14. Dizziness is Normal

The end of the school day arrived in no time.

Normally, as soon as the bell rang, the classroom would clear out in seconds. Today, however, a third of the students remained.

They had all stayed behind to watch the duel between Sarutobi Asuma and Hanekawa.

This match had piqued their curiosity.

After all, it was a hot topic.

Sarutobi Asuma, the Hokage's son, was widely recognized as one of the class's geniuses.

While not on the same level as Kakashi Hatake, his reputation in the class was significant.

On the other hand, Hanekawa, a transfer student, left most of his classmates with little impression.

Since joining the academy, he had been unremarkable—neither causing trouble nor standing out.

"Kakashi, who do you think will win?"

Rin Nohara asked curiously, glancing at Sarutobi Asuma and Hanekawa in the center of the classroom.

"I don't know," Kakashi Hatake replied with a shake of his head.

"It'll definitely be Asuma!"

Obito Uchiha interjected. "He's the Hokage's son!"

"Not necessarily," Kakashi said calmly. He noticed that Hanekawa seemed far too composed, almost as if he was certain of his victory.

"Want to bet on it?"

Obito's eyes gleamed as he suggested.

"What's the bet?" Kakashi asked after a brief pause. "If it's another duel, I'm not interested."

"Hmph, it's not that," Obito replied, sneaking a glance at Rin. "Whoever loses has to treat Rin to a meal."

"Why me?" Rin blinked, confused.

"Uh..."

Caught under her gaze, Obito's face turned slightly red, and he was momentarily at a loss for words.

"Fine, I'll take the bet," Kakashi said nonchalantly.

"Great!"

Obito's spirits soared. Could this finally lead to his long-dreamed one-on-one time with Rin?

"You two are hopeless," Rin said with a helpless smile.

She was already used to her two friends constantly competing, though it almost always ended with Obito losing.

Still, maybe this time he'd win.

She also believed Sarutobi Asuma had a better chance.

As a ninja from a non-clan background, Rin was well aware of the advantages that clan members had.

---

In the center of the room, Sarutobi Asuma frowned slightly.

He hated being referred to as "the Hokage's son" more than anything.

No matter how great that man was, what did it have to do with him?

"Remember this: the one who defeats you is Sarutobi Asuma!"

He declared loudly, staring at Hanekawa.

"…"

Hanekawa's lips twitched.

His secondhand embarrassment was acting up again.

What kind of cheesy line was that?

Then again, for a five or six-year-old, it was just right.

The gathered students were visibly excited, their eyes glued to the scene.

"Bring it on!"

Sarutobi Asuma raised his hands, clearly enjoying the spotlight.

Hanekawa remained expressionless as he performed the Seal of Confrontation—a gesture required in ninja duels.

Asuma followed suit.

When the seal was completed, Asuma immediately hurled two shuriken, one after the other, at sharp angles aimed directly at Hanekawa's vital points.

It was worth noting that since this was just a sparring session, they were using wooden tools.

The sound of the shuriken cutting through the air filled the room.

Hanekawa responded in kind, throwing two shuriken of his own.

The four shuriken collided midair.

Asuma's were knocked to the ground, while Hanekawa's continued their trajectory, unimpeded.

"What?!"

Asuma's eyes widened in disbelief.

He clearly remembered that just a week ago, Hanekawa couldn't even hit the target in the ninja tools class.

Now, he had not only intercepted Asuma's shuriken but surpassed him in both skill and power.

What kind of progress was this?

Asuma was stunned but wasted no time forming hand signs.

Substitution Jutsu!

A puff of smoke erupted.

His body shifted to the left.

The remaining two shuriken flew through the smoke, hitting their mark with two sharp thuds.

A wooden log remained in Sarutobi Asuma's place, blocking the shuriken for him.

The essence of the Substitution Jutsu lies in deception. When mastered, it can resemble a space-time ninjutsu.

"Your shuriken skills are decent, but this is the end for you, Hanekawa,"

Asuma said in a low voice, glancing at Kurenai Yuhi on the sidelines.

His plan was to secure victory with a single decisive move.

He had already wasted too much time. If the fight dragged on, even a win would be humiliating.

To struggle against someone who had been at the academy for just a week, while he had been there for two months? That would be disgraceful.

Body Flicker Technique!

Chakra surged around Asuma's feet, dramatically increasing his speed.

He leaned forward, rushing toward Hanekawa with a kunai gripped tightly in his right hand.

The distance between them rapidly closed.

"Move, Hanekawa!"

Kurenai's worried face was filled with anxiety as she watched him remain still.

"He's definitely frozen in fear!"

Obito Uchiha shook his head. "He hasn't learned the Three Basic Techniques. The outcome is already decided."

Just then, Hanekawa quickly formed hand signs.

But when the seals were completed, nothing happened. It seemed like a failed ninjutsu attempt.

Obito was about to speak when his expression suddenly shifted to confusion.

Asuma had stopped in his tracks.

"It's genjutsu,"

Kakashi Hatake said, his eyes glinting. "It's over."

"Genjutsu?"

Obito froze in surprise.

The other students, lacking Kakashi's sharp perception, looked at each other in confusion, unsure of what had happened.

From Asuma's perspective:

He saw Hanekawa perform hand signs and prepare for defense.

But when nothing happened, Asuma laughed inwardly.

Failed ninjutsu—an error common among beginners. Clearly, Hanekawa's skills weren't up to par.

"You've lost!"

Asuma declared, closing the distance and thrusting his kunai forward.

But the next moment, it hit nothing but air.

"What's going on?"

Asuma instinctively turned his head, only to see Hanekawa standing behind him.

How did he dodge that?

Asuma frowned deeply.

"There's no way you can evade this technique!"

He stowed his kunai and clasped his hands together.

Wind Release: Gale Palm!

Violent winds infused with chakra surged toward Hanekawa at incredible speed.

"Impossible!"

Asuma's pupils contracted sharply.

Hanekawa had dodged it again.

The Wind Release technique was known for its speed and cutting power. Even genin would struggle to react to it, let alone an academy student.

"I don't believe it!"

Asuma immediately formed hand seals again.

Another Wind Release: Gale Palm burst forth.

But once more, it was ineffective.

Asuma gritted his teeth, a wave of dizziness washing over him.

Repeated use of Wind Release had drained his chakra quickly.

Standing a short distance away, Hanekawa remained calm, leaving Asuma utterly baffled.

It felt as though he was under a genjutsu.

Wait. Genjutsu?

Realization struck Asuma, but he didn't know how to dispel it.

He hadn't been taught that yet!

Even his private tutors hadn't expected him to encounter a genjutsu user so early in his training.

For a moment, Asuma was left frozen in awkward frustration.

---

Hanekawa slowly approached him.

The technique he had used was Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Jutsu, designed to show the target their greatest fear.

For Asuma, his greatest fear was losing to Hanekawa.

With the genjutsu released, Asuma opened his eyes—only to see a kunai at his neck.

"Are you alright?"

Hanekawa asked calmly as he withdrew the kunai.

"…"

Asuma's face flushed with anger, his chest heaving as though he might faint.

"Take a deep breath. Dizziness is normal,"

Hanekawa said with an even tone. "You've used too many ninjutsu techniques."

"You!"

Asuma raised a trembling hand, pointing at Hanekawa.

Though the words were spoken out of genuine concern, they only made Asuma's blood boil.

--

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