Iruka finished reading off the results, a satisfied yet stern look on his face. "Now that you all know your scores, it should be clear where you stand and how much more effort you need to put in, especially in mastering kunai throwing. Naruto, you'll have to work extra hard if you don't want to come in last next time."
Naruto, undeterred, jumped to his feet, pointing dramatically at Sasuke. "Hmph! Don't worry, next time I'll definitely defeat Mr. Popular over there and become the new favorite!" he declared loudly, drawing everyone's attention. He referred to Sasuke, who had effortlessly earned the admiration of nearly everyone in the class—boys and girls alike.
Sasuke merely glanced at Naruto, his expression cold and indifferent. "Loser," he muttered under his breath, not even bothering to move, as if Naruto wasn't worth the effort.
"Alright, that's enough from you two," Iruka said sharply, his patience wearing thin. "Settle down."
Both boys went quiet, though the tension between them simmered beneath the surface.
Iruka then launched into a brief explanation about proper kunai techniques. "Now, listen carefully. The way you hold the kunai, the angle, and the force you use to throw it—all of these are crucial. Pay attention." He demonstrated again, methodically showing them the precise grip and stance before throwing another kunai with flawless precision.
After wrapping up his explanation, Iruka folded his arms. "Now, we'll move on to our next class—taijutsu. This will be a hand-to-hand combat competition, and it will give you a clear picture of how far behind or ahead you are compared to your peers. Prepare yourselves."
With that, he led the class to another section of the training ground. The area was barren except for a large white circle drawn with chalk, the designated arena for their sparring matches. Iruka stood at the edge of the circle, clipboard in hand.
"Choji and Shikamaru, you're up first," he announced.
The two friends exchanged nervous glances but stepped into the circle, standing opposite each other.
"Before you begin, make the spar sign," Iruka instructed, holding up his index and middle fingers in a demonstration.
Choji hesitated, his brows furrowed. "Sensei, we're friends. Can't we skip this? I don't want to fight Shikamaru."
Iruka shook his head. "No exceptions, Choji. This tradition has been part of the academy since the time of the First Hokage. It's an honor, and it's important for your training."
But before Iruka could continue, Shikamaru sighed, his expression as bored as ever. "I give up."
Iruka blinked in surprise. "What?"
Shikamaru shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "If we fight, one of us will win, and the other will lose. Why bother going through all the trouble when I can just give up? It saves time, and it saves you the hassle, Sensei."
Iruka let out a long, exasperated sigh. "You really have no motivation, Shikamaru. At this rate, becoming a Chunin will be impossible for you."
With that, Shikamaru turned to leave the circle, but Iruka stopped him. "Hold on. Before you leave, you and Choji need to make the unison sign."
Shikamaru grumbled but complied, returning to the circle to interlock his fingers with Choji's in a brief sign of unity. Then the two left the arena, much to Iruka's dismay.
"Alright, next match." Iruka's eyes scanned the list. "Sasuke, you're up."
The moment Sasuke's name was called, the air shifted. The girls erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable as Sasuke confidently walked toward the circle. Even the boys, though less enthusiastic, couldn't help but murmur about Sasuke's skill. The anticipation hung heavy in the air.
"And your opponent," Iruka continued, "Inoiki."
A wave of relief washed over the other students, glad they wouldn't have to face Sasuke in combat. Except for Naruto, who clenched his fists in frustration, eager for a chance to prove himself. "Inoiki, go beat that pretty face!" he shouted, cheering for his friend with fiery determination.
Inoiki, though not as popular as Sasuke, stepped into the circle with his usual calm confidence. His friends—Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, and Naruto—stood by in support, though he didn't receive nearly as much attention from the rest of the class. But that didn't bother him.
Sasuke and Inoiki stood face-to-face, both making the spar sign before settling into their fighting stances. The air between them crackled with tension.
"Begin!" Iruka's voice rang out, signaling the start of the fight.
Sasuke moved first, his speed impressive as he lunged toward Inoiki with a series of rapid punches. Inoiki dodged the initial blows, his footwork sharp, but Sasuke's relentless strikes forced him to stay on the defensive. Inoiki countered with a sweeping kick aimed at Sasuke's legs, hoping to knock him off balance. Sasuke, anticipating the move, leapt gracefully over the kick and retaliated with a swift elbow aimed at Inoiki's chest.
Inoiki barely managed to block the strike, but the force of it pushed him back. Sasuke pressed the advantage, launching a barrage of kicks and punches. Inoiki tried to hold his ground, deflecting and dodging as best as he could, but Sasuke's attacks were unyielding.
The difference in skill became apparent as the fight continued. Though Inoiki was quick and precise, Sasuke was faster, his movements fluid and sharp. Inoiki managed to land a solid punch on Sasuke's shoulder, but it barely fazed him. Sasuke responded with a powerful kick to Inoiki's side, sending him stumbling.
Inoiki gritted his teeth, trying to shake off the pain, but Sasuke was already on him, delivering a final blow that knocked him to the ground. Inoiki lay there for a moment, breathing heavily, before slowly getting to his feet.
"Enough!" Iruka called, stepping forward. "The match is over. Sasuke is the winner."
The class erupted in applause, the girls cheering loudly while Naruto crossed his arms, fuming. Inoiki, though disappointed, gave Sasuke a respectful nod and made a sign of unison before stepping out of the circle.
Sasuke didn't acknowledge the praise, his face impassive as he walked back to his place, though the slightest hint of satisfaction lingered in his eyes.
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