Hiruzen Sarutobi's Attention

It was as if the ambush by Root yesterday had never happened; they headed to the Ninja Academy as usual. Having learned his lesson from yesterday, he had spent time mastering the Shadow Clone Technique, so today, he simply sent a shadow clone to attend class in his stead.

However, today's curriculum was a bit different: practical combat tests conducted in pairs.

"What a drag. Iruka-sensei, can I just forfeit?"

"Everyone must participate in this test. There are no exceptions, Shikamaru Nara."

"So troublesome." x2

Mufeng Uchiha and Shikamaru Nara were both slumped over their desks. They noticed each other, exchanged a smile, and recognized a kindred spirit.

Choji Akimichi, sitting beside Shikamaru Nara, was mindlessly munching on a bag of potato chips; as long as the practical test didn't interrupt his snacking, he was fine with it.

In contrast, Naruto Uzumaki was eager to jump into the fray. I'm going to show everyone the results of my special training these past few days and make them look at me with new eyes!

Sasuke Uchiha sat with his arms crossed, though his attention was entirely fixed on Mufeng Uchiha. Aside from Mufeng, who was also an Uchiha, no one else was a match for him in a single exchange.

"Sasuke is so cool! He'll definitely take first place in the practical test."

"Not necessarily. Mufeng is Sasuke's older brother, after all. The older brother is bound to be stronger than the younger one."

As soon as Ino Yamanaka said this, Sakura Haruno became displeased and began to argue with her.

"Akamaru, this is our time to shine. The top of the class will be ours!" Kiba Inuzuka whispered excitedly to the Akamaru in his arms.

Perhaps this is my chance to stand out, thought Shino Aburame, who had always wanted to shed his low sense of presence.

Hinata Hyuga shyly kept her head down, sneaking glances at Naruto Uzumaki. What should I do if I end up facing Naruto-kun?

Most of the class was eager to prove themselves, and all of this was being observed by the old man who preferred to use his crystal ball to peek into the Konoha bathhouse.

"Everyone is so full of energy; they are the future of Konoha. Kakashi, those three boys have been training with you for a while now. Who do you think will emerge victorious?"

Kakashi Hatake scratched his cheek. This was a rhetorical question; Mufeng was already capable of facing three Root ninja of chunin caliber on his own.

Although that encounter involved the Root ninja being caught off guard and lacking intelligence on him, it still solidly proved Mufeng's strength.

"Mufeng—even if it's just a shadow clone, I don't think they will be a match for him."

"I see. You have such confidence in Mufeng. I've been hearing you all talk about what a genius this kid is lately; this time, I'd like to see it with my own eyes."

During their conversation, Iruka-sensei had already led the class to the Konoha Training Ground. They were divided into pairs, and the winners would be grouped again until the strongest was determined.

"Naruto Uzumaki versus Kiba Inuzuka."

"Kiba, I'm not the same Naruto Uzumaki I was before. Get ready to be defeated by me!"

"The only one getting defeated is you, Naruto! I, Kiba Inuzuka, am definitely the strongest in the class!"

After performing the Seal of Confrontation, Kiba Inuzuka lunged forward immediately. However, Naruto Uzumaki was no longer the same after his training with Kakashi Hatake.

Even though Kiba Inuzuka had already begun learning the Four-Legs Technique within his clan, it wasn't going to be easy to take down the current Naruto Uzumaki.

What was expected to be a brilliant battle turned into a half-hour slog. Naruto Uzumaki stood firm like a cockroach, relentlessly pestering Kiba Inuzuka, and the two of them traded punches like children.

"Naruto, are you a monster? How are you still standing?"

"Big Brother Mufeng said that being able to take a beating is my strength! As long as I keep going, I'll definitely win!"

With a roar, a bruised and battered Naruto Uzumaki slammed his fist, which had been pulled back to his abdomen, into Kiba Inuzuka's cheek. Finally, the half-hour brawl came to an end.

As the fight concluded, Naruto Uzumaki was jumping around, excitedly celebrating as if the exhaustion from the battle had been wiped away.

"Is Naruto's physical constitution really that good?"

"He really is a monster. He fought for so long and still looks fine."

Sasuke Uchiha glanced disdainfully at those making snide remarks. He now viewed Naruto Uzumaki in a different light; if one faced a stamina monster like Naruto, the best approach was to knock him unconscious as quickly as possible.

"Naruto is a genius, too—a genius of hard work. If you don't step it up, Naruto will surpass you sooner or later, my foolish little brother."

Sasuke Uchiha lifted his head confidently. "Bearing the name of Uchiha, Naruto will never be my match. Mufeng, this time I will definitely defeat you. Get ready."

After throwing down the gauntlet, Sasuke Uchiha walked away. Mufeng Uchiha shook his head to himself. The Second Pillar is still too arrogant. I wonder if he'll cry if I beat him up in front of everyone later?

Just thinking about that scene made him feel a faint sense of anticipation.

Inside the Hokage office, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others took it all in. With his tenacity and refusal to give up, Naruto was growing up remarkably well.

Before the next match began, the bruises on the face of the previously battered Naruto Uzumaki began to fade.

As for this freakish recovery ability, the answer was simply the Uzumaki Clan.

Naruto's luck was a bit poor; he ran into Sasuke Uchiha in the second round and was promptly defeated. Yet, Naruto Uzumaki remained very excited because his hard work had paid off.

As for the mockery, what did it matter? He now had friends who would help him become stronger. He believed that as long as he kept working hard, he could make even more friends, and sooner or later, he would surpass Sasuke and become the most popular person in class.

At this stage, they were all competing in taijutsu. Having practiced Water Breathing and received guidance from Mufeng Uchiha, Sasuke Uchiha easily advanced to the finals.

As for Mufeng Uchiha, he defeated every opponent with a single move, using a Wooden Kunai to pin their throats the moment the match started, winning with ease.

Eventually, only Mufeng Uchiha and Sasuke Uchiha remained.

"Second Pillar, since we're brothers, we're going to take first and second place anyway. Why don't you just forfeit and let your big brother take first?"

"I'm the older brother. Mufeng, are you afraid?"

As the words fell, the two completed the Seal of Confrontation, and Sasuke Uchiha immediately formed hand seals to exhale a Great Fireball Technique one meter in diameter, preventing Mufeng Uchiha from launching a surprise attack at the start.

"Slow, too slow."

Mufeng Uchiha turned a blind eye to the Great Fireball Technique before him; this merely delayed the speed of Second Pillar's defeat.

Flashing to the left to dodge the Great Fireball, Mufeng Uchiha was met with dozens of Wooden Kunai piercing toward his vitals from every blind spot.

The Uchiha's Shuriken Manipulation Technique—this level of skill must have been practiced in secret specifically to deal with me.

Mufeng Uchiha took a deep breath, seeing through the trajectory of the shuriken at a glance, and charged straight toward Sasuke Uchiha. Along the way, he caught every Wooden Kunai with his hands, and with a forceful tug on the wire, Sasuke Uchiha was sent hurtling toward Mufeng Uchiha's fist.

Upon impact, a puff of smoke rose as he turned into a log; under the cover of the Substitution Technique, Sasuke Uchiha had already prepared a sneak attack from behind.

"Second Pillar, your Water Breathing training is not yet up to par. This time, the top spot still belongs to your brother."

Clashes often occur in a single instant.

Mufeng Uchiha, who should have been caught by the sneak attack, had once again shifted the momentum of offense and defense, holding a Wooden Kunai against Sasuke Uchiha's throat.

Blood trickled from the corner of Sasuke Uchiha's mouth; this was the consequence of forcibly using a Breathing Style.

"Is this what a genius is? How troublesome."

"Hey, Shikamaru, Naruto and Sasuke have both become so much stronger."

"Indeed."

Shikamaru Nara knew very well that these changes had only occurred on such a large scale after they came into contact with Mufeng Uchiha.

It was not just him who noticed; the other Konoha 12 had also discovered the clues, their curiosity toward Mufeng Uchiha piqued.

"Is this that secret technique? Strengthening the body through breathing. Kakashi, you shall hand over these Water Release Ninjutsu to Mufeng Uchiha as compensation for Danzo's previous actions."

At the same time, inside the Hokage's office.

Kakashi Hatake took the ninjutsu scrolls, secretly astonished in his heart. These ninjutsu contained the notes of Second Hokage Tobirama; to think such treasures were handed over to Mufeng so easily.

"Oh my, I'm afraid I won't have any free time for a while now."

"Where the leaves of Konoha dance, fire shall burn; the next generation of Konoha is entrusted to you, Kakashi. A child like Mufeng still needs the guidance of a teacher like you; they are the future of Konoha."

After all, Mufeng Uchiha was still young and could still be molded.

Kakashi Hatake felt the immense pressure; perhaps he would have no time to slack off from now on.