Ninja Academy Training Ground.
The afternoon class was for practical ninja tool throwing.
Standing in front of more than a dozen wooden targets, Teacher Oda looked at all the students, cleared his throat, and began announcing, "I've already told you the techniques for ninja tool throwing. Today, let's see how well everyone has mastered them."
"Of course, even if your results aren't good, there's no need to be discouraged. This is just a small practical class."
"So, who would like to volunteer first?"
The Ninja Academy curriculum progressed steadily. What class to take and when was all arranged in advance.
The first month was only about laying foundations—refining chakra, mastering theoretical knowledge, and so on. After gaining some basics, practical training would begin.
Ninja tool throwing was one of those practical courses, and also an essential skill for shinobi.
"Teacher, I'll go first…"
Hatake Kakashi, who ranked second in written exams, raised his hand. At this time, he was extremely sharp and competitive, unwilling to accept defeat easily.
Losing to Akira in written exams bothered him somewhat.
He had to perform well and strive for first place!
Hatake Kakashi's performance could be called perfect. He threw ten senbon in total—six hit the bullseye directly, one landed very close to the center, and the rest all hit the target.
Not a single miss!
For a five-year-old child, this was already an astonishing result!
Even Teacher Oda, a Chunin, was surprised and took the lead in applauding. "Very good results. Even upper-grade students might not achieve this!"
"Clap clap clap!"
The students applauded, praising Hatake Kakashi's performance. Not only were his written exam results impressive, but his ninja tool throwing was also strong.
Worthy of being a genius in the class.
They couldn't help wondering how Akira, who had suppressed Kakashi in written exams, would perform.
"Mm." Perhaps because the mask covered his expression, others couldn't tell that Hatake Kakashi was actually quite happy. In short… he only responded coolly and returned to the group.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at Akira, who was clapping and cheering, before stepping back into the crowd.
'Kakashi is really impressive!' Akira was indeed surprised. He wasn't perfect either—when throwing ten senbon, he would occasionally have one "miss." Kakashi was no weakling.
He couldn't slack off!
In the crowd, Might Guy—wearing a green tight suit and bowl-cut hairstyle—gave a thumbs up, flashing a big white smile. "As expected of one of the rivals I've chosen, Kakashi! But I won't lose!"
"Yes, yes…" Hatake Kakashi shifted his steps slightly, moving a bit farther away from Might Guy.
For some reason, he had been targeted by this strangely behaved guy and treated as a rival. It left him rather helpless.
One of the rivals? Who were the others—Akira?
"Teacher, I'll go next. I'm fired up!" Might Guy volunteered enthusiastically, his tone full of passion. With his green tight suit and expression combined, it was rather abstract…
Teacher Oda was already used to the many talents in the class. "Alright, begin!"
His spirit was indeed burning—but the results were just so-so. It was clear from Might Guy's expression that it wasn't ideal.
Fortunately, he was an optimist and believed he was a hardworking genius.
Hard work could catch up to talent!
He didn't feel too disappointed. Disappointment was useless!
Optimism was useful—unlike a certain Uchiha Obito who had seven misses out of ten because of nervousness, performing worse than during practice at home and nearly bursting into tears…
His mood sank low.
He lost to Hatake Kakashi again and failed to impress Nohara Rin. He was too much of a failure. He wondered whether Akira's "practice questions" could also improve practical class results.
Probably not. Akira himself said he wasn't the practical type and often missed…
Yuhi Kurenai also stepped up. Her results were decent—only one miss and four direct hits on the bullseye. She was quite happy and had already learned not to compare herself with Akira, that monster.
She would always be the younger sister. Big brothers were supposed to be stronger than little sisters, right?
Akira didn't hesitate to praise the terrifying cute loli sister. He ruffled her hair—soft and smooth, nice to the touch. "Not bad. Better than when you practiced at home."
Yuhi Kurenai no longer rejected head pats and said proudly, "Hehe, of course! So can we reduce the number of practice questions?"
Akira thought for a moment. Work and rest should be balanced. "No need for practice questions today. Relax a bit."
"Yay!" Yuhi Kurenai was overjoyed and grabbed Akira's right hand, swinging it happily.
"Damn Akira!" This scene made a certain boy grind his teeth. He also wanted to be treated like that by Yuhi Kurenai—but she barely paid attention to him.
He wasn't Yuhi Kurenai's brother!
And fortunately he wasn't her brother—so he still had a chance…
Determined to perform well and make everyone look at him in a new light, Sarutobi Asuma stepped forward. "Teacher, it's my turn, right?"
The Hokage's son stepping up was naturally a focal point. His identity alone made him impossible to ignore.
His final results were good—second only to Kakashi, better than Yuhi Kurenai. Five direct bullseyes and no misses. The students gasped in admiration…
'So close—almost missed one. But… this was already an extraordinary performance. Just didn't surpass Kakashi…' Sarutobi Asuma let out a breath, satisfied with his results.
Then he looked toward Akira, the corner of his mouth curling upward. 'But I should be stronger than Akira! Hmph, not the practical type? Then you're definitely losing!'
He had overheard Akira's earlier conversation with Uchiha Obito. What was the use of written exam results if they couldn't be applied in practice?
He had won!
"Next, Akira!"
With Teacher Oda's words, it was Akira's turn.
Quite a few people focused their attention on him. Several with good written results had also achieved good practical results.
So how would Akira, the top student, perform?
'Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh…'
Akira moved extremely fast. With a flick of his hand, he threw the senbon. After ten light sounds, nine struck the bullseye, encircling the small center.
Only one deviated about one centimeter from the bullseye…
This scene made everyone, including the teacher, widen their eyes and gasp in shock!
Especially Uchiha Obito and Sarutobi Asuma—they felt deceived…
This was Akira's so-called "not the practical type"?
Painful expressions appeared on their faces…
"Done." Although there was one "miss," Akira was quite satisfied. He had shown off just a little—it felt inexplicably refreshing.
He pretended not to care and silently returned to his spot.
Looking at Akira walking back, Uchiha Obito opened his mouth blankly. "Didn't you say you often miss?"
Akira nodded. "Yeah. Wasn't there one that didn't hit the bullseye?"
"..." Uchiha Obito took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to beat Akira up.
So your standard for hitting the target is hitting the bullseye?
That's too much!!
Akira's performance made the girls in class even more enthusiastic. Handsome, excellent grades—he perfectly fit their standards!
Some couldn't help but cheer excitedly and gather around him, chattering endlessly.
"Ugh…" Pushed aside, Yuhi Kurenai pouted. She felt an inexplicable pressure. Why was Akira so outstanding?
Being his little sister was stressful.
And it seemed like someone wanted to snatch Akira away and become her sister-in-law. That was absolutely not allowed!!
Absolutely not!!
Meanwhile, many boys felt displeased, jealousy burning in their eyes as if flames might burst out. Their fists clenched tightly.
Why were girls so fond of him?
Because he had good grades and good looks?
Tch!
One boy was even so jealous that his eyes almost turned red—though he wasn't old enough for that yet…
Uchiha Ryota hated this kind of "showing off for favor." He couldn't help but snort coldly. "A ninja relies on strength. Written exams and practical scores are trivial. Real combat is the true standard of strength. In that regard, the Uchiha clan is the best!"
Several boys nearby nodded in agreement.
Exactly. Written exams and practical classes meant nothing. Real combat was what mattered.