Practical Combat Drill

"Alright, everyone's here." As the teacher of Kazashiro's class, Makoto Ito counted the students and nodded in satisfaction.

"Everyone was punctual. I assume you've all heard that this lesson will involve combat drills. First, I'll teach you the Opposing Seal and the Reconciliation Seal."

Gesturing for the students to sit anywhere on the training field, Makoto Ito began explaining the precautions for the drill.

"So long-winded." Iroha Hyuga rolled his Byakugan. As a Branch Family member, he already knew all this most basic knowledge, so he did not listen closely.

"Yeah, what a pain." Nara Shikamaru chimed in from beside him. "I don't want to fight some hot-blooded idiot. If he's my opponent, I'll surrender immediately."

Pointing at Might Guy, who was walking on his hands in a handstand, Nara Shikamaru spoke lazily.

"Anyway, in this combat drill, you can go all out. Don't worry about getting hurt—the teachers are here. Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm a Chunin." Somewhat proudly, Makoto Ito pointed at the forehead protector on his head, trying to give the students some confidence.

That said...

Makoto Ito glanced toward Kakashi and the others.

As one of the Ninja Academy's renowned geniuses, Kakashi's strength was probably on an entirely different level from ordinary students.

The only ones who could possibly contend with him were likely the Third Hokage's son and Danzo's son...

I really should have assigned the matches myself. But that would be unfair to some of the students.

I need to stay alert. I can't let any of the students suffer casualties.

"Although you're allowed to use ninja tools such as kunai and shuriken in this drill, remember that this is only an exercise. You must stop at the right point, understood? If you understand, start drawing lots!"

Under Makoto Ito's direction, the students began drawing lots, and the results were quickly decided.

"Ah, I'm fighting Guy? Fine, I'll let him have a taste of the ninjutsu I just learned!" Obito eagerly drew the lot that matched him against Might Guy.

That made some people breathe a sigh of relief.

They often mocked Might Guy as a hot-blooded idiot, but no one could deny that everyone had seen Guy's hard work.

It was common knowledge that getting hit by one of his punches would probably leave someone bedridden for a long time.

"Hm? Kakashi, you're fighting someone from the Hyuga clan? Not bad." Seeing that the symbol on his slip differed from Kakashi's, while Iroha Hyuga beside him had drawn the same lot as Kakashi, Kazashiro nudged Kakashi with his elbow and said in a troublemaking tone:

"Go on, show the Hyuga clan what you've got."

"Hmph. If you can manage it." Iroha Hyuga looked disdainfully at Kazashiro and Kakashi. "I'll show you with facts that so-called geniuses are nothing worth mentioning in the eyes of the Hyuga clan."

What an arrogant guy. He's only from the Branch Family—if he were from the Main Family, wouldn't he be even worse?

"Hmph, Kakashi, remember to hit him in the face. The Hyuga clan's faces are the only thing about them that's even remotely decent." Kazashiro waved his fist, egging Kakashi on.

"You..." Watching Kazashiro constantly stir up trouble, Kakashi shook his head helplessly and simply stopped paying attention to him.

"What kind of attitude is that?" Before Kazashiro could finish, he saw his own opponent.

"Yo, Kazashiro. Looks like we drew the same lot." Asuma smiled and waved the slip in his hand. Its symbol was identical to the one in Kazashiro's hand.

"Come to think of it, I often see you sparring with Kakashi, Guy, Obito, and the others, but I've never personally tested your skills." Without waiting for Kazashiro to respond, Asuma looked at him with eyes full of fighting spirit.

"What's with you? Why are you getting all fired up too..." Feeling the heat in Asuma's gaze, Kazashiro scratched his head, unaccustomed to Asuma's sudden enthusiasm.

Though he did not show it in everyday life, Asuma was still the Third Hokage's son. How could he willingly let one genius after another stand above him? Fighting Kakashi or Kazashiro had always been his wish.

This time, he finally had the opportunity.

"Is that so? Then let's do it." Kazashiro looked unconcerned. They were both ordinary people without bloodlines, so they could just fight casually.

Ah, I should try not to lose if possible. If I really do lose...

If Danzo finds out I lost to the Third Hokage's son, it might cause a little trouble...

"Then, the first match: Mitaraishi Anko versus Nara Shikamaru! The drill begins!" After compiling the results of the draw, Makoto Ito announced the start of the exercise.

After the two formed the Opposing Seal, Anko attacked first, choosing to test her opponent with Taijutsu.

Nara Shikamaru had not yet learned his clan's secret techniques. With no ninjutsu to protect him, he could only grit his teeth, grab a kunai, and face Anko.

After taking two or three consecutive kicks, he immediately chose to surrender.

"Alright, Mitaraishi Anko wins. Both sides, form the Reconciliation Seal!" Makoto Ito promptly stopped them and announced the end of the match.

"You really have no motivation at all, do you?" Anko looked helplessly at Nara Shikamaru, who sat on the ground, panting heavily.

"Tch. I'm a ninja who fights with his brain. How could I possibly beat someone like you..." Nara Shikamaru closed his eyes and simply lay down on the ground.

With those two setting an example, the matches that followed proceeded very smoothly.

As expected, the match between Obito and Might Guy ended with Obito getting kicked flying. However, the Great Fireball Technique he used during the fight earned praise from the teacher.

Being able to perform ninjutsu at that age already put him ahead of many ordinary ninjas.

The commotion caused by Kazashiro's class on the training field also drew the attention of countless classes inside the school building.

"I'm telling you, what kind of terrifying class is that? A ninja who isn't even a Genin used a technique like the Great Fireball." Namiashi Raidō from neighboring Team Three looked at the marks left by the Great Fireball on the field and clicked his tongue.

"Class Two, I think. Kakashi's class." Aoba Yamashiro followed Namiashi Raidō's gaze, took a look, and said with certainty.

"Eh, the class with the Third Hokage's son?" Fugutake Tonbo, whose head was wrapped in bandages, ignored the teacher at the podium and leaned over as well.

"Next, Shimura Kazashiro versus Sarutobi Asuma!"

As everyone discussed it excitedly, Makoto Ito called out Kazashiro and Asuma's names from the training field.

"Shimura... that couldn't be that person, could it? Uh, isn't it, Myo?" Upon hearing Kazashiro's name, Fugutake Tonbo turned questioningly toward Shimura Myo, who was seated not far away.

Shimura Myo nodded, confirming his guess. "Yes. Shimura Kazashiro, Lord Danzo's son."