Chapter 85: Hanekawa, First Place Again
The Ninja Academy.
It was the last day of the third year, which meant final exams.
Hanekawa and Yuhi Kurenai arrived a little early, before the exam was scheduled to begin.
He sat in Sarutobi Asuma's seat, contemplating the mission he'd been assigned yesterday.
In theory, according to the original story's plot, he would have a run-in with Yamato and the others.
But in reality, that might not happen.
He was an unexpected variable, after all.
The only thing he could be sure of was that he'd encounter a ninja from the future; he just didn't know who.
The reason lay with Anrokuzan.
He was actually the ninja, Mukade, who was being hunted by Yamato and the others.
He'd just been lucky enough to travel six years into the past, so he'd changed his name to Anrokuzan and become a minister of the Land of Rōran.
As for the terrifying weapon he mentioned, it was a combat puppet powered by the Ryūmyaku energy.
"Hanekawa, are you worried about me finally beating you?"
Sarutobi Asuma walked in through the doorway. Seeing Hanekawa lost in thought, a cheerful grin spread across his face.
"Like that would ever happen?"
Yuhi Kurenai, who was sitting beside Hanekawa, immediately shot back. "You've never beaten him before, so what's there to worry about?"
"That was then!"
Asuma's face flushed. "We haven't fought today yet, so what makes you think I'll lose?"
"Whatever, I'll take him on."
Uchiha Obito cut in suddenly.
"Don't get in the way."
Asuma waved his hand dismissively.
Although Obito's taijutsu was decent, his theoretical knowledge was terrible; he was always at the bottom of the class.
"Dammit!"
Obito was furious. "I'm definitely going to beat you this time!"
"That's not a sure thing."
Asuma looked triumphant. "I recently learned a new Fire Style jutsu. My strength has increased a lot."
"Fire Style?"
Obito was stunned. "I thought you were learning Wind Style jutsu?"
"I have both Wind and Fire Chakra natures."
Asuma patted him on the shoulder. "If you lose to my Fire Style, well then..."
"No way!"
Obito shivered and quickly protested.
Besides the Sharingan, the Uchiha clan's strongest point was Fire Style.
He couldn't imagine what the other clan members would think if he lost to a non-Uchiha's Fire Style.
"You can do it, Obito!"
Nohara Rin chuckled.
"Heh heh!"
Obito instantly forgot about Asuma and grinned. "Rin! I promise I won't let you down!"
"Just do your best."
Rin said hesitantly.
She knew Obito well; there was basically no hope of him getting a good grade.
And yet, he always had this baffling confidence.
"Relax."
Obito puffed out his chest. "He's training in too many different things. It's actually a disadvantage."
"How is it a disadvantage?"
Asuma looked unconvinced. "Look at Hanekawa, he's training in even more things than I am."
"You're not..."
Obito suddenly stopped himself.
How did he end up praising his rival?
Did he subconsciously think Hanekawa was the strongest?
"We'll see after the fight. No point arguing about it."
Hatake Kakashi said calmly.
"You truly are my eternal rival!"
Might Guy's body trembled. "Kakashi, we finally get to have another youthful showdown!"
Kakashi's mouth twitched.
Logically, Hanekawa was stronger, so Guy should have been going after him.
But Hanekawa was always on leave. He wasn't at the academy for more than a few months of the year, so Kakashi had become his main target.
There was another reason: Hanekawa was too strong!
The current Guy had only just started learning the Eight Inner Gates. His strength was limited.
And even if he had mastered it, he wouldn't use it against his comrades.
After all, the Eight Gates were too destructive and had too many side effects.
In the original story, Rock Lee even had to get Guy's permission to use the Eight Gates, and the targets were almost always enemy ninja from other villages.
Just then, the bell rang.
"I'm heading back. See you soon."
Hanekawa stood up and said.
"I wish you could switch with Asuma..."
Kurenai stopped midway, realizing how hurtful that sounded.
Even so, Asuma had already understood.
He was petrified, his entire body turning a pale gray.
Rin instinctively covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.
Obito was about to laugh, but he realized he wasn't doing much better than Asuma. He could only sigh.
When would Rin finally understand his feelings?
"Good luck, everyone."
Hanekawa smiled and returned to his seat.
A moment later, Eiichiro appeared at the classroom door.
He scanned the room; everyone was present.
"Line up and head to the training grounds for the exam."
Eiichiro clapped his hands and said.
The students rose and followed him out to the field.
The grounds were already filled with other classes preparing, but they still turned to stare at the newcomers.
After all, the third-year Class A was a legend in the academy.
Especially Hanekawa and Hatake Kakashi.
Sarutobi Asuma wasn't bad either, but his status as the Third Hokage's son overshadowed his hard work.
"I'll call your names one by one. Come up and spar."
Eiichiro held a roster. "First match, Uchiha Obito versus Mizuki."
In the combat exam, the most important thing was performance, not victory.
Take Hanekawa, for example.
Everyone he fought lost, but that didn't mean they were weak.
Hanekawa was just too strong, and anyone who fought him would lose. The examiners simply looked at who could hold out the longest and perform the best.
"Watch my moves!"
Obito winked at Rin and ran to the center of the field.
Mizuki was a civilian ninja and only knew the academy's basic Three-Jutsu, so he went down in a flash.
"How was that?"
Obito asked triumphantly.
"You did well."
Rin smiled.
"That was just Mizuki."
Asuma snorted. "You'll see my Fire Style in a bit."
"My Uchiha Fire Style is the strongest!"
Obito retorted, unwilling to back down.
The exams continued.
Half an hour later, it was Obito and Asuma's turn.
In the combat exam, one match was never enough; there were usually at least three rounds.
"You're going to lose!"
As soon as the match started, Obito formed a hand sign.
After a quick prayer, he successfully unleashed a Great Fireball.
For some reason, he always had trouble with the Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu, but not this time.
Asuma formed his own hand signs simultaneously.
Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!
He exhaled a long stream of fire that looked like a dragon as it crashed into the Great Fireball.
Both were C-rank Fire Style jutsu, but Obito's mastery was lacking.
The clash of flames ended with Asuma standing victorious on the left.
"How is that possible?"
Obito stood frozen in place.
"This is my chance!"
Asuma saw his opening and did a swift sweep kick, knocking him off his feet.
Obito instinctively tried to struggle, but he was immediately locked down.
"Sarutobi Asuma wins."
Eiichiro announced the result.
"The Uchiha's Fire Style is nothing special!"
Asuma stood up, a triumphant look on his face, like a dragon king returning.
"You jerk!"
Obito was so angry he could have coughed up blood. "Just wait until I get my Sharingan! I'll beat you until you beg for mercy!"
"I'll be waiting."
Asuma didn't take it seriously at all.
That phrase had practically become Obito's catchphrase, but he still hadn't awakened his Sharingan.
"Hanekawa versus Hatake Kakashi."
Ignoring their antics, Eiichiro announced the next match.
The surroundings immediately fell silent.
For Class A, this was the fight of the day.
Although Hanekawa won every time, for everyone else, their spars were a sight to behold.
"How about we just use jutsu this time?"
Seeing Kakashi draw his blade, Hanekawa shook his head and asked.
"Jutsu?"
Kakashi was slightly stunned. "You learned one?"
"I picked one up yesterday."
Hanekawa said casually.
Kakashi's face darkened.
A jutsu you just learned yesterday? And you're using it on me?
Am I really that worthless?
"Be careful."
Hanekawa raised his hand.
Lightning Style: Swift Lightning Arrow!
In the next moment, a blinding light gathered in his palm.
A wave of gasps erupted around them. This was the first time they had seen Hanekawa use Lightning Style.
Kakashi's gaze narrowed.
Just as he grew cautious, Hanekawa waved his hand, releasing multiple streaks of white lightning.
Danger!
Without another word, Kakashi formed hand signs.
Earth Style: Earth-Wall Jutsu!
The ground rose, and a thick earthen wall appeared instantly.
Four dog-like heads were carved into the top of the wall.
The white lightning, like arrows, struck the earthen wall.
In an instant, the wall shook violently, but it held up against the attack.
Kakashi didn't have a moment to breathe a sigh of relief when a second wave of white lightning flew from Hanekawa's palm.
BOOM!
The earthen wall was completely pierced.
Kakashi reacted quickly and used the Body Flicker Jutsu to escape.
In mid-air, the white lightning struck again.
Will it never end?!
Kakashi planted his feet and slammed his hands on the ground, creating another earthen wall.
To everyone's dumbfounded disbelief, the cycle of earthen walls and lightning arrows repeated over and over.
But in contrast to Kakashi's frenzied movements, Hanekawa was completely relaxed.
He stood his ground, continuously firing Lightning Style: Swift Lightning Arrow.
Like Wind Style, Lightning Style was known for its speed.
Combined with Hanekawa's 100% boost to his hand sign speed, he was able to maintain a non-stop barrage.
"I quit! I surrender!"
Kakashi, feeling his chakra reserves running low, gave up.
He'd lost so many times before; one more wouldn't matter.
"Thanks."
Hanekawa exhaled, saying.
After Kakashi's non-stop use of the Earth-Wall Jutsu, he had gained a new skill.
(D-Rank Talent Trait: True Earth.)
(Trigger Condition: Defeat a young Hatake Kakashi.)
[Effect: Earth Style talent is boosted by an additional 30% on top of its existing talent.]
With this, all five of Hanekawa's elemental talents had reached a 30% boost, while his Yin and Yang talents had a 100% boost.
"How can Hanekawa perform jutsu so fast?!"
Sarutobi Asuma watched in awe.
It had been a while since he had sparred with Hanekawa.
Now, he was shocked. This rate of improvement had left him far behind.
The Fire Style jutsu he had just learned was meaningless in front of Hanekawa.
Uchiha Obito's fists clenched instinctively.
He couldn't even see Hanekawa's hand signs. How was he supposed to fight that?
Without the Sharingan, there was truly no hope.
"Hanekawa!"
Yuhi Kurenai waved happily.
Following her lead, a wave of cheers erupted around them, and the exam ground instantly turned into a fan event.
Hanekawa was strong and handsome, and he had long since replaced Kakashi as the academy's most popular student.
"Quiet down!"
Eiichiro had to step in and stop them.
After a few seconds, the training grounds returned to normal.
Eiichiro looked at the calm Hanekawa.
He had watched the entire match and realized one thing: he couldn't beat his own student anymore.
Not only Hanekawa, but he wasn't even sure about Kakashi.
He's getting old.
No, wait, they're just monsters!
Eiichiro put his thoughts away and continued to announce: "Next match, Yuhi Kurenai versus Sarutobi Asuma."
"Kurenai, I'm sorry, but I have to win."
Asuma walked up. "I can't lose before fighting Hanekawa."
"We'll see who wins!"
Kurenai said unhappily.
"Your genjutsu isn't as good as Hanekawa's, so it won't work on me."
Asuma shook his head.
"Is that so?"
Kurenai suddenly smiled.
She began to form hand signs.
Seeing this, Asuma looked away from her eyes and stared at the ground.
At the same time, he also started to form hand signs for his Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu.
Suddenly, he heard the roar of a dragon and the surprised gasps of the crowd.
Asuma instinctively looked up and saw a water dragon flying toward him.
Did I fall for a genjutsu?
When did that happen?
Asuma was stunned.
BOOM!
He was hit by the water dragon and sent flying, landing on the ground like a drenched dog.
"I won!"
Kurenai was stunned for a moment, then she became excited.
She had always lost to Asuma before, but with her new Water Style, she finally won.
"Yuhi Kurenai wins."
Eiichiro quickly had a medical ninja take Asuma away.
Kurenai's Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu was powerful, and taking it head-on had naturally knocked him out.
"Since when did Kurenai get so strong?"
Rin's eyes widened.
She faintly felt a sense of urgency.
Her teammates were all improving, but she was still stuck in one place.
This...
Obito nearly jumped up in shock.
He had lost to Asuma, and now Asuma had lost to Kurenai.
Did this mean there was another classmate in their class that he couldn't beat?
Kakashi was lost in thought.
Asuma had clearly underestimated Kurenai, which was why he hadn't reacted in time to her Water Style.
If it had been a normal spar, winning wouldn't have been so simple.
Still, Kurenai's improvement was definitely significant.
It was quickly afternoon, and the practical exam was over.
As expected, Hanekawa was still in first place, followed by Kakashi, but Kurenai had taken third place.
Water Style beat Fire Style, and Obito had also lost to her.
Hanekawa treated his friends to a barbecue, then announced that he would be away on a mission for a while.
But it didn't cause much of a reaction; after all, he went on missions every month.
After the meal, Hanekawa went to the street to buy ninja tools and military rations for his trip, and then waited to depart for Rōran the next day.
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