The Thirty-Five-Million Rematch

The next day, on the ninja academy training ground.

Every student in Class 1-A was present. Takashi Murakami stood in the middle of the field with the class roster in hand. He swept his gaze over the crowd and announced the rules.

"For today's combat class, ninja tools are allowed. You'll be paired at random. The loser is eliminated, and we'll continue until we have a winner. I'll record your performance. Understood?"

"Understood!"

Among the students, Nara Tsukimi wore a lazy smile as he looked around.

The little white-haired kid had his hands in his pockets, but his old arrogance was gone. Looked like his dad had put him through the wringer.

Might Guy was his usual self. His green bodysuit stood out, and the fire of youth still burned in his eyes.

Only that idiot Obito was different. While everyone else prepared, he kept rubbing his hands together and looking at Rin Nohara, repeating that he would beat Kakashi and take first place. Rin couldn't help laughing, though she still encouraged him gently.

Asuma stood at the front of the group, his old rebelliousness gone. From the side, he even looked solemn. Apparently, the old man at home had straightened him out too.

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

The matches began. Obito was the same as ever, stealing glances at Rin while fighting. He went out in the first round and earned a "moron" from the little white-haired kid. If Rin hadn't held him back and comforted him, he probably would have fought Kakashi again.

Genma Shiranui won with his family's Senbon. Kurenai Yuhi brought down her opponent with genjutsu. Kakashi fought one-handed the entire time, showing off so effortlessly that Tsukimi almost wanted to ask the little white-haired kid for pointers.

What a fine crop. How much progress would this combat class bring?

Before long, it was Tsukimi's turn. His opponent was an ordinary student. At the signal, Tsukimi formed a hand sign and summoned eight Shadowkhan in his usual four-four-two formation.

As Tsukimi had grown stronger, so had the 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 match took less than three seconds.

"Nara Tsukimi wins!"

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

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

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

"Tsukimi is so cool!"

Kakashi ignored the chatter and watched intently from the sidelines. When he saw how fast the Shadowkhan moved, 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 is a worthy opponent.

In the second round, Tsukimi faced a student of middling ability. The boy was clearly confident in his speed and tried to rush Tsukimi, only for two figures like low walls to block him. Six more shadows closed in from behind, and he had no choice but to admit defeat.

The second round of matches continued, and Tsukimi had once again drawn a 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. Ordinary students weren't as rewarding to fight as Asuma, but they were still far better than training alone.

"Next match: Asuma Sarutobi versus Nara Tsukimi."

The moment Murakami finished speaking, chatter broke out below. 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 him. He's the Hokage's son. Tsukimi might lose this time."

Asuma strode forward, his eyes fixed on Tsukimi and burning with fighting spirit.

Ever since losing to Tsukimi, his youthful refusal to accept defeat had taken over. To reclaim his pride, he had set aside his rebelliousness and humbly asked his old man how to win. His father's advice still rang in his ears.

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

Of course he knew the Nara's signature Ninjutsu. Tsukimi's shadows had simply drawn all his attention before. His old man's reminder had brought Tsukimi's clan back to mind. As for the idea that Tsukimi didn't know its traditional secret techniques? No one would believe that. Asuma certainly didn't.

"I came prepared. This time, I'm going to win!"

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

Murakami had barely spoken when Asuma flicked his wrist, sending three kunai straight toward Tsukimi's face. He burst forward after them.

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

Tsukimi had no intention of giving that away. He wanted to see what else Asuma had planned. He threw three kunai to meet the incoming ones and retreated.

During the two years before the Tara Mask awakened, he hadn't neglected his fundamentals. His ninja-tool throwing wasn't as good as an Uchiha's, but it was far from bad.

Clink! Clink! Clink!

The six kunai collided with three sharp rings. As Tsukimi retreated, he formed three hand signs, putting on a hurried air as he summoned only two Ninja Tribe soldiers to block Asuma.

Asuma's expression didn't change. The instant they met, his kunai pierced both shadows cleanly. He kept charging at Tsukimi without slowing down.

But that brief delay was enough. Shadows surged beneath Tsukimi's feet, and more Shadowkhan took shape, moving forward to surround Asuma.

Seeing that he couldn't keep Tsukimi from summoning them, Asuma stopped and formed hand signs with both hands. Chakra gathered in his mouth.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

Asuma kept advancing after unleashing the fire. The blazing fireball engulfed every Shadowkhan ahead of him, and flames swallowed the newly formed figures in an instant.

The moment Tsukimi saw Asuma forming hand signs, he stopped summoning. He sent two shadows back into the darkness and began forming a different set of signs.

Heat rushed toward him. Tsukimi dodged left without stopping his hand signs. Before he could steady himself, Asuma followed up with three more kunai aimed precisely where he was about to land.

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

Here it comes! Asuma's eyes narrowed. He knew this was the Nara's traditional secret technique. He dodged toward Tsukimi's right and continued forward.

He was now only a step away. But in the next instant, his body froze, unable to move. A kunai pressed against his neck from behind.

"Shadow Imitation Technique, success!"

"How? I dodged your shadow!"

Asuma looked down. The shadow stretching from Tsukimi's feet lay to his right, nowhere near him.

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

"Look behind you." Asuma turned. Besides the Ninja Tribe soldier holding a kunai to his neck, six kunai lay on the ground directly behind him. Two were stuck in the dirt, having fallen there when their opening throws collided. Another shadow ninja stood beside them.

"What is this?"

"While you were forming hand signs, I hid those two shadows and sent them toward the shadows cast by the six kunai. I used one Shadow Imitation Technique to attack from the front and drive you toward them. At the same time, I channeled my chakra through a Shadowkhan and used the kunai's shadows to control you from behind."

Asuma was silent for a long while before he spoke, his voice subdued. "I lost. Fair and square. But I'm not giving up. I'll challenge you again."

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

But you'd better be prepared. Next time, I'm coming at you like a thunderbolt.

Tsukimi had come up with the plan on the spur of the moment. As a member of the Nara, he figured he ought to try a Nara-style battle and see what it felt like to fight with his wits.

But the Nara's secret techniques all had to work through shadows that were already there. Planning around them had nearly worn him out.

Not worth it. I'm not doing that again.