Chapter 33: A Three-on-One Challenge
Aizen did not participate in the initial skirmish. With only three members in Team 10, Kurenai decided, for the sake of fairness, to field Hinata, Kiba, and Shino. Officially, Aizen had joined the academy later than the others, and substituting him in could be seen as disrupting the balance.
Kurenai was unaware of the truth: that Aizen's power was growing at a monstrous rate, far exceeding her estimations. After studying Danzō's ninjutsu scroll, he had mastered five chakra natures. Even without calling upon his spiritual power or Kidō, his strength had already surged far beyond that of an ordinary genin.
Aizen had no objection to her decision. It was a perfect opportunity to observe the famed Ino-Shika-Chō trio in action without revealing his own hand. There was no need to rush.
The sparring matches were set to take place in the center of the training ground, a wide, clear area surrounded by trees.
Hinata, Kiba, and Shino stood on one side of the clearing, facing Shikamaru, Chōji, and Ino on the other. The air crackled with competitive tension. They were all young shinobi, their hearts burning with a desire to test their skills and claim victory. Even the usually lazy Shikamaru held a glint of sharp focus in his eyes.
At Kurenai's command, the matches began.
Six figures blurred into motion, closing the distance. The initial exchanges were simple probes—taijutsu and basic evasions. They tested each other's speed, strength, and reflexes, their eyes locked with fiery determination.
Akimichi Chōji's natural advantage became immediately apparent. His punches and kicks were powerful and direct, a relentless storm of force. As his opponent, Kiba was firmly put on the defensive. The Inuzuka clan's greatest strength lay in their partnership with their ninken, but with Akamaru forbidden from participating in this spar, Kiba's effectiveness was drastically reduced.
On another part of the field, Shikamaru watched Aburame Shino with a wary, calculating gaze. Shino's impassive face and unnervingly still posture made him a difficult puzzle to solve. Fearing a troublesome and complicated engagement, Shikamaru held his position, not initiating an attack. Shino, ever patient and analytical, mirrored his opponent's inaction. The two stood in a silent, motionless standoff.
The most active clash was between Hinata and Ino. Their personalities were a study in contrasts—one timid and introverted, the other bold and aggressive. Though Hinata possessed the formidable Hyūga clan's Gentle Fist, her hesitant nature kept her from pressing the attack. Seizing the initiative, Ino launched a relentless assault of her own, her fierce strikes forcing Hinata into a desperate defense.
Aizen observed it all with a placid expression, though inwardly, he felt a profound sense of disdain. He was utterly confident that, even without using a shred of his spiritual power, he could effortlessly defeat all six of them simultaneously.
As the battles wore on, Team 8's disadvantage became clearer. Without his canine partner, Kiba's combat power was halved. Hinata, overwhelmed by Ino's aggressive pressure, found fewer and fewer opportunities to mount a counterattack. Only Aburame Shino, with his well-rounded and methodical style, held a slight, stable upper hand against his passive opponent.
"Asuma," Kurenai said, a hint of a smile on her face as she watched the proceedings. "It seems my students are being given a thorough test."
"Looks that way," Asuma replied, a touch of pride in his voice. From his perspective, it was only a matter of time before Kiba and Hinata were decisively beaten. "The Inuzuka without his ninken is like a sword without a edge. And your Hyūga heiress seems... reluctant to fight."
"Perhaps," Kurenai conceded. She then activated her Byakugan, her gaze shifting from the combatants to the calm figure of Aizen standing at the edge of the field. A spark of expectation lit in her eyes. She had immense faith in Aizen; she believed he was the wild card that could change everything.
"Oh? Aizen Sōsuke?" Asuma mused, following her gaze. "I've heard the stories from my students, sure. A real prodigy, they say. But potential and time spent training are two different things. Are you so sure a rookie can turn this around?"
"We won't know unless we see, will we?" Kurenai said, her smile unwavering.
She then raised her voice, calling out to the six genin locked in combat. "Alright! That's enough for this round! Everyone, disengage!"
The sudden command brought a puzzled halt to the fights. The six genin stepped back, their breathing slightly labored, looking to their sensei for an explanation.
Kurenai addressed them all. "Since Team 8 has a fourth member, we will now move to the next phase: a one-on-one spar. Team 8 will field Aizen. Team 10, you may choose one of your members to face him."
This move served two purposes for Kurenai: it gracefully ended the round where her team was at a disadvantage, and it gave Aizen a platform to demonstrate his abilities. She was confident that in a direct duel, Aizen could handily defeat any single member of the Ino-Shika-Chō trio.
"Aizen," Kurenai said, her voice filled with encouragement. "Do your best. I believe in your strength." She was counting on him to salvage Team 8's pride.
Aizen stepped forward, his expression serene. "Do not worry, Kurenai-sensei. Although I have only been training for a short time..."
He paused, and everyone leaned in slightly, expecting the humble, determined vow of a promising genin ready to give his all.
"...But a one-on-one match would be a waste of time." His tone was as calm as if he were commenting on the weather. "Just have all three of them come at me together."
His words landed not as a boast, but as a simple, startling statement of fact. For a moment, there was only silence, the sheer audacity of the challenge hanging in the air before detonating the quiet training ground into a chorus of stunned disbelief.