only scorched earth in the middle of the field—no sign of Akaba. Meanwhile, after releasing the Great Fireball Technique, Uchiha Ryo stood motionless, as though he'd fallen asleep on his feet.
"Match over—I'm going back to sleep."
In the next second, Akaba—who had changed his appearance—stepped out from the crowd at the edge of the field, holding a drawing in his hand.
The genjutsu—successfully broken!
"A clone huh?"
"When?"
Jiraiya was stunned. All his worrying had been for nothing—the Great Fireball hit a Shadow Clone.
"I believe Akaba-kun used [Multiple Shadow Clones] and the Substitution Technique at the exact moment the fireball was released, then instantly moved into the crowd while performing Genjutsu and evasive maneuvers."
Orochimaru's voice remained calm, though his expression betrayed slight shock.
Executing such actions wasn't particularly difficult, but what amazed everyone was that no one noticed anything under broad daylight.
Perfect timing and precise chakra control were both essential to pull this off.
"You went into the crowd! That's against the rules!"
Uchiha Kawaki shouted angrily.
"Hmph."
Akaba scoffed coldly, not even bothering to respond.
"Stay right there!"
As Kawaki stood up to confront him, Sarutobi Nennosuke immediately cut in.
"Do you understand what the comprehensive exam entails? Using clones, substitution techniques, and transformations to infiltrate are completely allowed. But I clearly said no lethal ninjutsu—did none of you even listen?"
This rebuke left several Uchiha speechless.
Indeed, their instructor had never forbidden entering the crowd, and they hadn't even detected Akaba using the Clone Technique in the first place—a fact they couldn't deny.
"Whatever. Not worth explaining to an idiot."
Akaba wiped the sketchpad clean, and soon Uchiha Ryo awakened.
"Hahahahaha! I won!"
Despite having his lips scorched, Uchiha Ryo burst into laughter upon waking.
In his eyes, he had defeated Akaba with his Great Fireball. But quickly, he sensed something was off—the way everyone stared at him seemed strange.
"Win? Sorry, but you've already lost. Also, for using the Great Fireball Technique, you'll be held back a year as punishment."
Sarutobi Nennosuke looked extremely displeased. While Akaba had survived, Ryo's use of such a dangerous offensive jutsu during the Comprehensive Exam still violated the rules.
"What? I lost?"
Uchiha Ryo's immediate reaction wasn't about being held back—it was his loss.
"Brother, you fell for Genjutsu—you already lost," Kawaki replied in embarrassment. Their opponent didn't even know how he'd lost, yet still thought he'd won.
Thinking further, however, Kawaki couldn't help but feel slightly relieved.
Without someone like Uchiha Ryo to share the blame, he would have definitely been scolded by the Clan Leader and elders when returning home. Now at least, there was someone else who would face consequences with him.
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~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!