Friendly Sparring

"That's right. A ninja's skills aren't meant for picking fights, but there's nothing wrong with friendly sparring between comrades!"

After Sasuke said this, an old, approving voice came from behind them.

"Lord Hokage!"

Drawn by the voice, everyone turned around and saw the kindly-looking Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly walking toward them.

Hiruzen had originally only wanted to see how strong these newcomers were. But after hearing Sasuke say those words, he suddenly came up with a new plan. Sasuke had already been thoroughly indoctrinated with the Will of Fire. Now all that remained was to turn him into one of his own supporters.

With that thought in mind, Hiruzen stepped out from the shadows and into the open. After all, it was time for him to win people over. These young people were the future of Konoha!

When Sasuke saw Hiruzen step forward, his expression turned a little odd. He had said those things to lower Hiruzen's guard. After all, his status panel had quietly vanished a moment ago, so he had concluded that someone was watching them.

What Sasuke hadn't expected was for the old fox Hiruzen to show up in person. It left him wondering what the man was doing here. Watching the show? That couldn't be it. If he had that kind of free time, shouldn't he be spying on them instead?

"Since everyone who graduated this year is here, we might as well take this opportunity to let the newcomers spar. That way, you can see where they need to improve!"

Ignoring everyone's flattery, Hiruzen sat down on a large rock nearby and made his kindly suggestion, looking every bit like he was planning to watch the show.

"Since Lord Hokage has given the word, why don't we let them spar?" Kakashi suggested, turning to Asuma and Kurenai after hearing Hiruzen's proposal.

"Then let's have them spar. It's not like anyone will be in danger!" Asuma readily agreed. He had no idea what his old man was up to, but he wasn't one to spoil the fun.

"Still, our team needs a little time to rest. And Sasuke shouldn't use that Rasengan of his. It wouldn't be a fair fight otherwise!"

Seeing that Asuma had agreed, Kurenai glanced at the Inuzuka Kiba in her team, who was already itching to get started, and made her suggestion.

"I'll tell him!"

Remembering Sasuke's new Rasengan, Kakashi fell silent for a moment, then nodded gravely. That attack really was too powerful. It would be better if Sasuke didn't use it.

As the three instructors discussed things, Sasuke clearly saw an Anbu approach Hiruzen and hand him a scroll.

What are they up to now? Sasuke muttered to himself as he watched, then waited patiently.

A little while later, Kakashi came over to Team 7 and explained the rules they had just come up with.

"You'll have one-on-one sparring matches against the other two teams. Sakura, Naruto, just do your best. Sasuke, be careful not to hurt anyone. All right, get yourselves ready."

After leaving them with those brief instructions, Kakashi went off to read his book.

As for Asuma and Kurenai, they repeatedly warned their students not to take Sasuke head-on. A single Rasengan would be enough to take out their entire team. Sasuke wouldn't use it, of course, but it was a sparring match, and safety came first.

"I'll beat him with my own jutsu!"

Kiba didn't take Kurenai's warning to heart. He was confident in the jutsu he had just learned.

"Got it. I'm not stupid enough to go up against that freak head-on!" Having witnessed Sasuke's terrifying mastery of wind nature transformation firsthand, Shikamaru knew perfectly well he was no match for him.

Lazily scratching his head, Shikamaru began preparing too. Before long, all nine of them were ready for battle. The only one taking it easy was Sasuke, who had no interest in the match at all. After all, if he felt like it, he could send every one of them to the underworld.

"What a lively group of young people!" Hiruzen smiled fondly as he watched them prepare. His fingers kept tracing the scroll in his hands. The Uchiha Clan crest was emblazoned on its cover, as though it were foreshadowing something.

Just as they were finishing their preparations, Kurenai somehow produced a small box for drawing lots. After all, a sparring match had to be fair!

Asuma and Kakashi drew the lots, while the three instructors each handled their own part.

"Uchiha Sasuke!" Kakashi's expression turned a little odd as he looked at the slip in his hand. Why did Sasuke have to be up first? Wouldn't that crush everyone's confidence?

"Inuzuka Kiba!" Asuma looked at the slip in his hand, pursed his lips in resignation, then glanced at Kurenai with a strange look. Was she sure there hadn't been any rigging?

"First match: Uchiha Sasuke versus Inuzuka Kiba!"

Ignoring Asuma's surprise, Kurenai announced the start of the match.

When his name was called, Sasuke slowly walked to the center of the training ground, where the sparring would take place.

"Great! Now the title of top student is mine!" Unlike Sasuke, who was completely unfazed, Kiba was thrilled. He had wanted to surpass Sasuke back at the Ninja Academy, and now he believed his chance to turn things around had finally come.

Hearing Kiba's bold declaration, Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai could only shake their heads helplessly. Let's hope he doesn't lose too badly. After all, they weren't even in the same league.

"Come on, Sasuke!"

"Woof!"

After declaring his confidence, Kiba brought Akamaru over to face Sasuke.

Seeing Kiba so excited, Sasuke's expression turned a little odd. If he's so full of confidence and then can't handle losing, what if he gives up being a ninja? Ruining someone's future like that wouldn't be good.

They formed the Seal of Reconciliation, and Sasuke slowly took out a kunai and threw it at Kiba.

Kiba dodged the kunai with ease, his expression growing more smug. Sasuke's kunai hadn't been that easy to dodge before! It looked like his kunai skills had gotten worse!

"Akamaru, Gatsuga!"

After a brief moment of thought, Kiba immediately used the Transformation Technique, ready to unleash the jutsu he had just learned.

"Sorry, but I win!" Sasuke said as he switched places with his Shadow Clone using a kunai.

"How is that possible?"

The Third Hokage had come to watch the show, and Kiba was brimming with confidence!

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