Naruto: Choosing from Birth — Chapter 18

The Interesting Little Uchiha...

The Konoha Academy students looked at one another again. This scene felt strangely familiar. Wasn't this exactly what they used to do after being provoked?

By convention, though it felt unbelievable, why did they feel that Cheng-ge could win?

This time, everyone was on Cheng-ge's side. They suddenly realized how satisfying this felt.

Was this what Cheng-ge had once meant by, "Standing beneath a big tree makes for good shade"?

Should they collectively mock the other side?

On this day, Konoha's students learned to see things from another perspective for the first time, their minds maturing by another step!*

"Then the final 1v30 friendly match begins!"

As Nomura-sensei's words fell—

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the B-rank ninjutsu Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet + Healing Technique!"

In an instant, Uchiha Cheng absorbed an enormous amount of knowledge and experience. It was as if he had practiced countless times already, and he expertly mastered Fire Dragon Flame Bullet and Healing Technique.

"Lightning Release Armor!"

The future A-B duo—A, Yotsuki Ai, and Killer B—were the first to attack, turning into two afterimages as they charged at Uchiha Cheng.

Fire Release: A Technique That Can't Burn Anyone to Death! Oh, no, Great Fireball Technique!

A blazing fireball shot toward the path they had to take.

A, Yotsuki Ai, unexpectedly did not dodge. He charged straight at the fireball, leaping into the air.

Righteous Lightning: Wrathful Sky Axe!

He concentrated Lightning Release Chakra in his leg and viciously kicked down at the fireball.

Boom!!!

The fireball was completely kicked apart, and waves of flame scattered in all directions amid dazzling flashes of light.

Since A, Yotsuki Ai, had only just learned Righteous Lightning: Wrathful Sky Axe, and lacked sufficient Chakra, he could only barely disperse the Great Fireball Technique. It had nowhere near the power it would possess in the future.

"Now that's more like it!"

Uchiha Cheng smiled faintly, then flicked out the Sealing Scroll he had just received from his clan. In an instant, he unleashed a skyful of real Shuriken at the two of them.

With A, Yotsuki Ai, blocking the fireball, Killer B, who had been two steps behind, flashed in front of him.

"Killer B's Great Windmill!"

Facing the incoming Shuriken, Killer B quickly drew the two sharp blades from his back, along with the one clenched in his mouth.

He spun like a windmill, sending every Shuriken flying.

"Eight Gates Formation: Second Gate, Gate of Rest, open!"

Uchiha Cheng drew the famous blade Duan Xue. With the acceleration granted by opening the Eight Gates, he leaped forward and chopped straight down at Killer B.

Clang!!!

Killer B used all his strength to stack two swords together, barely managing to block Uchiha Cheng's slash. His feet plowed a three-meter trail across the ground.

"Killer B Three-Sword Style!"

The sword in his mouth instantly swung out. As Uchiha Cheng dodged, blades rained down in rapid succession.

Clink, clink, clink...

In three seconds, the two exchanged dozens of blows.

A, Yotsuki Ai, launched a sneak attack from the side, his iron fist rushing toward Uchiha Cheng with the sound of wind and thunder.

Killer B took the chance to catch his breath and retreat two steps. Then he looked down.

Damn it. His three beloved swords, whose edges had once been smooth and gleaming, had become like carpenter's saws. Their edges had actually been chipped apart.

Then he looked at Uchiha Cheng's blade. Its bright, snowy edge remained perfectly smooth, nearly blinding Killer B's bull-like eyes.

Is this what a Leaf's Great Clan is like? So wealthy... so enviable. No! I'll collect famous swords too someday.

While Killer B was distracted—

A bloody front tooth clattered onto the ground before him.

He looked up to see his brother, A, Yotsuki Ai, sent flying by a brutal kick from Uchiha Cheng.

Now both of his brother's front teeth had flown out. They were symmetrical.

Why am I thinking something like that?

"Your Three-Sword Style is indeed impressive, but it's still just a child's game. Let me show you my One-Sword Style."

With one hand freed, Uchiha Cheng reversed his blade and stomped the ground.

Boom!!!

As dust and debris rose from the shattered earth, he had already vanished from where he stood.

Clink! Clink!

Clang!!!

"Nani? Y-you're clearly relying on a good sword and brute strength."

"You really are too young. Haven't you heard that one force can overcome ten techniques?"

This time, Killer B only blocked three strikes before the blades in his hands were shattered. He was then sent flying by a vicious kick.

"Ready!"

A clear young girl's voice suddenly rang out.

"Fire!!!"

It was Takada Asaka, the first one to take the field.

So this was their real method of attack.

While the strongest fighters, A, Yotsuki Ai, and Killer B, held Uchiha Cheng back—

The twenty-eight students behind them had prepared every offensive ninjutsu they could use, along with Shuriken, Kunai, and more.

Lightning Release: Ground Travel!

Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!

Earth Release: Mud Swamp!

Together with a skyful of Shuriken and Kunai, the attacks swept toward Uchiha Cheng like a tidal wave.

In less than a second, he was torn into pieces.

A cloud of smoke rose up.

"Awesome! That'll teach you to be so arrogant. You got beaten into nothing, didn't you?"

Several Kumogakure Students jumped up in delight, high-fiving each other in excitement.

After all, that Uchiha had been truly formidable just now. He had defeated the two strongest people in the academy in a one-against-two fight, cleanly and decisively.

"Wait! Don't celebrate too soon. Don't let your guard down until the very end! Did you give all the knowledge you learned at the academy back to your teachers the moment you left school?"

Takada Asaka frowned, staring intently at the chaotic, dust-filled arena as she reminded her classmates.

"Nani? We didn't hit him?"

"Impossible! Even if he used the Substitution Technique, he should have been finished in that range."

The Third Hokage tapped his pipe on the leaders' platform and said with a smile, "Kumogakure truly is impressive. Talents emerge one after another. That little girl has the makings of an excellent battlefield commander."

Nomura-sensei quickly replied, "Our academy isn't bad either. The Nara Clan's young man, Shikaku Nara, is quite outstanding."

"But this Uchiha boy is indeed surprising."

The Third Hokage sighed, seemingly in praise but actually in concern.

The people on the leaders' platform could see the battle below with perfect clarity, so they were not worried about Uchiha Cheng's safety at all.

Because that had indeed been Uchiha Cheng's Shadow Clone.

Another exceptionally talented child had emerged from the Uchiha Clan. Truly exhausting.

Dealing with the Senju Clan alone had already taken a great deal of effort. After years of planning, they had finally been weakened to their current state. Just a few more steps, and the Senju Clan could truly be removed from Konoha's leadership.

At the same time, they had guided the Hyuga Clan into restraining the Uchiha Clan, but under the current circumstances—

They could not wait any longer. The next generation of the Hyuga Clan would absolutely be unable to even hold the Uchiha Clan back. It was time to move up the plan to weaken the Uchiha Clan.

"Not bad! So vigilant at such a young age. As a return gift, I'll show you my real skills."