Me, Fighting Akiyama Shun? Seriously?

A live-combat exam?

Upon hearing Kazama Shinya's words, the entire student body erupted, immediately breaking into a cacophony of chatter.

In the past, whether it was shuriken throwing or taijutsu training, they had only ever struck targets—or at most, moving targets.

Now, they were finally starting live combat!

Indeed, not a single student felt fear; instead, they were brimming with excitement.

They had come to the Ninja Academy precisely for this!

"I'm so excited! Shun, do you think I can win?"

Yuhi Kurenai looked incredibly thrilled, clutching Akiyama Shun's arm and shaking it incessantly.

"Although I don't know who your opponent is, I believe in you. You've been training so hard, you'll definitely win!"

Akiyama Shun patted Yuhi Kurenai's head, offering words of comfort.

Just then, Akiyama Shun sensed someone watching him and turned his head.

Sure enough, it was those two again.

Kakashi and Might Guy.

At this moment, the gazes both of them directed at Akiyama Shun were filled with intense fighting spirit!

When Akiyama Shun looked over, Might Guy continued to stare at him fixedly.

However, Kakashi seemed to recall the events of the morning; he hurriedly shifted his gaze away in embarrassment, looking up at the sky and pretending that nothing had just happened.

"Alright! Everyone, come here to draw lots. Those who draw number 1 will be a pair, and so on!"

"If any student wishes to use ninja tools but hasn't brought their own, you may use the ones on the equipment rack."

After Kazama Shinya finished speaking, he stepped aside to let the students draw their lots.

Once the drawing was complete, the students' expressions varied; some were joyful, others worried.

Those who drew opponents clearly weaker than themselves were naturally happy, while those who drew strong opponents were not only worried about their grades but also feared getting a beating.

"Shun, I drew number 5!"

"Number 5? Hmm, that's that guy, Ebisu."

As Akiyama Shun spoke, he pointed him out to Yuhi Kurenai.

Yuhi Kurenai followed Akiyama Shun's finger and saw a boy wearing black clothes and sunglasses.

Yuhi Kurenai remembered him; his grades were decent, but certainly not as good as hers.

"Don't worry, you'll definitely be able to beat him! I believe in you!"

"Mm!"

Yuhi Kurenai nodded happily, then asked, "Shun, what number did you draw?"

"Number 11."

After Akiyama Shun announced his number, several students nearby who had been eavesdropping intently immediately checked their own numbers.

They all breathed a sigh of relief.

It wasn't 11!

Thank goodness!

They didn't have to fight Akiyama Shun!

After Akiyama Shun spoke, the news that he had drawn number 11 spread rapidly through the crowd.

Many people checked their numbers with bated breath, and upon confirming their opponent wasn't Shun, they all broke into smiles.

Might Guy glanced at his number.

Number 8, a chubby kid!

"Damn it!"

He really wanted to have a match with Akiyama Shun!

Kakashi also checked his number: 10.

Number 10 was...

Kakashi looked toward Shiranui Genma, who also looked at Kakashi. After the two exchanged a polite nod, they simultaneously looked away.

Although Shiranui Genma was a formidable opponent, he wasn't enough!

Akiyama Shun!!!

"Rin, hurry and check what number you got. I drew number 6, let's hope we don't end up against each other!"

After confirming his own opponent, Obito immediately went to Rin's side, concerned.

"Oh, okay."

Rin opened the slip of paper; the number on it was...

11.

"What! Rin, how are you number 11! That guy Akiyama Shun is also number 11!"

"Eh?"

Hearing Obito's exclamation, Nohara Rin was stunned for a moment.

"I'm fighting Akiyama Shun? For real?"

After hearing Obito's shout, the surrounding classmates all looked at Nohara Rin with eyes full of pity.

One was a top-tier student who stood in a league of his own, and the other was just an ordinary girl; the outcome didn't even need to be considered.

They didn't even dare to imagine how quickly this battle would end!

"Rin, why don't we swap slips? I'll go fight Akiyama Shun for you!"

After a brief moment of thought, Obito gritted his teeth and held out his own number to Nohara Rin.

"Ah? Is swapping even allowed? Besides, Obito, you'll get hurt, won't you?"

Looking at Obito's determined gaze, Nohara Rin didn't exchange numbers with him, her expression filled with concern instead.

"Nohara Rin, do you want to swap?"

At this moment, Kakashi walked up to Nohara Rin's side and held out the number in his hand.

"Kakashi! What are you doing here, you guy! Damn it! Rin is under my protection!"

Obito's noisy protest on the side didn't disturb Kakashi at all; he just looked at Nohara Rin quietly.

"Well... alright then."

After a moment of hesitation, Nohara Rin swapped numbers with Kakashi.

"Rin! Why did you swap with him and not me! I could have beaten Akiyama Shun too! That guy Kakashi has always been overshadowed by Akiyama Shun, he definitely can't win!"

Seeing Kakashi's demeanor, Obito was consumed by jealousy.

"It's not like that. I don't doubt that you can't beat Akiyama Shun; I was just afraid you'd get hurt trying to protect me. Kakashi is different—he simply wants to spar with Akiyama Shun, and I wanted to grant that wish."

Obito, who had been jealous just a moment ago, immediately changed his tune upon hearing Nohara Rin's comforting words, scratching his head shyly with a bright red face.

"Oh... alright then..."

So she was worried about me...

Over on Kakashi's side, after getting the number, he stood to the side with his eyes closed, resting and preparing for his upcoming battle with Akiyama Shun.

"Damn it! Kakashi! How could you use such a method!"

Might Guy had watched the whole process and looked at the number in Kakashi's hand with envy.

"It's just that you didn't think of this method yourself."

Because the two of them often spied on Akiyama Shun together, their relationship had improved significantly during this period.

Although they weren't quite at the level of the Konoha Twin Stars yet, they could at least be considered ordinary friends.

Akiyama Shun, on the other hand, was unaware of these events.

He simply closed his eyes to rest, waiting quietly for Kazama Shinya to call his number.

Soon, the first match began.

It was between two ordinary students, and Akiyama Shun lost interest after just one glance.

It wasn't until the fifth match, when Yuhi Kurenai faced Ebisu, that Akiyama Shun opened his eyes.

Just as he had expected, Ebisu's strength was lacking to begin with.

Coupled with the fact that Yuhi Kurenai had been training even harder because of him, the match against Ebisu was a breeze.

The two of them resolved the battle in less than a minute.

The winner was naturally Yuhi Kurenai, who didn't even have a scratch on her; Ebisu hadn't managed to touch her at all.

The entire match was nothing but a farce!

"Yay! I won!"

After winning, Yuhi Kurenai jumped for joy on the spot.

Akiyama Shun gave Yuhi Kurenai a thumbs-up.

After Yuhi Kurenai finished, it was number 6...

As the numbers were called one by one for their matches, it soon reached Akiyama Shun's number.

"Next!"

"Number 11!"