Sakura, Yamato, and Sai were completely exhausted.
Only one thought lingered in their minds.
How could they be weaker than a 9-year-old kid?
Even though they had trained in martial arts for a while, their bodies should be somewhat stronger.
They were ninjas, after all! They had trained in taijutsu, yet their opponent was just a 9-year-old child!
Was the gap between the ninja world and the Empire really this vast?
Losing to peers or adults was one thing, but losing to a kid was too hard to accept.
"Don't feel ashamed. Mirai is among the top in the martial arts class at Capital Junior High. Plus, he grew up in a ninja family, trained from a young age, and is used to this intensity. As beginners, how could you possibly match him?" Iruka comforted gently.
"Annoying! Even if Iruka-sensei says that, it's still hard to feel good about it!" Naruto said angrily.
"No matter the reason, we lost to a kid in physical strength." Yamato sighed.
His heart was filled with despair.
Just two days in the Shinobi Empire, and the blows they received were more than their entire lives combined.
Losing to peers or adults, they could console themselves.
But losing to a 9-year-old—what did that mean?
Yamato stared at the sky, his eyes vacant.
'Can people like us really rely on martial arts to catch up to the Empire's people and protect Konoha in the chaos that might come?'
"Annoying little brat!" Naruto kept cursing.
Mirai sneered, "What? Uncle can't accept it? Don't tell me you actually believe Iruka-sensei's words?"
"Hmph! Honestly, someone like you will never surpass or catch up to me in your lifetime. You'd better just stare at my back! Whether in physical strength or real combat!"
"Real combat? You little punk! You think I'm scared of you in a real fight?" Naruto shouted.
"Oh? You want a real fight with me? Interesting! Let's have a serious battle then, Uncle!"
"You little brat! You're the one asking for it!"
Naruto's fighting spirit instantly ignited.
His three teammates showed worried expressions.
They were concerned for Naruto.
Afraid he'd lose!
In the past, if someone had told them an elite ninja like Naruto would lose to a 9-year-old, they'd have laughed.
But now… they couldn't laugh, especially since this 9-year-old was from the Shinobi Empire!
This powerful Empire from another world was unimaginably strong, defying all common sense.
"Naruto… your opponent… is just… a kid… we… don't need to care… let it go…" Yamato panted.
"Hey, hey, hey! Are you uncles and aunties scared? No wonder your strength is so weak—your courage is tiny too!" Mirai kept provoking.
"You annoying little punk! I'm definitely gonna beat you!"
Naruto stood up angrily.
"Naruto…"
Yamato's worry grew.
Sakura looked at Iruka, as if hoping he'd intervene and mediate.
Instead, Iruka didn't stop them. He looked at both and said:
"As a martial artist, you shouldn't fear fighting. Besides, for martial arts beginners, sparring with another martial artist isn't necessarily bad for self-improvement."
"This…"
Both fell silent.
Mirai then looked at Naruto.
"Don't act tough, Uncle! Rest a bit before fighting me. Look at you—you can barely stand."
"You annoying little brat! Don't underestimate me! I can take you on right now!"
Naruto gritted his teeth.
"Naruto, you'd better rest first." Iruka said, stepping to Naruto's side to prevent rash actions.
Meanwhile, the watching children grew excited one by one.
They gathered and discussed:
"Fight! Fight! Who do you think is stronger, Mirai or this mountain uncle?"
"Mirai, obviously! He's not that great, but he's not on the same level as this uncle, right?"
"Yeah, this uncle doesn't even understand martial arts."
The kids completely dismissed Team Naruto.
This infuriated the four.
Naruto even swore to teach Mirai a lesson.
Over half an hour later, Naruto had nearly fully recovered.
He and Mirai stood in the middle of the field, facing each other.
Their age and height difference was stark.
But Mirai looked at Naruto casually, with an air of indifference:
"Hurry up and show your moves, Uncle. After we're done, I still have training to continue. Everyone's waiting for me."
"You little punk! Don't cry later! Taju Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Naruto shouted, forming hand seals.
A group of Shadow Clones instantly appeared around him, grinning at Mirai.
"Taju Kage Bunshin no Jutsu? Not bad, Uncle! Come on!"
Mirai snapped his fingers at Naruto.
"Hmph!" The group of Narutos snorted coldly, rushing toward Mirai together, reaching him quickly, and launching punches and kicks.
But Mirai used Kami-e, moving freely through the crowd, occasionally countering and destroying Shadow Clones one by one.
"Uncle? Know what this move is? You, who don't understand martial arts, can't recognize me—how could you beat me?" Mirai said with a relaxed expression.
"…"
Naruto didn't care. His Shadow Clones kept attacking fiercely.
Until…
A buzzing sound rang out.
Mirai was suddenly hit by a punch from one Shadow Clone, sent flying toward a larger group.
Surprised, he looked toward the sound's source.
Behind the group of Narutos, several were forming Rasengans, with swirling winds blowing around them.
Seeing this, Mirai showed a knowing expression:
"Not bad, Uncle. Looks like you've seen Kami-e before."
"Hmph! You little punk! The key to Kami-e is dodging attacks through instinct and wind. But I'm using Rasengans from all directions—the strong winds are enough to disrupt you! Let's see how you dodge my attack! Everyone, charge!"
One Naruto shouted gleefully, and all the Narutos rushed at Mirai.
But the next second—
*SWOOSH!*
A three-to-four-meter-high wind blade shot out from the crowd, sweeping away the group of Narutos.
Mirai's small figure darted out from within.
"What? Scared, little punk? Not using Tekkai to block my attack?" Naruto shouted, slightly proud.
He could tell Mirai's martial arts training was very different from Lee's.
Lee could block a Rasengan; Mirai might not.
Clearly, after seeing the Rasengan, Mirai had no intention of using Tekkai!
And using Shigan or Rankyaku would struggle to clear the endlessly approaching, dodging Shadow Clones.
A kid's stamina and True Qi were limited, after all!
'This fight, I'm winning!'
Naruto thought excitedly.
Even Yamato, Sakura, and Sai, watching, couldn't help but smile.
After so long in this other world, after multiple battles and losses, were they finally going to win?
Suddenly, they felt tears of emotion welling up.
"Uncle? You don't think you've won, do you? Rokushiki isn't my true skill! My real skill is this! Tsk…"
Mirai stood tall, slowly exhaling.
Team Naruto noticed the boy's breath was odd, almost hot.
At the same time, the air around him showed slight distortions and high temperatures.
Sparks began to flicker.