Chapter 11: The Avenger's Humiliation
"Rigid ninjutsu is nothing more than a tool. Now, I'll show you the true gap between us!"
The moment Iruka stepped away, Uchiha Sasuke launched his assault. A genius he was, indeed. His speed was astonishing, surpassing even that of most seasoned genin. Afterimages trailed in his wake, drawing a wave of gasps from the surrounding students. They clearly hadn't expected Sasuke to be this fast.
But in the very next second, their expressions froze.
They watched as Ren Arakawa simply sidestepped with effortless grace and swept Sasuke's legs out from under him, sending the Uchiha heir crashing face-first into the dirt.
"What... what just happened?"
"I didn't see it clearly! Ren was too fast!"
"Sasuke was fast enough, but Ren was even faster!"
Stunned silence fell over the crowd as they stared at Ren in disbelief. No one had expected that Sasuke Uchiha, who had initiated the attack, would be put on the defensive in an instant. And from the look of it, that fall had been anything but gentle.
"This Ren Arakawa... he's not simple. He reminds me of someone," murmured Kakashi Hatake, his single visible eye fixed intently on the scene unfolding in the training grounds from his perch in the classroom building.
"Are you talking about Uchiha Itachi?" asked Might Guy, standing beside him, his expression unusually serious. As Kakashi's rival and friend, he knew exactly who the other man was referring to. Yet, Guy couldn't understand why Kakashi would connect this boy, Ren, to Itachi Uchiha. The two seemed to have nothing in common.
"After the Uchiha incident, I specifically looked into his file," Kakashi explained quietly. "I discovered that Uchiha Itachi had already possessed at least chūnin-level strength while still at the Academy. He'd just been hiding it, seemingly not wanting others to know. Doesn't that sound exactly like this boy, Ren, right now?"
"Hiding one's strength must serve a purpose," Might Guy nodded, seeming to understand. "So, what do you plan to do?"
"Let's wait and see," Kakashi mused. "He graduated at the top of the class. He'll likely be interviewed by the Hokage himself soon."
Back on the training grounds, Ren, unaware of Kakashi's scrutiny, looked down at the prone Uchiha Sasuke. "Next, I'm going to give you a taste of reality!"
After pinning Sasuke to the ground, Ren immediately mounted him and began pummeling him with a relentless barrage of punches, his fists falling like a violent storm. The beating was so severe it forcibly awakened Sasuke's Sharingan.
But it was futile. Even with the Sharingan activated, Sasuke Uchiha was no match for Ren. In Ren's hands, he could do nothing but endure the thrashing.
[Uchiha Mikoto: Streamer! Sasuke is still young! He didn't know any better and offended you! Please, I beg you, go easy on him!]
[Uchiha Mikoto: Please, for the sake of the Sharingan I gave you, show him mercy!]
Inside the live stream, Mikoto Uchiha was screaming herself hoarse, watching her son being beaten to a pulp. The other spectators could only offer silent sympathy. After all, Sasuke had started this. Moreover, everyone knew Ren was holding back. Otherwise, with his current strength, the Uchiha boy would have been dead long ago.
[Uchiha Madara: This Sasuke Uchiha is a complete disgrace to our clan.]
[Hashirama Senju: Hey! Madara! Congrats on the mute being over!]
[Uchiha Madara: I can't be bothered with you two brothers right now. You'd better shut up.]
[Tobirama Senju: Madara, watch your tone. My brother may have his moments of foolishness, but it's not your place to speak to him that way.]
[Uchiha Madara: Your brother brings it upon himself. That said, this Sasuke Uchiha, trash though he is, does look a bit like Izuna did when he was a child.]
[Tobirama Senju: Damn it, the kid's been beaten to a pulp and you can still tell? Your brother must have been incredibly ugly as a child!]
[Uchiha Madara: I can't be bothered wasting words on you!]
[Tobirama Senju: Hmph! I have no desire to bandy words with a rebel!]
[Minato Namikaze: As expected of the Second Hokage, facing Uchiha Madara head-on without fear!]
[Tobirama Senju: It's nothing. The Uchiha clan simply needs to be kept in line. Fourth Hokage, you would do well to learn this.]
[Minato Namikaze: That... might not be the best approach. I personally believe prioritizing peace is better.]
[Tobirama Senju: Spineless.]
[Hashirama Senju: Alright, both of you, be quiet and watch the stream. I'm very pleased to see Konoha's younger generation so vibrant.]
Unaware that both his Senju clan and the Uchiha clan had been wiped out, Hashirama Senju felt a surge of pride seeing the energetic students of the Ninja Academy, mistakenly believing Konoha was more stable and prosperous than ever.
"Just admit defeat. For your mother's sake, I don't want to beat you within an inch of your life," Ren said, finally stopping his relentless assault after over ten minutes, his own arms feeling tired. He released Sasuke, hoping the boy would yield.
But the tree may desire stillness, yet the wind will not cease.
"Ren Arakawa! Don't you dare pretend to be merciful! My mother has been dead for years!" Sasuke Uchiha dragged his battered body from the ground. His face was swollen like a pumpkin, covered in bruises and blood, his front teeth missing. Yet, his sharp eyes still burned with intense hatred. Clearly, Ren's unintentional remark had thoroughly enraged him.
"I am an avenger from hell... I will not fall here... not until I've killed that man!"
With that final declaration, his body gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Ren Arakawa: ? ? ?
After Uchiha Sasuke was forcibly logged out, Iruka quickly stepped forward and announced the results of the spar. Ren Arakawa's position as the top graduate was now firmly and deservedly his.
It was worth noting that it was all thanks to Uchiha Sasuke's antics that Ren not only secured the top spot in the written exam but also snatched away the number one position in practical combat that had originally belonged to his rival.