Chapter 31 Practical Training Lessons (4)The battle begins!
Naruto immediately formed the hand seals for the Shadow Clone Technique. With two loud poofs, two shadow clones appeared beside him, rushing straight toward Sasuke without hesitation.
Sasuke, naturally, was already moving. He wasn't the type to wait passively; instead, he advanced directly, choosing to meet Naruto head-on.
The distance between them closed in an instant.
Bang!
Their forearms collided with a sharp impact, the force causing both to slide back slightly. Naruto's two shadow clones immediately leapt forward, attempting to restrain Sasuke from both sides. However, Sasuke had anticipated this. His body twisted mid-motion, and with a clean punch and a swift kick, he dispersed both clones into clouds of white smoke.
Naruto didn't look surprised in the slightest.
Shadow clones were fragile by nature one solid hit was enough to dispel them. But that didn't matter.
He could simply make more.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
This time, Naruto's chakra surged again, and six more clones appeared, surrounding Sasuke from multiple directions.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly as he assessed the situation.
"His chakra… it's ridiculous…"
Even though he already knew Naruto possessed enormous reserves far beyond a normal academy student the pressure became far more apparent in an actual fight.
Still, Sasuke was no ordinary child.
As an Uchiha, his chakra quality, control, and combat instincts far surpassed most of his peers.
Faced with the encirclement, Sasuke didn't panic.
Instead
He jumped.
His body shot upward, creating distance from the surrounding clones. In mid-air, his hands moved quickly, pulling out several kunai. With precise flicks of his wrists, he launched them downward.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Each kunai struck true.
One kunai one clone.
White smoke burst repeatedly as Naruto's clones disappeared one after another.
As Sasuke landed, his hands immediately began forming seals.
He inhaled deeply.
He was about to use
The signature Uchiha technique.
Seeing this, Naruto's expression sharpened. Without hesitation, he created more clones this time not just a handful, but over ten.
This wasn't the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, but it was already pushing the normal Shadow Clone Technique far beyond what academy students could achieve.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Sasuke's chest expanded as he exhaled forcefully, releasing a massive fireball that surged forward, its heat distorting the air as it roared toward Naruto and his clones.
The entire training ground fell into stunned silence.
Iruka and the other students could only stare, their expressions frozen.
Iruka: "…Ha… haha… am I dreaming…? Great Fireball… and that many shadow clones…?"
His composure was on the verge of collapse.
Even as a Chunin, creating that many shadow clones was far from easy and Sasuke's Great Fireball Technique was already at the level required for graduation from the Academy.
These two…
They were far beyond "talented."
They were monsters in the most literal, awe-filled sense.
Around him, the other students were equally stunned.
Sasuke's strength was already well-known, but what he was displaying now his taijutsu, speed, precision, and ninjutsu felt completely out of place among academy students.
But even more shocking
Was Naruto.
Kiba Inuzuka stared in disbelief.
"…No way… he was holding back against me…?"
Shikamaru narrowed his eyes, already thinking several steps ahead.
"…Troublesome… if the higher-ups hear about this, things will get complicated…"
Hinata, standing at the edge of the crowd, clasped her hands together, her face flushed.
"Naruto-kun… amazing…"
Meanwhile, the most enthusiastic spectator of all
Was Chika.
"Go! Go! Naruto! Straight punch into a low sweep! Hey, Sasuke, don't hold back like that! That kind of attack won't work on him! Use your shuriken properly, control the spacing!"
She shouted excitedly from her hidden position, switching sides every few seconds as if she were cheering for both fighters at once.
If anyone heard her, they might think she'd lost her mind.
Chika, don't you feel even a little sorry for them?
Chika: Sorry? Haven't you heard fighting builds bonds! This is healthy competition between brothers!
More importantly
Naruto and Sasuke were the "protagonists" of this world.
As long as she didn't interfere too drastically with the overall flow of events, their survival rate was practically guaranteed.
Unlike her.
Chika: Being a side character is stressful…
Back on the training field, the battle continued to escalate.
Naruto's clones surged forward again and again, while Sasuke weaved through them, counterattacking with precision and efficiency. Taijutsu clashed repeatedly, kicks and punches exchanged at high speed, each of them adapting rapidly to the other's movements.
Time passed.
Five minutes.
Neither side gained a decisive advantage.
Finally
Both of them stopped simultaneously.
Sasuke clicked his tongue softly.
"…Tch. Naruto… you're tougher than I thought."
Naruto grinned, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"You're pretty ruthless yourself, Sasuke! If I had a stronger finishing move, I would've beaten you already!"
Even though neither was satisfied, they both respected the agreed time limit.
The match ended in a draw.
Iruka quickly stepped forward, clapping awkwardly.
"Ah… everyone did great today! Very… energetic… but I think we should focus more on theory for now… practical combat can wait…"
Originally, he had planned to introduce regular sparring sessions.
Now?
He was reconsidering his life choices.
Iruka: I prefer peace…
After this match, no one in the class dared to underestimate Naruto anymore.
However, that didn't mean everyone suddenly accepted him.
The whispers about the "Nine-Tails' host" still lingered. As long as that stigma remained, Naruto's situation wouldn't completely change.
But Naruto himself didn't care.
Not even a little.
After school, as usual, Naruto and Sasuke packed their things and left together.
"I wonder if my sister's back…"
Sasuke muttered quietly.
Naruto stretched lazily, grinning.
"I'm waiting for her to teach me some super strong jutsu!"
Sasuke shot him an annoyed look.
"…That's my sister."
Naruto laughed, hands behind his head.
"Don't be so stingy your sister is my sister too!"
Sasuke's expression darkened.
Upon reaching the academy gate
They both stopped.
Leaning casually against the wall was a familiar figure.
"Sister?! You're back!"
Sasuke rushed forward immediately.
"Hmm~"
Chika raised her hand and lightly knocked his head, then ruffled his hair like he was a pet.
"Let's go home~"
"Okay!!!"
Naruto followed closely behind, grinning as always.
And just like that
The day came to a close.