Afternoon.
After finishing shuriken throwing and the survival drill, the fourth-years returned to the field and stood in their class area again.
If you looked closely, you'd notice that the fourth-year formation was no longer the Stage-One circle. Instead, they were spread into two lines, leaving a large open space in the middle.
As the teacher called names, students stepped out one by one, then returned to the group either beaming with joy or slumped in frustration.
Anyone with serious injuries went to the medic-nin first for treatment.
"Match Thirteen: Uzumaki Kushina vs. Eriko."
As bout after bout ended, in Fourth Year, Class 1's area, Yūya-sensei called out the next pairing.
The moment she heard her opponent's name, Eriko's face went pale.
The classmates around her looked at her with pure sympathy.
In just three months, Class 1's impression of Uzumaki Kushina had changed completely.
With Gojo Yoru's protection, Kushina not only avoided the bullying she suffered in canon—she flipped it around and started bullying the people who had mocked her.
That terrifying brute strength… even Yoru, who matured early, had taken one punch from her and nearly vomited up last night's dinner.
As for everyone else? Forget it.
In every practical exam, anyone matched against Kushina ended up on their knees and puking.
If it was worse, they'd pass out on the spot.
So aside from Gojo Yoru, Class 1 now had a second opponent nobody wanted to face.
"S-Sensei… can I forfeit?" Eriko raised her hand, her voice trembling.
"No."
Yūya scolded sharply. "The practical exam isn't only a simulation of life-and-death combat. It's also meant to let you experience the joy and accomplishment of victory—and the frustration and unwillingness of defeat. Those experiences improve your physical energy and spiritual energy.
So I don't want to hear the word 'forfeit' from your mouths again. Understood?"
On the last word, Yūya's gaze turned razor-sharp as he glared hard at the entire class.
"Yes!"
Everyone his eyes swept over straightened up and shouted back.
So Eriko had no choice but to trudge out with a miserable expression.
Kushina didn't hold back at all against this girl who had mocked her before. She Body Flickered in and ended it with a single punch.
The frail Eriko's eyes rolled back, and she fainted on the spot.
Seeing that, Yūya's mouth twitched.
Good grief… how much does she hate her?
It's been months and she still won't even give them a chance to form the Seal of Reconciliation—she really has no intention of forgiving them!
Because Kushina's identity was sensitive, Yūya didn't dare scold or lecture her. He could only flick a look at the medic-nin beside him, signaling him to take Eriko away for treatment.
"Match over. The winner is Uzumaki Kushina."
After announcing the result, Yūya immediately called the next pairing.
"Match Fourteen: Namikaze Minato vs. Gojo Yoru!"
The moment those two names rang out, every student's eyes lit up.
"They finally got matched again—this is going to be good."
"We get to see Minato-kun and Yoru-kun fight again. If I remember right, their last match was back in third year, first term."
"When we get matched with them, we just get one-shot. Who knows how much stronger they've gotten in a year?"
"Minato, good luck! You have to win this time!"
"Minato… please avenge us." (whispered)
"…"
Watching everyone cheer for Minato, Kushina looked annoyed.
As soon as she rejoined the line, she slapped Yoru on the shoulder and shouted, "Yoru! Teach that sissy a lesson!"
Hearing that, Minato—already awkward—could only manage a bitter smile. How hard that hit him inside… probably only Gojo Yoru truly knew.
Yoru didn't respond. He walked into the open space and stood on Yūya-sensei's left.
Minato stepped to the right, facing Yoru.
Looking at the two best students, Yūya's eyes filled with anticipation as he called loudly, "Both sides form the Seal of Confrontation!"
Yoru and Minato each raised two fingers like a sword and said in unison, "Please!"
"Begin!"
Yūya lifted his arm high, then swung it down hard, stepping back to clear the arena for the fourth year's top student and runner-up.
Unlike the other students who charged the instant the signal sounded, Yoru and Minato didn't attack right away.
They simply stared at each other—eyes locked, as if sparks were flying.
Suddenly, Yoru spoke first. "Want to do a no-rules match?"
Minato froze slightly.
Seeing the fighting spirit burning in Yoru's eyes, he couldn't help recalling Yoru's faintly regretful look after their last fight.
It was an expression he'd never seen Yoru show toward anyone else—not even when facing Kushina.
Yoru… seemed to take him very seriously?
And then Minato thought of how the girl he liked had chosen Yoru. The normally gentle Minato suddenly felt an urge to prove himself—his emotions flaring in a way that was rare for him. His eyes sharpened with battle intent.
"Fine. I don't object."
Yoru's lips curved slightly. He turned to Yūya. "Yūya-sensei, I want to request a no-rules match."
Minato nodded as well, showing his agreement.
"T-this…"
Yūya looked at a loss, his face full of hesitation.
"Let them," the medic-nin beside him said with a smile. "Let everyone see what real talent looks like. Besides, with the two of us here, nothing will happen."
A genius without a bloodline limit—even if they were amazing—being able to use a C-rank elemental jutsu was already extremely impressive.
That was about the level of some experienced genin.
But to a chūnin, that still wasn't enough to worry about.
As long as they prepared for that, the medic-nin didn't believe anything could go wrong.
Yūya thought that made sense.
So he nodded at Yoru and Minato, face serious. "Request approved. From this point on, you may use any methods you have. No need to hold back. If danger appears, we will intervene and stop the match."
Then Yūya turned to the two lines of students. "Everyone, step back another five meters."
"Gulp…"
The atmosphere alone had stunned the students into silence.
Swallowing hard, everyone subconsciously backed away together, then stared at the two on the field with tense faces.
In that moment, every one of them felt it—
Between them and those two on the field, there was an invisible barrier.
It wasn't just a difference in level.
It was a gap they were destined never to cross… a chasm.
~~~
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