After everyone arrived at the playground, Might Guy surveyed their youthful faces and asked directly, "First, so I can get a sense of your fundamentals! Who has the best grades in Combat Training Class in our class?"
The moment he finished speaking, before anyone else could react, a group of girls began calling out in unison, their voices loud and clear, filled with admiration and certainty:
"Sasuke, of course!"
"That's right! Sasuke-kun!"
"Sasuke-kun is the best!"
Their voices all but merged into a single wave of sound, thrusting Sasuke Uchiha into the spotlight.
Sasuke himself remained off to one side with his arms folded and his face expressionless, as though none of this had anything to do with him. Only his slightly raised chin betrayed a hint of pride.
"Excellent!"
Hearing their answer, Might Guy immediately broke into a dazzling smile, a glint flashing across his white teeth. With a sweep of his hand, he pointed straight to the back row. "Then, Naruto, you'll have a match with Sasuke first!"
That dead last?
When his name was called, Sasuke cast Naruto a sidelong glance, a barely perceptible trace of contempt in his eyes.
He had fought Naruto in Combat Training Class before. As he recalled, Naruto's Taijutsu and Shurikenjutsu were mediocre, nowhere near a match for his own.
As for ninjutsu, Naruto couldn't even use it.
He saw no reason this match would end any differently.
"All right, Guy-sensei."
Naruto answered calmly, brushed Kiba Inuzuka's hand off his shoulder, and gave Kiba a reassuring look before walking unhurriedly up to Guy.
Sasuke Uchiha also stepped forward, taking his place opposite Naruto with his trademark cool arrogance.
"Good!"
Guy looked at the two boys, now ready, and loudly announced the rules. "First, form the Seal of Confrontation! Remember, combat in Combat Training Class isn't just a clash of strength. It's also an exchange of mutual respect!
"But even in a match brimming with youth, remember to stop short of hurting each other! Understood?"
"Yeah."
Naruto gave a brief reply, looking calmly at Sasuke opposite him, then retreated to the edge of the designated fighting area and took up a ready stance.
Sasuke nodded as well. Though his expression remained unchanged, his movements showed that he was taking the match seriously.
He likewise retreated to the other side of the field, facing Naruto across the distance.
The atmosphere on the playground instantly grew tense with anticipation, every student watching the two boys in the arena.
The students began cheering them on. Naturally, Sasuke received cheers from many of the girls, while most of the boys cheered for Naruto.
Those who weren't usually on good terms with Naruto cheered for him for one reason alone: they, too, had long been sick of that arrogant jerk Sasuke.
Under Might Guy's gaze, both boys raised their right hands at the same time, extending their index and middle fingers while curling the rest. Facing each other across the field, they formed the Seal of Confrontation, which symbolized sparring, respect, and learning.
That simple gesture seemed like a silent declaration, heralding the start of the fight.
Naruto suddenly rushed up to Sasuke, and the two immediately plunged into an intense Taijutsu exchange, their fists and feet colliding with dull thuds.
For a moment, they appeared evenly matched.
But as Sasuke repeatedly blocked Naruto's attacks with precision, then sharply caught an opening and drove him back with a fierce kick, the cries of "Sasuke-kun!" from the sidelines instantly grew louder, the girls beside themselves with excitement.
Just then, Guy, who had been watching the fight, spoke sternly, his booming voice carrying across the entire training ground:
"Naruto, give it everything you've got! Holding back isn't how a man fights! Youth means holding nothing back and respecting your opponent by giving it your all!"
What?!
Guy's words exploded like thunder in Sasuke's ears.
This dead last... hadn't even been using his full strength against me?!
Anger at being underestimated and a sudden sense of danger instantly swept the contempt from Sasuke's eyes, replacing it with unprecedented wariness. He stared fixedly at Naruto, who had regained his footing, his body tensing even further.
Exposed, Naruto scratched his head awkwardly, feeling helpless.
Guy-sensei, fine, you noticed, but why did you have to shout it out?!
I was still trying to keep it hidden...
"All right, Guy-sensei!"
At Guy's instruction, Naruto stopped hesitating, his gaze instantly sharpening.
He charged at Sasuke again, who was already fully prepared, moving far faster than before!
This time, his movements were crisp and clean, without a wasted motion.
He had barely arrived when the fierce rush of his kick came whistling in!
Konoha Whirlwind!
Amid the howl of rushing air, Naruto spun like a whirlwind, unleashing a powerful sweeping kick that tore through the air toward Sasuke's legs.
This was one of Might Guy's signature Taijutsu techniques. Its speed and power were on an entirely different level from the ordinary punches and kicks before!
So fast!
Sasuke's pupils abruptly contracted.
His ability to track movement was already superior to most people's. He clearly saw Naruto begin the kick, and his mind quickly reached a conclusion.
Too fast. There's no time to block. I have to dodge now.
But thinking was one thing; his body simply couldn't react effectively in time.
The speed and explosive power of Naruto's kick far exceeded everything he had previously understood or expected of him.
By the time Sasuke tried to retreat, the fierce gust from the kick was already whipping against his trouser leg. There was no escape!
"So fast!"
Standing at the edge of the field, Kiba Inuzuka couldn't help exclaiming at Naruto's speed.
This was completely different from what he experienced when he usually sparred with Naruto.
And things unfolded just as he saw them: after Guy-sensei forbade Naruto from holding back any longer, Naruto knocked Sasuke to the ground with a single crisp Konoha Whirlwind practically the very next second.
You've got to be kidding me!
At that moment, no one was more shocked than Sasuke himself.
Neither the humiliation of falling nor the pain in his leg compared to the turmoil raging inside him.
This dead last... this dead last I'd never taken seriously was actually this strong?
Driven by intense humiliation and disbelief, he planted both hands on the ground immediately after being knocked down, sprang to his feet with a nimble backward flip, and resumed his fighting stance. His eyes remained locked on Naruto, burning with wariness and anger.
Still, a dull ache lingered in his right leg where the kick had landed, reminding him of that blow's power.
Naruto, however, didn't move in to pursue Sasuke as he flipped back onto his feet. He simply stood firmly where he was, remaining on guard.
After all, Guy-sensei had told them not to take things too far.
Seeing Naruto refrain from pressing his advantage and simply stand there watching him, Sasuke found that calm gaze full of silent provocation and contempt.
His fierce pride couldn't bear it. With a low growl, Sasuke immediately charged forward again, launching an even fiercer attack on Naruto.
Fists, palms, kicks-Sasuke unleashed every Taijutsu move he had learned, his assault raging like a storm.
This time, however, Naruto seemed like an entirely different person.
With nothing more than simple steps, blocks, and dodges, he easily neutralized every one of Sasuke's attacks.
His movements were concise and efficient, as though he had already seen through Sasuke's every intention.
And that was exactly the case.
Once Might Guy forbade him from holding back and he truly got serious, in terms of Taijutsu alone, the only person there who could defeat Naruto was probably their instructor, Might Guy himself.
A clear gulf in Taijutsu ability already separated Sasuke and Naruto.