Full marks

The students around him also burst into cries of astonishment, their gazes filled with awe and envy as they looked at Toru Kujyo.

Next came the Taijutsu matches. The students drew lots to determine their opponents.

When "Toru Kujyo VS Naruto Uzumaki" appeared on the large screen, the entire examination venue fell silent for a moment, then erupted into even louder chatter.

"Is that Naruto Uzumaki, the dead last?"

"Talk about bad luck! He actually drew Toru Kujyo!"

"Do they even need to fight? The outcome's already obvious."

Naruto Uzumaki, the boy with dazzling blond hair and six whisker-like markings, stood with his mouth agape, staring at the match list on the large screen in disbelief. When his gaze shifted from the name "Toru Kujyo" to the composed black-haired boy nearby, a deep sense of despair welled up inside him.

"How could it... be him..." Naruto felt his calves trembling. Though he was usually carefree and loved pulling pranks, after watching Toru Kujyo effortlessly crush his opponents several times, he knew better than anyone how terrifying the other boy was.

Meanwhile, as Toru Kujyo looked at his opponent, a barely perceptible flicker of excitement crossed his eyes.

Naruto Uzumaki, huh? Perfect. Let's see what the future savior is worth right now.

The examiner's voice rang out across the Training Ground through the loudspeaker. "Next pair, Toru Kujyo against Naruto Uzumaki!"

At those words, the still-noisy venue fell silent for a second or two, then erupted into even more animated chatter than before.

"Pfft-Naruto? That eternal dead last?"

"Hahaha, his luck's just too 'good'! Drawing Toru Kujyo in the very first round!"

"Is there even any suspense? I bet Naruto goes down in ten seconds-no, five!"

"You're underestimating Naruto. I think he can last three seconds. Running away takes time, after all!"

Gloating remarks and undisguised mockery rose one after another, stabbing like countless needles at the boy with brilliant blond hair and six whisker-like markings.

Naruto Uzumaki stared wide-eyed at the cold, impersonal match list on the large screen, his mouth open wide enough to fit an egg. His gaze remained fixed on the name "Toru Kujyo," as though he could burn through it with his eyes. When he finally managed to tear his gaze away from the screen and turn toward the aloof boy nearby with shoulder-length black hair, icy despair engulfed him like a rising tide.

"H-how did I end up with him..." Naruto felt his calves start trembling uncontrollably. He might have been thickheaded and fond of causing trouble, but he wasn't stupid. After witnessing Toru Kujyo effortlessly cut through opponents countless times, even some students from higher grades, he knew better than anyone just how terrifying this boy who looked about his own age really was. The pressure was like facing a savage beast from a primordial age, leaving him barely able to muster even the thought of fighting back.

Standing at the other end of the crowd, however, Toru Kujyo's deep black eyes suddenly flashed with barely restrained excitement when he heard that his opponent was Naruto Uzumaki.

Naruto Uzumaki? he repeated inwardly, the corners of his mouth lifting despite himself. Finally! The future Seventh Hokage, the savior of the Shinobi World, Asura's reincarnation... He's a massive treasure chest!

He could almost picture the multicolored trait bubbles on Naruto, each potentially containing astonishing power. [Nine-Tails Chakra (gold)]? [Sage Body (gold)]? [Uzumaki Bloodline (purple)]? [Asura's Power (rainbow)]? Just thinking about them made Toru Kujyo's blood race.

If I can get a gold legendary drop out of this, I'll hit the jackpot! He forced down his excitement, maintaining his usual unruffled expression.

Under the crowd's varied gazes, Toru Kujyo strode toward the center of the arena. Naruto shuffled over with his head drooping, looking as dejected as an Akita about to be served up on a dinner table.

"Naruto Uzumaki, right?" Toru Kujyo spoke first, his calm voice carrying a strangely soothing quality. "I hear you're very persistent. I'm looking forward to this."

Naruto jerked his head up, his blue eyes filled with surprise and confusion. He had expected the same mockery he heard from everyone else, or at least condescending disdain, but he hadn't expected Toru Kujyo to say something like that. The other boy's gaze was calm, without a trace of malice. Instead... was he encouraging him?

This sudden "kindness" left Naruto at a loss. He scratched the back of his head, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Ah... um... I'll do my best!" Despite his words, he still felt deeply unsure of himself.

Toru Kujyo nodded slightly and held out his right fist. "Give it your best."

Naruto froze for a moment. Looking at the other boy's pale, slender fist, he instinctively held out his own and gently bumped it against Toru Kujyo's. A warm current seemed to flow from the point of contact, easing the nervous pounding of his heart, which had felt ready to leap out of his chest.

Kujyo... seems a little different from everyone else, Naruto thought.

"Both sides, get ready!" The examiner, Umino Iruka, interrupted their exchange. He glanced at Naruto, who looked noticeably more relaxed, then at the perfectly composed Toru Kujyo, a complicated look flashing through his eyes. He hoped Naruto could put on a good showing, but he also knew all too well the insurmountable gulf between their abilities.

"Match... begin!"

The moment Iruka finished speaking, Naruto drew a deep breath and shouted to bolster his courage. "Here I come, Toru Kujyo!" He drove off with both legs and charged straight ahead like an enraged little wild boar, his right fist clenched as it hurtled toward Toru Kujyo's face with a rush of wind. This was the strongest attack he could muster, simple and direct.

To Toru Kujyo, however, Naruto's movements looked like a slow-motion replay, riddled with openings. He didn't even need to activate his Byakugan. His dynamic vision and combat instincts alone let him easily predict everything Naruto would do.

A split second before Naruto's fist could connect, Toru Kujyo shifted slightly to one side, evading the powerful blow as effortlessly as a willow bending in a breeze. At the same time, he lightly tapped the ground with the tip of his right foot and glided like a ghost to Naruto's side. Bringing his right index and middle fingers together like a sword, he gently touched Naruto just beneath the ribs with an almost ethereal ease.

"Ugh!" A sharp pain shot through Naruto's side, as though a red-hot iron spike had stabbed him. He instantly lost his balance and stumbled forward, falling face-first.

The spectators around them burst into laughter.

"Told you! He couldn't even take one move!"

"Dead last is dead last. No amount of effort will change that!"