Afternoon.
The fourth-years who had completed the Shuriken throwing and Survival Exercise returned to the training ground and stood in their class's designated area.
A closer look revealed that the fourth-years were no longer standing in the circular formation from the first stage. Instead, they were spread out in two rows, leaving a large open space in the middle.
Under the teacher's roll call, students stepped out of the crowd one after another, then returned to their groups either delighted or dejected.
Those with serious injuries were sent to receive treatment from the Medical Ninja first.
"Group Thirteen: Uzumaki Kushina versus Eriko."
As one match after another ended,
Yuya called out the next pairing in Class 1's area.
The moment Eriko heard her opponent's name, her face went pale.
The surrounding students looked at her with pity as well.
In just three months, Class 1's fourth-years had undergone a dramatic change in their impression of Uzumaki Kushina.
With Gojo Yoru protecting her, Uzumaki Kushina had not only avoided the bullying from the Original Work, but had turned around and bullied those who had once mocked her.
Her terrifying monstrous strength was enough to make even the early-maturing Gojo Yoru nearly throw up yesterday's dinner after taking a punch.
The others went without saying.
Every time someone was matched against Uzumaki Kushina in a practical assessment, they ended up on their knees and vomiting.
Those in worse shape fainted on the spot.
So, aside from Gojo Yoru, Class 1's students had gained another opponent they did not want to face.
"T-Teacher, can I surrender?" Eriko raised her hand and asked in a trembling voice.
"No."
Yuya sternly reprimanded her. "Practical assessments are not only simulations of life-and-death battles. They are also meant to let you experience the joy and achievement brought by victory, as well as the frustration and unwillingness brought by defeat. These experiences will strengthen your Physical Energy and Mental Energy. Therefore, I do not want to hear the word 'surrender' from any of you again. Understood?"
At his final question, Yuya's sharp gaze swept over the class, and he glared fiercely at them.
"Yes!"
The students hurriedly straightened up under Yuya's stare and answered loudly.
Thus, Eriko could only step forward with a miserable expression.
Uzumaki Kushina showed no mercy toward someone who had once mocked her. She used Body Flicker to appear before Eriko and knocked her out with a single punch.
The delicate Eriko's eyes rolled back, and she fainted on the spot from the blow.
Seeing this, Yuya's mouth twitched slightly.
Good grief, just how much did she hate her?
It had been months already, yet she would not even give them a chance to form the Seal of Reconciliation. Was she really planning never to forgive them?
Because of Uzumaki Kushina's special identity, Yuya did not dare scold or lecture her. He could only give the Medical Ninja beside him a look, signaling him to bring Eriko over for treatment.
"The battle is over. The winner is Uzumaki Kushina."
After announcing the result, Yuya continued reading out the next pairing.
"Group Fourteen: Namikaze Minato versus Gojo Yoru!"
The moment they heard those two names, every student's eyes lit up.
"They finally got matched again. This time, we're in for another good show."
"We get to see Minato-kun and Yoru-kun fight again. If I remember correctly, their last match was during the first semester of third year."
"When we get matched against them, we always get taken out instantly. I wonder how much stronger they've become after a year?"
"Go, Minato! You have to win this time!"
"Minato, please avenge us." (whispering)
"..."
Watching the students cheer for Namikaze Minato, Uzumaki Kushina looked thoroughly displeased.
The moment she returned to her group, she patted Gojo Yoru on the shoulder and shouted, "Yoru, teach that sissy a harsh lesson for me!"
Hearing that, Namikaze Minato, who already looked awkward, immediately forced a bitter smile. Perhaps only Gojo Yoru knew how heavy a blow Minato had taken inside.
Gojo Yoru said nothing. He walked into the open space and stood to Yuya's left.
Namikaze Minato went to the right, facing Gojo Yoru from across the field.
Looking at these two most outstanding students, Yuya's eyes were filled with anticipation as he called out, "Both sides, form the Seal of Confrontation!"
Gojo Yoru and Namikaze Minato each raised a hand in a sword seal and said in unison, "Please guide me!"
"Begin!"
Yuya raised his arm high before swinging it down sharply. At the same time, he retreated, yielding the field to the fourth-year Top Student and runner-up.
Unlike the other students, who charged at each other the moment the signal sounded,
Gojo Yoru and Namikaze Minato did not attack immediately. Instead, they stared at each other, their gazes colliding as though sparks were flying between them.
Suddenly, Gojo Yoru spoke first. "Want to have a No-Rules Duel?"
Namikaze Minato was slightly taken aback.
Looking at Gojo Yoru's eyes, brimming with fighting spirit, he could not help recalling the faint regret in Gojo Yoru's gaze after their last battle.
It was an expression Gojo Yoru had never shown toward anyone else, not even when fighting Uzumaki Kushina.
It seemed that Gojo Yoru thought very highly of him.
Then, thinking of how the girl he had feelings for favored his opponent, the normally gentle Namikaze Minato suddenly felt the urge to prove himself. His emotions flared up like never before, and fighting spirit filled his eyes. "Sure. I have no objections."
The corner of Gojo Yoru's lips curled upward. Then he turned to Yuya and said, "Yuya-sensei, I would like to apply for a No-Rules Duel."
Namikaze Minato nodded to Yuya as well, indicating his agreement.
"This..."
Yuya looked at a loss, his face full of hesitation.
"Let them do it. It will also give everyone a chance to witness the strength of geniuses," the Medical Ninja beside him said with a smile. "Besides, with the two of us here, nothing will happen."
Even a genius without a Kekkei Genkai would be remarkable if he could use a C-rank Five Element Ninjutsu.
Some experienced Genin were probably only that strong.
But to a Chunin, that level of strength was nothing impressive.
As long as they guarded against that in advance, the Medical Ninja did not think any accidents would occur.
Yuya found that reasonable.
So he nodded at Gojo Yoru and Namikaze Minato, his expression serious. "Your application is approved. From this point on, you may use any means necessary and need not hold back. If danger arises, we will intervene and stop the match."
After speaking, Yuya turned to the two rows of students and said, "Everyone, move back another five meters."
"Gulp!"
The atmosphere had left the students too stunned to speak.
They instinctively swallowed, then all retreated in unison and watched the two people in the field with tense expressions.
At that moment, everyone could sense that an invisible barrier seemed to separate them from the two people on the field.
It was not merely a difference in rank, but an insurmountable... chasm they were destined never to cross!
Before you continue