The Thirty-Five-Million Rematch

The next day, on the Ninja Academy training ground.

Every student in Class A's first year was present. Takashi Murakami stood in the middle of the field with a class roster in hand. He swept his gaze over the crowd and began explaining the rules.

"For today's practical combat lesson, ninja tools are permitted. You'll be paired at random. The loser is eliminated, and we'll continue until one student takes first place. I'll record your performance. Is that clear?"

"Clear!"

Among the crowd, Nara Tsukimi wore a lazy smile as he sized up the others.

The little white-haired guy had his hands in his pockets, and his former arrogance was gone. Looked like his dad had given him a thorough talking-to.

Might Guy was the same as ever. His green bodysuit was impossible to miss, and the fire of youth still burned in his eyes.

Only that idiot Obito was different. While everyone else stood quietly preparing, he was cracking his knuckles, stealing glances at Rin Nohara, and muttering over and over that he would beat Kakashi and take first place. Even Rin couldn't help smiling, though she still encouraged him gently.

Asuma, meanwhile, stood at the front of the group without his usual swagger. From the side, he even looked solemn. Apparently, the old man at home had set him straight too.

"First match: Ken Tanaka versus Inuzuka Ishi. Both of you, form the Seal of Confrontation."

The matches began. Obito was as hopeless as ever, sneaking looks at Rin even while fighting. He went out in the first round, and the little white-haired guy called him an idiot for it. If Rin hadn't held him back and comforted him, he probably would have started another fight with Kakashi.

Genma Shiranui won with his family's Senbon, Kurenai Yuhi took down her opponent with Genjutsu, and Kakashi fought one-handed the entire time. He was so good at showing off that Tsukimi almost wanted to ask the little white-haired guy for pointers.

What a fine crop to harvest. Wonder how much progress this combat lesson will bring me.

Before long, it was Tsukimi's turn. His opponent was an ordinary student. At the signal to begin, Tsukimi formed Hand Seals and summoned eight Shadowkhan in a four-four-two formation.

As Tsukimi himself had grown stronger, so had his Shadowkhan. They were faster than they had been half a month ago. Before his opponent could react, four members of the Ninja Tribe pinned his limbs. The whole thing took less than three seconds.

"Nara Tsukimi wins!"

"So even if you know their weakness, you still need the strength to exploit it."

"Exactly. Tsukimi's shadows were so fast I couldn't even react."

"Right? We haven't even learned the Three Body Technique yet. We're no match for him."

"Tsukimi is so cool!"

Kakashi ignored the chatter around him and watched closely from the sidelines. When he saw the Shadowkhan's speed, his eyes narrowed.

They're faster. Did he improve that much in half a month, or was he holding back before? Father was right. Nara Tsukimi really is a worthy opponent.

In the second round, Tsukimi faced another student of middling ability. The boy seemed confident in his speed and tried to rush Tsukimi, only for two figures built like low walls to block his way. Six more shadows closed in from behind, leaving him no choice but to concede.

The second round began, and Tsukimi was matched with another student of middling ability.

Ninja Tribe (23%)

Samurai Tribe (21%)

Troll Tribe (21%)

Not bad. Two opponents had raised each tribe's progress by two percent. Fighting ordinary students didn't yield as much as fighting Asuma, but it beat training alone by a long shot.

"Next match: Asuma Sarutobi versus Nara Tsukimi."

The moment the words left his mouth, the spectators erupted in discussion. This was the Hokage's son's chance for revenge.

"Here we go! I wonder if Asuma figured out how to deal with those shadows over the past half month."

"Don't underestimate Asuma. He's the Hokage's son. Tsukimi might lose this time."

Asuma strode forward, his eyes full of fighting spirit as he faced Tsukimi.

Ever since his loss to Tsukimi, the boy's refusal to admit defeat had taken hold. To win back his pride, he had put aside his rebelliousness and humbly asked his old man how to break through. His father's advice still echoed in his mind.

"Asuma, using Ninjutsu to break through the shadows could work. But don't forget that Tsukimi is a member of the Nara. Watch the shadow beneath his feet."

Of course Asuma knew the Nara's signature Ninjutsu. He had simply been too distracted by Tsukimi's other shadows before. His old man's reminder had brought Tsukimi's background back to mind. As for the idea that Tsukimi didn't know his clan's traditional secret techniques? No one would believe that. Asuma certainly didn't.

"I've prepared for this. This time, I'm going to win!"

"Form the Seal of Confrontation. Match... begin!"

The instant Takashi Murakami gave the signal, Asuma flicked his wrist without hesitation. Three Kunai shot straight toward Tsukimi's face as Asuma burst forward.

Tsukimi raised an eyebrow. Oh, not bad. Trying to stop me from summoning the Shadowkhan? But who told you I needed Hand Seals? Oh, right. I did. Never mind, then.

Tsukimi had no intention of revealing that yet. He wanted to see what else Asuma had. He threw three Kunai of his own to meet the incoming blades and retreated at the same time.

During the two years before the Tara Mask awakened, he had never neglected his basic training. His aim with ninja tools wasn't on the Uchiha's level, but it wasn't bad.

Clink! Clink! Clink!

The six Kunai collided with three sharp rings. As Tsukimi retreated, he formed three Hand Seals, putting on a rushed look as he summoned only two Shadowkhan to block Asuma's path.

Asuma's expression didn't change. The instant they met, his Kunai pierced both shadows cleanly. Without slowing, he kept charging toward Tsukimi.

But that brief delay was enough. Shadows churned beneath Tsukimi's feet, and more Shadowkhan took shape, closing in on Asuma.

Seeing that he could no longer disrupt Tsukimi's summoning, Asuma stopped and began forming Hand Seals with both hands. Chakra gathered in his mouth.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

As soon as he unleashed the Fire Release, Asuma pressed forward again. The blazing fireball engulfed all the Shadowkhan ahead of him. Though they had only just formed, the searing flames swallowed them in an instant.

The moment Tsukimi saw Asuma forming Hand Seals, he stopped summoning Shadowkhan. He sent two of them back into the shadows and began forming a different set of seals.

Fire rushed toward him. Tsukimi dodged left without stopping his Hand Seals, but before he could regain his footing, Asuma's next attack arrived: three more Kunai aimed precisely where he was about to land.

Tsukimi retreated again to evade them and completed the seals for the Shadow Imitation Technique. The shadow beneath his feet seemed to come alive, racing toward Asuma from the left.

There it is! Asuma's eyes narrowed. Knowing this was the Nara's traditional secret technique, he darted to Tsukimi's right, dodging the shadow while continuing forward.

He was now just one step away from Tsukimi. But in the next instant, his body froze. He couldn't move, and a Kunai came to rest against his neck from behind.

"Shadow Imitation Technique, success!"

"How is that possible? Didn't I dodge your shadow?"

Asuma looked down. The shadow stretching from beneath Tsukimi's feet lay to his right. It wasn't touching him.

"Nara Tsukimi wins!" At Takashi Murakami's announcement, Tsukimi released the Shadow Imitation Technique.

"Look behind you." Asuma turned. Besides the Shadowkhan holding a Kunai to his neck, there were six Kunai on the ground directly behind him. Two were embedded in the earth, having fallen there when their opening throws collided. Another Shadowkhan stood beside them.

"What is this?"

"While you were forming Hand Seals, I had those two shadows hide and move toward the shadows cast by the six Kunai. I used the Shadow Imitation Technique from the front to force you near the Kunai. At the same time, my Chakra connected to the Shadowkhan, letting me use the Kunai's shadows to catch you from behind."

Asuma was silent for a long time before speaking in a subdued voice. "I lost. Fair and square. But I'm not giving up. I'll keep challenging you."

"I'll be ready anytime." Tsukimi smiled warmly.

Just be prepared. Next time, I'm coming at you like a thunderbolt.

Tsukimi had come up with the plan on a whim. As a member of the Nara, he figured he ought to try a Nara-style battle at least once and see what fighting with brains felt like.

But the Nara's secret techniques had to work through shadows that were already there. Plotting every step had nearly worn him out.

What a pain. Never doing that again.