Konoha's Ninja Academy carried the hopes of the entire village, and every day was filled with energy and fierce competition. The academy's genius tournament had ended only the day before yesterday, and today another match was taking place: Senju versus Uchiha.
On this day, the school grounds were packed, with tens of thousands of teachers and students all watching the center of the training field, where a highly anticipated match was about to unfold. On one side was Tsubasa, the First Hokage's disciple, a boy only a little over six years old. Rumors in Konoha called him a super genius whom the Senju Clan was raising to become Hokage, and the fact that the Hokage often took him into his office to study had drawn the attention of Konoha's clans. On the other side was Kagami Uchiha, a prodigy of the Uchiha Clan. One of the best among the Ninja Academy's first graduating class, he excelled at fire- and lightning-nature Ninjutsu, and his Futatsudomoe Sharingan made his Genjutsu especially terrifying.
With the battle about to begin, Biwako ran anxiously to Tsubasa's side and gripped his arm tightly with both hands, her eyes full of worry. "Junior brother, have you really thought this through? You're only a little over six. You're strong, but Kagami Uchiha is no ordinary opponent either. His lightning and fire techniques and his Genjutsu are incredibly powerful, so please don't force yourself." Over the days they had spent together, Biwako had grown genuinely fond of her talented junior brother and was especially concerned for his safety. Although Tsubasa was putting on an act in today's battle, Kagami Uchiha was not.
Tsubasa gently patted Biwako's hand, a confident smile curving his lips as he reassured her. "Senior sister, don't worry. I know what I'm doing. I'm just putting on an act, so I'll be fine." Yet behind that smile lay a deeper meaning that others could hardly discern.
A sharp whistle sounded, and the eagerly awaited battle officially began. Kagami Uchiha lived up to his reputation as a genius of the Uchiha Clan, exerting tremendous pressure from the very start. His hands flew through Hand Seals in a smooth, flowing motion, and he shouted, "Great Fireball Technique!" In an instant, a massive fireball shot from his mouth and roared toward Tsubasa like a blazing meteor, trailing waves of scorching heat. The air warped wherever it passed, and the intense heat kicked up dust from the ground, forming a cloud of smoke.
Faced with the oncoming fireball, Tsubasa remained remarkably calm. He raised his hands unhurriedly and began forming Hand Seals of his own. "Water Release: Water Formation Wall!" With his low shout, a crystalline curtain of water rose swiftly before him like an impenetrable shield. The fireball slammed into it with a hiss, and steam spread in an instant, shrouding the entire battlefield in white.
Under cover of the steam, Kagami Uchiha vanished from where he stood like a ghost. Using the powerful perception of his Sharingan, he quickly pinpointed Tsubasa's position and thrust his Kunai at him like a bolt of black lightning, its blade flashing coldly. Sensing danger approaching, Tsubasa's gaze sharpened. He tapped the ground and drifted backward like a wisp of smoke, easily evading the lethal strike. At the same time, controlling the force behind it, he swung his right leg at Kagami Uchiha's abdomen like a sharp battle-axe, the wind whistling around it.
Kagami Uchiha reacted with lightning speed, twisting in midair and using his Sharingan to predict the path of Tsubasa's attack, easily evading the kick. Immediately afterward, he formed Hand Seals again, his movements even faster this time, dazzling to behold. "Lightning Release: Swift Lightning Light!" Countless hair-thin bolts of lightning shot from his hands, raining densely toward Tsubasa. The bolts carried a powerful current, leaving scorched black marks across the ground wherever they struck.
Tsubasa's expression changed slightly at the sight. He knew Kagami Uchiha was already holding back. The power of this B-rank Ninjutsu was not to be underestimated against a Genin, and if he took it head-on, even with his strength, he would inevitably be burned black all over. He quickly changed tactics, his hands moving swiftly as he formed a thick earthen shield beneath his feet. "Earth Release: Earth Prison Technique!" At his shout, a massive earthen prison enclosed him in an instant. Lightning struck it with a crackle, sparks flying in every direction as the light illuminated the entire prison.
As the two fought fiercely, Biwako's palms were slick with nervous sweat at the edge of the field. Her eyes remained fixed on the battlefield, not daring to leave Tsubasa for even a moment. Each time she saw him evade danger, she breathed a little easier, only for her heart to tighten again at Kagami Uchiha's next attack. She repeated silently to herself, Tsubasa, I'm the one who brought you out here, so please don't get hurt.
Tsubasa, meanwhile, had his own plans. He knew he could not reveal too much of his strength in this battle. So he deliberately left an opening, pretending to be exhausted and staggering a little. Kagami Uchiha seized the opportunity at once, a flicker of excitement flashing in his eyes. Without hesitation, he used the Genjutsu of his Three-Tomoe Sharingan. In an instant, Tsubasa felt the world before his eyes twist and warp, and he immediately pretended to have fallen under the Genjutsu.
To the onlookers, Tsubasa stood motionless, his eyes vacant, as though he had lost consciousness. Kagami Uchiha seized the perfect opportunity and used his Fire Style technique. A ball of flame shot from his hand and completely engulfed Tsubasa.
Boom! With a thunderous blast, the flames gradually faded, and Tsubasa came into view. His clothes were in tatters, his hair was disheveled, and a trace of pain showed on his face. Clearly, he had suffered considerable damage.
"Tsubasa lost!" Cries of shock erupted from the crowd. Just like that, the much-anticipated duel between geniuses ended in Tsubasa's defeat.
When Konoha's major clans heard the news, they all looked disdainful. An elder of the Hyuga Clan sneered. "I thought this kid from the Senju Clan was something special, but he's nothing much after all. He's just an ordinary kid with a bit of talent. He's probably only as strong as a Genin. He has some ability, but not much. The Senju Clan must be raising him as their heir out of respect for Senju Yasuhei!"
An elder of the Sarutobi Clan chimed in. "That must be it. The Senju Clan used to have geniuses in abundance, but now even their heir is a little kid like this. Things certainly aren't what they used to be."
These words of mockery and scorn pierced the hearts of the Senju clansmen like sharp blades. But there was nothing they could do; they could only swallow the humiliation in silence.
Yet while everyone was discussing the outcome of the battle, quite a few students were drawn to the distinctive bearing Tsubasa had displayed during the fight. Although he had lost in the end, his composure in the face of danger and the sage-like bearing in his every movement had captivated countless students.
"Look, even though Tsubasa lost, he was so calm and composed while he was fighting, just like a sage. He was so handsome! When I grow up, I'm going to marry someone like him," a female student from the Uchiha Clan said, her face full of infatuation.
"Yes, exactly! He looked so graceful and handsome when he used Ninjutsu. It's the first time I've ever seen a ninja with such a bearing," another student from the Hyuga Clan agreed.
"I heard he's only a little over six, and Kagami Uchiha is already over eleven. What's so impressive about beating him? I used to really like senior Kagami, but not anymore. Starting today, I like little Tsubasa," said another female student from the Kurama Clan, who had been drawn to his bearing.
Gradually, more voices joined the discussion. Most condemned Kagami Uchiha for picking on someone younger and praised Tsubasa for putting up an honorable fight despite his defeat.
Lying on the ground and listening to the discussion around him, Tsubasa's lips curled into a faint, barely perceptible smile. He thought to himself, Let the clans of Konoha underestimate me for now. One day, I'll show you my true strength. His match at the Ninja Academy seemed to be a defeat, but in truth, he had been hiding his edge. In this ninja world full of conflict and schemes, Tsubasa understood that sometimes concealing his strength was the best camouflage.
Feeling apologetic, Kagami Uchiha bowed to Tsubasa, then turned and left.
Biwako hurried over. "Junior brother, why didn't you dodge? Your clothes are burned to pieces. You're not hurt, are you?"
Tsubasa smiled. "I'm fine. Carry me back on your back!"
The result of the match soon spread throughout Konoha, and the major clans all breathed a sigh of relief.