Uchiha Clan, Training Ground 7.
"Ha! Ha! Ha!"
Naruto panted heavily, sweat streaming down from his forehead like a brook.
Before him, rows of wooden posts had already become battered and pitted, some even showing cracks.
"No... not enough!"
Naruto gritted his teeth and assumed his stance once more.
His teacher's words echoed in his mind.
"Your task is to take first place in next week's first practical combat test."
"Become the top student of your class!"
The top student!
The one and only top student!
Just imagining the look on Sasuke's face when he saw Naruto's name at the top of the rankings made him feel filled with strength.
"I'll definitely do it!"
"I'm the man who'll surpass every Hokage in history!"
With a roar, he charged at the wooden posts again.
Fists, knees, elbows.
Every part of his body became a weapon.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The dull sounds of impact echoed endlessly across the training ground.
Not far away, Hinata sat quietly, holding a clean towel and a water flask.
As she watched that sweat-drenched figure, her fair face was full of concern.
But Hinata did not disturb him.
Naruto-kun was working hard for an important goal.
All she could do was support him silently.
Just then,
Uchiha Yao appeared on the training ground.
Hinata's eyes lit up. She hurriedly stood and bowed respectfully.
"Teacher."
Uchiha Yao nodded at her, his gaze falling on Naruto, who was still training madly.
A trace of approval flashed through his eyes.
Hard work and sweat never lied.
"Naruto."
He spoke calmly.
"Huh? Teacher!"
Hearing his voice, Naruto abruptly stopped and turned around in surprise.
"What are you doing here?"
He wiped the sweat from his face and grinned.
"I came to check on your training progress."
Uchiha Yao walked up to