Chapter 29: Practical Training (2)
Upon hearing Umino Iruka's announcement of the matchups, Uchiha Sasuke showed a trace of disappointment, while Uzumaki Naruto remained full of enthusiasm.
"Kiba?"
Naruto immediately turned his head to look at the boy beside him.
Inuzuka Kiba, who had just heard his name paired with Naruto's, stiffened almost imperceptibly. Compared to the loud, underperforming prankster he used to be, Naruto had recently begun to display frightening growth especially under Chinatsu's guidance.
Kiba wasn't exactly afraid
But there was that lingering "what if…"
Naruto grinned and stretched out a hand.
"Nice to meet you!"
Kiba hesitated for half a second before replying.
"Oh… yeah."
Sasuke's opponent was Nara Shikamaru.
The Nara Clan, one of the three families forming the famous "Ino–Shika–Chō" formation alongside the Yamanaka and Akimichi clans, was renowned for its intelligence and shadow-based techniques.
Shikamaru's father, Nara Shikaku, was one of Konoha's top strategists later even serving as chief tactician during major conflicts.
"Troublesome…" Shikamaru muttered, scratching the back of his head lazily. "Of all people, it had to be Sasuke…"
Even at the Academy level, Sasuke's reputation wasn't just about popularity it was backed by genuine ability.
Soon
The practical combat lesson officially began.
As expected by Iruka, most matches were simple and short-lived.
Children exchanged a few clumsy blows, occasionally attempting incomplete Transformation Technique (Henge no Jutsu) or poorly executed Substitution Technique (Kawarimi no Jutsu), before quickly deciding a winner.
"Mm. That's about right…"
Iruka nodded with his arms crossed.
"For their level, this is normal."
Until
"Next match Uzumaki Naruto versus Inuzuka Kiba!"
"Coming!"
Naruto raised his hand high and strode forward confidently.
Kiba clicked his tongue, shoved his hands into his pockets briefly, then followed.
"Iruka-sensei," Kiba said, raising his hand slightly. "Since I'm from the Inuzuka clan… can I fight together with Akamaru?"
Iruka hesitated.
"A ninja hound is technically part of your combat style, but "
"Come on! I'm fine!"
Naruto slapped his chest confidently before Iruka could finish.
Iruka froze.
Kiba blinked.
In their eyes, Naruto's confidence had crossed the line into recklessness.
Iruka opened his mouth to object
Then stopped.
No…
Sometimes experience teaches better than words.
Iruka sighed inwardly.
Akamaru is still young. If anything goes wrong, I can step in instantly.
"…Alright," Iruka said finally. "Kiba, you may use Akamaru."
"Got it!"
Kiba's hesitation vanished instantly.
"Akamaru!"
He formed a calling gesture and let out a sharp whistle.
Within seconds, a small white puppy dashed onto the field, stopping beside him with an energetic bark.
Akamaru might still be small, but as a ninja hound raised by the Inuzuka clan, his senses and coordination already exceeded those of ordinary animals.
Kiba smirked confidently.
With Akamaru at his side
His combat strength wasn't just doubled.
It was multiplied.
"Naruto," Kiba said, pointing a thumb at himself. "Don't regret this later. I'm not holding back."
Naruto grinned widely.
"Good! I won't hold back either!"
Most of the class watched casually.
To them, this was just another Academy exercise.
Not many of them truly understood what it meant to fight as a ninja.
Only Sasuke watched closely.
His eyes were sharp.
He already knew Naruto wasn't weak anymore.
What interested him wasn't whether Naruto would win
But how quickly.
Thirty seconds?
One minute?
"Begin!"
Kiba's expression sharpened instantly.
He swung his arm forward.
"Go!"
Akamaru barked and dashed toward Naruto with surprising speed.
Naruto didn't panic.
Instead
He moved calmly.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Poof! Poof! Poof!
Three solid shadow clones appeared instantly.
Iruka's eyes widened.
Shadow clones? Already?
This wasn't the basic Clone Technique (Bunshin no Jutsu) taught at the Academy
These were physical clones with real substance.
Two clones rushed toward Akamaru, instantly confusing the small ninja dog.
Akamaru skidded slightly, barking as he tried to determine the real target.
Meanwhile
Naruto's remaining clone grabbed his arm.
"Now!"
Using the momentum, the clone spun and launched Naruto forward, like a slingshot.
A simple tactic
But executed with surprising coordination.
Naruto's fist tightened.
Wind-style chakra faintly gathered around it still crude, but already showing signs of nature transformation instinct.
A straightforward punch
No fancy technique
Just speed, force, and timing.
Kiba's pupils shrank.
Too fast!
He barely had time to react.
" !"
He raised his arms defensively at the last moment.
BANG!!!
The impact was heavy.
Kiba was sent flying backward, his guard shattered.
If Iruka hadn't appeared behind him instantly and caught him, he would have crashed into the training fence.
Silence.
The entire training ground fell quiet.
Naruto stood there, breathing steadily
Then broke into a wide grin.
"…Amazing…"
A soft voice came from the crowd.
Hyuga Hinata, her pale lavender eyes fixed on Naruto, blushed faintly.
"Naruto-kun…"
Sasuke crossed his arms, expression calm.
"…About thirty seconds," he muttered.
"A bit faster than expected… but his opponent wasn't strong enough."
Kiba, still in Iruka's arms, blinked blankly.
His mind hadn't caught up yet.
That… was Naruto?
Iruka slowly set Kiba down, still visibly surprised.
Naruto's improvement
Was no longer something that could be dismissed as luck.
"Next match," Iruka announced after a pause.
"Uchiha Sasuke versus Nara Shikamaru!"
Shikamaru, who had just stepped forward lazily
Suddenly stiffened.
A chill ran down his spine.
He turned his head slightly
And met Sasuke's gaze.
Cold.
Focused.
Expectant.
As if saying
Don't waste my time.
"......"
Shikamaru's eyelids drooped slightly.
"…Troublesome."
He sighed.
This is going to be annoying.
But…
He took a slow step forward.
"…I guess I'll try a little."