Naruto: Teaching to Become Stronger, Changing Tragedies 111

Chapter 111: Rising to Fame (25)

2025-01-18

Chapter 111: Rising to Fame (25)

“Third Hokage-sama.”

“Hokage-sama.”

Just as Group C finished drawing lots, Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived, and the students greeted him one after another.

“Everyone, just act as usual. I’m just here to take a look,” Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a kind smile.

“Number one, Mitarashi Anko, and number two, Asakawa Sanken, prepare to begin the battle.” Shadow Clone Mukugetsu began to oversee the test.

The students called upon quickly went to the battleground, assuming their stances and preparing for battle.

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced around. To avoid interference, the testing locations of the three groups were spaced a considerable distance apart.

“Mukugetsu, you’ve worked hard these five weeks, handling over three hundred students by yourself,” Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed.

In this situation, one person was truly insufficient; only using Shadow Clones would suffice. Indeed, Mukugetsu’s real body was beside him, while a Shadow Clone was overseeing the exams over there.

“It’s my duty,” Mukugetsu replied with a smile, without saying much.

The Third Hokage nodded with a smile, turning his gaze to the battle that had already begun.

Although her opponent, Asakawa Sanken, was a fourth-year student, and Anko was at a disadvantage in height, Anko was not in the least intimidated. She charged directly into close-quarters combat with Asakawa Sanken.

Anko’s taijutsu was extremely aggressive; the type where she might get injured, but you would definitely be injured much worse.

Feeling the gazes of many onlookers, Asakawa Sanken secretly groaned. He was struggling to cope with Anko’s wildly aggressive attacks.

Using Anko’s punches to his advantage, Asakawa Sanken retreated to a tree, quickly climbing it and throwing numerous shuriken at Anko, attempting to kite her.

But Anko wasn’t shaken off. Having completed her tree-climbing training and practiced forest combat, she quickly caught up to Asakawa Sanken in the trees, engaging him in a battle of wits.

Both used the Transformation Technique, Substitution Technique, and Shadow Clone Technique – three basic ninja techniques.

“Mukugetsu, that Mitarashi Anko is a student in your class, isn’t she?” Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly said.

Because Mukugetsu’s class had such outstanding results, he had a slight impression of the top few students in her class.

“Yes, she’s a student in Class 1-1,” Mukugetsu nodded.

“To possess such chakra control and ninja technique skills in first year is truly exceptional,” Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his goatee and nodded.

He was very satisfied with Mukugetsu’s teaching results. The two students showed considerable strength; and this was Group C, which had the slowest progress.

“Yes, this level of skill… even average third- and fourth-year students might not reach it,” a chuunin teacher who had come with Sarutobi Hiruzen exclaimed.

“Her opponent is also quite good; with more practice, he should reach graduation level,” Sarutobi Hiruzen continued.

The other chuunin teachers also nodded in agreement.

One chuunin teacher was particularly surprised, because Asakawa Sanken was a student in his class.

He remembered that this student was usually quite ordinary. Unexpectedly, after only five weeks of special training, he had made such significant progress. Was it because he hadn’t studied hard before, had he worked exceptionally hard these five weeks, or was Mukugetsu truly a gifted teacher? He couldn’t determine the reason.

“Mitarashi Anko wins.”

In the end, Asakawa Sanken was slightly inferior, and Anko won.

“Number three, Hagane Kotetsu, and number four, Naka Mori Gōichi, prepare to begin the battle,” Mukugetsu swiftly announced the next pair of contestants.

“Nakamori Gōichi… he’s my student,” Iketani Isamu said.

“Oh, how are his usual combat scores?” Sarutobi Hiruzen asked curiously.

“Fairly average, usually around fifteen points,” Iketani Isamu answered honestly.

“But his opponent seems to be a first or second-year student, so it should be fine, right?”

Hearing “fifteen points,” Sarutobi Hiruzen understood Nakamori Gōichi’s level. According to the Ninja Academy’s scoring standard, it was a very average score.

“Not necessarily. That Hagane Kotetsu is also a student in Teacher Mukugetsu’s class, and he has excellent combat scores,” before Mukugetsu could identify the student, Ueda Aya spoke up.

While the onlookers discussed below, the battle began.

Nakamori Gōichi, relying on his physical advantage, quickly pressed forward with a series of swift attacks.

While Hagane Kotetsu was at a disadvantage in terms of strength, his small stature meant he was agile. Hagane Kotetsu nimbly dodged Nakamori Gōichi’s attacks.

For a time, the situation was very intense.

“In all likelihood, Nakamori Gōichi will win,” a chuunin teacher speculated.

Although on the surface Hagane Kotetsu didn’t seem to be suppressed too much, he was actually at a significant disadvantage. Being younger, he lacked stamina, and if this continued, he would eventually be caught off guard.

“This student is also not bad. Although not as good as his classmate, he is still quite excellent,” the Third Hokage said, puffing on his pipe.

Considering he was fighting someone several grades higher, the Third Hokage thought his performance was already quite good.

“Deception Technique!”

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Seizing a moment’s respite, Hagane Kotetsu directly used his strongest ninja technique.

To enhance his technique, Hagane Kotetsu had specifically visited a women’s clothing store.

Six older sisters, each wearing a different style of revealing clothing, instantly appeared on the field, surrounding Nakamori Gōichi.

“Huh?” Nakamori Gōichi’s gaze was captivated by the mysterious sight.

Hagane Kotetsu seized this opportunity, kicking Nakamori Gōichi to the ground, then holding a kunai to his opponent’s body.

“Hagane Kotetsu wins!”

The suddenly reacting Nakamori Gōichi was both dumbfounded and shocked.

He knew about Hagane Kotetsu’s technique, but he never expected Hagane Kotetsu to dare use it in this situation, with the Third Hokage watching.

Silence.

A hush fell over the field; no one made a sound.

Both students and teachers stared at the scene in shock.

“Ahem.”

Finally, the Third Hokage’s cough broke the silence.

Lost in observation, the Third Hokage had been choked by his pipe. He quickly wiped a smudge of red from beneath his nose and, with a serious expression, commented:

“Teacher Mukugetsu’s special training has been very effective. Hagane Kotetsu cleverly utilized his strengths, and Nakamori Gōichi’s performance was also commendable. What score do you think he deserves for this battle?”

“Twenty-four,” a chuunin teacher was the first to say.

The other teachers also gave their scores, which were more or less the same.

No teacher mentioned Hagane Kotetsu. Everyone tacitly ignored what had just happened, praising Mukugetsu’s summer training and the students’ significant improvement.

Occasionally, they would steal a glance in Hagane Kotetsu’s direction, secretly thinking, “What a talent!”

“Kotetsu, you’re really going to rise to fame now,” Kumogetsu Izumo looked enviously at the victorious Hagane Kotetsu.

To skillfully use ninja techniques to win against a stronger opponent under the Third Hokage’s gaze—he wished he were the one up there.

“Number five, Ishii Yoshi, and number six, Kumogetsu Izumo, prepare.”

Hearing his name, Kumogetsu Izumo quickly stepped onto the stage. He, too, wanted to rise to fame!

I wasn’t feeling well today, and I feel this chapter didn’t capture the intended feel. Please leave comments on this chapter if you see any problems; I’ll make corrections. The following chapters may be slightly delayed.

(End of Chapter)

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