The scene fell deathly silent. Though they did not understand how Setsuna had done it, anyone with even a little sense could see that if he could move so freely while wearing such heavy weights, his Taijutsu prowess was anything but weak.
Minato Namikaze was even more shocked. He had an excellent memory, and when Setsuna had killed those three Hidden Cloud Village ninjas earlier, he had been wearing those very same wristbands.
In other words, Setsuna had easily defeated those three Hidden Cloud Village ninjas even while weighted down. His true top speed could only be faster than what Minato Namikaze had seen last time.
Asuma Sarutobi looked at the Third Hokage in utter confusion. Was the old man trying to get him killed?
Setsuna smiled. "Asuma, let's form the Seal of Confrontation."
"Hah... haha, I'm coming." Asuma chuckled awkwardly, comforting himself inwardly. It's fine. He only knows Taijutsu. As long as I form my hand seals fast enough, he definitely won't be my match. I already know ninjutsu, and it's even the fastest Wind Release ninjutsu.
After forming the Seal of Confrontation, Asuma loudly psyched himself up. "Watch out. Once I use my ninjutsu, I might not be able to hold back."
However, the instant he formed the first seal, he discovered that Setsuna was already in front of him. His right leg rose high like a battle-axe, then came crashing down like lightning.
Asuma rolled away in a desperate tumble. With a thunderous boom, the spot where he had just been standing was split by a massive crack from Setsuna's kick. It was like an earthquake, nearly cleaving the entire training field in two.
"Everyone, retreat outside the training field!" the Third Hokage shouted, but he did not stop the fight. He had already seen that Setsuna was merely toying with Asuma. Otherwise, Asuma would never have been able to dodge.
The crowd fled from the training field in terror. Was this really a fight between Genin? It was terrifying.
Seeing this, Asuma's face went even paler. If he had not dodged, that attack really would have killed him.
"Where are you looking?" Hearing the voice behind him, Asuma felt as if an evil spirit had fixed its gaze on him. His heart clenched violently, his blood nearly freezing as he rolled left at the fastest speed of his life.
Sure enough, another crack appeared where he had just been.
No, I have to find a way to fight back! Asuma formed hand seals while rolling across the ground. After rolling through more than half the field, he was finally about to form the last seal when he found Setsuna standing in front of him. He could only abandon the seals and change his escape route.
Asuma fled again and again, but every time he was about to form the final seal, Setsuna interrupted him. The oppression made him so miserable he nearly coughed up blood. In the end, his mentality completely collapsed, and he shouted, "I surrender!"
Only after Setsuna stopped chasing him could Asuma finally gasp for breath. But what followed was unwillingness. "Damn it, I was only one step away every time. If I could have used my ninjutsu..."
The Third Hokage stepped forward at the right moment. "You should thank Setsuna. He could have defeated you long ago. He only did this to make you understand that ninjutsu is not something to show off. Without cooperation from your companions, you may not even get the chance to use ninjutsu when facing an enemy."
Asuma froze, seriously considering the old man's words. Then he looked at Setsuna. "Thank you, Senior. I understand now."
What exactly did you understand? Setsuna found it amusing. He had only wanted to display a little of his strength and see whether he could attract Orochimaru's attention.
But for Obito Uchiha, it was as though the sky had collapsed. Since Senior Setsuna was not the dead last, did that not mean he was the only dead last?
Of course, though he felt dejected, he was still happy for Setsuna. In his view, with how hard Senior Setsuna worked, it would have been too great a pity if he could not become a ninja.
The Third Hokage gathered the scattered crowd and announced, "I have decided to grant Chiaki Setsuna the title of Konoha Genin. Does anyone object?"
Looking at the training field, which seemed to have suffered a natural disaster, everyone felt awed. They respected the Third Hokage even more for his keen eye in recognizing a "ninja," so naturally, no one objected.
The Third Hokage continued, "It is time to revise the Ninja Academy's graduation requirements as well. We should give certain gifted students with uneven talents more opportunities to try. For instance, we can establish a specialty student system. Even if someone performs inadequately in a particular skill, as long as they possess other outstanding talents, they may still graduate under exceptional circumstances."
Setsuna accepted the forehead protector representing a Konoha ninja, his expression somewhat complicated. He had planted the tree so Rock Lee and the others could enjoy its shade.
Obito raised his forehead protector and cheered, "Brother Setsuna, to celebrate us both becoming ninjas, let's go get barbecue!"
Rin clapped her hands. "I'll go call Kakashi and Guy too. Ever since they graduated, we haven't gotten together in a long time."
Obito pouted. "Will that stuck-up Kakashi even come?"
Setsuna did not object. As the Ninja Academy's ultimate repeat student, he had crossed paths with most people. Only Kakashi, who had enrolled at five and graduated that same year, was someone he had barely interacted with.
Two hours later, inside the barbecue restaurant.
Obito sprawled over the table without a shred of decorum, complaining, "Why isn't that bastard Kakashi here yet? Doesn't he know punctuality is a ninja's virtue?"
At that moment, a somewhat cold voice came from the entrance. "The person least qualified to say that should be you, right? You can even be late for ordinary exams."
Setsuna looked toward the voice and saw a white-haired boy in a mask walking toward them, radiating an aura that warned strangers to stay away.
Obito slammed the table and glared at him. "I always have a reason for being late! Last time, I was taking an old lady home. The time before that, I was helping catch a thief. The time before that was..."
Kakashi cut him off without ceremony. "Do you think I was late on purpose? On my way here, I found someone peeping outside the women's bathhouse."
"Peeping on the women's bathhouse!" Obito's eyes widened. "That's so envi... no, that's so contemptible! That perverted lecher has to be caught!"
Kakashi's brow furrowed slightly. "I did want to catch him, but I didn't expect him to be a skilled ninja. He escaped from me."
Setsuna's expression turned strange. The only person who could do something like that was probably Jiraiya, right? If this happened in the future, it could practically count as a fan meeting for Make-Out Paradise.
However, judging by the fact that Kakashi did not recognize Jiraiya, Jiraiya had most likely only just returned to the village.
Obito eyed him suspiciously. "You failed that easily? Don't tell me the one peeping on the women's bathhouse was actually you. You may look all cold and aloof, but I saw through that fake reserved nature of yours long ago."
Kakashi's mouth twitched slightly. "Do you think I'm you?"
Seeing that the two were about to start arguing, Rin hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over. "It's rare for us to get together, so let's talk about something happier. I happened to want to ask about some things we should keep in mind after becoming ninjas."
Kakashi nodded and took a seat. Looking at the tall figure sitting opposite him, who stood out from the crowd, he asked, "Are you Senior Setsuna, the one who defeated Asuma?"
Though in his opinion, Asuma, that self-proclaimed genius, was not worth mentioning, from the rumors he had heard, this senior's strength seemed excessively powerful.
Before you continue