Academy Arc – First Combat Assessment
The classroom buzzed with quiet tension after Instructor Tetsuma finished speaking.
Some students looked excited.
Others looked irritated.
But nearly all of them glanced at Raizen at least once.
The number one uniform had done exactly what the instructor intended.
It turned him into a target.
Instructor Tetsuma clapped once.
"Enough sitting."
The students immediately straightened.
"Combat training field. Now."
The Training Grounds
The class walked through the academy corridors and out into the large outdoor training complex belonging to Kumogakure's academy.
Raizen immediately noticed how large it was.
Multiple sparring arenas.
Obstacle courses.
Weapon training areas.
Chakra practice fields.
Even a small forest section for stealth training.
Kumogakure clearly invested heavily in preparing young shinobi.
Inside his mind Astra spoke quietly.
"Facility evaluation: high efficiency military training environment."
Raizen nodded internally.
The village really was serious about becoming the strongest.
Combat Evaluation
The class gathered around a circular sparring ring carved into the training field.
Instructor Tetsuma stood in the center.
"Today we begin your first combat assessment."
Several students leaned forward.
"You will spar."
Excited murmurs spread instantly.
"No lethal force."
"No weapons."
"Taijutsu only."
Then he added something important.
"This is not a tournament."
"You are being evaluated on movement, awareness, control, and decision-making."
His eyes briefly moved to Raizen.
"Winning alone does not guarantee the highest score."
Raizen appreciated that.
It meant strategy mattered.
The First Match
The instructor scanned the class list.
"Kento Goruma."
The large boy from the strength clan stepped forward confidently.
His heavy footsteps made the ground thud slightly.
"And…"
The instructor paused.
"Raizen."
Several students immediately leaned forward.
Daigo smirked.
"Perfect."
Aikari's eyes sharpened with interest.
The Strength of the Goruma Clan
Kento cracked his knuckles as he stepped into the sparring ring.
He was already noticeably bigger than most students.
Astra spoke inside Raizen's mind.
"Reminder: Goruma Clan."
"Enhanced muscle density."
"Estimated strength output: 40% higher than class average."
Raizen walked calmly into the ring.
"Noted."
Kento grinned.
"You're the number one student?"
Raizen shrugged slightly.
"For now."
Kento laughed.
"Good."
"I want to see if you deserve it."
The Fight Begins
Instructor Tetsuma raised a hand.
"Begin."
Kento moved first.
Fast for someone his size.
He rushed forward with a powerful straight punch.
Inside Raizen's mind Astra spoke quickly.
"Trajectory predicted."
Raizen shifted his stance.
Instead of blocking the punch directly, he stepped sideways and redirected the force with his forearm.
Kento's punch hit empty air.
Before Kento could recover, Raizen delivered a quick kick to his side.
Not powerful.
But precise.
Kento stumbled slightly.
The watching students murmured.
Kento growled and rushed again.
This time with a sweeping grab.
If he caught Raizen, the match would probably end quickly.
Inside Raizen's mind Astra calculated again.
"Grapple range dangerous."
"Recommend evasive response."
Raizen ducked under the grab and pivoted behind Kento.
He delivered another quick strike to the back of Kento's knee.
Kento dropped slightly before regaining balance.
But Raizen didn't follow up recklessly.
He stepped back.
Instructor Tetsuma watched carefully.
That decision didn't go unnoticed.
After several exchanges, the pattern became clear.
Kento was stronger.
But Raizen was more controlled.
More efficient.
Eventually Raizen slipped past Kento's guard and tapped two fingers against the larger boy's throat.
A clean finishing strike.
Instructor Tetsuma raised his hand.
"Stop."
Kento froze.
Then stepped back breathing heavily.
Raizen bowed slightly.
"Good match."
Kento rubbed the back of his neck.
"…You're annoying."
But he smiled slightly.
"You're good."
Reactions
The class buzzed with whispers.
"He beat Goruma?"
"Without even getting hit."
"That was crazy."
Across the field, Daigo crossed his arms.
"Hmph."
Aikari watched quietly.
Her eyes sparkled slightly.
He's really good…
But what impressed her most wasn't the victory.
It was how calm he stayed.
Astra's Observation
Inside Raizen's mind Astra summarized.
"Host performance: efficient."
"Energy expenditure: minimal."
"Opponent neutralized using technique rather than strength."
Raizen stretched his arms slightly.
"Exactly how Mom trained me."
Instructor Tetsuma looked over the class again.
"Well done."
Then he glanced toward another student.
"Next match."
His eyes landed on someone very eager.
"Daigo Raikose."
Daigo stepped forward instantly with a grin.
Finally.
He pointed directly at Raizen.
"I want him."
A few students laughed.
But Instructor Tetsuma only smiled slightly.
"Patience."
He looked at Raizen.
"You've already fought once."
"Sit."
Daigo groaned.
But his excitement only grew.
Because now it wasn't a question of if they would fight.
Only when.
The Target
As the class continued sparring, Raizen returned to the sidelines.
Students kept glancing at him.
The number one student.
The one with the special uniform.
The one who just beat the strength clan heir.
Inside his mind Astra spoke quietly.
"Current class perception: host identified as primary competitor."
Raizen smiled slightly.
"Good."
Because if everyone wanted his spot…
They would have to take it.
And Raizen had no intention of giving it away easily.