NOVEL NEXT Chapter 51: Academy Rivalries
Weeks passed, and the Ninja Academy became livelier as the students were introduced to more advanced lessons, sparring matches, and team drills. Naruto's presence was undeniable; he was far ahead of his peers, which only fueled his rivalry with Satsuki.
In one of the training fields, the academy was hosting a friendly sparring session, pairing students to test their strength and strategy.
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A Friendly Duel
"Next match, Naruto Uzumaki vs. Satsuki Uchiha!" Iruka called out.
The entire class buzzed with excitement. Everyone knew these two were the strongest in their class, and their rivalry was legendary even at such a young age.
Naruto walked to the center of the field, his usual smirk plastered on his face. "Ready to lose, Satsuki?"
Satsuki stepped forward, activating her 2-tomoe Sharingan with a confident glare. "I could say the same to you, Naruto."
Hana, watching from the sidelines, crossed her arms and sighed. "These two never stop competing."
The match began with a burst of speed. Satsuki dashed forward, throwing a series of kunai aimed at Naruto's blind spots. However, his Shinringan made dodging effortless.
"You'll have to do better than that," Naruto taunted as he countered with a barrage of shuriken.
Satsuki deflected them with ease, her Sharingan reading the trajectory. She closed the distance and launched a series of precise taijutsu strikes. Naruto blocked them effortlessly, their movements so fast that their classmates could barely keep up.
Hana shouted from the sidelines, "Naruto, stop playing around!"
Naruto grinned and activated a small fraction of his Chakra Cloak, his speed and strength increasing significantly. Satsuki's eyes widened as he appeared behind her in an instant, his kunai poised near her neck.
"Yield," Naruto said softly, his tone playful yet commanding.
Satsuki smirked, her Sharingan spinning rapidly. "Not yet."
She vanished in a puff of smoke—a substitution jutsu. Before Naruto could react, she reappeared above him, aiming a kick at his head.
He caught her foot effortlessly, his Shinringan predicting her move. "Good try, Satsuki."
Iruka stepped in, ending the match. "That's enough! Excellent work, both of you."
The crowd cheered, though it was clear to everyone that Naruto held the upper hand.
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After the Match
As the class dispersed, Satsuki approached Naruto. "You're getting better," she admitted grudgingly.
Naruto shrugged. "You're not too bad yourself. Keep up, and maybe you'll give me a real challenge someday."
Hana joined them, her arms crossed. "If you two spent less time fighting and more time training with me, we'd all be unstoppable."
Naruto chuckled. "Maybe next time, Hana."
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A New Mission
Later that afternoon, Iruka gathered the class once more. "We've received a mission from the Hokage. A small band of rogue shinobi has been spotted near the village outskirts. While the higher-ranked ninja handle the main threat, our task is to secure the nearby farms and ensure the safety of the civilians."
The students buzzed with excitement. For most of them, this was their first mission involving actual danger.
Naruto, Satsuki, and Hana were grouped together, as expected. As they prepared to leave, Hana pulled Naruto aside.
"Don't go overboard," she warned. "This isn't just about showing off."
Naruto smirked. "Don't worry, Hana. I'll keep it under control."
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The Mission Execution
The team arrived at the farms, where nervous villagers pointed them toward the forest. "They came from there," one farmer explained. "We heard strange noises last night, and some of our livestock are missing."
Naruto activated his Shinringan, scanning the area. "Three chakra signatures ahead. They're not strong, but they're not ordinary bandits either."
Satsuki nodded. "Let's take them out quickly."
Hana led the way, her calm demeanor belying her readiness to fight. They moved through the forest silently, locating the rogue shinobi near a clearing.
The bandits barely had time to react. Naruto immobilized one with a swift genjutsu, while Satsuki engaged another with precise taijutsu. Hana took down the third with a well-placed kunai, her movements calculated and efficient.
The entire encounter lasted less than five minutes.
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The Hokage's Observation
Unbeknownst to the trio, the Hokage had been watching from a distance, observing Naruto's performance closely.
"Even at seven, his abilities are far beyond his peers," the Hokage murmured. "But that potential could be dangerous if not guided properly."