Chapter 6: Underestimated

The training ground fell silent as Shin and Sakura stepped into the center of the circle. The tension in the air was almost palpable, the murmurs from the crowd fading into hushed anticipation. The girls, in particular, erupted into cheers for Sakura, their voices ringing out above the murmurs of the boys.

"Teach him a lesson, Sakura!" one of them called out.

"Yeah, show him what happens when he insults Sasuke-kun!" another added, her tone brimming with fervor.

"You've got this, Sakura! Make him regret it!"

Sakura smirked, her confidence bolstered by the support of her classmates. She raised her chin and stood tall, her expression brimming with an almost smug certainty. This will be easy, she thought. After all, he embarrassed himself in front of Sasuke-kun! If Sasuke could defeat him so easily, then there's no way someone like him could beat me. I'm second only to Sasuke in this class!

Shin, however, remained composed, his emerald eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine, though she quickly brushed it off. His stance was relaxed, his fists unclenched, as if he wasn't taking her seriously at all—a detail that only fueled her determination to win.

Iruka stepped forward, his voice cutting through the thick atmosphere. "Alright, both of you ready?"

Sakura nodded eagerly, her hands balling into fists. "Ready!" she declared, glancing toward Sasuke in the crowd. Sasuke-kun, I'll make you proud!

Shin gave a small nod, his calm demeanor unchanged. His voice was steady, almost disinterested. "Ready."

Iruka raised his hand and brought it down sharply. "Begin!"

Sakura wasted no time. She lunged forward, her speed fueled by the need to prove herself. Her fist shot toward Shin's face, her movements fluid but aggressive.

But before her punch could connect, Shin's hand shot out like a viper. He grabbed her wrist with a firm grip, halting her momentum entirely. Her eyes widened in shock as he used her own momentum against her, pivoting smoothly and tossing her over his shoulder. She hit the ground hard, the breath leaving her lungs in a sharp gasp.

Before she could recover, Shin was on her. He pressed the flat of a kunai against her neck, his emerald eyes now cold and calculating as they bore into hers.

"Hmph!" His voice was low but carried enough weight to make everyone watching hold their breath. "You thought you could defeat me? Wake up to reality, Sakura. You're weak. Having the highest grades doesn't make you strong."

Sakura's face flushed with embarrassment and anger, her pride shattered in an instant. She struggled against him, but the kunai's presence kept her frozen in place.

Iruka raised his hand quickly. "Enough! Winner: Shin Hamada!"

The students erupted into noise, a mix of gasps and cheers rippling through the crowd. The boys who had cheered for Shin earlier were ecstatic, clapping and shouting their support.

"I knew it! Shin's the real deal!" one of them said.

"He put her in her place!" another added.

The girls, meanwhile, were split between shock and frustration. Sakura's most vocal supporters couldn't believe what had just happened.

"Sakura lost?" Ino whispered, her hands clenching at her sides. "To him?"

Sasuke, standing at the edge of the crowd, narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression unreadable. For a brief moment, his gaze lingered on Shin before he looked away with a quiet "Tch."

Shin stood, his expression returning to its usual neutral calm as he stepped back. He turned to Iruka, ignoring the cheers and murmurs. "Who's next, sensei?"

Iruka hesitated for a moment, clearly trying to manage the reactions of the crowd. "Let's move on," he said firmly, motioning for the next pair to step forward.

As Shin returned to the line, he could feel the stares of his classmates boring into him—some admiring, some resentful, but all unable to ignore him now. For the first time, Shin felt like he was being seen, not as a shadow in Sasuke's brilliance, but as someone to be reckoned with.

...

As the matches progressed, Shin watched each of his classmates with a quiet, analytical focus. He was learning more about their fighting styles with every bout, each one offering new insight into how these young shinobi approached combat.

Choji's fight was the first to catch Shin's attention. The boy from the Akimichi clan relied on his brute strength, launching massive strikes that rattled his opponent with sheer force. Shin could appreciate the raw power Choji commanded, though it was clear his movements were somewhat predictable. However, there was no denying the effectiveness of his size and strength, and Shin made a mental note to remember that.

Then there was Shikamaru. Shin raised an eyebrow as the lazy boy made his way to the center of the arena, practically yawning. Shikamaru's opponent was eager to engage, but it was Shikamaru's strategy that made the difference. Despite his clear lack of interest, he swiftly outmaneuvered his opponent, using traps and distractions to win. Shin was both impressed and slightly amused by how effortlessly Shikamaru pulled it off, a testament to the boy's cleverness—though he still couldn't understand why he didn't just put more effort into his training.

Hinata's turn was another highlight. Shin had seen her fight before in training, but watching her in action now, he realized just how much she had perfected her clan's style. She barely even used the Leaf Style, instead relying on her Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist technique, which was devastating in its precision. She moved with the grace of a dancer, effortlessly disabling her opponent with pinpoint strikes to the chakra points. Her approach was subtle, but highly effective.

As the final matches concluded, it was time for Shin's next battle.

Iruka's voice rang out again, calling for the next pair. "Shin Hamada and Ryuuji Shimura!"

The crowd quieted, a ripple of surprise spreading through the students. Ryuuji Shimura, a member of the renowned Shimura clan, had always been a standout in the Academy. His clan's history was filled with skilled shinobi, and Ryuuji carried the weight of that legacy. He stepped forward confidently, his eyes locking onto Shin with a look of disdain.

Shin could sense it immediately. Ryuuji believed he was superior, just because of his clan's reputation. The Shimura clan had long been known for their strong leadership and sharp tactics, and Ryuuji's pride was just as much a part of his identity as his bloodline.

Shin stepped forward as well, his eyes narrowing slightly. This wasn't going to be a simple fight. Ryuuji might have been skilled, but Shin had no intention of backing down.

To be continued...

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How was this chapter? Hoped you liked it!

Sorry for not having posted yesterday, I was really really busy.

And be sure to check out my original novel, Hyperborea. If you like this novel, you'll surely like it!