Dead last

Naruto gritted his teeth, bracing both hands against the ground, tears of frustration shimmering in his eyes. He could tell Toru Kujyo hadn't put much strength into that blow, but the piercing pain had nearly knocked him unconscious. "Damn it... he's so strong..."

But he didn't give up. Perhaps Naruto Uzumaki's greatest strength was his stubborn refusal to admit defeat. With a furious roar, he scrambled to his feet again and charged at Toru Kujyo over and over, like a tireless beast.

Yet the result was the same every time.

Toru Kujyo moved as casually as if he were strolling through a garden, effortlessly evading Naruto's attacks just before they landed, then countering in the simplest, most effective way. Sometimes he struck a pressure point with precision, leaving half of Naruto's body numb. Sometimes he deftly redirected Naruto's momentum, sending him face-first into the dirt. Other times, he delivered a measured knife-hand strike to the back of Naruto's neck, making him see stars.

The entire match looked like an experienced hunter toying with a young beast that had only just learned to hunt.

Watching from the sidelines, Hinata was secretly stunned. She knew Toru Kujyo was strong, but she hadn't imagined he was this strong. Against him, Naruto could barely fight back at all. At the same time, she noticed that every one of Toru Kujyo's attacks was carefully measured. They looked dangerous, yet all avoided vital spots. It was almost as if he was... giving Naruto opportunities to practice?

This guy... is actually improving a little as he gets beaten up? Toru Kujyo thought. He could feel that, although Naruto's movements remained rough, his reaction speed and attack angles had improved almost imperceptibly through his repeated failures. That almost instinctive talent for combat was worthy of the protagonist.

Still, that slight improvement was nowhere near enough against Toru Kujyo.

It's about time to end this. Toru Kujyo figured the "trait" had had enough time to develop. There was no point dragging things out any longer.

Just as Naruto recklessly threw another all-out punch, leaving his center wide open, a sharp gleam flashed in Toru Kujyo's eyes. He seized the fleeting opening. His left foot drove between Naruto's legs like an iron plow, and his right leg swept out in one smooth motion!

"Ah!" Naruto cried out as he lost his footing and toppled backward.

Before he could hit the ground, Toru Kujyo closed in like a shadow. His right fist cut through the air with a sharp whistle, stopping precisely less than an inch from Naruto's face as he fell backward. The fierce rush of air even stirred the golden hair over Naruto's forehead.

Naruto's eyes widened, his pupils reflecting the fist right before him and the utterly calm face beyond it. He could even feel the cold menace radiating from those knuckles. Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

"The match is decided!" Iruka's voice rang out just in time. "The winner is Toru Kujyo!"

Only after Iruka announced the result did Naruto's tense body abruptly relax. He gasped for breath. He had lost, without the slightest doubt.

At the very instant Naruto was defeated, Toru Kujyo clearly saw a bubble glowing with a rich purple light float out of him. Then, with a soft pop, it quietly burst like a fleeting illusion. A purple beam, almost invisible to the naked eye, shot out of it and merged unerringly into the space between Toru Kujyo's brows in the blink of an eye!

There it is! Delight surged through Toru Kujyo.

Then he noticed a new, almost completely transparent bubble slowly taking shape where the purple one had burst. Its color was faint, as though it needed time to recharge.

So they really can drop more than once! Toru Kujyo's eyes lit up, the discovery putting him in an excellent mood. This meant that, given enough time and opportunities, he could keep drawing benefits from the "treasure trove" that was Naruto.

Toru Kujyo withdrew his fist and offered his hand, pulling Naruto up from the ground. A sincere smile appeared on his face. "You're tough, Naruto. You're already far stronger than those guys who only know how to make snide remarks. Your reactions during those last few exchanges were much faster than at the start. You improved."

Still a little dazed after Toru Kujyo pulled him up, Naruto looked at him. There was no mockery in his eyes, only quiet approval. For some reason, a trace of warmth stirred in Naruto's heart, which had grown gloomy after his crushing defeat. This was the first time someone had sincerely acknowledged his efforts after beating him.

"N-next time, I'll definitely beat you!" Naruto wiped his face. His voice was still a little hoarse, but his tone had grown much firmer.

"I'll be waiting." Toru Kujyo smiled and nodded.

As was customary, the two formed the Seal of Reconciliation, marking the end of the match and their mutual acknowledgment.

When he returned to the group, Hinata immediately approached, her eyes holding a little worry and far more admiration. "Kujyo, are you all right? Naruto-kun..."

"I'm fine." Toru Kujyo shook his head, then focused on the system notifications in his mind.

[Ding! Congratulations, host! Successfully acquired the purple rare talent trait "Uzumaki Bloodline" from "Naruto Uzumaki"!]

[Trait name: Uzumaki Bloodline]

[Trait grade: Purple rare]

[Trait effect: Greatly increases the host's vitality, chakra reserves, chakra recovery rate, and affinity and talent for Sealing Jutsu. Note: This bloodline possesses exceptional resilience and immense chakra potential.]

[Integrate now?]

The Uzumaki Bloodline! Toru Kujyo was ecstatic. It really is this one! And it's purple, too! Without hesitation, he commanded silently, Integrate!

An indescribably warm current instantly welled up throughout his body, like countless tiny streams flowing into rivers and seas, finally forming a warm vortex in his lower abdomen. He could clearly feel his vitality slowly strengthening in a mysterious way. His total chakra reserves also seemed to have increased slightly, and his chakra flowed more smoothly and freely. Every cell seemed to have been infused with fresh vigor, brimming with life.

That feeling of transforming from the inside out was simply wonderful!

The warm current wasn't a raging torrent. Instead, it nourished him silently like spring rain, seeping through every part of Toru Kujyo's body in delicate strands. Each cell was like a seedling receiving rain after a long drought, greedily absorbing this newfound power. He could clearly feel his vitality steadily rising in a mysterious way. His already abundant chakra reserves now seemed to have gained a new source, becoming even deeper and more concentrated.

Within his lower abdomen, the warm vortex slowly revolved. Every breath seemed to draw more energy from the world into his body. Every part of him, from skin to bones, from muscles to internal organs, was undergoing subtle, beneficial changes. It felt as though an invisible shackle had been removed, elevating his entire vitality and spirit to a new level.