The teams were quickly decided.
Team 1: Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Hinata Hyuga.
Team 2: Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, Haruno Sakura.
Team 3: Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, Yamanaka Ino.
Team 4: Kamiyama Tamada, Furuya Chuichi, Gomoto Ueto.
Team 5: Morishita Moriki, Watasawa, Yasuda Shimura.
Team 6: Akabeni...
There were twenty-four students in total, divided into eight teams.
"Draw lots to decide your opponents."
"The first-place team in the group battle will receive a reward provided by the school. This was given by Lord Hokage..."
After explaining the rules, they began drawing lots.
"Number 4."
"Looks like we're the last team to fight."
"We can rest properly first, then watch how the others fight."
As Sasuke spoke, he handed his number to Iruka.
Then he sat down in the stands.
Looking at Sasuke's calm expression, Iruka's face showed a hint of confusion.
The last team did indeed have the advantage of being able to observe their opponents' fighting styles.
But... it also meant they would have the least time to rest.
Even if they won, they would immediately have to face a stronger opponent.
Yet Uchiha Sasuke seemed far too calm.
As for Hinata and Naruto—
One was a simple-minded creature, probably filled with nothing but excitement at the prospect of fighting.
The other had his head lowered, fiddling with his fingers, and seemed lost in thought.
A team battle wasn't the same as an individual match.
Was this the Uchiha's arrogance?
Iruka quickly gathered his thoughts.
"First match."
"Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, Yamanaka Ino."
[vs]
"Kamiyama Tamada, Furuya Chuichi, Gomoto Ueto."
At Iruka's call, the two teams stepped onto the battlefield.
"Don't reveal too much. The concentrated medicinal herbs in this reward are very valuable."
"This is such a pain. I really don't want to face that Uchiha guy."
Nara Shikamaru yawned and spoke with some exasperation.
"I'm troubled too."
"Is this the fate of a beautiful girl?"
"In the end, I have to stand against the person I love..."
Yamanaka Ino was already daydreaming dreamily.
"Abba abba..."
Akimichi Choji was still eating.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."
Gomoto Ueto immediately hurled a series of practice kunai.
Kamiyama Tamada and Furuya Chuichi then sprang into action, choosing Ino and Choji as their opponents.
Gomoto Ueto watched Shikamaru warily.
Their three families were well-known in the village.
The Nara Clan was always responsible for planning the battles. As long as he kept a close eye on this guy, the other side wouldn't be able to put a strategy together in time.
He had trained hard every day so he could defeat these clan shinobi today.
"Ah..."
Shikamaru gave a bored yawn.
Then he simply sat down on the ground.
Since Gomoto Ueto wasn't making a move, Shikamaru was happy to take it easy.
Choji, meanwhile, was acting quite unlike himself.
He had put away the potato chips in his hand and was looking seriously at his opponent, Kamiyama Tamada.
His opponent was also on the heavier side.
At a glance, he looked like a strength-type fighter.
"Thud!"
The two crashed together like sumo wrestlers.
Their immense strength kicked up a cloud of dust.
But Kamiyama Tamada soon realized that he couldn't budge Choji at all.
Weight?
No!
It was strength!
Faced with Choji's overwhelming strength, Kamiyama Tamada was sent flying.
Choji leapt after him and brought down a crushing body slam.
This simple, brutal fighting style was undeniably effective at their age.
In just three minutes, Choji had defeated Kamiyama Tamada.
As for Ino—
Though her Mind Transfer Jutsu wasn't very powerful yet, it was more than enough to control a child.
Her opponent, Furuya Chuichi, launched a surprise attack on Gomoto Ueto.
Shikamaru made his move at the same time.
Caught between them, Gomoto Ueto quickly lost as well.
"First match: Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, and Yamanaka Ino win!"
"Second match..."
The earlier battles had held little suspense.
Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, and Haruno Sakura advanced.
Another team to advance was Yasuda Shimura's group.
Now it was Sasuke's team's turn.
"I can handle it on my own."
"Hinata, Naruto doesn't have as good eyesight as you. Watch my fight carefully."
"Try to train in the same way during your future practice."
Sasuke stood up and spoke calmly.
"Huh?!"
"What's with that? I want to fight too."
Naruto complained miserably.
"Okay."
Hinata nodded without objecting.
"Naruto, do you want to take first place?"
"Your dream is to become Hokage, right? Wouldn't it be even cooler to start by winning this?"
Sasuke said with a smile.
"I guess so..."
"But... fine, I'll listen to you."
Naruto still wanted to fight, but Sasuke's words were clearly more appealing.
"Are you coming out alone?"
"You're underestimating us!"
"Hmph! Even if you're an Uchiha, we're confident we can beat you!"
Seeing Sasuke walk out alone, his opponents felt deeply insulted.
"He's so cool, Uchiha Sasuke!" [Smitten girls]
"What a show-off. He just loves acting cool!" [All the boys, including Naruto]
"Thunder God Mode!"
Sasuke immediately activated Thunder God Mode.
Sparks of electricity began to dance around his body.
"Lightning Style!?"
"Is he planning to fight using ninjutsu right from the start?"
"Why reveal his trump card so early? What is he planning?"
As a teacher, Iruka wasn't particularly powerful, but he did have a sharp eye.
He immediately noticed Sasuke using Lightning Style.
But... he hadn't seen him make any Hand Seals...
Could it be a jutsu without Hand Seals?!
[9/10]
Just then, the panel appeared in front of Sasuke.
"Hm?"
"Itachi is here too?"
Sasuke was startled.
He hadn't done anything special just now. What was Itachi shocked about?
It wasn't as if he'd never seen Thunder God Mode before...
Sasuke grumbled inwardly, but the result was still a good one.
At the same time, it gave him a new idea.
Since Itachi was watching, he might as well put on a good show.
With that thought, Sasuke vanished in an instant.
"Body Flicker Technique!?"
"No, there was no chakra fluctuation. Was that Taijutsu?"
"That can't be right. Didn't he just use Lightning Style?"
Iruka was completely baffled by the move.
"Thud, thud, thud..."
A breath later, all three opponents were on the ground.
They had lost the ability to fight.
Iruka hurried over to them. After confirming they were only unconscious, he breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, accidents during combat training that resulted in injuries or even deaths did happen...
Before you continue