Chapter 9: Konoha's Top Genius Ninja

At the sound of his name, Mirai stepped calmly into the center of the training grounds, unfazed by the crowd's stares.

In contrast, Asuma darted into the ring in a flash, grinning eagerly.

"Mirai, this time, I'll beat you in front of everyone. I'll show Kurenai who the real strong one is!"

Since Mirai had easily defeated him last time, Asuma had been training relentlessly, shedding his usual nonchalance for a single goal: to prove his strength here, in front of everyone.

But while Asuma's eyes were alight with excitement, Mirai's expression remained utterly still, unreadable.

"Asuma," Mirai said, voice calm, "you're still so naive."

"Strength isn't the only thing that attracts girls. Whether you're strong or not, Kurenai's never going to like you."

A small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Besides, from where I stand, all your bluster just makes you sound like a buzzing fly."

"I've already started planning for my next opponent."

Asuma's fists clenched, his eyes blazing with anger. A fly? He was just a stepping stone, something to be brushed aside?

"Alright, are you both ready?"

The instructor barely suppressed a chuckle as he observed. Mirai's words had cut deep, so he quickly signaled the start of the match before Asuma's confidence was completely shattered.

With a sharp whoosh, several shuriken sliced through the air, heading toward Mirai from all directions. Asuma was right behind them, seizing the opportunity to attack with a kunai aimed straight at Mirai's side.

"Too slow."

Mirai's voice was almost a sigh as he sidestepped, raising a knee to kick Asuma square in the chest. But Asuma had anticipated this, crossing his arms to block the blow and using the impact to flip backward through the air. Mid-flip, his hands flashed through a series of seals.

"Fire Style: Ash Pile Burning!"

(T/N: The user spews a stream of chakra-infused gunpowder from their mouth, which surrounds the region. As the gunpowder is composed entirely of ash, it stays in the air around the victim like a cloud, which can be used like a smokescreen.)

A thick cloud of searing ash erupted around Mirai, engulfing him. Asuma bit down, igniting the ash with a spark.

Boom!

The explosion echoed across the training ground, the ground itself trembling with its force.

"Whoa…is that a real jutsu?"

"Guess that's the power of the Hokage's son! What a fierce technique!"

"You think Mirai survived that?"

The spectators were wide-eyed, stunned by the display of power. Even Kurenai, usually confident in Mirai's strength, looked on with tense worry, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

"Mirai, you'd better be okay…"

"Hahaha! I did it!"

Asuma's face lit up with triumph. There was no way Mirai had walked away from that unscathed. He'd finally shown up that arrogant jerk!

"Feeling a bit smug, aren't you?"

A mocking voice sounded directly behind him. Asuma froze, panic flashing across his face. How could Mirai possibly have—

Before he could fully comprehend, he felt himself lifted off the ground, thrown backward by a powerful kick. He skidded to a stop, barely registering the cold steel of a blade embedded into the ground beside his neck.

"Gulp…"

Asuma swallowed hard. The blade was so close that even the tiniest shift would've cut through his throat.

"Match over! The winner: Mirai Uchiha!" the crowd burst into shocked chatter.

"No way… Asuma was winning, and then Mirai just turned it all around!"

"Wow. Mirai's really on a whole different level."

Mirai left the ring, face calm as ever, and a faintly glowing panel appeared before him.

Ding! Congratulations, Host. Reward Acquired: +1 to Constitution!

Name: Mirai Uchiha

[Physique: 26]

[Mental Strength: 25]

[Chakra: 17]

[Bloodline Limit: Sharingan]

[Ninjutsu: …]

[Others: …]

Feeling his body subtly strengthen, Mirai thought to himself, The perks of a cheat system really are unbeatable.

"Mirai! Are you alright?"

Kurenai hurried over, her voice laced with concern.

"If someone like Asuma could really stop me, my journey would've ended a long time ago."

Kurenai's eyes sparkled. He's so confident. That's the Mirai I know!

The exams continued. Victors clashed with victors, losers against losers, and Mirai tore his way through every match with ease, rising quickly to the top.

"He really is Konoha's strongest rookie. No one can touch him."

"Yeah…as much as I hate to admit it, he's just on a whole other level."

"Why can't I have talent like that?"

When Mirai was declared the top scorer, the crowd responded with unsurprised murmurs. Even Obito, who'd always viewed Mirai as a rival, had to concede Mirai's superiority.

"Hold up," the instructor interjected. "There's still one more match."

Everyone looked at him, puzzled.

"Another match?"

"I thought it was over."

"Ahem… by the Third Hokage's orders, Kakashi Hatake, who graduated early, will also be taking part in this exam."

"And, by the rules, his opponent will be the top scorer, Mirai Uchiha."

What?!

The crowd buzzed with astonishment.

Hatake Kakashi?

The legendary "Genius of Konoha," Kakashi Hatake himself… he'd be fighting too?

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