Challenge

(Chapter 22: Challenge)

Everyone was itching to show off their skills. Cunxia Ye was naturally restless, and he said to Chen Fan and the others, "The Third Hokage and Fourth Hokage are both here. I'm going to make sure I put on a good show. Maybe I'll be the Fifth Hokage someday."

Shiba Bun shot Cunxia Ye a scornful look. "You? You might not even graduate, and you're already dreaming about becoming Hokage."

"Of course I can graduate. I can't compare with monsters like Mirai and Itachi, but I'm still one of the better students in class. You're the one who should be worried."

"My grades are excellent. If I'm not worried, why should you be?" Shiba Bun spread his hands.

"You're only good at book learning. Your academic scores are better, that's all. In a fight, you're no stronger than me!"

"Are you calling yourself an idiot?"

"Bastard! What did you say? We'd better get matched against each other later. I'll show you that might makes right."

"So you're admitting you've got a simple mind and strong limbs?" Shiba Bun still wore the same calm expression, which only made Cunxia Ye angrier.

"Damn it...!"

"Ah! I just remembered. Idiocy is contagious. Please don't come near me!"

"Gah!" Cunxia Ye scratched his head furiously.

Mirai put a hand on each of their shoulders. "Stop. Don't argue for now. Everyone's watching you." At Mirai's words, the two looked up—and sure enough, every student in the class was staring at them. Their faces turned a little red, and they lowered their heads, muttering complaints at each other.

Nakamura Hino was furious. They were being so rude in front of the Third and Fourth Hokage! Minato and the Third Hokage merely smiled, clearly not taking offense.

The Third Hokage nodded to Teacher Nakamura. "All right, Nakamura. Let the students begin."

"Yes, Lord Third." After responding, Nakamura Hino turned to the students. "I'm sure you've all seen that the Third Hokage and Fourth Hokage have taken time out of their busy schedules to come watch your matches. You must all show them what you can do! If one of you catches the Hokage's eye, you might become the next Hokage someday. I would be very happy to see that happen."

"The matches are still one-on-one, but the rules have changed slightly. I'll call you according to your student numbers, and the others can challenge you. Whoever wins the challenge will advance to the second round. If no one challenges you, you may choose anyone who advances as your opponent. This time, we're not picking the top few—we're choosing a single winner. There will be only one victor, and everyone else will lose. Win or lose, you must show the Third Hokage and Fourth Hokage your very best!"

The rules were interesting. If you held back, you could save your strength by not fighting, but choosing your own opponent would put you at a disadvantage.

"Yes!" all the students called out.

Teacher Nakamura nodded. "Good. We'll begin with Yamazaki!"

"Coming!" Yamazaki raised his hand and stepped forward.

"Does anyone want to challenge him?"

"I do!" A boy jumped out and challenged him. The two quickly began fighting. After half a year of training, all the students had grown much stronger, and their matches were quite enjoyable to watch.

At that moment, three boys huddled together. Their leader was Sato, who had fought Mirai for the first time six months ago. They had faced off again in a later match, and Mirai had beaten him. He had also fought Uchiha Itachi twice. Back then, Mirai still couldn't match Itachi, so if Sato couldn't beat Mirai, he certainly couldn't beat Itachi. Itachi had defeated him with ease. Perhaps because Itachi was Mirai's cousin, Sato blamed Mirai for that humiliation too.

Sato said to the two boys beside him, "If nobody challenges Mirai later, you two go challenge him."

"But we're no match for him," the boys replied.

"I know you're no match for him. Your job is to wear him out. Then I'll beat him myself and pay him back for all the humiliation he's put me through! If we pull it off, I'll treat you both to barbecue three times!"

The boys agreed when they heard there was food in it for them. "All right." Kids were easy to bribe.

Before long, it was Mirai's turn. Nakamura asked if anyone wanted to challenge him, but, just as expected, everyone stayed quiet. Mirai always came first in their regular training. Challenging him now would be asking for trouble. They would have a better chance after he was more tired.

When no one volunteered, Sato nudged one of the boys to signal that he should go. Thinking of the promised food, the boy stepped forward and challenged Mirai.

He immediately attacked Mirai. He wasn't weak compared to the other students—at least average—but the difference between them was still enormous. Mirai dodged every attack, then struck the boy in the neck with a single blow. The boy promptly fainted in spectacular fashion.

The Third Hokage and Fourth Hokage both nodded. A child's talent could be seen at a young age, whether he was a hard worker or naturally gifted.

They both knew Mirai's background. The Third Hokage even saw Minato in him—or perhaps someone with even greater talent. Mirai had remarkable potential, worked hard, and had a good disposition. He would surely grow into a powerful shinobi of Konoha, and might even become the next Hokage. The Third Hokage had a habit of keeping an eye on talented children, so aside from the System Shop, he had already seen many of Mirai's secrets. The shameless old man had seen it all without Mirai knowing.

The Fourth Hokage simply thought Mirai was a fine child who would grow even stronger.

The first round soon ended, with the weak eliminated and the strong advancing. Several of the people Mirai was close to made it into the second round, which had half as many contestants.

When it was Mirai's turn, another person stepped forward to challenge him. This time, the student launched a fierce attack. After they fought for a while, Mirai spotted an opening and kicked him flying, winning the match.

By the third round, there weren't many contestants left. Mirai was first in line. Before Teacher Nakamura could say a word, Sato jumped out and challenged him.