Just then, under everyone's gaze, Sarutobi Karen Kaede parted her thin lips and uttered the second name, which was Kushina's simulated opponent.
" Araki!"
The name was revealed.
Kushina's pupils contracted sharply, a flash of emotion crossing her eyes first, then a complex mix of feelings, including a hint of sadness.
Chapter 3: Has the truth finally come out? (8th update)
Kushina's feelings were complicated.
Before she asked Araki, she hoped to meet Araki in a simulated duel because she felt that even if she lost to Araki, she wouldn't be sad, which would be better than losing to anyone else.
After inquiring with Araki and learning of Araki attitude, she was deeply moved, her feelings for Araki deepened, and she looked forward to meeting Araki again, hoping he could help her pass her final exams smoothly.
Even after her name was called out, she secretly hoped that Araki would be the one to have her simulated duel.
But...
When Araki's name was actually called out...
She felt absolutely no joy.
It wasn't because of the blow to her pride from being let off the hook, but simply because she didn't want to see Araki deliberately letting her win; she wanted Araki to be victorious.
Especially in the current environment.
That beautiful teacher personally supervised the battle.
In each of the previous simulated matches, the students treated it like a battlefield, fighting tooth and nail, giving no quarter whatsoever.
Kushina felt that Araki should go to a battlefield like that.
When his name was called, Araki stepped out from the crowd, his expression calm and unchanged, revealing no emotion whatsoever.
that's all.
Araki walked step by step into the area where the simulated duel was taking place.
He stood in front of Kushina.
Even at this point, his expression remained unchanged, leaving Kushina completely bewildered.
Shouldn't we exchange a glance?
Are we facing off now?
Are you going to give way to me?
Do the things said on the way still stand?
A whole bunch of little question marks popped into Kushina's head.
She had no doubt about Araki at all.
She thought this way entirely because Araki appeared too indifferent and cold, as if he had become a completely different person, even she felt somewhat unfamiliar with him.
"In this round, Kushina Uzumaki will face Araki. Both of you should stop when you've reached a point of no return. I will intervene when I feel a winner has been decided."
Sarutobi Karen Kaede's gentle voice rang out; the same words spoken by her had a different feel, far more effective than those of Ibuki-sensei.
Most importantly...
This woman's voice seemed to have a magical power.
Although she said she would stop short of the point, her last sentence, "I will intervene," carried a suggestive meaning, causing the teams that had previously fought to deliberately attack again after the outcome was decided, thus prompting Karen Kaede-sensei to intervene.
Araki remained expressionless, his overall demeanor rather cold, and he didn't seem much different from those who stood up to show off.
This left Kushina very confused.
"Let's begin."
Araki took a step forward and stood in front of Kushina. He raised his right hand first, raising his index and middle fingers to form a Seal of Confrontation.
"I won't show any mercy!"
Araki stared intently at Kushina, his tone filled with strong determination, his voice loud and clear, his fighting spirit almost overflowing. His sudden change in aura was no different from that of the students who had been standing there before.
"I..."
Kushina was stunned for a moment, completely bewildered by Araki. Seeing that he seemed unwilling to give in, an indescribable sense of loss suddenly welled up in her heart.
fraud!
You big liar!
So you're just like all those people!
Seeing Karen Kaede-sensei makes me want to show off!
snort!
"I won't show any mercy either!"
Kushina also stepped forward, raising her left hand and making the same Seal of Confrontation.
In an instant.
An adversarial relationship was formed between the two.
Both sides stepped back two steps and redeployed their forces.
Kushina stared intently at Araki, her eyes clearly showing her dissatisfaction with his Araki.
If you don't want to give it to me, then don't say it!
wrong!
Araki didn't mean to refuse!
When she asked him in the morning, she could tell that Araki wanted to go easy on her, and she was genuinely touched at the time.
So...
Here's the problem.
Why has Araki changed now?
Kushina suddenly turned her gaze to Sarutobi Karen Kaede, who was not far away, and immediately realized the problem.
really!
You're not yourself when beautiful women are around!
Big pig's trotter!
Kushina cursed Araki in her heart with resentment. Her biggest thought now was that even if she lost, she would teach Araki a lesson and never let him show off in front of the beautiful teacher, especially by stepping on her to gain face.
She'll cry!
It's heartbreaking to think about!
Kushina clenched her fists tightly. She didn't launch the first attack, but waited for Araki, hoping to see one last chance.
But...
At that very moment.
Araki stared coldly at Kushina in front of him, his face expressionless and his eyes sharp. He slowly raised his right hand and opened his palm, while his left hand was behind his back at his waist. At the same time, his right hand and the toes of his right foot formed a straight line.
He immediately adopted the stance of the Konoha-Style Strong Fist.
certainly.
He doesn't Strong Fist.
He only knows the posture.
Used to scare people.
only...
This action immediately drew the attention of the students present, who all looked at Araki with curiosity in their eyes, realizing that this posture was unusual.
"Isn't this the Strong Fist?"
"That's right! It's the Strong Fist! I've learned one of its moves!"
" Araki knows the Strong Fist?"
"That's a pretty good posture, you should be able to do it!"
"This kid actually had a trick up his sleeve!"
"I can tell, he was trying to impress Karen Kaede-sensei, that's really too much!"
"I strongly condemn this act of showing off in front of Karen Kaede-sensei!"
"..."
The students started talking excitedly, and the topic was surprisingly Araki, who was usually very low-key. This gesture was enough to make them look at Araki in a different light.
Sarutobi Karen Kaede's gaze also fell on Araki, her curved eyes filled with a smile, as if it were a form of encouragement.
Kushina took in all these changes, biting her lip tightly; she was starting to get angry.
She had seen this pose before.
This is how it was when facing the invaders from Kumogakure.
Now I'm using it against myself!
That's outrageous!
That's outrageous!
So, you're going to have to come clean to attract the beautiful teacher's attention, huh?
I won't let you succeed!
A surge of intense emotion welled up within Kushina, and even her red hair seemed to be about to float upwards.
Just then...
Araki slammed his foot into the ground, instantly unleashing an astonishing speed, like a cheetah, and charged straight towards Kushina.
This astonishing speed immediately drew gasps of surprise.