Ebisu Was Actually This Powerful

The first group's competition area was not far away.

Uchiha Toru had just finished a match and glanced towards Group Three's area. He happened to see Shin-chan squatting on the ground and couldn't help but shiver.

Why does it feel like...

Shin-chan's side has such heavy resentment?

The competition continued.

In Group Three's competition area, Shin-chan was still squatting at the back of the team, propping his chin with his hand, his eyes occasionally darting towards the first group's area.

"Next match, Shin Nohara versus Yamanaka Ichiro."

Teacher Ibuki's voice rang out.

Shin-chan slowly stood up, holding his Wooden Sword as he walked towards the center of the arena.

Facing him stood a chubby boy.

"Begin."

Yamanaka Ichiro had just assumed his Stance when his vision blurred.

The Wooden Sword stopped directly in front of his forehead.

"Shin Nohara, winner."

Yamanaka Ichiro stood frozen in place, unable to react for a long time. Had he even moved yet?

Shin-chan had already turned and walked back. After two steps, he stopped again and glanced towards the first group's area.

Asagi-sensei was recording something for Uchiha Toru, smiling gently.

He didn't look over this way at all.

Shin-chan's shoulders slumped, and he walked back to the rear of the team with his head down, squatting down again to draw circles.

The surrounding classmates looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

He won again, right?

Why does he still have that expression?

Two more matches passed.

"Shin Nohara versus Mizuki Toshiya."

Mizuki Toshiya struck a passable stance, and then his vision blurred. The Wooden Sword was already at his chest.

"Shin Nohara, win."

Teacher Ibuki's voice was a little numb.

How many was this already?

Shin-chan retracted his Wooden Sword and, as usual, glanced towards Group One.

Asagi-sensei was drinking water.

Still not looking this way.

Shin-chan sighed and walked back to the end of the line, continuing to squat.

"Next match, Shin Nohara versus Hyuga Shota."

Hyuga Shota, from the Hyuga Branch Family. Although his Byakugan hadn't awakened yet, his family had taught him some basics of the Gentle Fist.

Even as he stepped onto the stage, many people around him were whispering.

"Someone from the Hyuga family, he should be strong."

"Maybe he can last a little longer?"

"Perhaps he can win. The Hyuga family's Gentle Fist is very powerful."

Hyuga Shota thought the same. He assumed a Gentle Fist stance and took a deep breath.

Then his vision blurred.

The Wooden Sword was already at his neck.

"Shin Nohara, win."

Teacher Ibuki's voice was completely calm now.

Shin-chan retracted his Wooden Sword and glanced towards Group One.

Asagi-sensei was talking to the teacher next to him, smiling happily.

Still not looking this way.

Shin-chan lowered his head and walked back to the end of the line, squatting down again.

The dark cloud above seemed to have grown even thicker.

At the edge of the field, several people from Class A gathered together, whispering.

"Isn't that Nohara Shin'ichi from our class?"

"It's him."

"He's that strong?"

"I don't know. Usually, I see him playing with Uchiha Toru and Might Guy."

"But the one from the Hyuga Clan he just fought, he finished him in one move?"

"Not just the Hyuga Clan, the previous few were also one move."

"And Shiranui Genma, the strongest in Class B, also one move."

As they chatted, several people looked at the figure squatting in the corner drawing circles, their expressions changed.

That guy who lecherously chased Asagi-sensei, that guy who always zoned out in class and always gave nonsensical answers.

He's actually this strong?

The competition continued.

After a few more rounds, the matches for the four groups concluded one after another.

Teacher Ibuki held the list and cleared his throat.

"The two who advanced from Group Three are Nohara Shin'ichi and Mitarai Anko."

Shin-chan squatted in the corner. Upon hearing his name, he didn't even lift his head.

Teacher Ibuki continued to read: "Group One advances: Uchiha Toru, Asuma Sarutobi; Group Two advances: Kurenai Yuhi, Shizune; Group Four advances: Kakashi Hatake, Ebisu."

The list of the top eight was finalized.

On the playground, some were happy, and some were sad.

Obito Uchiha squatted on a tree stump in the corner, head bowed, his face filled with disappointment.

He had lost in the very first match.

That guy clearly wasn't that strong, but for some reason, his mind went blank as soon as he stepped onto the stage.

"Obito."

A gentle voice sounded from behind him.

Obito turned around and saw Rin standing behind him, a faint smile on her face.

"You're here. I've been looking for you for a long time."

Obito struggled to speak, "I... I'm fine."

Rin sat down beside him, silent, just keeping him company.

Obito lowered his head. After a long while, he grumbled, "I lost. I clearly... wanted to do well."

Rin gently patted his shoulder.

Obito looked up, about to say something, when cheers erupted nearby.

Quarterfinals, Kakashi versus Asuma.

Rin's gaze drifted involuntarily.

Kakashi stood in the arena, his Silver Hair dazzling in the sunlight.

"Begin."

Kakashi attacked first. Every step was clean and precise, every strike perfectly timed.

Asuma resisted with all his might but was steadily forced back.

The cheers from the sidelines grew louder.

Rin's eyes lit up, "Kakashi is so strong."

Obito sat on a tree stump, looking at Rin, then at the Silver Hair figure in the arena. He lowered his head, saying nothing.

In the arena, Kakashi's blade tip stopped at Asuma's chest.

"Winner, Kakashi Hatake."

Asuma panted, a wry smile on his face. "You're amazing."

Kakashi nodded. As he turned and walked to the sidelines, his eyes met Rin's.

Rin waved at him, smiling beautifully.

Kakashi nodded, then shifted his gaze.

He was looking for someone.

After searching around, he finally spotted a red figure behind the crowd.

Shin-chan squatted in a corner, propping his chin with his hand, his eyes glancing towards the referee's stand.

On the referee's stand, several teachers were organizing records.

Yūnagi Asagi sat there, head bowed, writing something.

Shin Nohara's gaze fell on her, unmoving.

Kakashi: "..."

This guy.

"Next match, Shin Nohara versus Ebisu."

Shin Nohara slowly stood up, holding his Wooden Sword and walking towards the arena. After two steps, he suddenly stopped.

On the referee's stand, Asagi-sensei put down the pen in his hand and glanced towards the arena, his gaze landing directly on Shin Nohara.

Shin Nohara's eyes lit up.

The dark cloud above his head also instantly dissipated.

Shin Nohara straightened his back, gripped his Wooden Sword tightly, and strode into the arena.

Opposite him, Ebisu was already standing, his expression serious.

Shin Nohara's previous record was too terrifying.

One move each.

Including Shiranui Genma, including Hyuga Shota.

All tough opponents.

Ebisu swallowed, got into his Stance, and decided that no matter what, he couldn't lose too badly.

"Begin."

Shin Nohara didn't charge at his opponent instantly like before. Instead, he took a step forward, paused for a moment, and then raised his Wooden Sword, slashing down.

Ebisu blocked with a kunai.

With a "clang."

Ebisu stabilized himself, his expression somewhat surprised. He had blocked it so easily?