Chapter-35

"Begin!" Present Mic's shout sent the students rushing into the narrow hallway like a stampede of animals. As expected, the crowded exit quickly became jammed with pushing and heated exchanges. "Look at them all running! They're determined to win, and some have already broken through! Keep an eye on young Todoroki, showcasing their skills and causing quite the commotion among their classmates! It's a fierce competition!" Present Mic exclaimed, his gaze darting between the participants. However, one figure was notably absent. He turned his attention back to the starting point and was met with surprise. "Is Uzumaki just walking?" he asked in disbelief, observing the shinobi calmly strolling behind his classmates.

"It's like he's taking a leisurely stroll," Naruto's hands remained in his pockets as he sauntered down the track. This nonchalant attitude disappointed the spectators who had expected more. Naruto soon reached an ice-covered section created by Todoroki's powers. Seemingly mocking the competition, he casually leaped onto the ice and began gliding, swiftly overtaking several participants who struggled on the slippery surface.

"Just look at that skating skill! Uzumaki's got more than just fists!" exclaimed the enthusiastic blonde commentator, amused by how the shinobi effortlessly glided across the ice with his hands still in his pockets. "He's got style! Yeah!" Present Mic had no reservations about praising the boy, even though some viewers still had their doubts.

Ignoring the comments from the professional hero, Naruto smoothly crossed the ice and continued his journey. On the other side, he encountered a group of robots, both large and small, serving as the next obstacle. He raised an eyebrow and then watched as a torrent of ice rose to dispatch some of the Class 1-B robots, courtesy of Todoroki.

Without hesitation, Naruto walked past the hesitant students, who were unsure how to tackle the robot challenge. "Uzumaki-san, wait!" Ochako called out, observing her classmate's nonchalant progress. Everyone watched as Naruto simply raised his right hand, crackling with electricity.

"Normally, I'd use my sword to avoid revealing my skills, but since they didn't allow me to bring it, I'll have to improvise," Naruto's words left the students puzzled as they witnessed Class 1-B's robots closing in on the blonde. He casually crouched and extended his right arm, electrified and emitting a screeching sound.

"…" With a slight smile, Naruto swung his arm horizontally, much to the astonishment of many. A blade of pure electricity, over 30 meters in length, emerged and effortlessly sliced through the largest robots, cleaving them in two with explosive force. The smaller robots were crushed under the remnants. "I might have gone a bit overboard," Naruto shrugged and continued his unhurried walk.

"This is incredible! Uzumaki has conjured a lightsaber-like blade several meters long to take down numerous robots! It feels like a reference to Star Wars!" Present Mic exclaimed with excitement, watching as other students followed suit, using their unique Quirks to navigate the various obstacles.

The other students snapped out of their disbelief and continued onwards, facing the remaining operational machines. Naruto soon found himself at the back of the pack as others overtook him in a sprint.

"You never cease to surprise me, Naruto," thought Midoriya, who carried a steel plate on his back. As he passed his partner, he noticed that Naruto continued at a brisk walking pace. Just a few hundred meters ahead, the students stopped once more, coming to a halt when they encountered cliffs with only rocks and ropes to assist them in crossing.

"…" Returning to the announcers, the focus shifted to Aizawa, who narrowed his eyes as he watched Naruto proceed to the cliffs. He knew that the boy possessed a second Quirk, one that could boost his speed and potentially allow him to finish the race within moments. "He's just toying with them," Aizawa thought, his attention still fixed on the blonde's actions.

Naruto reached the cliffs without pausing. In the distance, he saw some students already nearing the final obstacle. Determined not to lag behind in the second test, he bent his legs slightly and planted his hands on the ground. With a burst of speed, he executed a powerful leap, effortlessly soaring across the cliffs to reach the other side. Upon landing, he couldn't help but notice the suspicious glances of his fellow competitors.

"You didn't think I'd just walk, did you?" Naruto taunted, further infuriating his peers. Continuing his journey, he encountered the last obstacle: a minefield. Drawing nearer, he spotted Izuku diligently digging out mines and clearing his path. "Smart boy," Naruto muttered with a hint of admiration. He was well aware of the dangers these explosions posed to others. While they could stun and launch normal individuals several meters into the air, Naruto was far from ordinary. A touch of chakra on the soles of his feet allowed him to stay grounded and withstand the explosions without any trouble.