"Your opponent is Kurenai Yuhi."
When the examiner, Miyagi Shunsuke, called out the name "Uchiha," the atmosphere in the arena grew visibly intense. But when they heard it was Uchiha Reki, their enthusiasm faded into disappointment. Who wants to watch a Uchiha loser? We want to see a genius!
On the sidelines, Asuma was cheering Kurenai Yuhi on with excitement. "Kurenai! You can do it! Smash that loser's head in!"
Kurenai Yuhi frowned slightly and glanced at Asuma. Calling someone a loser in front of everyone—was that really polite? She signaled for Asuma to shut up and then stepped onto the arena floor.
Standing high above, Kakashi remained expressionless, as if none of this had anything to do with him. He had been sent by Lord Hokage to maintain order and handle any emergencies. But what kind of emergency could happen at a small Ninja Academy test? If he had the time to spare, he’d rather be out doing a mission.
Uchiha Reki took in the crowd's reaction and shrugged. Great, not a single person cheering for him. Only Senju Hashirama, residing within Uchiha Reki, was full of curiosity, wondering just what the child chosen by Tobirama was truly capable of.
Uchiha Reki and Kurenai Yuhi stood in the center of the training ground. Miyagi Shunsuke looked at them both. "Fight with everything you have. Do not hold back. This determines whether you can apply for graduation."
Uchiha Reki thought to himself, *Was that meant for me or for Kurenai?*
"Begin!"
At Miyagi Shunsuke’s command, Kurenai Yuhi quickly formed hand seals. "Clone Jutsu."
Three phantoms appeared around her, and together they charged at Uchiha Reki. This was a standard Ninjutsu for Ninja Academy students and one of the criteria by which examiners assessed whether students met graduation requirements. As Kurenai ran, she threw several kunai, aiming them forcefully at Uchiha Reki.
Facing the incoming kunai, Uchiha Reki remained calm. He flicked his fingers, and several thick vines erupted from the ground, easily knocking the weapons aside.
Kurenai Yuhi, mid-stride, froze. *What on earth is that? I’ve never seen it before.*
Outside the arena, the proctor and other experienced ninja suddenly wore serious expressions. For some reason, this Ninjutsu felt strangely familiar to them.
Without time to dwell on it, Kurenai Yuhi and her clones leapt up, attacking Uchiha Reki in unison. In the next second, the vines grew rapidly, snapping out to strike down Kurenai’s clones. Before she could react, she was firmly bound in mid-air by one of the vines.
"What kind of Ninjutsu is this? I’ve never seen it!"
Kurenai Yuhi held a kunai and hacked frantically at the vines, but it was futile. Her sharp blade could only leave shallow marks on their surface. Gradually, she felt the chakra within her draining away, and her kunai clattered to the ground.
Uchiha Reki looked back at Miyagi Shunsuke. "Senior Shunsuke, have I won?"
Miyagi Shunsuke snapped back to reality. "Kurenai Yuhi is incapacitated. Uchiha Reki is the winner!"
Hearing this, Uchiha Reki released the technique, and the vines let go of the nearly unconscious Kurenai. As she slowly descended from the air, Uchiha Reki caught her steadily in his arms.
The crowd watching the match was filled with confusion. What a strange way to fight. From their perspective, Kurenai had charged, Kurenai had been tied up, and Kurenai had lost. What was even more baffling was that Uchiha Reki hadn't really moved the entire time.
The crowd’s expressions varied, but one pampered youth was completely livid.
"You damn Uchiha! Let go of Kurenai!"
Asuma had already been miserable watching Kurenai bring a lunch box to Uchiha Reki earlier. Now, seeing her held in a princess carry, it was more than he could bear! Asuma rolled up his sleeves and grabbed a kunai, ready to go after Uchiha Reki. But before he could enter the arena, he was blocked by the examiner, Miyagi Shunsuke.
"Student Asuma, it is not your turn yet."
"Teacher Shunsuke!"
"This is discipline! Go back!"
Asuma’s bravado wilted. Openly defying a teacher at the Ninja Academy in front of everyone would surely result in him being hung from a tree and doused with cold water by the old man once he got home.
Just as Asuma was about to leave, he glanced toward Kurenai. She was beginning to wake up. Realizing her situation, she felt incredibly embarrassed.
"Student Reki, could you please put me down?"
"Oh, right."
Uchiha Reki gently set her down, but she lost her footing and stumbled right back into his arms. Kurenai turned bright red to the tips of her ears. "I am so sorry, I didn't mean to!"
"It doesn't matter. Aren't comrades supposed to help each other?"
Kurenai’s heart pounded in her chest. "Yes..."
Asuma felt he couldn't take it anymore. Just then, he heard his name. "Next match, Sarutobi Asuma against Lu Renjia..."
Asuma stormed to the center of the training ground. "Come on!"
After a fierce struggle, Asuma emerged victorious. He brushed the dust off his clothes and turned to look for Kurenai, only to catch sight of Uchiha Reki and Kurenai whispering to each other in a corner.
"Student Reki, that Ninjutsu you used was so strange. How have I never seen it before?"
"I only learned it yesterday, so I’m not very proficient with it yet."
"That’s not true, I think you’re amazing."
"..."
Asuma’s head buzzed. *Damn it, damn it, damn it! How could Kurenai get so close to this damn Uchiha?*
He marched up to Miyagi Shunsuke and intentionally raised his voice. "Teacher Shunsuke, I have a request."
Miyagi Shunsuke felt a headache coming on. What was Asuma up to now? "Speak."
Asuma pointed at Uchiha Reki in the corner. "I request a rematch against Uchiha Reki."
"No," Miyagi Shunsuke refused without hesitation. "You can spar privately when there is time. We are on a tight schedule today."
Asuma grew anxious. What was the point of a private spar? He wanted to defeat Uchiha Reki in front of everyone. Don't think that just because you won by luck against Kurenai that you’ll graduate smoothly. The path of a ninja isn't that easy.
Miyagi Shunsuke waved his hand, and in the next second, Kakashi arrived with a flash. Just as he was about to forcibly take Asuma away, Uchiha Reki, who had been drawing circles in the dirt in the corner, stood up slowly.
"Teacher Shunsuke, I would also like to spar with Student Asuma."
Miyagi Shunsuke’s headache worsened. At school, Uchiha Reki had always been a well-behaved student who didn't join in on the mischief. Why was he acting like a different person today? Irritated, he waved his hand. "We'll discuss it after the other students are finished."
The long wait finally ended, and after the final match, Miyagi Shunsuke called Uchiha Reki and Sarutobi Asuma over. "Make it quick."
Asuma cracked his joints and flashed a strange smile. "Don't worry, Teacher Shunsuke, I’ll be finished in no time."