Afternoon.
The fourth-grade students, having completed their shuriken throwing and survival exercises, returned to the playground and stood in their class area.
Upon closer inspection, one would notice that the fourth graders were no longer standing in a circle as in the first stage, but were spread out in two rows, leaving a large open space in the middle.
As the teacher called out names, students walked out from the crowd one by one, then returned to the ranks with joy or dejection.
Those with serious injuries went to receive treatment from the medical ninja first.
"Group 13, Uzumaki Kushina VS Eriko."
As the battles concluded one by one.
In the area of Class 1, Grade 4, Teacher Yuya called out the next pair on the list.
Hearing her opponent's name, Eriko's face instantly turned pale.
The surrounding classmates also looked at her with pity in their eyes.
In just three short months, the impression of Uzumaki Kushina among the students of Class 1, Grade 4, had undergone a drastic change.
With Gojo Yoru's protection, Uzumaki Kushina not only avoided the bullying seen in the original work but also turned the tables and bullied those who had once mocked her.
That terrifying monstrous strength... even the prematurely developed Gojo Yoru nearly threw up his dinner from the night before after taking a punch.
Needless to say for the others.
Every time a practical assessment came up, anyone matched against Uzumaki Kushina was beaten until they fell to their knees and vomited.
In more severe cases, they fainted on the spot.
So, besides Gojo Yoru, the students of Class 1 had one more opponent they didn't want to encounter.
"Tea... Teacher, can I surrender?" Eriko raised her hand, her voice trembling slightly.
"No."
Yuya reprimanded sternly, "Practical assessments are not only simulations of life-and-death battles but also meant for you to experience the joy and achievement of victory, as well as the frustration and unwillingness of defeat. These experiences will enhance your physical and spiritual energies. Therefore, I do not wish to hear words like 'surrender' from your mouths again. Do you hear me?"
With the last sentence, Yuya's gaze was sharp as he glared fiercely at the whole class.
"Yes!"
The students swept by Yuya's gaze hurriedly straightened their bodies and responded loudly.
Thus, Eriko could only walk out with a dejected face.
Towards this person who had once mocked her, Uzumaki Kushina showed no mercy, using the Body Flicker Technique to instantly approach and knock her out with a single punch.
The delicate Eriko's eyes rolled back from the punch, and she fainted on the spot.
Seeing this scene, the corner of Yuya's mouth couldn't help but twitch slightly.
Good heavens, just how much hatred is there?
It's been months, yet she doesn't even give a chance to form the Seal of Reconciliation. She really doesn't plan on forgiving them!
Due to Uzumaki Kushina's special status, Yuya didn't dare to reprimand or lecture her. He could only signal the nearby medical ninja with his eyes to bring Eriko over for treatment.
"The battle is over. The winner is Uzumaki Kushina."
After announcing the result, Yuya continued to read the next pair on the list.
"Group 14, Namikaze Minato VS Gojo Yoru!"
Hearing these two names, all the students' eyes lit up.
"Finally matched again. There's a good show to watch this time."
"We can see Minato-kun and Yoru-kun fight again. If I remember correctly, the last time they fought was in the first semester of the third grade."
"Whenever we get matched against them, we get instantly defeated. I wonder how much their strength has improved after a year?"
"Go Minato! You must win this time!"
"Minato, please avenge us." (Whispering)
"..."
Looking at the group of classmates cheering for Namikaze Minato, Uzumaki Kushina looked displeased.
After returning to the ranks, she immediately patted Gojo Yoru on the shoulder and shouted loudly, "Yoru, teach that sissy a harsh lesson for me!"
Hearing this, Namikaze Minato, who already looked awkward, instantly wore a bitter smile. Probably only Gojo Yoru knew how heavy a blow his heart had just taken.
Gojo Yoru didn't speak. Instead, he walked to the open space and stood to the left of Teacher Yuya.
Namikaze Minato went to the right, standing opposite Gojo Yoru.
Looking at these two most outstanding students, Yuya's eyes were also filled with anticipation as he shouted, "Both sides, please form the Seal of Confrontation!"
Gojo Yoru and Namikaze Minato both raised two fingers in a seal and said in unison, "Please advise!"
"Battle start!"
Yuya raised his arm high, then swung it down forcefully. At the same time, he retreated backward, yielding the field to the Chief Student and the second-ranked student of the fourth grade.
Unlike those students who charged at each other immediately after the signal, Gojo Yoru and Namikaze Minato didn't attack each other right away. Instead, they stared at each other, their gazes locking as if sparks were flying.
Suddenly, Gojo Yoru took the initiative to speak: "Want to have a no-rules duel?"
Namikaze Minato was slightly stunned.
Looking at Gojo Yoru, whose eyes were full of fighting spirit, he couldn't help but recall the slightly regretful look in Gojo Yoru's eyes after their last fight.
That was an expression he had never seen directed at anyone else, not even when fighting Uzumaki Kushina.
Gojo Yoru... seemed to value him very much?
Then thinking about how the other party had won the favor of the girl he liked, the gentle-natured Namikaze Minato suddenly had a desire to prove himself. His emotions rarely burned like this as fighting spirit rose in his eyes. "Sure, I have no objections."
The corners of Gojo Yoru's mouth curled up slightly, and then he turned to Yuya and said, "Teacher Yuya, I want to apply for a no-rules duel."
Namikaze Minato also nodded to Yuya, indicating his agreement.
"This..."
Yuya was somewhat at a loss, looking troubled.
"Agree to it. Let everyone see the strength of geniuses," the medical ninja beside him smiled and said. "Besides, with the two of us here, nothing will happen."
Geniuses without Kekkei Genkai, no matter how formidable, would be impressive enough if they could use a C-rank Five Elements Ninjutsu.
Some veteran Genin probably had just about that level of strength.
But for a Chunin, this level of strength was nothing to worry about.
As long as they took precautions against this, the medical ninja didn't think any accidents would occur.
Yuya thought it made sense.
So, he nodded to Gojo Yoru and Namikaze Minato, his expression serious: "Application approved. You may use any means necessary from now on. No need to hold back. Once danger arises, we will intervene to stop the match."
After speaking, Yuya said to the two rows of students, "Everyone, step back another five meters."
Gulp!
The students were rendered speechless by the atmosphere.
Subconsciously swallowing their saliva, everyone retreated backward in unison, then watched the two on the field with nervous expressions.
At this moment, everyone could feel that there seemed to be an invisible barrier between them and the two on the field.
It wasn't just a difference in rank, but a chasm... that they were destined never to cross!