Here's the BONUS CHAPTER as promised—thanks for the support, and let's keep this energy going!
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As the successful candidates emerged from the survival test in the Forest of Death, they gradually gathered inside the central tower.
Shisui and Anko were among the first to spot Guts and ran up to him.
"That was easy! Once this is over, you're treating me to meatballs!"
Anko grinned with a victorious air.
"Mr. Guts, Minato-san, good afternoon,"
Shisui greeted with a polite bow to Namikaze Minato.
Minato smiled gently.
"A genius from the Uchiha clan. I hope you'll both become pillars of Konoha in the future."
Had Minato said that to Guts, he would've just laughed it off. But Shisui, with eyes full of earnest ambition, responded firmly:
"Yes, I'll do my best to live up to that!"
As more candidates arrived, Guts noted some familiar faces—Shiranui Genma, Ebisu, and the trio from Asuma's class. It brought back memories.
Soon, two more groups entered, but what truly caught Guts by surprise was the announcement that the referee for the third round would be none other than Yuhi Shinku.
Accompanying him were two striking women: Tsunade and Kurenai.
As Yuhi Shinku addressed the candidates with a rundown of the rules, Tsunade and Kurenai took seats in the observation stands.
Guts turned to Tsunade, brow raised.
She replied, looking away in irritation.
Guts chuckled, remembering the awkwardness earlier that morning when they had parted with only a thin wall and a red-faced Kurenai between them.
Though he wasn't new to romantic entanglements, Guts was well aware that no past experience could compare to the mix of grace, strength, and vulnerability he saw in Kurenai as she matured.
Kurenai, now standing beside him, offered a small smile.
"I invited Lady Tsunade to watch. After all, it's her student's big moment."
Just as Yuhi Shinku wrapped up his explanation, the match screen buzzed to life.
First Match: Mitarashi Anko vs. Ebisu
The room fell into an odd silence. Those who remembered Guts's infamous knockout punch to Ebisu years ago couldn't help but twitch at the irony.
Now, Guts's student would face him? The tension was palpable.
With everyone moving to the observation platform, Anko and Ebisu stepped into the arena.
Facing a much shorter opponent, Ebisu adjusted his glasses confidently.
"She may be Guts's student, but she's just a child. I should be able to win easily."
Yuhi Shinku called out.
Anko charged forward with a wild scream.
Ebisu scoffed internally. Predictable. With a fluid motion, he disappeared behind her using his body flicker technique and pulled a kunai, ready to force a surrender.
But just as he prepared to press the blade to her neck, Anko twisted mid-charge like a spinning top. Her leg whipped back with brutal precision.
Due to their height difference, what should have landed on his mouth... landed elsewhere.
A shiver-inducing sound echoed through the tower.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
Ebisu's scream pierced the air, the agony clear as he collapsed, clutching himself with tears streaming down his face.
Even Guts burst into laughter.
Meanwhile, every man on the observation deck—Minato, Shisui, Obito, even stoic Kakashi—winced and instinctively shielded themselves.
"You didn't teach her that, did you?"
Tsunade asked, glaring sideways.
"Don't look at me like that,"
"I didn't train her to weaponize trauma."
Anko, slightly red-faced, scratched her head.
"S-Sorry… I didn't mean to… I was just trying something new."
Regardless of her intentions, Ebisu couldn't continue. He was promptly stretchered out—again.
"Winner: Mitarashi Anko,"
Yuhi Shinku announced.
Anko, grinning sheepishly, jogged back up to the stands.
Guts grabbed her by both sides of the head, twisting lightly.
"Anko, you sure that wasn't on purpose?"
"Owww! It wasn't! I swear!" she yelled.
Intentional or not, that kick would become a legendary tale among Konoha's shinobi.
The following matches were standard Genin-level battles—none quite as memorable as Anko's fight.
They lacked the chaotic humor of her match or the energy of future showdowns like Naruto vs. Kiba.
Guts, now thoroughly bored, began to drift off.
Until the screen flashed with a new matchup.
Next Match: Uchiha Shisui vs. Sarutobi Asuma
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