He froze, his gaze snapping toward the sound.
A girl stood at the edge of the field, her hair wild and dark, her expression unreadable except for the spark of mischief in her eyes. She was about his age but carried herself like someone who didn't care what anyone thought.
Reiji straightened, instantly guarded 'Anko? how the hell did she find me here!? has she made contact with Orochimaru yet?'
"And you are?"
She smirked. "Anko Mitarashi. You?"
"Reiji."
"Well, Reiji," she said, strolling closer with her hands in her pockets, "you look like you've been wrestling ghosts out here."
His tone stayed flat, monotone. "Training."
"Training," she repeated with a grin. "Doesn't look like you're winning."
Her words dug at him, though he didn't show it. He stayed silent, letting her fill the space with her own noise.
"You're quiet. Weird. I like that."
Reiji tilted his head slightly, assessing her. Confident. Overly so. Testing me.
"Not here to make friends," he said finally.
"Good," Anko said, smirking wider. "Me neither."
She walked past him, toward the dummies lined up for throwing practice, as if she'd been here all along.
Reiji watched her for a moment, every instinct telling him to stay wary.
The classroom buzzed with anticipation. Today wasn't lectures or chakra theory—it was sparring day.
Reiji sat at his desk, posture rigid, listening as the instructor read out the pairings.
His mind was elsewhere. Sparring means observation. Observation means exposure. He hated exposure. Every move was a chance for others to see the cracks in his control.
"Reiji," the instructor called.
He blinked. "Yes."
"Paired with… Anko Mitarashi."
Of course.
A low chuckle drifted across the room. He turned to see her lounging casually in her chair, grinning like a fox.
"Looks like we're up, quiet boy," she said, standing and rolling her shoulders.
Reiji felt the stares of the class shift toward them. Whispers rippled through the air.
They're watching again. Always watching.
The instructor led them outside to the sparring circle.
"Basic taijutsu only. No ninjutsu. First one to land a clean strike wins," the instructor said.
Reiji stepped into the ring, feet light, hands loose at his sides. His face betrayed nothing.
Anko entered opposite him, a glint in her eyes. "Try to keep up."
They circled.
She's fast. Overconfident. Will come in strong to overwhelm. I'll let her.
Anko struck first—a sharp jab aimed at his ribs. He deflected smoothly, turning his shoulder just enough to redirect it. She followed immediately with a low sweep for his legs. He hopped back, feeling the wind of her kick skim the air.
"You're quick," she said, already smiling.
"No," he replied flatly. "You're predictable."
She barked a laugh. "Oh, I like you."
She closed in again, her movements sharper, more aggressive. A feint with her left hand. He read it instantly.
Too obvious.
He caught her wrist and twisted, pulling her momentum forward. She spun with it, escaping his grip and trying to elbow him in the temple. He ducked, sliding out of range.
"Not bad," she taunted. "But you're holding back."
"Maybe," he said, voice monotone.
Anko grinned wider. "Don't. I want to see you actually try."
Her next assault was faster, a flurry of punches and kicks in rapid succession. He blocked the first three, sidestepped the fourth, but the fifth caught him off-guard, a knee to the ribs that knocked the air from his lungs.
'Clever little gnat, she was too fast; I gained too much confidence'
She pressed her advantage, but he planted his foot, pivoted, and used her momentum to shove her back.
For a moment, they stared at each other Anko panting slightly, exhilarated; Reiji standing still, breathing steady, his expression unreadable.
'I need to figure out how to advance my training with guidance, all this effort just to be stronger than Anko is a waste of time'
Then she lunged one last time, a faint grin on her face. He parried her strike, but she shifted at the last second, attempting a clean hit against his shoulder, with no other choice he threw himself down, using his hands he rebounded off the floor and planted a foot across her face.
'Crap! I didnt mean to use that much force!'
Winner: Reiji!