Konoha’s White Fang Shines

Chapter 13: Practical Combat Training

On the academy's training field, the students, who had been studying for over half a year, lined up neatly, listening attentively to the teacher's lecture.

Just as most of them thought it was another taijutsu training session, they were surprised to hear that it would be a practical combat drill instead.

Some were excited, while others were anxious. Naturally, those excited included none other than the eccentric, green-suited, bowl-cut, shiny-toothed Might Guy.

As the teacher patiently explained the rules of sparring, precautions, and the meaning of the "Seal of Reconciliation," Might Guy frequently turned his head to glance behind him.

Although he was always met with Kakashi's ever-indifferent dead-fish eyes, Might Guy seemed drawn to them as if they were glittering gold, making him turn his head even more frequently, occasionally raising his eyebrows provocatively.

"All right, we'll start the one-on-one matches now. The first pair is…"

"Zzz…"

A sudden snore made the teacher's forehead twitch with frustration. His gaze turned toward the sound, and sure enough, it was Obito, slumped over, blissfully unaware in his nap.

Since the students were lined up by height, Rin wasn't near Obito, and with his somewhat poor reputation among his peers, no one bothered to wake him.

"Hahaha!"

Rather than wake him, many found the situation amusing and burst into laughter.

Seeing Obito still sound asleep, the teacher, who was already parched from explaining the rules, trembled with irritation. His expression turned fierce as he pointed his rolled-up roster in Obito's direction. "The first match will be between Uchiha Obito and Might Guy!"

"Wha—ahhh!"

Startled by the sudden mention of his name in his dream, Obito shot awake, flailing his arms and legs in confusion. "Who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do?"

Seeing Obito dazed and unresponsive, the teacher's tone grew colder. "Obito, you're up against Might Guy in the first match. Do you remember the rules and combat principles I just explained?"

"Uh… um…" Obito looked around, desperate for a hint, but instead caught sight of Might Guy stepping forward and starting his warm-up exercises.

Seeing Might Guy reminded Obito of his duel with Kakashi, and inspiration struck. He nodded firmly and declared, "Yes! I'll defeat him!"

"Good, then step forward."

Soon, both competitors were in position. After they assumed their stances, the teacher announced loudly, "First match: Obito vs. Might Guy. Begin!"

As soon as the words left the teacher's mouth, Might Guy became a green blur, dashing straight at Obito.

BAM!

Obito was sent flying and landed on the ground with a heavy thud.

The entire process happened so quickly that it left Obito stunned. Not content with the outcome, Might Guy immediately raised his hand and enthusiastically requested, "Teacher, please let me duel Kakashi next!"

The teacher, despite being annoyed with Obito, had rushed over to check on him the moment he was knocked down. He had expected Guy to say something about helping Obito up, but his request left the teacher speechless. It was now clear that Guy had also missed the explanation of the rules.

Unbelievable!

However, to maintain his professionalism, the teacher spoke slowly and patiently, "Each student can only spar once per session. Might Guy, please return to your position."

"Understood…" Might Guy drooped his head in disappointment but still managed to shoot Kakashi a wistful glance as he passed.

Kakashi, feeling as though a herd of raging bulls had trampled him, sighed in frustration.

"Next match: Asuma vs. Yamashiro Aoba."

"Asuma, Asuma, Asuma!"

"Aoba, Aoba, Aoba!"

Both Asuma and Yamashiro Aoba were high-ranking in terms of looks, earning cheers from the class's few female students. Though there were only about eight girls in the class, their enthusiasm filled the air.

Quickly, under the encouragement of their classmates, Asuma and Aoba stepped into position.

Each drew a kunai, and with the teacher's signal, they charged at each other.

Clang!

Kunai clashed, and both boys' expressions shifted slightly.

This type of exchange was typically a way to test each other's strength. After the kunai clash, both gained some understanding of the other's capabilities.

"Didn't expect you to be so strong for someone so low-key."

"Well… we're all still young; it's not surprising to see strength grow rapidly."

"Hmph." With a soft snort, Asuma swept his kunai in a half-circle before following up with a high kick aimed at Aoba.

Both attacks missed as Aoba dodged effortlessly, leaving Asuma unable to pull back his leg in time.

This opening was too good to pass up. Aoba swiftly moved behind Asuma and struck with his kunai, landing a clean hit.

Poof!

The struck Asuma transformed into a block of wood, his real body nowhere in sight.

Aoba felt a sudden jolt behind him and was sent flying by a kick from Asuma.

As Aoba tumbled, his body turned into a log as well.

"Tch, I knew you'd use that trick," Asuma muttered. Without missing a beat, he spun around and intercepted Aoba's next attack with his kunai.

Once again, the two kunai were locked in a clash.

"What you know, I know too. It's not so easy to catch me off guard."

Asuma stepped back to create some distance and then hurled a kunai at Aoba.

Aoba, who was on high alert, dodged instantly, but as he did, a gust of blue wind struck him head-on.

"Ahhh!"

Aoba was knocked down by the sudden attack.

"Whoa! That's the E-rank jutsu, Wind Blade! Asuma has a wind affinity!"

"Wind affinity is super rare! Asuma really is the son of the Third Hokage!"

Mitarashi Anko, glancing at the fangirls beside her, smirked with pride.

Seeing that Aoba could no longer fight, the teacher announced the result.

"Asuma wins against Yamashiro Aoba."

Asuma approached Aoba, performed the Seal of Reconciliation, and extended his hand.

Aoba, ever gracious, shook Asuma's hand and stood up. "As expected of you, Asuma."

"It's nothing. You won't lose so easily next time."

As they returned to the lineup, the teacher announced several more matchups. While they were engaging, none were as exciting as Asuma and Aoba's battle, mostly consisting of simple taijutsu exchanges.

"Next match: Shiranui Genma vs. Hatake Kakashi."

Genma's face darkened. He hadn't expected to be paired against Kakashi for his first match.

Wasn't this supposed to be king versus king and pawn versus pawn? Why was he, a "pawn," up against the "king"?

After grumbling internally for a while, he reluctantly stepped into the arena, drawing whispers from the crowd.

"Whoa, Kakashi! He's the most talented in our class. This should be good!"

"Totally! I heard Kakashi already has genin-level skills. He'll crush that no-name guy in one move."

"Oh, isn't that the kid who didn't take the entrance exam? Weird."

"Genma, good luck!" A clear yet sincere voice cut through the chatter. Genma immediately recognized it as Kurenai's.

He nodded, refocusing on his strategy, but—

"Go, Genma! Take Kakashi down in one second and pound him into the dirt!"

A wild, dreamlike encouragement reached his ears. Genma sighed, knowing it was Obito.

Kakashi also noticed Obito's over-the-top gestures, his dead-fish eyes showing a flicker of exasperation.

The brief distraction passed, and both participants refocused.

Genma's feelings were conflicted, while Kakashi remained as unreadable as ever.

This match was a foregone conclusion for Genma. He knew he had no chance of winning against Kakashi, who had already mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu and likely other offensive ninjutsu.

Although jutsu alone didn't define a ninja's overall skill, at their current level, it was enough to decide the outcome.

"All right, everyone quiet down. Are you both ready?" the teacher asked.

Both nodded.

"Then let the match begin!"

"Woohoo!"

The class erupted in cheers, especially the girls, seven out of ten of whom were shouting excitedly.

The pressure was palpable. Clenching his teeth, Genma charged toward Kakashi, albeit at a moderate speed.

Kakashi also dashed forward, and just as they were about to collide, Genma sidestepped behind Kakashi and threw a shuriken.

Clang!

The shuriken was easily deflected and fell to the ground. As expected, Genma immediately adjusted the distance between them.

From this initial exchange, it was clear that Kakashi was formidable, but Genma couldn't help feeling a thrill of excitement.

Drawing another shuriken, Genma charged again.

In terms of speed, Kakashi was slightly faster, making close combat unwise.

Kakashi didn't retreat and instead met Genma head-on, their shuriken clashing in midair.

In the instant their weapons collided, Kakashi grabbed Genma's wrist and swung a roundhouse kick.

Most would dodge or block, but Genma pulled hard on the wrist Kakashi was gripping, trying to unbalance him.

However, Kakashi was no amateur. As he lost balance, he grabbed Genma's shoulder and flipped himself over.

Genma, leaning forward, found himself being dragged down with Kakashi now poised to pin him.

With one hand restrained, neither could form hand seals, putting Genma at a disadvantage.

Realizing he was close to losing, Genma shifted his momentum just before being pulled down, using the inertia to slide out from under Kakashi.

When they landed, the two were separated, with Kakashi standing firmly and Genma lying on his back.

From this exchange, it was clear Genma was at a slight disadvantage.

End of chapter 13