Ch.105 Final Exam

Hidden Leaf Shinobi Academy.

Standing by the window on the upper floor of the academy building, the Third Hokage folded his hands behind his back, watching the final exams taking place on the field below.

Next to him were the village elders, all present.

Suddenly, a burst of cheers erupted from the crowd on the field.

The group by the window turned their attention toward the source of the noise, where they saw Sasuke standing with one hand on his hip, while three opponents lay scattered around him.

Koharu Utatane smiled. "Sasuke is getting stronger again!"

Homura Mitokado nodded. "His growth is no less remarkable than his brother, Uchiha Itachi. It seems we have another Uchiha genius on par with Shisui and Itachi."

The Third Hokage nodded slightly in agreement.

Even with his critical eye as the "Professor" of ninjutsu, he had to admit that Sasuke's growth had far exceeded his expectations.

If the elders had any doubts earlier about Sasuke subduing the rampaging Nine-Tails, by now, they were inclined to believe it.

After all, no one could predict what kind of miracles the Uchiha, when pushed to their limits, could create!

Sasuke's overwhelming talent made many seemingly impossible feats less unbelievable.

Among his peers, almost no one could match Sasuke, especially after he awakened his Sharingan. The gap became even more pronounced.

Even those few who could trouble Sasuke, such as Kimimaro, were older by a full three years.

If they were the same age, the outcome would be hard to say.

"Hmph," Danzo grunted softly, his mood souring. The faster Sasuke grew, the more he regretted not acting decisively and taking Sasuke under his wing earlier.

Then, his sharp gaze shifted to the other side of the field.

On the field.

Uchiha Shinji suddenly felt a killing intent and glanced toward the distant academy building.

"Tch."

Letting out a disdainful snort, Shinji quickly shifted his focus back.

After a few days of practice, he had already mastered his "Killing Intent Perception."

This technique was even more mysterious than he initially thought. While it was essentially a method of predicting and sensing an enemy's intent, once integrated into his instincts, it sometimes yielded surprising results.

For example, just now.

Danzo was well beyond the usual range of his perception, but for some reason, Shinji could still faintly sense the distant killing intent, even though it was weak.

"Next group: Uchiha Shinji's squad versus Kasagi Yumi's squad!"

As the proctor for the final exam, Mizuki announced the next matchup.

Shinji waved his hand, signaling Haku and Karin to join him on the field.

After making the customary "Seal of Confrontation," Shinji vanished in a flash, appearing right in front of his opponents. With a knee strike, a side kick, and a chop, all three opponents were down, groaning in pain.

Shinji glanced over at Mizuki.

Mizuki blinked in surprise, then quickly announced, "Uchiha Shinji's squad, victorious!"

Shinji made the "Seal of Reconciliation" and then casually led Haku and Karin off the field.

"This kid..."

Mizuki forced a helpless smile, but deep down, a strong sense of resentment brewed.

Not even the spectators, let alone Mizuki himself, had been able to clearly see Shinji's swift series of moves.

"Shinji is even stronger than before!"

"There was no suspense at all."

"Haku and Karin are so lucky! They didn't even have to lift a finger to win a round."

"Yeah, I wish I could team up with Shinji too!"

As the students snapped out of their astonishment, they immediately began to cheer and chat excitedly.

Hearing his classmates' envious remarks about Haku and Karin, Shinji thought to himself, "Idiots, I'm doing this for your own good. If I didn't act fast, and Karin couldn't control her strength and accidentally injured you, who would clean up that mess?"

Karin was still in the process of adapting.

Her chakra was steadily increasing, with her strength and speed growing noticeably every day.

During practice, even Shinji had to stay fully alert. Otherwise, if he let his guard down, he could get hurt by one of Karin's seemingly ordinary punches.

And this was despite Karin lacking specific training.

Remember, when Obito's body was crushed and nearly crippled, after receiving White Zetsu's cells, he shattered the boulder trapping him with a single punch in a moment of urgency upon learning of Kakashi and Rin's danger.

Later, wrapped in White Zetsu's body, Obito even punched through a stone wall, escaping Madara's underground base.

This clearly demonstrated the power of White Zetsu's cells.

Karin's physical potential surpassed Obito's, and her body was in much better shape, not ravaged like Obito's had been. Therefore, her physical strength had immense potential for development.

While listening to the surrounding comments, Mizuki felt no pride as a teacher, but instead, a growing sense of deep resentment. "I work so hard, give up my dignity, and compromise my principles, only to barely reach Chunin level. Yet, this brat, just because he was born an Uchiha, has such extraordinary talent. Why? Damn it, damn it!"

As Shinji walked off the field, he suddenly glanced back at Mizuki.

Seeing Shinji looking his way, Mizuki quickly suppressed his negative thoughts and forced a smile.

Shinji returned the smile and continued walking.

...

On the sidelines.

Tenten asked Neji, "Neji, who are you watching?"

Neji shook his head and retracted his gaze.

He had activated his Byakugan, hoping to observe Shinji's movements and prepare for their inevitable encounter. However, his attention soon shifted to Karin, who stood beside Shinji.

"Why does her chakra feel so dense...?" Neji wondered for a moment before dismissing the thought. "Could it be because she's from the Uzumaki clan?"

He quickly set the thought aside, refocusing on Shinji.

In his mind, only Shinji was a worthy rival in their class.

First round... second round...

As cheers echoed repeatedly, the exam reached the third round.

Only Shinji's squad and Neji's squad remained for the third round, where they would face off for the final victory.

As both teams took the field, the atmosphere reached its peak. Whether they supported Shinji or Neji, everyone was shouting at the top of their lungs.

...

On the field.

After making the "Seal of Confrontation," Neji stared at Shinji and said, "Shinji, I've been waiting for this day. I've looked forward to this for a long time!"

Shinji smiled slightly and also made the "Seal of Confrontation."

Mizuki announced from the sidelines, "Begin!"

Neji immediately activated his Byakugan and assumed his Gentle Fist stance.

Since Shinji had been aggressive in previous rounds, Neji didn't want to give him any openings, so he opted for a defensive stance from the start.

Swoosh!

Shinji moved!

"He's coming!" Neji's heart raced as his chakra surged.

But to his shock, Shinji didn't charge at him. Instead, he darted toward Rock Lee, who had been focused on Haku. Neji had no time to react as Shinji delivered a kick that sent Lee flying out of the field.

With Lee dealt with, Shinji's next target was Tenten.

"Hmph!" Neji snorted, quickly understanding Shinji's strategy. Without hesitation, he mimicked Shinji's approach and rushed at Haku.

His logic was simple: since Shinji avoided him and targeted his teammates first, Neji would respond in kind, taking down Shinji's teammates before confronting him directly.

With confidence, Neji believed he could defeat both Haku and Karin faster than Shinji could eliminate Tenten.

Thus, a surprising scene unfolded on the field.

The two geniuses of their class didn't immediately clash head-on. Instead, they ignored each other and went after their opponent's weaker teammates.

From the academy building.

The elders watched the battle between the Uchiha and Hyuga geniuses with great interest.

Danzo sneered coldly, "Arrogant brats."

On a nearby rooftop.

Leaning against a water tower and holding a copy of Icha Icha Paradise, Kakashi glanced lazily at the field. "Using their teammates as a way to get an edge, huh?"

At this moment, numerous eyes, both openly and secretly, were focused on this confrontation between the Uchiha and Hyuga prodigies.

On the field.

Neji, like a fierce tiger descending from the mountain, charged toward Haku. With chakra surging through his palms, he aimed to replicate Shinji's swift and decisive takedown of Lee.

Swoosh!

As Neji's palms, trailing afterimages, neared Haku's shoulders, Haku ducked just in time, narrowly avoiding the strike.

"!?!" Neji was stunned.

He hadn't expected the usually unremarkable Haku to dodge his attack, and frustration started to bubble up inside him.

Meanwhile, in his peripheral vision, Neji saw Tenten struggling to fend off Shinji, relying on the weapons from her scrolls to hold her ground.

"Tenten won't last long. I can't waste more time!"

Seeing Haku pulling further away, Neji quickly changed tactics and targeted Karin, who appeared unprepared.

As Neji charged at Karin, his Byakugan helped him calculate the distance between him, Karin, and Haku, plotting his next move after taking down Karin.

Swoosh!

But before Neji could reach her, Karin leaped backward with astonishing speed, catching Neji by surprise.

Looking at the now-distant Karin and glancing at Haku, who had moved further aside, Neji's expression grew conflicted.

But his hesitation didn't last long.

At that moment, Tenten was sent flying out of the field with a cry of surprise, having been knocked out by Shinji.

Neji felt nothing but embarrassment.

From the sidelines, Rock Lee called out, "Sorry, Neji! I wasn't careful!"

Tenten, pouting, added, "Shinji is such a bully!"

Looking at Shinji, Haku, and Karin, who now seemed to surround him, Neji's face darkened.

Just as he braced himself for a three-on-one, Shinji waved at Haku and Karin. "You two step aside!"

Neji frowned. "Shinji, what are you doing? I don't need your pity!"

"I'm not pitying you," Shinji replied with a smile. "They're just in my way." In his mind, Shinji thought, Neji, without using my Mangekyo Sharingan, I can't even take on both Haku and Karin!

Unaware of Shinji's true thoughts, Neji scowled. "Shinji, you'll regret your arrogance!"

With that, he lunged at Shinji.

Shinji, having activated his "Breathing Technique" and "Killing Intent Perception," fearlessly met Neji's Gentle Fist head-on.

Thud, thud, thud...

The field echoed with the rapid exchange of blows.

Everyone, both on and off the field, and even students from other classes, had their attention drawn to the clash between the Uchiha and Hyuga prodigies.

Shion shouted, "Go, Shinji!"

Kurama Yakumo asked Kimimaro, "Who do you think will win?"

Kimimaro remained silent, though his normally indifferent expression showed a hint of interest.

Nearby, Naruto gaped in astonishment. "Shinji and Neji are both so strong!"

Sakura scolded him, "Idiot, Naruto! They're both geniuses, obviously!"

Sasuke, standing with his arms crossed, wore a serious expression.

He had assumed Shinji's recent focus on medical ninjutsu would lead to a decline in his combat skills. Yet, far from weakening, Shinji had somehow gained a new rhythm to his movements, one Sasuke couldn't quite explain.

"What's going on with his taijutsu...?"

After thinking for a while, Sasuke couldn't come up with an adequate explanation, only that Shinji's taijutsu seemed... different today.

Neji, too, felt something was off as he fought Shinji.

Despite having the advantage of the Byakugan, which should have given him an edge in close combat, Neji couldn't seem to suppress Shinji. Shinji was dodging his attacks with perfect precision, countering at just the right moments.

As time passed, this sensation only grew stronger, shaking Neji's confidence.

For a brief moment, Neji even questioned his own Gentle Fist technique!

"An opening!"

Shinji keenly sensed Neji's hesitation as he struck, swiftly closing the gap between them.

"You!?"

Neji was startled.

In what should have been his area of advantage, not only had he failed to overpower Shinji, but Shinji had turned the tables. His stance faltered.

Seizing the opportunity, Shinji dodged Neji's hasty palm strike and spun, delivering a powerful kick that sent Neji flying out of the field.

The entire field fell silent.

What was expected to be a fierce, drawn-out battle had abruptly ended at its peak.

With a smile, Shinji called out to Mizuki on the sidelines, "Mizuki-sensei, are you spacing out?"

Snapping back to reality, Mizuki, with a complicated expression, announced, "Uchiha Shinji's squad, victorious!"