Chapter 65 – A Fun Spar
The sun was already leaning past noon when the last of the jonin instructors wrapped up their team tests. The academy grounds were buzzing with excitement — new teams formed, fresh genin brimming with energy.
Minato's team of Kakashi, Obito, and Rin had passed with his calm but sharp bell test. Rin still looked relieved, Obito was loudly complaining he could've done better, and Kakashi, as usual, acted like it was no big deal.
Jiraiya stretched his arms, watching the younger generation with an amused grin. Akira stood at his side, hands in his pockets, his golden eyes catching the sunlight faintly before fading back to normal.
"Well," Jiraiya said, smirking, "looks like the kids all survived their first day. Guess there's still some talent in this village after all."
Minato chuckled softly. "They did well."
Obito was still complaining. "I still think I should've gotten both bells! You distracted me, Rin!"
"I did not!" Rin huffed, crossing her arms.
Kakashi sighed, ignoring them, but his gaze flicked to Akira. He knew exactly what Jiraiya was about to say.
"Oi, Akira," Jiraiya suddenly said, pointing a thumb at himself. "What do you say we give them a little show? Just for fun. A quick spar, teacher versus student."
Akira blinked once, then gave a small shrug. "If you want to get embarrassed in front of everyone, sure."
"WHAT?!" Obito nearly tripped. "He just—he just talked back to one of the Legendary Sannin!!"
Rin's eyes widened, worried. "Akira… are you sure about this? That's Jiraiya-sama…"
Kakashi, however, smirked faintly. "Don't worry. He's fine."
Minato smiled quietly, watching with interest.
---
The spar began with Jiraiya making the first move, though it was obvious he was holding back. He lunged playfully, his fist swinging low. Akira slid aside with practiced ease, countering with a quick palm strike.
Thock!
The air cracked where their blows nearly met.
Jiraiya grinned. "Not bad, kid. You've gotten sharper since the last time."
Akira replied calmly, "You're getting slower, old man."
Obito almost fainted. "H-He just—! He called Jiraiya-sama old man!!"
Kakashi deadpanned. "He's not wrong."
"HEY!" Jiraiya barked, glaring at Kakashi before spinning to block Akira's kick. The two exchanged a flurry of blows—fast but controlled, like a teacher testing his student's growth rather than fighting seriously.
Rin clasped her hands together nervously. "Their speed… I can barely follow it."
Obito's eyes bugged out. "Are you kidding?! I can't follow ANY of it!"
Then suddenly, golden chakra flickered across Akira's eyes. The Byakugan lit up, but in its golden form. Rin gasped, Obito screamed, and even Minato's expression sharpened.
Jiraiya paused for just a moment, his grin widening. "Heh. Still using that trick, huh? Show them, then. Let them see what real vision looks like."
Akira nodded once. His golden Byakugan glowed, veins forming faintly around his eyes. The air seemed heavier, chakra pathways in Jiraiya's body visible to him.
"Whoa—his eyes!" Obito yelled. "Rin! Did you see that?! They're gold! GOLD! Byakugan's not supposed to be gold!!"
Rin whispered, almost entranced. "It's… beautiful."
Kakashi crossed his arms. "You two are too loud. He's had it for years."
"YEARS?!" Obito shouted, spinning on him. "And you didn't tell me?!"
Jiraiya laughed mid-spar, dodging Akira's sharp strike. "Your teammates are noisy, Akira. Good thing you're not on Minato's team, or you'd have gone deaf already."
Akira smirked faintly. "I think I'd rather fight you than listen to Obito complain."
"HEY!!" Obito barked.
---
The spar went on for several minutes, a dance of blows, counters, and chakra control. But eventually, Jiraiya called it, raising a hand. "That's enough, kid. If I keep going, I might end up looking bad in front of my godson here." He jerked a thumb at Minato, who only smiled.
Akira exhaled, letting his golden eyes fade. He bowed his head slightly out of habit, though his lips curved. "You didn't hold back enough."
Jiraiya ruffled his hair roughly. "Tch, cheeky brat. You'll surpass me at this rate."
Obito slumped on the ground, shaking his head. "This… this isn't fair. How am I supposed to keep up with eyes like THAT?!"
Rin just smiled softly, though her curiosity about Akira's power only deepened.
And Kakashi… Kakashi said nothing, only watching with quiet acknowledgment. He'd seen this spar before, many times in another world.
The day ended not with another test, but with laughter, commotion, and the quiet knowledge that this new generation was already walking into legend.
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