It was as if the Root shinobi who had blocked their way yesterday had never existed. They still went to the Ninja Academy as usual. After yesterday's bitter lesson, he had learned the Shadow Clone Technique, so today he simply went to school as a clone.
Today's lesson was a little different: they would be paired up for practical combat tests.
"This is such a drag, Iruka-sensei. Can I just forfeit?"
"Everyone has to participate in this test. There are no exceptions, Shikamaru."
"What a drag." x2
Mufeng Uchiha and Shikamaru Nara were slumped over their desks. When they noticed each other, they exchanged a smile. They were kindred spirits.
Choji Akimichi, sitting beside Shikamaru, just kept eating the chips in his hand. As long as the test didn't interrupt his snacking, he was fine.
By contrast, Naruto Uzumaki was raring to go. I'll show everyone how much my hard training these past few days has paid off. They'll all be impressed!
Sasuke Uchiha stood with his arms crossed, but his attention was entirely on Mufeng Uchiha. Aside from Mufeng, his fellow Uchiha, no one else was a match for him.
"Sasuke is so cool! He's definitely going to come in first in the practical test."
"Not necessarily. Mufeng is Sasuke's older brother, after all. The older brother is bound to be stronger than his younger brother."
The moment Ino Yamanaka said that, Sakura Haruno was displeased and started arguing with her.
"Akamaru, this is our chance to show what we can do. We're going to be the strongest in the class!" Kiba Inuzuka excitedly confided in the Akamaru in his arms.
This might be my chance to stand out. Shino Aburame, who had always wanted to escape his low-profile existence, quietly considered his options.
Hinata Hyuga shyly lowered her head and peeked at Naruto Uzumaki. "What should I do if I end up facing Naruto-kun later?"
Most of the class was raring to go. All of this was watched by the old man who hoped to use his crystal ball to spy on the Konoha bathhouse.
"Everyone's full of energy. They're all Konoha's future. Kakashi, those three have been training with you for a while. Who do you think will win in the end?"
Kakashi Hatake scratched his cheek. Wasn't that obvious? Mufeng had already been able to face three Chunin-level Root shinobi by himself.
The Root shinobi's lack of information and their carelessness had certainly played a part, but Mufeng's strength had still been proven beyond doubt.
"Mufeng. Even if they're Shadow Clones, I don't think they'll be a match for him."
"I see. You have such confidence in Mufeng. I've been hearing you all talk about how talented that boy is. This time, I'll see for myself."
As they talked, Iruka-sensei led the class to the Konoha Training Ground. They would split into pairs, and the winners would face off again until the strongest was determined.
"Naruto Uzumaki versus Kiba Inuzuka."
"Kiba, I'm not the same as before! Get ready to be beaten by me!"
"The only one who's going to get beaten is you, Naruto! I, Kiba Inuzuka, am definitely the strongest in the class!"
After completing the Seal of Confrontation, Kiba charged in immediately. Naruto Uzumaki had changed since training with Kakashi Hatake.
Kiba had already begun learning the Four-Legs Technique from his clan, but defeating the Naruto of today would be no easy task.
What was supposed to be an exciting battle went on for nearly half an hour. Naruto still stood firm like a cockroach, clinging stubbornly to Kiba. The two of them traded punches like little kids.
"Naruto, are you a monster? How are you still standing?"
"Mufeng told me that taking a beating is one of my strengths. If I just hang in there, I'll win!"
Naruto, his face bruised and swollen, let out a roar and threw the fist he'd drawn back against his stomach straight at Kiba's cheek. At last, the half-hour brawl came to an end.
Once the battle was over, Naruto bounced around excitedly to celebrate. The fatigue from the fight seemed to have vanished completely.
"Naruto's physical fitness is incredible."
"He really is a monster. After fighting for so long, he's still fine."
Sasuke Uchiha looked disdainfully at those sneering at Naruto. He now saw Naruto in a different light. If he had to fight someone with Naruto's stamina, the best approach would be to knock him out as quickly as possible.
"Naruto's a genius too—a genius who works hard. If you don't pick up the pace, he'll surpass you sooner or later, my foolish little brother."
Sasuke Uchiha lifted his head and declared confidently, "I bear the name of the Uchiha. Naruto will never be a match for me. Mufeng, I'll defeat you this time. You'd better be ready."
After making his bold declaration, Sasuke Uchiha left. Mufeng Uchiha shook his head to himself. Sasuke's still way too arrogant. If I beat him up in front of everyone later, will he cry?
Just picturing it made Mufeng secretly look forward to it.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others had watched it all. Naruto's tenacity and refusal to give up were impressive. He had grown exceptionally well.
Before the next match began, the bruises on Naruto Uzumaki's face started to fade.
That freakish healing ability? That was the Uzumaki Clan for you.
Naruto was a little unlucky. In the second round, he ran into Sasuke Uchiha and was defeated immediately. Still, Naruto was very excited, because his hard work had paid off.
So what if those people mocked him? He had friends now, and they would help him get stronger. He believed that if he kept working hard, he would make even more friends. Sooner or later, he would surpass Sasuke and become the most popular boy in class.
At this stage, they were all competing in Taijutsu. Sasuke Uchiha had learned Water Breathing and received coaching from Mufeng Uchiha, so he advanced to the finals with ease.
As for Mufeng Uchiha, he defeated every opponent in one move. The moment each match began, he pressed a Wooden Kunai to his opponent's throat and won without effort.
At last, only Mufeng Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha remained.
"Second Pillar, either way, we brothers are taking first and second place. Why don't you just surrender and let your big brother take first?"
"I'm the older brother, Mufeng. Are you scared?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the two of them completed the Seal of Confrontation. Sasuke Uchiha immediately formed Hand Seals and spat out a Great Fireball Technique a meter in diameter, hoping to prevent Mufeng Uchiha from launching a surprise attack.
"Too slow."
Mufeng Uchiha acted as if the Great Fireball in front of him didn't exist. It would only delay Second Pillar's defeat.
Mufeng Uchiha darted to the left, avoiding the Great Fireball. Dozens of Wooden Shuriken then shot at his vital points from blind spots on every side.
The Uchiha's Shuriken Manipulation Technique. Did he secretly practice this just to counter me?
Mufeng Uchiha took a deep breath and saw through the Shuriken's trajectories at a glance. He charged straight toward Sasuke Uchiha, catching every Wooden Shuriken along the way with his bare hands. Then he yanked hard on the wire, sending Sasuke Uchiha at the other end hurtling toward Mufeng Uchiha's fist.
Just as he was about to hit the fist, a cloud of smoke appeared, and Sasuke turned into a log. Under cover of the Substitution Technique, Sasuke Uchiha was already behind Mufeng, ready to launch a sneak attack.
"Second Pillar, you haven't practiced your Water Breathing enough. This time, your big brother's taking first place again."
A fight was often decided in an instant.
Just as Sasuke was supposed to land his sneak attack, the tables turned once more. A Wooden Kunai was pressed to Sasuke Uchiha's throat.
Blood trickled from the corner of Sasuke Uchiha's mouth. It was the result of forcing himself to use the Breathing Style.
"So this is what a genius is like. What a drag."
"Hey, Shikamaru, Naruto and Sasuke have both gotten so much stronger."
"Yeah."
Shikamaru Nara knew very well that these changes had come about after they met Mufeng Uchiha.
He wasn't the only one who had noticed. The other Konoha 12 had also picked up on the clues and grown curious about Mufeng Uchiha.
"So this is that secret technique? Strengthening the body through breathing. Kakashi, you can hand these Water Release Ninjutsu over to Mufeng Uchiha as compensation for what Danzo did last time."
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office.
Kakashi Hatake accepted the techniques, secretly surprised. They included notes from the Second Hokage Tobirama. Was such a treasure really being handed over to Mufeng so easily?
"Looks like I won't have a moment to myself for a while."
"Wherever the leaves dance, the fire burns on. I'm entrusting Konoha's next generation to you, Kakashi. Mufeng still needs guidance from a teacher like you. They're all Konoha's future."
After all, Mufeng Uchiha was still young and could be guided.
Kakashi Hatake felt the pressure weighing heavily on him. He might not have time to slack off for a while.
Before you continue