A Clash of Geniuses

In the arena.

The uproar did not die down for a long time. Countless disbelieving, shocked gazes remained fixed on Ryōken.

Yet Ryōken remained calm from beginning to end. Only in his eyes, a flame flickered, his fighting spirit blazing.

That had been exhilarating!

Below the stage.

The victors, including Minato Namikaze, all looked at Ryōken with disbelief.

He had taken a near B-rank Great Fireball Technique head-on without a scratch.

There was no question—they could not do that.

Though they had no idea how Ryōken had done it, their gazes inevitably filled with deep wariness.

Even Minato Namikaze could not suppress his astonishment. He could not help looking up at Ryōken, a long-lost fire flashing through his eyes as fighting spirit surged.

He was the undisputed number one at the Konoha Ninja Academy. No one questioned his title as the strongest genius.

He had been undefeated at the ninja academy for too long. Now that an interesting opponent had finally appeared, it naturally stirred the battle spirit he had kept hidden for so long.

Ryōken naturally sensed such an intense gaze at once.

He turned, and their eyes met.

In that instant, the entire arena seemed to fall silent. Both of them felt the other's resolve—a will that would never yield, and a surging, boiling fighting spirit.

On the path of the strong, there was no room for retreat.

After a moment, Minato Namikaze gave a cheerful smile and walked straight into the arena without hesitation.

At that moment, Minato Namikaze's figure seemed to grow taller, faintly revealing the bearing of the powerhouse who would one day dominate the ninja world.

Though he was still somewhat immature, the signs were already there.

Seeing this, the other victors, who had been intimidated by Ryōken, could not help exchanging glances, their faces showing a trace of shame.

"Just as expected of the goal I've always chased after," Senju Shinra, the Senju Clan's selected candidate this time, murmured to himself.

At this time, although the Senju Clan had begun to show signs of decline, it had not yet fallen to the point where only Tsunade remained in the later years. Geniuses still emerged within the clan from time to time; it simply no longer possessed its former glory.

"What incredible bearing!"

"Is this the gap between us?"

At that moment, Ryōken and Minato Namikaze no longer seemed like students on the same level as them.

They were like the elders of their clans—true powerhouses who could only be looked up to, not chased after.

Hiwa Hyuga, however, had no reaction at all. She simply kept laughing carelessly.

Having long known Ryōken's strength, she did not think that much about it.

Now that she saw them all admitting inferiority, she found it especially funny. Her little face was filled with pride and delight.

On the platform.

"As expected of the disciple I've taken a liking to! Go on—just knock Ryōken flat!"

Seeing Minato Namikaze step forward without showing the slightest fear, Jiraiya immediately began shouting excitedly.

"That may not be the case. And could you please behave yourself?"

Tsunade stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the railing with a smile. With so many people watching, did he not find this embarrassing?

Hearing Tsunade's ominous laugh, Jiraiya shuddered and fell silent, not daring to move again. He did not want to be punched off the platform.

After all, even with the Third Hokage, Danzo, and the others present, Tsunade would not care once she got angry.

That would be far too embarrassing. He still wanted to show off properly in front of his future disciple.

"I truly look forward to this. Still, every clash between geniuses must have a result. We only need wait and see."

Orochimaru licked his lips and smiled wickedly, a look of keen interest appearing in his eyes. Both of them were quite interesting.

By this point, Orochimaru had witnessed far too much death and come to understand the fragility of life. He had developed an intense interest in the truths of the world, and ninjutsu and bloodlines, which represented those truths, naturally earned his favor.

Fight. Use your strength and talent to prove yourself. If you want to become my disciple, what you showed before is far from enough!

Hatake Sakumo stepped forward, his burning gaze fixed on Ryōken.

"Minato is finally taking the field."

"This is the number one student at the ninja academy. He definitely won't lose."

"It's time to take some of the wind out of that brat Ryōken's sails."

Everyone's attention fell on the two in the arena, especially Minato Namikaze, their eyes filled with expectation and trust.

Minato Namikaze—the future Yellow Flash and Fourth Hokage—had always been the number one at the ninja academy, the unreachable goal in the hearts of every other student.

Second place had always changed, but his position had never wavered.

Ryōken, meanwhile, had risen powerfully, sweeping aside every opponent who stood in his way. He was unstoppable, and he could even take a Great Fireball Technique head-on without suffering a single injury.

It could be said that these two were the most promising ninjas in Konoha Village today.

Two great geniuses—when they clashed, who would have the last laugh?

This was an early championship match.

"I wonder who'll win?"

"Definitely Minato!"

Hearing the question, Kushina Uzumaki, who was watching nearby, immediately replied, her tone brimming with confidence.

"No, Ryōken will definitely win!"

At that moment, Hiwa Hyuga, who had just retreated to the edge of the arena, heard it and immediately retorted, equally confident.

"Hm?"

The two immediately locked eyes. An indescribable glint burst from their gazes as waves of chill spread out, driving the people around them away in alarm.

If this had not been the competition grounds, they likely would have started fighting on the spot.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out, interrupting the cold war between the two girls. They both snorted and turned away to look toward the arena, focusing intently.

"Ryōken versus Minato Namikaze!"

The chief examiner loudly announced the competitors, deliberately giving Ryōken and Minato a little time.

The atmosphere throughout the arena rose with it, reaching its peak.

Under the eyes of the entire crowd, stirred by the fervent atmosphere, both Ryōken and Minato were roused as well. Their gazes toward each other brimmed with astonishing fighting spirit.

Looking at the still-youthful Minato Namikaze across from him, Ryōken felt a flood of emotions.

Without realizing it, he had already grown to this point—far enough to face Minato Namikaze in battle.

This was one of the strongest figures in the Naruto World, though he had yet to fully mature.

Even so, Minato had undoubtedly already displayed the sharp edge he was meant to possess.

His title as a genius was well deserved!

"It's an honor to fight you, but I will never lose!"

Ryōken looked at Minato and spoke each word clearly.

"Ah, don't say that. I'm also happy to have an opponent like you."

Minato Namikaze gave a cheerful smile, excitement shining in his eyes. Then he said confidently, "Same here! I won't lose either!"

Ryōken had shone brilliantly today, drawing everyone's attention and completely overshadowing him. Of course, that made him uncomfortable.

After all, he was the strongest at the ninja academy.

Let's decide who is truly the strongest genius of this generation in Konoha!

With only a few words, the air between them was instantly thick with gunpowder, ready to explode at any moment.

Seeing that it was about time, and knowing he would be cursed at if he delayed any longer, the chief examiner hurriedly shouted.

"Ryōken versus Minato Namikaze, begin!"

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