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Nawaki squatted on the ground, his face a picture of despair. Copying the test questions a hundred times was pure torture.
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Shin gave him a sympathetic look. ''Honest,'' he thought. ''Not gloating at all.''
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"Next up, the practical test. We''ll start with Kunai throwing."
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Tanaka-sensei announced, glancing at Nawaki.
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"Nawaki, what are you still doing on the floor? Want me to add another hundred lines?"
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Nawaki shot to his feet, glaring at Tanaka-sensei as if he were a demon.
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Shin patted Nawaki''s shoulder. "Sacrifices must be made, my friend. You understand."
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Nawaki gave him a mournful look. A hundred times! How could he understand?
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"Alright, let''s begin. Uzumaki Shin, you''re first."
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"Lucky me, first up."
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Shin smiled, pulled a Kunai from his pouch, and stood at the designated distance, about fifteen meters from the target.
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They were still young students; throwing accurately from a greater distance would be challenging for most.
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With a flick of his wrist, the Kunai flew through the air, striking the target with a satisfying thud.
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"Nine points. Not bad. Almost a perfect score," Tanaka-sensei said approvingly.
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"Hmph, is that all you''ve got?"
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A sneer reached Shin''s ears. He didn''t need to turn around to know it was Kai.
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Shin turned and faced him.
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"Kai, what was that? I didn''t quite catch it. Say that again."
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Kai met Shin''s gaze, a flicker of fear in his eyes. Shin had broken his leg when they were younger; the memory still haunted him.
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He wasn''t sure if he hated Shin more than he feared him, or the other way around.
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Seeing Kai shut his mouth, Shin snorted and returned to Kushina''s side.
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"Why only nine points?" Kushina whispered.
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"Don''t want to stand out too much. Nine is a good score," Shin said with a smile. He didn''t need to flaunt his abilities.
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He was still a young dragon, learning to fly. He would soar through the skies one day.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
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The Kunai throwing test concluded. Four students achieved a perfect score: Mikoto, Nawaki, Minato, and, surprisingly, Kai.
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"That smug look on his face is really annoying."
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Kushina glared at Kai, her fists clenched. If he came any closer, she''d punch him.
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"Don''t mind him," Shin said calmly.
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But inwardly, he was plotting ways to take Kai down a peg or two.
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After the Kunai throwing, it was time for the sparring matches. They were paired up for one-on-one combat.
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"I''ll now announce the pairings. Uzumaki Shin and Senju Nawaki, Uzumaki Kushina and Uchiha Mikoto, Hyūga Hiashi and Hyūga Hizashi, Uzumaki Kai and Namikaze Minato..."
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"Whoa, sibling rivalry? Tanaka-sensei is ruthless."
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Shin looked at Hiashi and Hizashi, feigning sympathy while inwardly relishing the upcoming match.
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"I wouldn''t mind being paired with you," Hiashi said to Shin, his expression stoic.
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"Nah, I don''t want to be with a stick-in-the-mud."
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Hiashi always had the same serious, expressionless face. Shin found it boring.
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"Shin, we''re paired up. What am I supposed to do?" Nawaki asked, his voice filled with dread.
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"Nawaki, out of allowance again? Tell you what, I''ll treat you to Yakiniku. Just throw the match, okay?"
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Shin gave him a friendly smile.
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"And Nawaki, you wouldn''t want Tsunade to find out you cheated on the test, would you?"
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Bribery and threats. Nawaki caved instantly. Hiashi, standing nearby, twitched. ''Sensei, something''s fishy here...''
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The sparring matches began. Shin had bribed Nawaki, so their match ended quickly.
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"Ouch! Why did you have to hit so hard?" Nawaki clutched his stomach, barely able to stand.
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"Duh, it has to look convincing. What if they find out we''re faking it?" Shin helped Nawaki up.
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They watched the other matches. Kushina and Mikoto were evenly matched, though Kushina wasn''t using her full strength.
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At this stage, most of them didn''t know any Jutsu. The Uzumaki and Senju, with their superior physique, had an advantage in Taijutsu.
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This was evident in Kai and Minato''s match. Minato was getting pummeled.
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The Senju and Uzumaki were incredibly durable. Minato''s punches barely fazed Kai, but when Kai landed a blow, Minato felt it.
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In the end, Kai emerged victorious.
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Shin shook his head. This was the advantage of having a Kekkei Genkai. The world was unfair.
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But this was only temporary. Kai could bully Minato now, but in the future, he wouldn''t stand a chance.
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"Umm, Minato-san, are you alright?" Akiko approached Minato, concern in her eyes.
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"Thank you for your concern, Akiko-san. I''m fine," Minato said with a smile. Despite the bruises, his smile remained bright.
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Kai, who had been gloating over his victory, froze when he saw Akiko fussing over Minato.
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He had a crush on Akiko. Seeing this, jealousy burned within him.
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"Looks like things are about to get interesting," Shin said to Nawaki, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
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Kai stomped towards Minato.
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"Minato!"
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Minato turned, only to be met with Kai''s fist.
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Caught off guard, Minato was struck squarely in the eye, earning himself a shiner.
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"Kai, what are you doing?!" Akiko yelled angrily.
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Tanaka-sensei''s attention was drawn to the commotion. He rushed over and grabbed Kai.
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"Kai, your match is over. Why did you attack Minato-san?" Tanaka-sensei demanded.
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"Hey, what''s going on?" Kushina and Mikoto joined Shin.
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"Huh? Your match is over?"
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"Yeah, and I won!" Kushina said excitedly, looking at Shin expectantly.
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"Oh." Shin''s flat response deflated Kushina''s excitement.
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Kushina pouted. Couldn''t he at least sound a bit more enthusiastic?