Watching these brats who clearly didn't understand the immensity of the gap between them, Asuma laughed in exasperation, a faint edge of danger flashing through his eyes.
"Fine, then. Every one of you is arrogant in your own way… Looks like I'll have to give you a proper lesson today on what it really means to be a jōnin."
Kakashi looked at his high-spirited students, the single visible eye beneath his forehead protector curving slightly in amusement.
"Well then… if you really manage to defeat Asuma."
With his hands still tucked casually into his pockets, Kakashi spoke in a lazy tone as he casually threw out a dangerously tempting reward.
"I'll grant you one request. Any request you want—as long as it's within my capabilities, I'll make it happen."
"Eh?! Any request at all?!"
Naruto instantly lit up as if he'd been injected with pure adrenaline, his entire body bursting with excitement.
"Then I want free Ichiraku Ramen for a whole year! You promised, Kakashi-sensei! Menma! Sasuke! Let's go! We're definitely going to smash Asuma-sensei flat!"
"Don't order me around, idiot."
Sasuke snorted, but the gleam in his black eyes was sharp and intense.
"My request won't be easy. Just make sure you don't regret it later."
Even Boruto felt his heart pounding.
'Any request…? Does that mean I could ask him to teach me those ultimate techniques that even his future self rarely uses?!'
"Ohhh! This is the bond of youth!"
Hearing Kakashi's wager, Might Guy clenched his fists, tears of emotion actually welling up in his eyes.
He thrust out a shining thumbs-up and roared enthusiastically,
"Using a man's promise to ignite the fighting spirit of his disciples! Kakashi, you truly are my rival for life! I, Might Guy, support this proposal with both hands and feet!"
Off to the side, Kurenai Yuhi leaned closer to the quiet Kurama Yakumo and spoke softly.
"Yakumo, this is a rare opportunity. You've only just started interacting with everyone—this is the perfect chance to observe the fighting styles of your peers, and the true strength of a Konoha jōnin."
Yakumo's ethereal eyes flickered slightly as she watched the boys radiating fighting spirit. She nodded after a moment of thought.
"Yes, Kurenai-sensei."
With the wager decided, no one wasted any more words.
The entire group left the barbecue restaurant in a lively procession, heading straight for Konoha's expansive Training Ground Two.
The moment they arrived, Naruto—like a husky finally let off its leash—bolted straight toward the center of the field.
"Asuma-sensei! Hurry up!"
He bounced in place, stretching his wrists and ankles while pointing excitedly at Asuma.
"I can't wait to collect my wish from Kakashi-sensei!"
Sasuke followed with a cool expression, while Boruto took several deep breaths to steady his nerves as he stayed close behind them. The three quickly took up their positions at the center of the training ground.
The terrain of this cross-class assessment field was exceptionally varied.
A clear river wound along the back of the grounds, its surface reflecting moonlight. Dense forest surrounded the area, perfect for concealment and ambushes, while the center was a wide, unobstructed open plain.
This mix of water, woodland, and flat terrain tested a ninja's fundamentals while also giving Genin plenty of opportunities to exploit the environment and execute team tactics.
At the edge of the forest, Kakashi stood with his hands in his pockets, having withdrawn to a safe viewing distance alongside Team 10's Ino–Shika–Chō.
Team 8, Team Guy, along with Kurenai and Yakumo, also found suitable vantage points, ready to watch this rare spectacle.
"What a drag… Naruto actually thinks he can beat an elite jōnin."
Shikamaru yawned, though his eyes remained fixed on the battlefield.
"Still, it's a good chance to see what kind of trump cards Kakashi-sensei's Team 7 is hiding."
On the field, Asuma walked straight to a position opposite Naruto and the other two.
He spat the cigarette from his mouth, crushing it beneath his foot as the lazy look in his eyes vanished, replaced by sharp focus.
He didn't draw the Chakra Blades Hien at his waist. Instead, he rolled his shoulders and cracked his knuckles, the crisp popping sounds echoing clearly.
"If I used weapons against three Genin brats, people would say Asuma Sarutobi bullies rookies."
A confident, senior-like smile appeared on his face.
As his words fell, the pressure of countless battles surged outward without restraint, crashing down on the three boys like an invisible mountain.
Asuma crooked his finger at them, provocation glinting in his eyes.
"Let me see your taijutsu and teamwork first. If you can't even force me to draw my blades, you can forget about that wish for the rest of your lives."
Acting as assistant instructor, Haku stepped lightly to the edge of the field.
After confirming both sides were ready, he raised his right hand high.
"Cross-class sparring match—first round. Asuma-sensei versus Team 7."
Then his arm came down sharply.
"Assessment—begin!"
The instant Haku's voice fell, an orange blur shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
"Don't look down on me, you bearded old man!"
Naruto shouted, his hands already flying through familiar hand seals.
"Take this! Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Poof! Poof! Poof! Poof! Poof!
Thick white smoke erupted as dozens of identical Narutos filled the open field in an instant, charging toward Asuma like an overwhelming orange tide.
Hidden beneath the layers of shadow clones, Naruto's real body slipped quietly to the very rear. His right hand extended forward while his left spun furiously beside it.
Visible strands of pale blue Chakra gathered in his palm, compressing and rotating at high speed.
Seeing that familiar stance, murmurs rose from the spectators.
"That move again…"
Shikamaru sighed, resting his hands behind his head.
"Naruto's openings are way too predictable. It might work on normal opponents, but against an elite jōnin like Asuma-sensei—there's no way it'll land."
"No. Naruto-kun's Chakra reserves are even larger than they were during the Chunin Exams."
Veins bulged at Neji's temples as he activated the Byakugan, his pale eyes locked onto the battlefield.
"But Senior Asuma is clearly already prepared for it."