"Winner—Hoshino Yoru!"
Nakamura Hino's voice echoed across the training field.
"Ahhh! Yoru-kun is so handsome!"
"He's so strong! I'm totally captivated!"
" Yoru!"
His fan club instantly exploded with excitement.
What started as admiration from Class A had now spread across the entire grade—even some senior students had begun hearing his name.
Yoru smiled and waved casually as he walked back toward Mikoto Uchiha and Kushina Uzumaki.
"Good job."
Mikoto smiled sweetly, looking like someone welcoming back a victorious partner.
"Didn't expect you to be this strong, idiot Yoru," Kushina said, clearly impressed—though she would never admit how much that punch had shaken her.
Tap!
"Ow!"
"If you call me that again, it won't end with just a flick on your forehead," Yoru said smugly.
"Humph!" Kushina rubbed her forehead, glaring at him.
Yoru suddenly turned to Mikoto with a dramatic expression.
"My strength exists to protect you, my dear Mikoto."
"Eh—?!"
Mikoto's face turned bright red instantly.
Then—
"By the way… didn't you forget something important?"
He grinned.
"That 300,000 ryo… I need it after winning. Gotta buy training weights."
"…Ah!"
Mikoto blinked, then hurriedly pulled out a stack of money from her bag and handed it to him.
Next Match
"Next battle! Kushina Uzumaki vs Mikoto Uchiha!"
The moment had arrived.
Kushina and Mikoto looked at each other.
"Mikoto-nee… I won't lose," Kushina said with determination.
"Let's both do our best," Mikoto replied gently.
"Form the seal of confrontation!"
"Match—start!"
The Fight Begins
Kushina moved first.
Clap!
The two clashed immediately.
Kushina attacked relentlessly—her fists sharp and aggressive, her red hair flowing behind her.
Her usually lively face now showed complete focus.
Mikoto stood her ground calmly.
Turning defense into flowing movements, she redirected every strike.
Her gentle expression was replaced with quiet strength.
"Impressive… as expected from the Uchiha!"
"That red-haired girl is keeping up with her?!"
"A-Class is terrifying this year…"
Even the watching teachers couldn't hide their shock.
Minato and Yoru were already exceptional—
Now even these two girls showed remarkable ability.
Nearby, some boys stared in awe.
"You're really strong, Kushina."
"You too, Mikoto-nee."
Both girls were breathing heavily now, sweat forming on their foreheads.
"Let's end this with one final move!"
"Alright!"
They steadied themselves—
Then rushed forward at the same time.
BANG!
"Match over—draw!"
Both stopped at the same time, unable to continue.
Despite attempts to push them further, Nakamura Hino could only declare it a tie.
"You held back, didn't you?" Kushina said.
"No, you did!" Mikoto replied.
Laughing, the two walked back toward Yoru.
"You both did great."
Yoru smiled and pulled them each into a brief hug.
Mikoto's face flushed immediately.
Kushina, on the other hand—
reacted like a startled cat.
"W-What are you doing?! I don't need your praise!"
She broke free, cheeks red—but the small smile she couldn't hide betrayed her.
Crack… crack…
Hearts shattered.
All the boys watching felt personally attacked.
" Yoru, you're the worst…"
"He got BOTH of them…"
Meanwhile—
his fan girls?
Even more impressed.
"So gentle…"
"He's perfect…"
Yoru suddenly shivered.
"…Why do I feel like something's off?"
He shook his head.
Probably just training fatigue.