To Love and Kill Each Other

Chishima Chiba truly didn't know what to say about Senju Tobirama's three disciples.

There was no need to say much about Kagami Uchiha. He could be considered an idealist, yet he died absurdly at Shimura Danzō's hands and planted the seeds of disaster for the future Uchiha Clan.

There was even less to say about Shimura Danzō, an old schemer despised by everyone.

As for Sarutobi Hiruzen, his life had been half praised and half condemned. He had been as formidable in his youth as he was disappointing in old age.

Glancing at Tsunade beside him, Chishima Chiba still felt that Tsunade was better suited to become Konoha's Fourth Hokage.

As for people like Namikaze Minato, forget it. Even if he had barely taken the position, he would only have been a puppet controlled by Sarutobi Hiruzen. Better not to become Hokage at all.

As for himself, being the Hokage's man would be enough. He wasn't picky about anything else.

"Is he Chishima Chiba?"

While Chishima Chiba was sizing up Senju Tobirama's three disciples, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, and Kagami Uchiha were also examining him.

All three had heard of Chishima Chiba, but this was their first time meeting him.

"That should be him. Handsome, and quite likable," Shimura Danzō chimed in.

At this point, Shimura Danzō did not yet have the X-shaped scar on his chin. He looked rather sunny, and his personality was probably not yet as vile as it would become in later years.

"He really is likable, and he's very talented too." Kagami Uchiha smiled lightly. "This group of Ninja Students is remarkable. The upper grades have Hatake Sakumo, while the lower grades have Tsunade and Chishima Chiba. Today's practical exam will definitely be exciting."

"By the way, Sarutobi, who do you favor?"

"Hard to say." Sarutobi Hiruzen considered his answer. "They each have their own strengths and advantages. Without a real fight, no one can accurately predict the result."

Kagami Uchiha smiled and nodded at Sarutobi Hiruzen's tactful response, saying nothing further.

The three chatted and laughed as they followed the stern Senju Tobirama to their seats.

At this moment, all the Ninja Academy teachers had arrived as well, quietly standing to one side and awaiting Senju Tobirama's instructions.

"Begin."

Senju Tobirama spoke, and the Ninja Teachers left at his command. Before long, a group of Ninja Students had been gathered.

Of course, the main event would not begin right away. First came the rather dull and lengthy bouts between weaklings.

Only the few who laughed last would qualify to fight under the watchful eyes of Konoha's elite ninjas, in a battle that might change their destinies.

Senju Tobirama had not come to watch for the sake of making up the numbers. He was here to select promising talents worth cultivating.

Though Senju Tobirama would not take any more disciples, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, and Kagami Uchiha could.

If any of the three took a liking to someone, setting aside the future for the moment, it would undoubtedly be a chance to rise straight to the top.

"Watching these children suddenly reminds me of when we attended the Ninja Academy." Perhaps bored, Sarutobi Hiruzen took the initiative to start a conversation. "I remember that Kagami was unquestionably number one back then!"

"Sarutobi, have you forgotten about yourself and Danzo?" Kagami Uchiha shook his head with a wry smile. "It wasn't as though I had never lost to either of you."

"Hmph. You only lost once, and you held back that time." Shimura Danzō's expression darkened as an uncontrollable jealousy welled up inside him. "The Uchiha bloodline truly is blessed by nature!"

"Cough, cough." Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed twice, reminding Shimura Danzō, "That was also because Kagami worked hard. It didn't have much to do with bloodlines."

Shimura Danzō came to his senses and secretly glanced at Senju Tobirama. Seeing no reaction from him, he lowered his voice and apologized to Kagami Uchiha. "Kagami, I misspoke."

"It's all right, Danzo. I'm not such a petty person."

Kagami Uchiha waved a hand. He was generous, but a thorn had lodged itself in Shimura Danzō's heart, stabbing him with discomfort.

Shimura Danzō looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, then Kagami Uchiha, and finally himself. He fell silent, his hidden hand clenched tightly into a fist.

"Thirteen straight wins!"

Chishima Chiba walked over to Tsunade and showed off his record. "They look fierce when they glare at people, but once they get on the field, they're all one-move knockouts."

"Look at you, acting so impressive." Tsunade jerked her chin in one direction. "There, that white-haired boy is Hatake Sakumo. He's currently on a twenty-win streak and has already secured first place in his grade."

"He's that strong?" Chishima Chiba looked toward Hatake Sakumo. "I want to fight him more and more."

"Me too!"

Tsunade was equally fired up, but her expression soon stiffened. "But it's unavoidable that I'll face you later. That makes things difficult."

Chishima Chiba nodded. Rather than saying he would go easy on her, he bumped fists with Tsunade. "Then do your best, Tsunade. I'll absolutely go all out."

"Hmph, naturally I'll see it through to the end. And you'd better not lose." Tsunade refused to give an inch.

"Ha, then you'll definitely be the one who loses."

"You're the one who'll lose!"

After just a few exchanges, the air between Chishima Chiba and Tsunade became charged with gunpowder, no longer as gentle and peaceful as before.

"We'll see!" X2

Having each delivered a harsh parting shot, the two headed in opposite directions. Yet when they had fully turned their backs on each other, smiles appeared on both their faces.

Being opponents once in a while wasn't so bad either...

"The final match of the lower grades: Chishima Chiba versus Tsunade!"

Takezawa Masahiro's voice was impassioned, his shout resounding loudly.

He had to be loud. Chishima Chiba and Tsunade were both students in his class. Although Takezawa Masahiro had taught them for less than a day and a half, no one could deny that he was their Ninja Teacher.

After making his announcement, Takezawa Masahiro returned to the little circle of Ninja Teachers, boasting extravagantly.

"Tsunade, please enlighten me."

"Chiba, please enlighten me."

Once on the field, the two formed the Confrontation Seal. As they exchanged greetings, they simultaneously retreated and opened the distance between them.

Neither launched an aggressive attack. Instead, they circled each other within a set area, searching for an opening.

Chishima Chiba and Tsunade knew each other far too well. Over the past half year, they had sparred plenty of times, and their win-loss record had remained even.

But this time, a winner had to be decided!

"Teacher, Tsunade and Chiba are both being very cautious." Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled at Senju Tobirama from below the stage.

The ever-stern Senju Tobirama curled his lips slightly. Though subtle, it was clear that he was in a fairly good mood.

"Not bad."

A concise remark. That was very Senju Tobirama.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was long accustomed to it and naturally continued along Senju Tobirama's line of thought.

"Teacher, if these two can only be called 'not bad,' then everyone else truly can only be called unbearable to watch..."

The upward curve at Senju Tobirama's lips rose another fraction. "They are a little worse than Tsunade and Chiba, but unbearable to watch is an exaggeration."

Hearing that, Sarutobi Hiruzen became even more enthusiastic, praising Tsunade and Chishima Chiba in every way he could.

Although Senju Tobirama enjoyed Sarutobi Hiruzen's praise for his two younger relatives, he ultimately pointed at the pair onstage. "It's starting."

Only then did Sarutobi Hiruzen quiet down, staring fixedly at the stage.