That Seems Pretty Good

Shin-chan was very fast. He dodged left and right, retreating all the way to the edge of the field, but the fireballs couldn't catch up with him.

But no one could have expected that one of the fireballs he'd dodged would suddenly turn around and come flying back.

Shin-chan instinctively tried to dodge, but then he saw the children who had been gasping in excitement now staring wide-eyed at the ball of fire heading straight for them. They'd even forgotten to get out of the way.

Shin-chan paused for an instant, then turned around and held his Wooden Sword out in front of him, blocking the fireball.

"Bang!"

The fireball slammed into the Wooden Sword, bursting into a spray of sparks.

The Wooden Sword caught fire at once, flames racing up its length.

Holding the burning Wooden Sword, Shin-chan stood there stunned, completely motionless.

Everyone around the field was frozen in shock.

Only Teacher Ibuki rushed onto the field. He slapped out the flames on Shin-chan's hand, quickly checked him for injuries, then announced in a low voice, "Uchiha Toru wins."

The field was quiet for a few seconds, then a buzz of discussion gradually rose.

A few teachers exchanged glances.

"That child," one teacher whispered. "He did that on purpose, didn't he?"

"To protect the students behind him?"

"Yeah. He could've dodged, but he took the hit instead."

"And he didn't even hesitate. He went straight in to block it."

Yūnagi Asagi's gaze instinctively fell on the small Red Figure in the middle of the field.

Shin-chan was looking down at the half-burnt Wooden Sword in his hand, scratching his head with an expression that said, "Oh no, it's broken."

There was no frustration, no unwillingness to accept the result, and not even any dejection at losing the match.

Then Shin-chan looked up and glanced in their direction.

Asagi-sensei's eyes met his.

Shin-chan froze for a moment, then instinctively raised his hand and waved to her.

Asagi-sensei waved back, unable to stop herself from smiling.

What a child.

He really was a kind boy.

As Shin-chan left the field, Uchiha Toru caught up with him. He pressed his lips together as if trying to figure out what to say, then looked Shin-chan in the eye, earnest and serious.

"I didn't mean to hurt you just now..."

But halfway through, Uchiha Toru seemed unsure how to continue.

Shin-chan didn't mind. His eyes sparkled as he looked at him. "Xiao Che, you're amazing."

"What?" Uchiha Toru froze.

"That fireball." Shin-chan gestured excitedly. "It turned in midair! How did you do that?"

"I left some Chakra inside the fireball, then controlled it to change direction after it flew past." Uchiha Toru explained without thinking.

"Fire Style looks so cool, too." Shin-chan started grinning foolishly, as if he were already imagining himself learning Fire Style and showing off in front of Asagi-sensei.

Uchiha Toru looked at his beaming face and suddenly didn't know what to say. He fell silent for two seconds, then murmured, "But you lost."

"So what if I lost?" Shin-chan waved a hand, not bothered in the slightest. "Once I get stronger, we can fight again."

Uchiha Toru looked up at his face and suddenly felt his nose sting.

"Shin-chan."

"Yeah?"

"This one doesn't count." Uchiha Toru said seriously. "Next time, we'll have a proper match."

Shin-chan blinked, then agreed. "Okay!"

From far away, Teacher Ibuki called out, "Shin Nohara, it's your turn!"

Shin-chan answered and turned to run onto the field, only to find Kakashi waiting for him by the sidelines.

"Here." Kakashi untied the Wooden Sword at his waist and handed it over. "Yours is unusable."

Shin-chan looked down at his charred Wooden Sword, then at the one Kakashi was offering him, and blinked.

"What about you?"

"I have another."

Shin-chan hesitated, then took the Wooden Sword. "Thanks."

Kakashi didn't reply. He just turned and waved a hand.

"Come on, hurry up." Teacher Ibuki urged them from the platform. "It's almost time to go home."

With the Wooden Sword in hand, Shin-chan dashed onto the field.

Teacher Ibuki waited until the two had taken their places, then raised his hand and announced, "Begin!"

Anko immediately took a fighting stance, her gaze turning serious. She'd just lost to Kakashi, but he was a universally acknowledged prodigy.

This guy in front of her looked kind of dopey. He couldn't be that strong, right?

Then her vision blurred.

The Red Shadow was already right in front of her.

Anko instinctively raised her hand to block, but the Wooden Sword was already beside her neck.

The spectators erupted in surprise.

"So fast..."

"Anko didn't even react!"

"Just like when he faced Shiranui Genma earlier!"

Anko stood there with her arm raised to block, motionless for a long while.

Then she looked down at the Wooden Sword beside her neck, raised her head, and looked at Shin Nohara, who stood before her with an innocent expression.

Shin-chan lowered his Wooden Sword and scratched his head. "Um... do we keep fighting?"

"No." Anko lowered her guard and answered bluntly. "I can't beat you."

Teacher Ibuki announced from the side, "Shin Nohara wins."

Shin-chan lowered his Wooden Sword and turned toward the sidelines. Kakashi was sitting there, watching with an expressionless face.

Shin-chan waved to him.

Kakashi looked away and mouthed something silently.

Anko, meanwhile, shot a resentful look at the Wooden Sword in Shin-chan's hand and muttered, "That sword again..."

Shin-chan hadn't heard her clearly. He turned to look at her. "What?"

"Nothing." Anko turned her face away. "I'll definitely win next time."

Shin-chan nodded. "Okay, let's fight again next time."

Anko gave a huff and turned to leave, but after taking two steps, she couldn't help glancing back at the Wooden Sword.

It had beaten her twice.

Kakashi the first time, and this guy the second.

The same sword both times.

Anko thought resentfully that next time, she'd knock that sword flying.

The final match was Kakashi Hatake against Uchiha Toru.

But the match ended much faster than anyone had expected.

Uchiha Toru had already used up most of his Chakra fighting Shin-chan, and Kakashi had clearly noticed. From the very start, he gave Toru no chance to catch his breath.

Close combat, relentless attacks, a prolonged struggle.

Uchiha Toru tried to create some distance, but Kakashi gave him no opening. Every step he took put Toru in the worst possible position.

Three minutes.

In just three minutes, Uchiha Toru was forced to the edge of the field and could no longer fight.

"Kakashi Hatake wins," Teacher Ibuki announced.

Uchiha Toru sat on the ground, panting heavily, his face full of frustration.

But a loss was a loss.

The sun sank lower. Lights flickered on around the field, and their dim golden glow fell over the children.

Teacher Ibuki took the list and stepped into the middle of the field.

"This exam has now concluded successfully."

"First place: Kakashi Hatake."

"Second place: Uchiha Toru."

"Third place: Shin Nohara."

Scattered applause rose from the sidelines.

In a corner, Shin-chan heard his name and couldn't help scratching his head.

Third place.

That seemed pretty good.