Practical Combat Training

Because of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō Shimura.

Takuma Senju canceled the afternoon class and changed it to practical combat training.

Normally, practical combat training was a course only offered in the higher grades, but Class A students could not be treated by ordinary standards. Starting early would do no harm.

Takuma Senju looked at the roster in his hand, deep in thought. He had run into a problem when selecting the matchups.

It was only the second day of school, so he had no time to learn the strength of every student.

He could only divide them into groups based on that morning's training.

Each student had different abilities, so he could only try his best to pair people of similar strength together.

Takuma Senju quickly drafted the matchups and began calling students up for practical combat training.

"Yuki Hyuga, Motoya Nara."

"What terrible luck. I'm actually the first one." Motoya Nara looked utterly lifeless.

"Good luck. I believe you can do it," Renye encouraged him.

"I'll take that as a good omen."

With both hands in his pockets, Motoya Nara slowly wandered into the field, still wearing that lifeless expression.

"You should surrender early. You're no match for me."

Yuki Hyuga lifted his chin, his eyes filled with innate arrogance and disdain as he spoke coldly.

"Damn, this guy is such a show-off!" Rin Uchiha looked displeased.

"He's way too full of himself. We have to corner him after school!" Hikaru Uchiha chimed in.

How was this Yuki Hyuga kid even better at showing off than the Uchiha?

For once, Renye felt that the two of them were right. Yuki Hyuga really was overdoing it.

"What? Aren't you looking down on me a little too much?" Motoya Nara muttered quietly.

Yuki Hyuga assumed the opening stance of the Hyuga Clan's unique Eight Trigrams Palm. "Be careful. I won't hold back."

The moment he finished speaking, Motoya Nara's eyes sharpened. He swiftly formed hand seals and called out in a low voice, "Shadow Imitation Technique!"

A black shadow slithered toward Yuki Hyuga like a nimble snake.

This was the Nara Clan's signature secret technique.

Yuki Hyuga remained calm. With a light step, he moved swiftly and easily evaded the shadow's pursuit.

Then, he suddenly lunged forward, his palms sweeping rapidly as gusts of wind shot straight at Motoya Nara.

Motoya Nara dodged left and right, searching for an opening to counterattack.

Suddenly, Yuki Hyuga closed in and struck Motoya Nara in the chest with a sideways palm.

Motoya Nara failed to evade in time, his body flying backward before crashing heavily onto the ground.

"Yuki Hyuga wins."

The surrounding students immediately burst into cries of surprise.

Yuki Hyuga's strength had exceeded everyone's expectations. He had defeated Motoya Nara in just a short time.

Motoya Nara struggled to his feet, dusted himself off, and gave a bitter smile. "You're really strong."

Yuki Hyuga nodded. "I know."

Motoya Nara: "..."

"Damn it, he actually pulled it off!" Hikaru Uchiha said unwillingly.

"We have to corner him in an alley after school!" Rin Uchiha gritted her teeth.

Renye looked solemnly at Yuki Hyuga and murmured, "He really is strong."

Motoya Nara sat beside Renye and asked, "Renye, are you confident you can beat him?"

Renye fell silent for a moment, then revealed a confident smile.

"Although he's strong, I'm not weak either."

"I see..." Motoya Nara appeared enlightened on the surface, but inwardly, he cursed. They're all monsters!

He was considered a genius in the Nara Clan, yet he had been defeated here in just a few moves.

Motoya Nara finally understood why his clan leader father had shoved him into Class A.

In an environment like this, anyone who did not want to grow stronger would have to be crazy.

"Danzō Shimura, Kagami Uchiha."

Renye looked curious and murmured softly, "Who's stronger, Kagami or Danzō?"

Hikaru Uchiha seemed to hear Renye's question and explained,

"Do you even need to ask? Of course Kagami is stronger!"

In the field, the battle between the two was about to begin.

Just as Hikaru Uchiha had said, Kagami Uchiha was the better of the two and quickly defeated Danzō Shimura.

"Damn it!" Danzō Shimura lay sprawled on the ground, raising a fist and slamming it down in frustration.

He had lost, and he was in a terrible mood.

Losing to Uchiha Renye and Hiruzen before had been bad enough. Now he had lost to Kagami Uchiha too...

He was a genius of the Shimura Clan, yet he had been defeated again and again.

It made him feel utterly humiliated.

"Danzō, are you all right?" Kagami Uchiha held out a hand, wanting to pull Danzō up.

"Get lost. I don't need your pity!" Danzō Shimura slapped away Kagami's outstretched hand.

Then Danzō gritted his teeth, braced himself against the ground with both hands, and struggled to his feet.

He secretly swore that he would never lose again next time!

"Uchiha Renye, Hiruzen Sarutobi!"

At the center of the field.

Renye wore a black ninja outfit, its hem fluttering gently in the wind.

He turned slightly and assumed a fighting stance, radiating confidence and power. "Hiruzen, I won't hold back."

"Understood, Renye." Hiruzen Sarutobi looked solemn. "I'll give it everything I have!"

The surrounding students stared intently at the two of them. Even Yuki Hyuga, the King of Show-offs, was no exception...

"Rin, do you think Uchiha Renye will win?"

"I don't know. I'm not sure how strong he is."

"If only we'd cornered him in an alley yesterday..."

Renye naturally heard their conversation, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

Good grief, were these two obsessed with alleys or something?

Looks like he had to put sacks over their heads...

At Takuma Senju's command, the battle erupted instantly.

Renye made the first move, flashing in front of Hiruzen and driving his right fist straight at his face.

Hiruzen sidestepped the attack and reached out to grab Renye's arm.

Renye reacted quickly, pulling his arm back in time. He flipped through the air and viciously kicked at Hiruzen's chest with both feet.

Hiruzen hurriedly retreated, crossing his arms in front of his chest to block the blow.

The two separated briefly and adjusted their states.

Renye took a deep breath. He had to admit that Hiruzen was very strong. No wonder he would become Tobirama Senju's disciple in the future and inherit the position of Hokage.

The title of Shinobi Legend had not been earned for nothing.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turned grave.

He had not expected Renye to be evenly matched with him.

Although he had not used his full strength or the ninjutsu he excelled at, he was two years older than Renye!

Bullying someone younger was already disgraceful enough, yet they had still fought to a draw. That was embarrassing, all right?

Seeing this, Danzō Shimura's lips curved slightly. "At least I'm not the only one making a fool of myself now."

His own defeat was regrettable, but Hiruzen's failure brought him immense comfort!

Just as the two were about to continue fighting, Takuma Senju stopped them.

"You both performed very well. Go back."

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately sighed in relief. He was afraid that if they kept fighting, he would suffer at Renye's hands just like Danzō had.

At that point... he truly would never be able to hold his head up again.

Takuma Senju looked emotional and murmured, "As expected of children raised by Lord Tobirama!"

Their strength had already far surpassed that of their peers.