A Crushing Start Against Zabuza (New Book, Please Bookmark~)

The refreshing sea breeze brushed across the sky. The thick mist hanging in the air stirred slightly, then immediately returned to its place, utterly unwilling to relinquish the territory beneath it.

Deep within the mist, a rather large human village could be seen below.

On its tallest and most conspicuous building was a large character: "Water."

Shifting their gaze again, at the edge of the village near the sea, a group of small figures had gathered together.

"Next group: Zabuza Momochi versus Araki!"

A middle-aged man in a light-gray ninja vest held a roster in his hands and called out loudly.

"Here!"

An energetic response came from the crowd before him. It belonged to a handsome boy of around ten, with delicate features.

The corners of his lips curled up slightly, and an excited expression appeared on his face. His dark, profound eyes seemed to be shining.

This was the boy known as Araki.

As Araki and another browless boy stepped forward, the remaining children began discussing among themselves.

"These two battle maniacs are facing each other? Now this will be good!"

A boy in green spoke expectantly.

"Whether it's good or not is secondary. The most important thing is that we won't have to run into them today."

This came from a girl who looked somewhat timid.

"Hmph, what's so scary about those two? Sooner or later, I'll surpass them!"

A sturdier boy was somewhat displeased by the girl's relief.

"Heh, that's because you've never faced them before."

The sturdy boy's bravado immediately drew attacks from the others.

"Zabuza is a little better. He'll just defeat you quickly, and at worst you'll suffer a minor injury. But if you run into Araki..."

A flicker of fear actually passed through the speaking boy's eyes.

"He's practically a demon! He'll keep knocking you down, then force you to get back up and keep fighting, over and over, until he decides you truly don't have the strength to stand again!"

"This..."

The scene described by the boy immediately intimidated quite a few people. They were all students at the Ninja Academy. Winning and losing were only matters of youthful pride, after all, and they would soon forget about them.

But being knocked down again and again until they were utterly exhausted...

Just thinking about it sent chills down their spines. Araki was so handsome, yet beneath that refined appearance lay the heart of a demon!

While the boys and girls continued their chatter, the chunin teacher finished reading the group list. He closed the roster in his hand. "Today's rules have changed slightly. The winners can study a new chakra control technique with me. Those who lose in the first round may challenge the winners of other groups. If they win, they can take that person's qualification."

At those words, half the students were thrilled, while the other half groaned in dismay.

This was already their second year since enrollment. Although the Second Hokage of Konoha had established the Ninja Academy and the other four villages had followed suit, the academy systems in each village differed due to their differing national circumstances.

Take Kirigakure, for example. They upheld the belief that actual combat reigned supreme. Only those tempered by blood could be considered true strong ones.

Thus, Kirigakure's Ninja Academy was unlike Konoha's, which had six grades and gave students ample time to absorb theoretical knowledge and train their fundamentals.

Here, the Ninja Academy had only two grades, followed by a wilderness survival battle as the graduation examination to select qualified genin.

After that, they would grow on their own through missions.

In truth, the results of the final examination had already become clear through the repeated battles of the past two years.

For instance, in this round, the losers would learn one fewer chakra control technique. Their growth in strength would fall a step behind, and this kind of selective teaching was far from unprecedented.

After selection after selection, clear gaps in strength had already formed among the students.

The strong remained strong. That was Kirigakure's philosophy.

At the very top of the class stood Araki and Zabuza.

Not only had neither of them ever missed a single technique lesson, but they were both extremely strong and exceptionally battle-hungry. Their most genuine records had earned the submission of everyone in the class.

"Araki, we've known each other for nearly two years. I've wanted to fight you for a long time!"

Zabuza stood facing Araki, gripping a kunai. His tone was unusually excited.

"Is that so? Then I'm sorry, but you might have to fight an extra match today!"

Araki also gripped his kunai in a reverse hold, a wild smile spreading across his face.

"Hmph! It's still uncertain who'll need to fight an extra match!"

Zabuza refused to yield verbally.

Bang!

They moved at the same time, and their kunai collided fiercely, scattering sparks.

"Not bad strength!"

After teasing him, Araki looked mockingly into Zabuza's eyes and slowly increased the force in his hand.

What?! He can still put out more strength?!

Zabuza's arm was forcibly pushed backward. He gritted his teeth and held on for a moment, but realizing he truly could not match the other's strength, he kicked off the ground and leaped back with the momentum.

Araki did not pursue. He simply stood where he was and smiled at him, as though saying, "You said we were going to have a good fight. Why are you running first?"

Zabuza felt somewhat ashamed, so he hurriedly comforted himself inwardly. Strength is his specialty. I'm not running away—I'm making a wise tactical choice!

After preparing himself mentally, Zabuza attacked again. This time, he increased the speed and frequency of his kunai slashes, avoiding another awkward situation where they competed in strength.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Their kunai collided again and again. Zabuza's heart leaped with joy. I can fight him! His speed isn't faster than mine!

Just then, Araki's faintly teasing voice reached his ears once more:

"Your speed is decent too!"

What?!

Zabuza's heart jolted. Araki had just said his strength was good, then used even greater strength to crush him outright. Now he was saying his speed was decent too...

No way.

Unfortunately, Murphy's Law told them that the more they feared something, the more likely it was to happen.

Under Zabuza's terrified gaze, Araki's kunai suddenly accelerated and became a blur, seemingly stabbing simultaneously toward five vital points—his head, neck, chest, abdomen, and leg!

This...

What should he do?

Zabuza's eyes widened as he tried to distinguish the real attack from the four feints. Unfortunately, he did not possess a pair of rotating crimson eyes, so all his efforts were futile.

Only when the cold kunai rested against his neck did he realize that, while trying to distinguish the truth of Araki's attacks, he had stood there completely still in a daze. He had even forgotten the Substitution Technique!

"What a pity. Your technique is too poor."

Araki shook his head, seeming somewhat disappointed.

"Wait!"

Just as Araki was about to head over to the chunin teacher, Zabuza lowered his head and asked:

"What was that move called?"

"My Style: Five-Star Rending!"

Araki did not turn around. He merely waved behind him and spoke a name Zabuza had never heard before.