Chapter 17: Rematch with Minato Namikaze—No-Rules Combat
Afternoon.
Having completed shuriken throwing and survival exercises, the fourth-year students returned to the training grounds, standing in their class's designated area.
Careful observation revealed the fourth years no longer arranged in circular formations like the first stage. Instead, they split into two rows with a large open area between.
Under the instructor's roll call, students emerged from the crowd one by one, returning to formation with either joy or dejection.
Those with severe injuries received treatment from medical ninja first.
"Group Thirteen: Kushina Uzumaki versus Eriko."
As one match after another concluded, in Class 4-A's area, Instructor Yuya called the next pairing.
Hearing her opponent's name, Eriko's face turned pale.
Surrounding classmates gazed at her with pity.
In just three months, Class 4-A students' impression of Kushina Uzumaki had undergone earth-shattering transformation.
Under Gojo Yoru's protection, Kushina not only avoided the bullying from the original series but reversed the situation, bullying those who'd once mocked her.
Her terrifying superhuman strength—even the prematurely developed Yoru had nearly vomited yesterday's meals after taking one of her punches.
Others fared even worse.
Every combat assessment, whoever matched against Kushina ended up on their knees vomiting.
More severe cases passed out on the spot.
Therefore, aside from Yoru, Class A students had gained another opponent they desperately wanted to avoid.
"S-sensei, can I forfeit?" Eriko raised her hand, voice trembling.
"No."
Yuya scolded sternly: "Combat assessments don't just simulate life-or-death battles. They let you experience the joy and accomplishment of victory, plus the dejection and unwillingness of defeat. These experiences enhance your physical and spiritual energy. Therefore, I don't want to hear the word 'forfeit' from any of you again. Understood?"
For the final sentence, Yuya's gaze turned sharp, fiercely glaring at the entire class.
"Yes!"
Students swept by Yuya's stare immediately straightened, responding loudly.
Thus, Eriko could only walk out dejectedly.
Toward this person who'd once mocked her, Kushina showed no mercy, immediately using Body Flicker to close distance and one-shot knockout with a single punch.
Fragile Eriko's eyes rolled back as she collapsed unconscious.
Witnessing this, Yuya's lips twitched involuntarily.
Good grief, just how deep was this grudge?
Months had passed, yet Kushina wouldn't even give them a chance to form the Seal of Reconciliation. She clearly had no intention of forgiving them!
Given Kushina's special status, Yuya didn't dare scold or lecture her. He could only exchange glances with the nearby medical ninja, signaling treatment for Eriko.
"Match concluded. Winner: Kushina Uzumaki."
After announcing the result, Yuya continued reading the next pairing.
"Group Fourteen: Minato Namikaze versus Gojo Yoru!"
Hearing these two names, all classmates' eyes lit up.
"Finally matched again! We're in for a show."
"We get to see Minato-kun and Yoru-kun fight again! If I remember correctly, they last fought during third year's first term."
"When we match against them, we get instantly defeated. Wonder how strong they've gotten after a year?"
"Go Minato! You have to win this time!"
"Minato, please avenge us." (whispered)
Seeing classmates cheering exclusively for Minato, Kushina's expression turned sour.
After returning to formation, she immediately slapped Yoru's shoulder, shouting loudly: "Yoru, teach that pretty boy a harsh lesson!"
Hearing this, Minato—already embarrassed—revealed a bitter smile. How devastating this blow felt, probably only Yoru understood.
Yoru said nothing, walking to the clearing and standing on Instructor Yuya's left side.
Minato approached the right side, facing Yoru directly.
Watching these two exceptional students, Yuya's eyes filled with anticipation as he called loudly: "Please form the Seal of Confrontation!"
Yoru and Minato each raised a sword-finger seal, declaring in unison: "Please teach me well!"
"Match begin!"
Yuya raised his arm high, then swung it down forcefully while retreating to yield the field to these two—the fourth year Chief Student and runner-up.
Unlike classmates who charged immediately upon signal, Yoru and Minato didn't attack each other right away. Instead, they gazed at one another, their eyes locked as if sparks flew.
Suddenly, Yoru spoke first: "Want to have a no-rules match?"
Minato paused slightly.
Seeing Yoru's eyes brimming with fighting spirit, he recalled the slightly regretful look in Yoru's gaze after their last encounter.
An expression never shown toward others—not even during matches with Kushina.
Did Yoru place special importance on him?
Thinking of how Yoru had won the favor of the girl he liked, the normally gentle Minato suddenly felt a desire to prove himself. His emotions ignited unusually as fighting spirit lit his eyes: "Sure. I have no objections."
Yoru's lips curved slightly upward. He turned toward Yuya: "Yuya-sensei, I'd like to request no-rules combat."
Minato also nodded to Yuya, expressing agreement.
"This..."
Yuya seemed at a loss, his expression troubled.
"Approve their request. Let everyone witness true genius-level strength." The nearby medical ninja smiled. "Besides, with both of us here, nothing will go wrong."
Geniuses without bloodline limits, no matter how talented, managing even one C-rank elemental technique was already remarkable.
Some veteran genin possessed roughly that level.
But for chunin, such strength remained insufficient.
As long as they took precautions, this medical ninja saw no possibility of accidents.
Yuya found this reasoning sound.
Therefore, he nodded to Yoru and Minato, his expression serious: "Request approved. You may now use any methods without restraint. If danger arises, we'll intervene to stop the match."
After speaking, Yuya addressed the two student rows: "Everyone, retreat an additional five meters."
Gulp!
The atmosphere left classmates speechless.
Instinctively swallowing, everyone retreated in unison, then watched the two combatants with tense expressions.
In that moment, everyone felt an invisible barrier separating them from the fighters.
Not merely a gap in ability—this was an insurmountable... chasm destined to remain forever beyond reach!