The training field outside the Ninja Academy buzzed with nervous energy.
It had been half a month since classes began.
During that time, students had already experienced one practical lesson, focused on shuriken throwing.
Today's session was different.
Paired sparring.
Two students per match.
A real test of everything they had learned so far.
Some faces were confident.
Others looked pale.
Those who trained hard knew where they stood.
Those who slacked off… were about to find out.
Chiri leaned slightly toward Kaede.
"Kaede… are you confident today?"
She couldn't forget what happened between Kaede and Uchiha Kyō before.
Kyō was petty.
Vindictive.
And rumored to have learned basic ninjutsu even before entering the academy.
Among their class, he was considered one of the strongest.
Kaede scratched his head.
"It'll be fine. I'm probably not unlucky enough to get paired with him, right?"
Chiri's worry deepened.
Kaede, on the other hand, was worried about something completely different.
Please don't make me accidentally break him.
Noticing her expression, Kaede added casually,
"Besides, haven't I ranked first in every practical lesson so far?"
That part was true.
Kaede's grades were consistently top-tier.
Quiet.
Reliable.
Never boastful.
"Well… okay."
Chiri decided not to press further.
Sarutobi Mizuya clapped his hands.
"Today is your first sparring class."
"Give it your best."
"Remember. This is training, not a life-or-death fight. Stop when necessary. Serious injuries are forbidden."
After emphasizing safety, he began announcing pairs.
"Nara Masato and Hyūga Keishō."
"Akimichi Daiya and Yamanaka Taichi."
"Sarutobi Kōsuke and Shimura Riku."
…
"Uchiha Chiri and Yūhi Shinku."
Chiri smiled faintly at Kaede.
Kaede gave a small nod back.
"Kosuke Maruboshi and Umino Ikkaku."
Kosuke looked disappointed.
He had hoped to face Kyō.
No such luck.
"Finally…"
Sarutobi Mizuya glanced at his list.
"Amakaze Kaede and Uchiha Kyō."
Kaede pinched the bridge of his nose.
Of course.
Kyō walked forward with his usual smug grin.
A mixture of mockery and contempt filled his eyes.
Kaede muttered to Chiri,
"Has he been practicing villain faces in the mirror or something?"
Chiri blinked.
"…What?"
"Nothing. Forget it."
The first matches began.
Nara Masato lost quickly, exactly as expected.
Without shadow techniques, the Nara clan wasn't suited for close combat.
Chiri defeated Yūhi Shinku cleanly.
Kosuke and Ikkaku fought evenly, with Kosuke barely losing due to stamina.
Kyō watched from the sidelines, sneering.
"Pathetic. So weak."
Most students ignored him.
Finally, it was Kaede and Kyō's turn.
They stepped onto the field.
"Begin."
Kyō exploded forward.
A kunai flashed toward Kaede's right arm.
"Too fast!" Kosuke gasped.
Kaede calmly shifted sideways.
The blade missed.
He seized Kyō's wrist, twisted, disarmed him, and tossed him aside.
Kyō skidded across the dirt.
His face twisted.
"So fast…!"
Grinding his teeth, Kyō hurled several shuriken.
Kaede blocked them easily with his kunai.
In that instant, Kyō closed the distance and leapt.
A kick slammed toward Kaede's shoulder.
Feint and follow-up.
Decent timing.
Kaede caught Kyō's ankle midair.
The entire field went silent.
Kyō struggled.
Couldn't break free.
He's this strong…?
Humiliation burned.
"Let go of me!"
Kaede shrugged.
"Okay."
He released him.
Kyō stumbled backward.
Then—
Kaede stepped in and drove a kick straight into Kyō's abdomen.
"UGH—!"
Kyō folded over, saliva spraying.
Rage flooded his face.
"I'll kill you!"
In a blind frenzy, Kyō slipped a small pill into his mouth when no one was looking.
Then his hands flew through seals.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
Flames surged toward Kaede.
Chiri's eyes widened.
"Kyō, stop!"
Sarutobi Mizuya's expression changed sharply.
"Cease—!"
Too late.
The fireball was already in the air.
Kaede's eyes narrowed.
You really want to die that badly?