"Random A vs. Random B!"
"Winner: Random B!"
…
"Kurenai Yuhi vs. Rin Nohara!"
"Winner: Kurenai Yuhi!"
…
"Obito Uchiha vs. Ebisu!"
"Winner: Ebisu!"
Obito shouted angrily, "Damn it! Ebisu, just you wait—I'll beat you next time!"
Ebisu adjusted his glasses and sneered inwardly. You? A dead last like you will never get that chance.
He considered himself a small genius—far above someone like Obito.
…
"Shiro Akira vs. Asuma!"
After nearly an hour, it was finally Shiro Akira's turn.
He wasn't surprised at all to be matched against Asuma Sarutobi.
He had clearly seen Asuma sneak over to the instructor earlier and whisper something.
This matchup had obviously been arranged.
"Shiro Akira! Come on—let me see how strong you've become!"
Asuma jumped onto the field excitedly, full of fighting spirit.
Heh… hope you don't cry later.
Shiro Akira shook his head inwardly.
The happier he was now, the more disappointed he'd be soon.
After nearly two weeks of training, Shiro Akira had improved significantly in physique, ninjutsu, taijutsu, and his control over the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.
Even Kakashi Hatake could only fight him to a draw when Shiro Akira limited himself to Lightning Mode.
Asuma… simply wasn't on that level yet.
The match began.
Asuma immediately threw several shuriken at Shiro Akira, then rushed forward with a kunai in hand.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Shiro Akira casually deflected all the incoming shuriken with his kunai.
"Clang!"
Then, using his kunai like a blade, he blocked Asuma's attack.
Faint arcs of lightning flickered across his body.
In the next instant—
With his free hand, Shiro Akira grabbed Asuma by the collar at lightning speed, lifted him up, and slammed him hard onto the ground behind him.
"Boom!!"
A heavy impact echoed.
"Pff—!"
Asuma hit the ground violently, coughing up a mouthful of fluid, nearly losing consciousness.
Just as he struggled to get up—
He suddenly felt a chill at his neck.
He froze.
Looking down, he saw Shiro Akira's kunai already pressed against his throat.
A bitter expression appeared on his face.
He hadn't expected to lose like this.
"So fast…"
"The match is over. Winner: Shiro Akira!"
The instructor, Oki Fujiwara, announced the result with visible surprise.
He hadn't expected Shiro Akira—once just a mid-tier student—to suddenly become this strong.
He had defeated the Hokage's son in seconds.
Asuma wasn't the strongest in class, but he was definitely among the top.
Yet this defeat had been utterly decisive.
At that moment, Shiro Akira extended his hand.
"Come on."
Asuma paused for a moment, then grabbed his hand.
Shiro Akira pulled him to his feet.
"I lost this time," Asuma said seriously. "But I'll win next time."
There was now a trace of genuine acknowledgment in his eyes.
After all, he was still just a kid—his thoughts weren't that complicated.
"Haha!"
Shiro Akira smiled. "Then you'd better work hard. I won't wait for you."
He formed a reconciliation seal.
Asuma returned it with a huff. "Who asked you to wait? Just watch—I'll surpass you!"
He had already decided—
If necessary, he would ask his father, Hiruzen Sarutobi, for personal guidance.
Or at least get assigned an elite jonin instructor.
After all, Shiro Akira had already become the disciple of the White Fang.
With such guidance, his growth would only accelerate.
"Shiro Akira, you're amazing!"
As Shiro Akira stepped down, Kurenai, Rin, and others quickly gathered around him, congratulating him.
Asuma watched from the side, feeling a bit sour.
But having just lost, he didn't have the face to approach.
He turned his head away and clenched his fists.
Just wait, Kurenai… next time, I'll make you see me in a new light.
Nearby, Obito Uchiha stared in disbelief.
"Shiro Akira actually got this strong? Damn it…"
Many others in the class shared the same thoughts.
…
Inside the Hokage's office—
Hiruzen used the Telescope Technique as usual to observe the match.
"Just as I thought… once his talent awakened, his strength began to grow rapidly."
Then his gaze shifted to Asuma.
Seeing his son clenching his fists, clearly motivating himself despite the loss, a look of satisfaction appeared on Hiruzen's face.
"Good… with a rival like this, perhaps you'll mature and grow faster."
Asuma had always been a troublesome child before.
That evening, after returning home—
Asuma went straight to his father.
"Father… I want to become stronger."
Hiruzen was slightly stunned—
Then inwardly overjoyed.
It worked. Shiro Akira's influence is already taking effect.
This was the first time Asuma had主动 expressed such determination.
"Very well."
Hiruzen nodded calmly. "I'll make time to train you personally. And when I'm unavailable, I'll assign an elite jonin from the clan to guide you."
"Mm!"
Asuma nodded, clenching his fists.
Shiro Akira… just wait. Next time, I'll defeat you.
With that thought, he immediately added:
"Let's start now."