I Want to Fight Three

"I want to fight more geniuses."

Natsuki stated his reason. "I've already defeated Minato Namikaze, so I've set my sights on upperclassmen."

So sharp-edged?

Ishida Yu's breath caught at his words.

Natsuki was clearly different from before.

But Ishida Yu could understand.

After all, he had become Orochimaru's student ahead of time.

A person's personality and way of doing things could change based on various factors.

Now, Natsuki and Minato Namikaze only attended theory classes at the Ninja Academy.

That was because Orochimaru and Jiraiya had become their combat instructors.

"Who do you want to challenge?"

Ishida Yu came back to his senses and asked.

"Akimichi Choza, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi from the third grade."

Natsuki answered without hesitation.

More than half of his previous reason had been a lie. His real goal was to unlock the fourth ability of the Uzumaki Naruto Template.

Among the seven geniuses Minato Namikaze had introduced, only Akimichi Choza, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi counted as easy targets.

Nawaki, Uchiha Mikoto, Hyuga Hiashi, and Hizashi Hyuga all came from major ninja clans.

The Sharingan and Byakugan were both capable of challenging opponents above their level, so there was a chance he might lose.

But Natsuki felt that he could easily defeat Akimichi Choza, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi.

First, he knew the secret techniques of Ino-Shika-Cho very well.

Second, they were young.

In any case, he would dominate the second and third grades first.

Of course, Ishida Yu's guess had not been wrong either.

Natsuki was now Orochimaru's student, so there was no need for him to hide his abilities anymore.

If he wanted to reveal the Character Template's abilities, the best method was to disguise himself as a once-in-a-generation genius.

If anyone asked, he had invented the ninjutsu himself.

"Alright, I'll go find Teacher Ikeuchi from Third Grade Class A shortly."

Ishida Yu smiled. "I don't think he'll refuse."

Natsuki was now Orochimaru's student, with limitless prospects ahead of him.

Most Ninja Academy teachers were merely Chunin. Even if they had ten times the courage, they would not dare offend Orochimaru or his student.

Ishida Yu quickly got to work.

After talking with Natsuki, he went upstairs to another teachers' office.

"Teacher Ikeuchi."

Ishida Yu walked up to a young man.

"Teacher Ishida Yu, it's rare for you to come looking for me."

Ikeuchi was somewhat surprised. "Is something the matter?"

"It's like this."

Ishida Yu immediately explained the entire situation.

"As expected of a genius Lord Orochimaru has taken a liking to. He's already pursuing a higher goal."

After hearing him out, Ikeuchi sighed.

At the same time, he was deeply envious of Ishida Yu.

His class had produced three peerless geniuses. It was simply unbelievable.

Although Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade had not formally taken disciples yet, their strength and status meant every move they made drew attention.

The news that they were teaching Minato Namikaze, Natsuki, and Yakushi Nonō had long spread throughout Konoha.

It was said that Shimura Danzō had flown into a rage and ultimately left behind four words: "Pissed me to death!"

"What do you think?"

Ishida Yu asked with a smile.

"How about holding a Class Exchange Meeting?"

After thinking briefly, Ikeuchi asked.

Ishida Yu was slightly startled, then understood.

Ikeuchi was assuming that Natsuki would defeat Akimichi Choza, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi.

But if word got out, Third Grade Class A would lose all face.

It would be better to hold an exchange meeting between the two classes. Everyone could participate, there would be wins and losses on both sides, and it would not be so hard to accept.

"Alright."

Ishida Yu agreed immediately.

He now had Minato Namikaze, Natsuki, and Yakushi Nonō. This year's performance evaluation was already in the bag, and he might even be named an outstanding teacher.

"Then tomorrow afternoon."

Ikeuchi added.

Ishida Yu nodded.

After returning, he told Natsuki about it as well.

Naturally, Natsuki had no objections.

As long as he achieved his goal, it made no difference whether it was a direct challenge or an exchange meeting between the two classes.

The next afternoon arrived.

On the Ninja Academy's training ground.

The students of Second Grade Class A and Third Grade Class A sized one another up.

"Are those Natsuki and Minato Namikaze?"

Akimichi Choza looked at the black-haired and blond-haired boys in the distance and asked.

"Yeah, that's them."

Yamanaka Inoichi nodded. "The two of them will probably be your opponents."

In Third Grade Class A, Nara Shikaku ranked first, Akimichi Choza ranked second, and he ranked third.

But in actual combat, Akimichi Choza was the strongest.

The Ino-Shika-Cho combination was famous throughout the Ninja World. The secret techniques of the three clans could work together to produce terrifying results.

If they were separated, however, the Akimichi Clan was strongest in one-on-one combat.

That was because the Yamanaka Clan's and Nara Clan's secret techniques focused on control and harassment.

"This will be tough."

Nara Shikaku sighed. "Their teachers are Lord Orochimaru and Lord Jiraiya."

"It's fine. It's only an exchange meeting."

Yamanaka Inoichi reassured him. "Besides, it wouldn't be embarrassing to lose to them."

At two in the afternoon.

Ishida Yu and Ikeuchi walked into the field and announced the official start of the exchange meeting.

As Natsuki watched the sparring matches, a question suddenly occurred to him.

According to the exchange meeting's rules, he could only defeat one member of Ino-Shika-Cho.

But he intended to fight all three at once.

Natsuki fell into thought.

He felt that he could challenge them directly.

"Match Seventeen: Natsuki versus Akimichi Choza."

Ishida Yu announced.

Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi had both already fought.

The former had faced Minato Namikaze and been easily defeated.

The latter had faced Onodera and ultimately won.

Once the two entered the field, Akimichi Choza attacked first.

He fully demonstrated what it meant to be an agile fat man, throwing a punch at astonishing speed.

Chef's Flying Kick!

Natsuki gave him no chance to get close. He leaped into the air and kicked out with his right leg.

Akimichi Choza immediately changed the direction of his punch.

Fist and foot collided, and his heavy body uncontrollably retreated half a step.

A stunned expression immediately appeared on his face.

Nara Shikaku and the others were the same.

They remembered that Natsuki had become famous for his Sword Technique, not Taijutsu.

But Natsuki pressed his advantage without mercy. Using Akimichi Choza's punch, he launched himself into the air once more.

Chef's Heavy Drop!

His entire body plunged downward.

The immense force tore through the air with a howl.

Akimichi Choza's expression changed as he felt a crushing pressure descending from above.

Partial Multi-Size Technique!

His right hand rapidly expanded, rising to meet Natsuki like Five Finger Mountain.

With a thunderous boom!

The air currents swept outward in every direction.

Akimichi Choza's face twisted fiercely as he gathered all his strength into his right palm, locking Natsuki in a stalemate.

Reinforcement Magic!

Natsuki's feet were immediately strengthened.

Golden Right Leg!

His body spun through the air before he kicked toward Akimichi Choza.

Akimichi Choza had never expected such a change.

He let out a muffled groan and was kicked into several rolls across the ground.

"How did Natsuki's Taijutsu become so strong?"

Minato Namikaze's expression became extremely grave.

He had thought that he had improved rapidly under Jiraiya's guidance, especially since he had just defeated Nara Shikaku without revealing his new ninjutsu. Yet Natsuki's improvement in Taijutsu was even more incomprehensible to him.

Minato Namikaze even felt that if he was not careful, Natsuki could defeat him with Taijutsu alone.

"The winner is Natsuki!"

Ishida Yu announced loudly with a beaming smile.

"Teacher Ishida Yu, Teacher Ikeuchi, I have a presumptuous request."

Natsuki bowed slightly. "I have long admired Ino-Shika-Cho and hope to witness it for myself."

Ishida Yu and Ikeuchi were both stunned.

What did that mean?

Hadn't he just defeated Akimichi Choza?

But they quickly understood, and shocked expressions appeared on their faces.

He wanted to fight three?