I... Don't Want to Lose!

In the second-year division, Lee had traded his middle-parted hair for a bowl cut.

He changed into a tight green tracksuit, because that was youth.

But Lee had only just enrolled.

He looked at his teacher in disbelief. "Guy-sensei, me? I'm representing the second-year division?"

Might Guy said helplessly, "Lee, it was decided by drawing lots. There's no helping it."

Neji leaned against the wall and gazed into the distance.

He wondered whether he would encounter Sasuke in this match against the first-year division.

If I run into Sasuke, will I still lose?

Sasuke was a genius, so what?

I'll surpass Sasuke through my own hard work!

Neji secretly clenched his fist, hoping to win this exchange match between the two grades!

Time passed quickly, and a week soon went by.

Training ground.

The training ground was packed with people, because today was the friendly match between the Ninja Academy's first-year and second-year divisions.

People around them were discussing it heatedly.

"Hey, who do you think will win this match, the first-years or the second-years?"

"Probably the second-years. After all, they win every year. Come to think of it, these matches between grades are really just meant to knock the arrogance out of the troublemakers among the new students."

"But I heard the Uchiha clan's second son is in the first-year division."

"So what? No matter how strong the Uchiha clan's second son is, he's only one person."

"Anyway, I think the second-years will win!"

The match order was also decided by drawing lots.

One-on-one, two-on-two, and three-on-three.

Sasuke put his hand into the box and felt around until he pulled out a slip of paper. The paper had "Three" written on it.

Neji saw this.

Using his Byakugan, he saw that Sasuke had drawn number three.

Neji was the first to draw after that. Using his Byakugan, he also drew number three.

He wanted another fair one-on-one match with Sasuke!

The results were announced. In the first match, Tenten would face Sakura.

In the second match, Rock Lee would face Naruto.

In the third match, Neji would face Sasuke.

The competition used a best-of-three format. The grade division that won two matches would receive a mysterious grand prize.

The first match began!

On the training ground, Sakura was extremely nervous, while Tenten looked relaxed and at ease.

Tenten beckoned with her hand. "Come on. I won't hold back!"

Sakura replied, "Neither will I. For victory, I'll do whatever it takes!"

Although Sakura had not systematically learned ninjutsu,

she possessed monstrous strength by nature!

With a full-force punch, she could even shatter rocks!

Tenten, meanwhile, pulled out a scroll from her waist. When she opened it, a series of words could be seen on it!

Tenten bit her finger and pressed it against the word "Sword." A cloud of white smoke appeared, and three enormous shuriken flew toward Sakura!

Sakura dodged in time!

But Tenten pressed her finger against the word "Blade," and five throwing knives immediately shot toward Sakura!

Then Tenten pressed the word "Explode." In the next instant, a violent explosion erupted, and the blast wave sent Sakura flying five or six meters away!

Tenten fought at range!

Sakura had no way of getting close to her!

That meant she couldn't use her monstrous strength!

A moment later, Sakura was covered in injuries, but she still had not managed to get close to Tenten!

The difference in strength was obvious. Tenten won the first match!

The second-year division gained one point!

Score: 1-0.

In the second match, Naruto faced Rock Lee!

The moment Naruto stepped onto the field, people around him began jeering.

"Tch, isn't that the fox demon? Since when could a fox demon represent the first-year division?"

"Bowl-cut in green, beat that fox demon to a pulp!"

Naruto's happy mood instantly vanished.

He looked at the people around him with a resentful gaze, while some kind of power within him seemed to stir restlessly!

Just then, three Uchiha clansmen from the Konoha Police Force, dressed in green vests, surrounded the two people who had just been talking.

Uchiha Kento said, "Come with us. We Uchiha suspect you two are spies from the Hidden Cloud Village!"

The villagers said, "???

When did I become a spy from the Hidden Cloud Village? I'm a good person!"

Uchiha Kento narrowed his eyes. "Would good villagers slander the Fourth Hokage's son?

I say you're spies, so you're spies!

Our Konoha Police Force has law enforcement authority!"

With that, Uchiha Kento took away the two foul-mouthed villagers.

Before leaving, Uchiha Kento nodded at Sasuke as a gesture of goodwill.

No one bothered Naruto anymore, and Naruto began observing Rock Lee.

A lean, capable build, a tight green outfit, and a bowl cut.

Naruto said to Rock Lee, "Hello, I'm Uzumaki Naruto."

Rock Lee replied, "Oh, oh, I'm Rock Lee. Let's begin!"

Rock Lee began running rapidly around Naruto. Years of physical training had given Rock Lee excellent physical fitness!

He kept attacking Naruto, while Naruto only defended and dodged!

Suddenly, Rock Lee untied the bandages wrapped around his hands. He began running even faster, and the bandages directly wrapped Naruto up.

Naruto fell to the ground and struggled.

Inside the bandages, Naruto thought, I really am useless. I'm obviously this weak, so why did I come out here and act tough?

I lost...

But I don't want to lose. I don't want to hold Sasuke back!!!

Just as the referee was about to raise Rock Lee's right hand,

an orange-red light suddenly flashed from within the bandages!

In the next instant, the orange-red light exploded outward, shattering Rock Lee's bandages.

Everyone saw orange-red chakra emerge over Naruto's body.

Behind him, there was even a faintly visible tail!

"I... don't want to lose!!!"

Naruto charged at Rock Lee in an instant. The powerful orange-red chakra immediately sent Rock Lee flying!

Rock Lee lost consciousness.

The orange-red chakra around Naruto's body faded away.

Naruto said blankly, "Was that... me?"

The orange-red chakra Naruto had displayed made even the referee afraid to say anything.

He could only try to keep Naruto calm, because the referee did not want another Nine-Tails disaster.

Minato had sealed the Nine-Tails last time, but who would do it this time?

The referee announced, "Uzumaki Naruto wins!"

"The first-year division gains one point!"

Score: 1-1.