“Time’s up! Double-check if you signed your name on your test then pass it down the rows to me.” Iruka commanded, her eyes scanning columns for any last-minute writing. Her eyes stopped at Naruto’s sleeping face. He was drooling on the table and muttering something about ramen.
She snorted, slightly amused by his antics but generally annoyed by him. She shifted her eyes away from his corner to collect the tests, and check if she had everyone’s’. She paused at the name Mito Ina but hid it well.
“Everyone head outside for the practical exams.” The class hollered in joy, waking up the sleeping child. They all scurried outside, eager to prove their prowess.
She watched as all the students gathered outside in unorganized clusters, usually formed by friend groups; Inoki was with a few girls gossiping, Sasuke was alone, Shika and Dina sat together under a tree. She watched with curiosity at Naruto, Hinata and a disturbed-looking Kira sit with the duo. She turned her attention away from them and to her assistant, Mizuki. “Announce which students enter the ring. This time it will be a one vs one vs one. I would like to see if the students can use bunshin. If they can not use it in a battle, write that in their chart.”
The apprentice teacher nodded then hopped into the ring. “Saku vs Ami vs Shino! Everyone, try to incorporate jutsu in your attacks.”
Saku paled more, making his sickly looking skin turn a deadly shade of white. “I forfeit!” He screamed then backed away to sit under a tree.
Mizuki groaned, knowing that she will be hearing complaints from the boy's family. “Okay then. Shino vs Ami vs Gen.”
The battle was uneventful as Shino sent a small swarm of flies at the duo, causing them to scream and run away. Iruka wanted to leave after seeing her students run away without even trying to use a jutsu or trying to fight back. Naruto withheld a grimace, he knew the next eight battles would be like this, excluding his.
Mizuki forced a smile on her face after the girls’ terrible performance. “Congratulations Shino! Next battle: Chizuru vs Hinata vs Lui!”
A strange-looking redhead girl hopped onto the stage. She had short red hair, round glasses, and two long spears. She pointed at Hinata. “If I beat you today, let me hug you!”
He looked at the heiress, she radiated anger. Kira shook her head, “It is a common event here. Chizuru always tries to trick Hinata to do things. Looks like hugs for today.”
Hinata stomped into the ring, her hands glowing and her eyes narrowed at the excited girl. Lui slid into the ring but stood at the farthest corner, not involving herself with Chizuru.
Mizuki thought a small prayer for Chizuru then announced. “Fight!”
Hinata rushed at Chizuru and delivered a strong palm strike at her stomach. The redhead took the hit, using the moment to grapple the Hyuga and body slam her into the ground. Blood dripped from her lips as she smirked then equipped her spear. Lui kicked the spear out of her hand then kicked Chizuru’s arm, freeing Hinata. The heir flipped her to her feet, donkey kicking Lui in the process then punched Chizuru in the face. Chizuru stumbled back, her hands flipping through hand signs. She ended up on tiger and two more of her faded in existence, spreading out. Everyone stood still, gauging their opponent's health.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Naruto gawked, “You guys actually know how to fight.”
Shika rolled her eyes, “Yeah. Why would we go to a ninja academy?”
“Why would they run away when they see bugs?” He retorted.
“... Good point.”
Hinata lunged for the abandoned spear and stabbed towards Lui. Lui defected the spear and threw Hinata towards one of the Chizuru. She flipped to her feet, dispersing the clone with a touch. Chizuru rushed Lui and sucker-punched her in the face, knocking her out of the ring. Before she could enjoy her small victory, she was yanked down towards the ground and was knocked unconscious by a well-placed punch to the head.
Mizuki raised her arms and announced, “Fight over! The winner is Hinata Hyuuga!”
Hinata stumbled off the stage. Naruto rushed to catch her. She mumbled, “Did I do good?”
He patted her back and carried her to Iruka, who was carrying Chizuru and walking Lui to the Infirmary. Iruka nodded at Naruto. “She may have been able to walk away but you saw how she was slammed on her head.”
Mizuki watched them then announced, “Sasuke vs Mito vs Kira! I expect you to use everything you have.”
Sasuke boldly stomped onto the stage, glaring at all the girls cheering him. He crossed his arms, observing Kira who jumped onto the stage. She left her dog companion to sit off stage, having a perfect view of the fight. Naruto walked on to the stage, his hand resting in his hoodie and his headphones were on. He knew he looked uninterested but did not pay attention to the others' response.
The assistant teacher raised her hand. “I want a clean battle. Be aware that Akashiba may join the fight at any moment and Sasuke can use fire jutsus.” She swung her arm. “Fight!”
Sasuke sped through his hand signs, ending on tiger, and spat a small fireball at Naruto. The disguised blond coated his hand reiatsu and waved the fire away, his hand leaving a beautiful vapor trail. Sasuke was slightly stunned; his behavior allowed Kira to claw his side. The black-haired boy responded with a kick that cleanly landed on her jaw. She staggered back, growling at him while she barely caught sight of something.
Crack!
She flew into Sasuke, knocking them both to the ground. Sasuke threw her off and staggered to his feet, managing to enter in a sloppy fighting style. His jaw clenched, there were twenty Narutos standing around them in a half-circle. He sped through his signs and spat another fireball, this time towards the middle of the stage. It exploded creating a cloud of smoke and debris. He tried to run into the smoke but he felt something akin to a steel pole hit his face. He flew out of the ring and hit the dirt hard.
Akiba saw the moment Sasuke flew out the stage and jumped into the ring. She crawled to her master and whimpered to her, trying to wake her up.
Kira's eyes fluttered open. “Akashiba?” The pup barked. “Heh, let's do this.”
“Human Beast Mimicry!” Her voice shouted out from the smoke, gaining Naruto’s interest.
He quickly braced himself and blocked a flurry of claws. The wild duo smelt out the real Naruto and ignored the clones for pure offense. He smirked then signaled for his clones to attack. Kira chuckled at his efforts, believing the clones were not solid until she saw Akashiba be kicked in the stomach. The puppy-turned-human rolled off the stage turned back into her small form.
Kira raised her hands and yelled, “I surrender!”
Mizuki was stunned, staring at the clones of Naruto with wonder and slight fear. He shouldn’t be strong enough to toy with his peers. She raised her hand and announced, “Winner! Mito Ina!”
Naruto dismissed his clones then ran over to Akishiba. He picked up the small puppy and placed her in her lap. He closed his eyes and focused on the reiatsu in him and in Akishiba’s chakra. His palms started glowing a faint green aura and he placed them on her stomach. The glow spread from his hand onto the dog, making a slight hissing sound. After a second or two, Akishiba woke up and hopped to her paws. She looked at Naruto then licked his hands as a thank you for healing her. She immediately ran to Kira and jumped into the young girl’s embrace.
Kira cuddled her best friend then looked at Naruto. “Thanks.” She limped to Iruka, eager to be bandaged up from her fight.
The teachers shared a glance but did not comment on his knowledge of medical ninjutsu. Iruka silently picked up Sasuke and led her battered student to the infirmary.
Naruto turned his attention to the class of students and noticed more than a few fearful looks in the crowd. Dina gave him a thumbs up, causing Shika to give her a bewildering stare. He smiled at her then sat next to her.
Dina patted his shoulder. “You were awesome.”
He chuckled, noticing the leery glance Iruka gave him when she came back. “I am a freak and always will be.”