The combat test was divided into three parts.
The first part was obstacle navigation.
The second part was individual combat.
The third part was team combat.
As students in Class One, most of them either performed exceptionally well or were younger members of ninja clans.
Everyone completed the obstacle course with ease.
Soon, it was time for the individual combat round.
"First match: Inuzuka Kiba versus Feishui."
The two stepped forward in the training ground.
They formed the Seal of Confrontation.
The battle began in an instant.
Even without having mastered his clan's secret techniques, Inuzuka Kiba easily defeated his opponent.
After watching the match, Sasuke understood.
It was incredibly difficult for a civilian ninja to become stronger than a clan ninja.
The resources they'd had access to since childhood, and the difference in their respective foundations, were already starting to show.
"Sixth match: Uchiha Sasuke versus Liuma Shimura."
At last, after the first five matches had ended, it was Sasuke's turn.
"Good luck, Sasuke!"
"Good luck, Sasuke-kun!"
"Sasuke is the best. He's sure to win!"
As soon as Sasuke stepped into the arena, the atmosphere around him grew lively.
He had to admit, to most people, good looks really were justice.
One look at Liuma Shimura's expression made that clear.
He was the son of the nephew of Shimura Danzō, the leader of the Root Organization!
He'd beat this arrogant brat in front of him.
Then those lovestruck girls would learn that, in Konoha, strength was what mattered.
Besides, he'd heard it from his father.
Sooner or later, the Uchiha would be wiped out by Root.
What gave this guy the right to stand here acting cool?
Showing off?!
Today, he'd beat the hell out of him!
"Seal of Confrontation!"
At Iruka's words, the two raised their fingers.
"Bang!"
Liuma Shimura charged straight at Sasuke.
The practice kunai in his hand aimed precisely for Sasuke's throat.
Even a practice kunai could cause injury, after all.
If it hit, Sasuke might not be in any danger of dying, but he'd probably lose his voice for several days.
Why did this guy hate him so much?
"Fire Style: Small Fire Snake Jutsu!"
Sasuke formed hand seals at high speed. A trail of flames appeared around him and shot toward Liuma Shimura.
Faced with the scorching flames, Liuma Shimura had no choice but to retreat.
Getting burned by Fire Style was no joke.
"Lightning Style: Lightning Walk!"
"Zzzzt..."
Just as Liuma Shimura was thinking about how to defeat Sasuke perfectly,
a crackle of electricity rang in his ears.
His hair stood on end, strand by strand.
"Too slow."
"Thud!"
Sasuke struck Liuma Shimura's neck with a chop.
"Bang!"
Liuma Shimura collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"Winner of the sixth individual match: Sasuke!"
After Iruka announced Sasuke's victory, a medical ninja nearby carried Liuma Shimura away for treatment.
After all, the team battles were still to come.
Naruto's opponent was Sanada So, the son of a civilian ninja family.
"Just my luck. Why did I get stuck fighting this demon fox?"
"Am I going to get killed?"
"That demon fox should just get out of the village! Why does he have to stand here and study and take tests with me?"
Sanada So looked displeased.
Ever since he could remember, he'd been told not to play with the demon fox.
As far as he was concerned, Naruto was a monster who could destroy the village at any moment.
The thought of fighting a monster like that terrified him.
But to suppress his fear, Sanada So chose to taunt Naruto without hesitation.
Naruto, who'd been excited just moments before, lowered his head without thinking.
Why did his classmates at school still treat him this way after all this time?
He hadn't done anything. Why did they treat him like this?
"Demon fox?"
"Monster?"
"If Naruto really were a monster, do you think you'd be standing here running your mouth?"
"You'd have been killed already."
"You can't even see that? You're an idiot!"
Sasuke spoke with disdain.
"Form the Seal of Confrontation!"
"Also, both fighters, focus!"
Iruka finally came to his senses.
He should have stopped Sanada So from the start.
But his parents had also died during the Nine-Tails Rebellion.
That had left him with some lingering resentment.
Still, Sasuke's words had just made him see things clearly.
How could a five-year-old child be a demon fox?
And if he were, would he really be so well-behaved?
As a firm follower of the Will of Fire, Iruka quickly put his feelings and responsibilities in order.
He was the homeroom teacher of these children, after all!
"Naruto, show this guy that you can beat him as a ninja!"
"Good luck!"
Sasuke gave Naruto a thumbs-up.
"Yeah!"
The gloom on Naruto's face gave way to a smile once more.
"Wow, Sasuke-kun is so cool. I don't think Uzumaki Naruto looks like a monster either. After all, Sasuke-kun approves of him!" [A lovestruck girl]
"Tch, girls are so boring." [Shikamaru]
"Mm-hmm, chips are still better." [Choji]
Even Sasuke hadn't expected his words to change everyone's attitude toward Naruto so much.
Some of the children from ninja clans, in particular, had begun to feel curious about Naruto.
And Naruto lived up to everyone's expectations, quickly defeating Sanada So.
Come on, after all the electric shocks Sasuke had given him lately, Naruto's physical constitution had improved tremendously.
Combined with his regular training matches, Naruto ranked among the best in Class One in overall combat strength.
Once the individual matches ended, it was time for the team battles.
Iruka told everyone to form their own teams.
That gave Sasuke a bit of a headache.
Naruto already took up one spot on his team.
And a large group of girls had surrounded him.
"Teacher, my team is decided."
"Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, and Hinata Hyuga!"
Sasuke raised his hand and loudly announced the three names.
In a corner nearby, Hinata heard her name and trembled all over...
"Me?"
Hinata pointed timidly at herself, speaking with a little embarrassment.
"Would that be okay?"
Sasuke smiled brightly.
"Well... um."
Hinata wasn't sure what she was feeling, but she just couldn't bring herself to refuse.
She nodded gently, then went over to stand beside Sasuke and Naruto.
Although Hinata came from a prestigious family, she had little presence in class.
The girls her age were all lively and active, so Hinata couldn't fit in with their little groups.
After Sasuke chose Hinata as his teammate, the girls were disappointed, but they quickly went off to find teammates of their own.
After all, the test would be included in their grades.
The grades they earned at the Ninja Academy would matter a great deal once they became ninjas.
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