"I want to fight more geniuses."
Natsuki stated his reasoning. "Minato has already lost to me, so I've set my sights on the upperclassmen."
This kid is bold.
Ishida Yu couldn't help but hold his breath.
The current Natsuki was obviously different from before.
But Ishida Yu understood why.
After all, Natsuki had already become Orochimaru's student.
A person's personality and approach naturally shifted based on their circumstances.
Currently, Natsuki and Namikaze Minato only attended theory classes at the Ninja Academy.
Their practical combat instructors were now Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
"Who do you want to challenge?"
Ishida Yu snapped back to focus.
"Third-years Akimichi Choza, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi."
Natsuki answered without hesitation.
More than half of his stated reason was a lie. His true goal was unlocking Ability 4 of the Uzumaki Naruto template.
Among the seven geniuses Minato had mentioned, only Akimichi Choza, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi could be considered soft targets.
Nawaki, Uchiha Mikoto, Hyuga Hiashi, and Hyuga Hizashi all came from major ninja clans.
The Sharingan and Byakugan had the potential to upset expectations. There was a real chance things could go wrong.
But Akimichi Choza, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi? Natsuki was confident he could defeat them easily.
First, he knew their Ino-Shika-Cho combination techniques inside and out.
Second, they were still young.
Dominate the second and third years first.
Of course, Ishida Yu had guessed correctly about one thing.
Natsuki was now Orochimaru's student. There was no need to hide anymore.
If he wanted to reveal his character template abilities, the best approach was to disguise himself as a once-in-a-generation genius.
If anyone asked? Self-created ninjutsu.
"Alright. I'll speak with Teacher Ikeuchi from Class 3-A later."
Ishida Yu smiled. "I doubt he'll refuse."
Natsuki was Orochimaru's student now. His future was limitless.
The teachers at the Ninja Academy were generally Chunin. Even with all the courage in the world, they wouldn't dare offend Orochimaru—or his disciple.
Ishida Yu acted quickly.
After chatting with Natsuki, he headed upstairs to another teacher's office.
"Teacher Ikeuchi."
Ishida Yu approached a young man.
"Teacher Ishida Yu? It's rare for you to seek me out."
Ikeuchi looked surprised. "What can I do for you?"
"It's like this—"
Ishida Yu explained the situation.
"As expected of a genius favored by Lord Orochimaru. He's already aiming higher."
Ikeuchi sighed after hearing the request.
At the same time, envy crept in.
For one class to produce three exceptional geniuses was simply unbelievable.
Although Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade hadn't officially taken them as disciples yet, their every move drew attention.
The fact that they were personally training Namikaze Minato, Natsuki, and Yakushi Nonou had already spread throughout Konoha.
Rumor had it that Shimura Danzo had thrown a massive fit—ultimately leaving behind only four words: "I'm so mad!"
"What do you think?"
Ishida Yu asked with a smile.
"How about an inter-class exchange meet?"
Ikeuchi considered for a moment.
Ishida Yu blinked—then understood.
Ikeuchi was tacitly assuming Natsuki would defeat Akimichi Choza, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi.
But if word got out that way, Class 3-A would lose all face.
Better to hold a full exchange meet where everyone participated. With wins and losses on both sides, the results wouldn't sting as badly.
"Sure."
Ishida Yu agreed immediately.
With Namikaze Minato, Natsuki, and Yakushi Nonou in his class, his performance record this year was guaranteed. He might even be named an outstanding instructor.
"Tomorrow afternoon, then."
Ikeuchi added.
Ishida Yu nodded.
After returning, he relayed the plan to Natsuki.
Natsuki had no objections.
As long as he achieved his goal, whether it was a direct challenge or an inter-class exchange meet made no difference.
The next afternoon.
Ninja Academy training grounds.
The students of Class 2-A and Class 3-A sized each other up.
"Are those Natsuki and Namikaze Minato?"
Akimichi Choza looked at the dark-haired and blond-haired boys across the field.
"Yeah, that's them."
Yamanaka Inoichi nodded. "Those two will probably be your opponents."
In Class 3-A, Nara Shikaku ranked first, Akimichi Choza second, and Inoichi third.
But in terms of pure combat, Akimichi Choza was the strongest.
The Ino-Shika-Cho formation was legendary throughout the ninja world. The three clans' secret techniques combined to devastating effect.
But separated? The Akimichi clan's one-on-one capability was unmatched.
The Yamanaka and Nara techniques focused primarily on control and harassment.
"This'll be tough."
Nara Shikaku sighed. "Their teachers are Lord Orochimaru and Lord Jiraiya."
"It's fine—it's just an exchange meet."
Yamanaka Inoichi offered comfort. "Besides, losing to them isn't exactly shameful."
2 PM.
Ishida Yu and Ikeuchi stepped onto the field and announced the official start of the exchange meet.
Natsuki watched the matches unfold—and suddenly realized a problem.
According to the rules, he could only face one member of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.
But he planned to fight all three.
Natsuki fell into thought.
I could issue a challenge directly.
"Seventeenth match: Natsuki versus Akimichi Choza."
Ishida Yu announced.
Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi had already fought.
Shikaku had faced Namikaze Minato—and lost easily.
Inoichi had gone up against Onodera—and ultimately won.
The two fighters stepped onto the field. Akimichi Choza attacked first.
He demonstrated exactly what a nimble heavyweight looked like, throwing a punch at startling speed.
Head Chef Drop Kick!
Natsuki didn't give him a chance to close the distance. He leaped and lashed out with his right leg.
Choza immediately redirected his punch to intercept.
Fist met foot. His heavy frame stumbled back half a step.
Surprise flickered across his face.
Nara Shikaku and the others wore similar expressions.
They remembered Natsuki was famous for kenjutsu—not taijutsu.
But Natsuki didn't give Choza time to recover. Using the momentum from the blocked punch, he vaulted into the air again.
Head Chef Dead Weight!
He dropped like a hammer.
The force stirred up a howling wind.
Choza's expression shifted. Pressure descended from above.
Partial Multi-Size Technique!
His right hand expanded rapidly, rising to meet Natsuki like a mountain.
BOOM!
Air currents swept outward in all directions.
Choza's face twisted with exertion. All his strength gathered in his massive palm, locking into a stalemate with Natsuki.
Reinforcement Magecraft!
Natsuki's feet were instantly enhanced.
Golden Right Foot!
His body spun mid-air—and he kicked toward Choza from an unexpected angle.
Choza hadn't anticipated the shift at all.
He let out a pained grunt and was sent tumbling across the ground.
"When did Natsuki's taijutsu get so strong?"
Namikaze Minato's expression turned serious.
He had thought his own progress under Jiraiya was rapid—especially after defeating Nara Shikaku just now without revealing any new techniques.
But Natsuki's improvement in taijutsu was beyond comprehension.
Minato even felt that if he wasn't careful, Natsuki could defeat him with taijutsu alone.
"Winner: Natsuki!"
Ishida Yu announced with a beaming smile.
"Teacher Ishida Yu. Teacher Ikeuchi."
Natsuki bowed slightly. "I have an unreasonable request. I've long admired the legendary Ino-Shika-Cho formation. I'd like to experience it firsthand."
Ishida Yu and Ikeuchi froze.
What does that mean?
Didn't you just defeat Akimichi Choza?
But they quickly understood—and shock spread across their faces.
You want to fight all three?
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