On the training ground.
Sasuke smirked. "You challenge me as soon as you arrive at the Ninja Academy? You must have heard the rumors about me."
Kimimaro didn't seem interested in talking. "Can we begin?"
"Then let's get started. I don't want to waste too much time on you."
Sasuke's expression turned cold. His dark eyes had already become scarlet, and two tomoe spun slowly within them.
Around the outer edge of the field.
"Who do you think will win?"
"Obviously Sasuke. Do you even have to ask?"
"But Kimimaro looks strong, too—and he's so big!"
"What good is being big? Have you forgotten those older students from before? A lot of them are still recovering at home!"
The students watched eagerly.
No one had expected the new student's first act to be challenging the class's top-ranked genius, Sasuke Uchiha.
It wasn't just the students in Sasuke's class. Students from other grades had also heard the news and gathered to watch.
Gradually, even the Ninja Academy's teachers began paying attention to the challenge.
Iruka flipped through Kimimaro's enrollment file. "A surviving member of the Kaguya Clan? Another bloodline family from Kirigakure?"
Mizuki smiled. "Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared challenge Sasuke as soon as he arrived."
Iruka looked concerned. "Nothing's going to happen, is it?"
"It's just a spar between students. What could happen?" said Mizuki. "Look, they're starting!"
In the middle of the field.
Thud!
Sasuke pushed off the ground and shot toward Kimimaro like a blur, brimming with confidence.
He'd learned this move from Shinji.
Since Shinji had trained in the Breathing Technique, short, explosive bursts were his strong suit. He liked to use the recoil from pushing off the ground to increase the force of his charge.
Sasuke had seen how effective the move was and copied it.