When everyone reached the training ground, Might Guy swept his gaze over the sea of eager faces and asked, "First, so the teacher can gauge your basics—who in this class scored highest on the combat assessment?"
Before anyone else could react, a cluster of girls burst out in perfect unison, the shout bright and clear, thick with admiration.
"It's Sasuke, of course!"
"Exactly—Sasuke-kun!"
"Sasuke-kun's the strongest!"
The voices blended into a single wave, pushing Uchiha Sasuke into the spotlight.
Sasuke himself stood nearby, arms folded, face impassive, as though none of it concerned him—only the slight lift of his chin betrayed his pride.
"Excellent!"
Hearing the answer, Might Guy flashed a brilliant grin, teeth glinting, and thrust a finger toward the back row. "Then, Naruto—you'll spar with Sasuke first!"
The Dead-Last, really?
Sasuke gave Naruto a sidelong glance, a flicker of disdain in his eyes.
He had fought Naruto in practicals before; the boy's taijutsu and shuriken work were mediocre—no match for him.
As for Ninjutsu, Naruto could not even use it.
He expected no different outcome this time.
"Understood, Guy-sensei."
Naruto answered calmly, brushed off Kiba's hand, gave him a reassuring look, and stepped up to Guy.
Uchiha Sasuke moved forward two paces, signature cool arrogance in place, and took position opposite Naruto.
"Good!"
Guy looked at the two of them and announced, "First—form the Seal of Confrontation! Remember, combat is more than clashing fists; it is mutual respect."
Even in youthful battle, observe the limit. Understood?"
"Yeah."
Naruto gave a brief reply, eyes calm on Sasuke, then retreated to the edge of the ring and set himself.
Sasuke nodded, still expressionless, yet every move showed he was taking this seriously.
He, too, withdrew to the far side, facing Naruto across the open ground.
The air over the field turned heavy with anticipation; every student watched.
Cheers erupted—girls for Sasuke, boys largely for Naruto.
Those who normally disliked Naruto rooted for him for one simple reason: they were sick of Sasuke's arrogance.
Under Guy's gaze, the two raised right hands, index and middle fingers upright, the rest curled, forming the Seal of Confrontation, a silent pledge of respect and the start of the match.
That simple gesture felt like a declaration that the fight had begun.
Naruto darted in; the two clashed in fierce taijutsu, dull impacts of fists and feet.
For a moment they looked evenly matched.
But as Sasuke cleanly blocked every strike, spotted an opening, and drove Naruto back with a sharp kick, the cheers for Sasuke swelled, the girls beside themselves.
At that moment Guy, who had been watching, spoke in a voice that carried across the field.
"Naruto—use your full strength! Holding back is not the way of a man! Youth demands you give everything to respect your opponent!"
What?!
Guy's words detonated like thunder in Sasuke's ears.
This Dead-Last had not even been fighting at full strength?!
Indignation and sudden alarm erased Sasuke's disdain; his eyes locked on Naruto, body taut.
Naruto scratched his head, mortified.
Guy-sensei saw through it—did he have to shout it out loud?
"Yes, Guy-sensei!"
At the order, Naruto's eyes sharpened.
He shot forward far faster than before.
This time every motion was crisp, no wasted movement.
He closed the distance, a fierce leg sweep already howling in.
Leaf Whirlwind!
Spinning like a cyclone, Naruto's sweeping kick tore through the air at Sasuke's legs, a signature taijutsu far beyond ordinary strikes.
Too fast!
Sasuke's pupils contracted.
His dynamic vision, sharper than most, tracked the kick, brain racing.
Far too fast—no time to block, only to dodge.
Yet his body could not react in time.
The speed and power of Naruto's kick exceeded every expectation.
As Sasuke tried to retreat, the scything leg grazed his trousers—unavoidable.
"Blazing fast!"
Kiba exclaimed, stunned by Naruto's speed.
It felt nothing like their usual spars.
The moment Guy forbade holding back, Naruto floored Sasuke with a clean Leaf Whirlwind.
No way!
Sasuke, sprawled on the ground, reeling.
The humiliation of the fall and the sting in his leg paled beside the storm inside him.
This Dead-Last—whom he had never even considered—was this strong?
Humiliation and disbelief drove him to flip back to his feet, eyes blazing with caution and fury.
His right leg throbbed, reminding him of the kick's power.
Naruto did not press the advantage; he stood his ground, vigilant.
Guy had said to observe the limit.
Sasuke saw Naruto simply standing there, calm gaze feeling like silent provocation.
His pride stung, Sasuke roared and charged, launching a fiercer assault.
Fists, palms, legs—every taijutsu he knew poured out in a tempest.
Yet this Naruto was a different person.
With simple shifts, blocks, and dodges, he neutralized every attack.
Efficient, as though he saw through every intent.
Exactly—once Guy demanded no holding back, in pure taijutsu only Guy himself could defeat Naruto today.
A clear gap in skill now lay between Sasuke and Naruto.