A New Draw

[Defeated a D-rank target, obtained 1 draw from the D-rank pool]

[D-rank pool: 97% chance of obtaining a D-rank card, 2.9% chance of obtaining a C-rank card, 0.1% chance of obtaining a B-rank card.]

"A new draw... finally..."

As he looked at Ino Sarutobi, Uchiha Gen heard the ethereal voice ring in his ear, and excitement flashed in his eyes.

Coming to the Ninja Academy... had definitely been the right choice.

"You... ahem. Then we'll change the match schedule. The students who haven't fought yet will come up one by one and battle Uchiha Gen.

"But the purpose of this class is to test everyone's abilities. Uchiha Gen, be careful not to go too far. As for Hizashi Hyuga, take a break first. I'll arrange another match for you against a different student."

With Uchiha Gen watching him, Ino Sarutobi couldn't go back on his word. He had no choice but to speak sternly and warn Gen.

"Understood, Sensei. I just didn't want to waste your precious time."

"...Let's start the next match. Next up, Qingcheng Shanyi."

Seeing Uchiha Gen's unwavering smile, Ino Sarutobi couldn't help feeling that the boy was being sarcastic.

Half a minute later.

"Next."

One minute later.

"Next."

A minute and a half later.

"Again."

At the edge of the training field, Ino Sarutobi watched Uchiha Gen standing in the middle in silence. Gen had taken his warning to heart: he no longer slapped people down so hard they couldn't get up. But he was still defeating one student every half minute, precisely on schedule.

Seeing Uchiha Gen on the field without even a hint of breathlessness, Ino Sarutobi furrowed his brow.

It seemed today's practical lesson had revealed something remarkable...

Hokage Office.

Through the thick, swirling smoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the crystal ball before him with a furrowed brow.

The crystal ball showed the scene on the training field.

The Ninja Academy's Class A was a reserve of Konoha's next generation, so naturally he kept an eye on them.

Originally, Hiruzen Sarutobi had only watched the practical lesson to see whether any of the children in Class A had exceptional talent.

But now...

As he watched the scene reflected in the crystal ball, Hiruzen's expression darkened. No one could tell what he was thinking.

"The Uchiha..."

He exhaled a cloud of smoke and let out a soft sigh.

"Next."

Uchiha Gen casually knocked down the nameless little brat in front of him, then smiled at Ino Sarutobi and said the three words Ino really didn't want to hear.

"Next... Minato Namikaze."

"It's my turn."

Hearing his name, Minato Namikaze took a deep breath and stepped onto the training field.

Uchiha Gen had defeated one classmate after another, putting Minato under considerable pressure.

"Please go easy on me!"

Standing on the field, Minato faced Uchiha Gen and formed the Seal of Confrontation, speaking with a serious expression.

"Come on."

Looking at Minato Namikaze before him, Uchiha Gen's smile grew even wider. If even that useless Hizashi Hyuga had earned him a draw, then Minato Namikaze surely would as well.

Among all the nobodies Gen had defeated just now, not one had earned him a draw.

"Begin!"

At Ino Sarutobi's signal, the two moved at the same time.

Minato stepped forward and charged. He knew Uchiha Gen was strong. As he watched from the sidelines, the only way he could think of to win was to wear Gen down and use his greatest strength—speed—to catch him off guard.

"He's fought so many classmates. He must be tired. I just have to catch him off guard..."

Minato reached out and threw a straight punch.

Uchiha Gen dodged to the side and reached out to grab Minato's wrist. But Minato bent his punching arm, turning the punch into an elbow strike aimed at Gen's abdomen.

Thwack!

With a sharp crack and a spray of wood splinters, Minato's elbow struck a wooden log.

Uchiha Gen had vanished.

"Substitution Technique!"

His strike had missed, and he had lost track of Uchiha Gen. Minato immediately leaped backward, rapidly scanning his surroundings for Gen.

"Were you holding back?"

The next second, Uchiha Gen's voice suddenly sounded behind Minato. Without hesitation, Minato twisted around and threw a spinning kick behind him.

Smack!

With a muffled thud, Uchiha Gen caught Minato by the ankle.

Minato leaned forward sharply and bent his leg. With his right hand clenched into a fist, he swung another punch at Uchiha Gen's face.

They were very close, since Gen had him by the ankle. Minato could clearly see the faint disappointment in Uchiha Gen's eyes.

He didn't understand why Gen looked disappointed, but he could only keep attacking.

After all... the fight wasn't over yet.

But while it was a good plan, reality had other ideas...

Before Minato's fist could hit Uchiha Gen, a tremendous force suddenly surged from his foot. In the next instant, Gen swung him through the air.

"Your speed is good, but your taijutsu is very rough. As for ninjutsu... tsk. Had Jiraiya not started teaching Minato yet at this point?"

[Defeated a D-rank target, obtained 1 draw from the D-rank pool]

Watching Minato hit the ground after Gen tossed him, Uchiha Gen realized that Jiraiya hadn't noticed Minato yet.

His potential had yet to be unlocked. At this point, Minato Namikaze was just a child who had only recently learned to mold chakra.

"Ahem, I still lost. Gen, you're really strong. I'll take you as my example and work hard to catch up. One day, I'll make you give it your all in a fight."

Minato got to his feet and coughed lightly, catching his breath. Then he smiled brightly at Uchiha Gen and praised him.

"..."

Looking at Minato's sunny smile, Uchiha Gen suddenly came up with another idea.