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But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:18
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Ushering into the outside world, Iruka and the children relished in the ample chill brushing the landscape. The yellow-haired boy who had displayed blatant negligence the entire day seemed to brim with life on this particular occasion.
Why, you may ask?
Finally, arrived the period that didn't require exertion of mental focus...
Physical education!
And in this case, it was a sparring test; a battle solely focused on Taijutsu!
Eyeing the Uchiha prodigy with predatory scrutiny, Naruto silently declared, 'Today, I will beat Sasuke.'
...
Under the seasoned tutelage of the esteemed Iruka, multiple matches had been conducted smoothly, and finally, came the bout the fangirls awaited for...
But for us readers, our little friend Naruto...
Iruka decided to leave Karin out as she was a new student, and quite frankly, it worked in the class's favour as there were an odd number of students.
Iruka announced, "NARUTO, AND SASUKE. BOTH PARTICIPANTS, COME UP."
Naruto stepped up, as did the nonchalant prodigy of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Sasuke.
The fangirls around were supporting Sasuke, forming a cheerleading group, lilting praise as though he were some knight in shining armour. But as usual, Sasuke remained stoic.
- GOOO SASUKE-KUN! -
- WAAAHHH! SASUKE-KUN, I LOVE YOU! -
- HEY, NO FAIR, SASUKE-KUN, I LOVE YOU TOO! -
- LOOK AT MEEE! -
The young girls aligned with the cliche trope of fangirling over the cool character...
(Cringe)
Karin clenched her fist, a bead of sweat forming by the side of her head, as she thought, 'Naruto.' She was worried for her brother. Observing the many duels that had ensued, one or the other ended up with a swollen cheek, and slight bruises; such was the outcome of battle, but it still worried her that her younger brother may face injuries.
Naruto remained calm, as did Sasuke. Both of them were in position; Naruto assumed a boxing posture, while Sasuke pocketed his hands, radiating a calm aura. If his intention was to rile up his opponent, he was doing a good job.
Naruto, though seemingly calm, begged to differ internally; 'THAT COCKY SASUKE... I'M GONNA SHOW YOU!'
"READY..." Iruka notified, standing in the centre with his arm raised...
The silence was palpable between the duo, and the others around had already deduced the climax, feigning ignorance as portrayed by their dismissive gazes.
Lowering his arm, Iruka declared, "FIGHT!"
Naruto's gaze sharpened before he lunged toward the indifferent Sasuke. Aware of Naruto's portentous proximity, Sasuke too, vaulted forth.
Naruto acted first, aiming for a solid punch on his opponent's face, however, Sasuke read the manoeuvre like a book!
A fist intended for harm ever so slowly reached Sasuke's face, reflecting off his pupils. However, he remained calm, allowing his enhanced visual acuity to establish impeccable timing...
'Now,' Sasuke thought, before taking a single sidestep to the left. Unfortunately for Naruto, his feral rush carried him slightly forward, and Sasuke was right beside him, eyes fixated on Naruto's exposed torso!
It was simple, yet efficient; it was perfect, devoid of delays. Not only did he avoid Naruto's fist, but his positioning was great and also gifting him a wide opening, exposing Naruto's torso! Meanwhile, Naruto's wild haymaker caused him to stumble forward.
At this point, Naruto was a rat in a cat's cage, devoid of holes, and providing no access to escape. The comparison hinted at Naruto's dire constraint... Victory was impossible.
Sasuke on the other hand, analysed numerous methods of incapacitating his opponent, but it mattered not which he chose; winning was all he had in his mind!
'Crap,' Naruto cursed, understanding the severity of his plight!
Naruto's torso was left wide open, and with Sasuke's lightning-speed reflexes, without a doubt, Naruto was going to get struck!
'Damn it. I forgot to defend,' Naruto thought.
Unperturbed, Sasuke was ready to strike Naruto's exposed liver!
A single liver shot would prove desperate, and unfortunately for Naruto, calculating a split-second countermeasure was beyond his capacity!
No matter how adamant he was, his imminent doom was inevitable. Quite frankly, it had always been like this. He would press forth through sheer resilience, but ultimately, defeat befell him, and today would be no different... Or so everyone thought...
The world became white...
In that solitary trance, the image of a timid girl reflected in his eyes, who had her hands interlocked on her chest, her adorable features scrunched in anxiety. Her delicate lips moved into a soundless whisper, yet an echo chimed in the stillness...
"Naruto!"
Drowned by the chaotic screeches of the cheerleading group, Naruto was the sole individual who heard the whisper.
It was then Naruto felt a strange sensation bubbling within him, and a plethora of calculated symphonies infiltrated his mind on how he could dissolve his current predicament. Under ordinary circumstances, the bout would be over in a flash in favour of Sasuke, but the blonde youth's impetus birthed an incredible strength!
Defeat was not an option!
He always never had the intention of losing in battle, but right now, for some reason, right now, he absolutely did not want to lose!
It was a strange feeling, one he was never familiar with. The bubbling chaos from within propagated to fruition.
Although Naruto's torso was wide open, Sasuke's fortification was no exception; it was riddled with holes! Naruto's initial punch came to a standstill, and planting his leg into the earth, he completely halted his movement, all the while Sasuke's motion resumed, his fist aiming for the torso. Unbeknownst to Sasuke, Naruto ceased his punch, transforming the strike into an accelerated back elbow!
Unbeknownst to both youths, a subtle crimson glow pulsated from Naruto's eyes!
"Ugh," Naruto groaned, withstanding Sasuke's strike.
Finally, the world regained colour as Naruto firmed the powerful punch, holding back his urge to retch!
While Naruto's world had just regained clarity, Sasuke's world turned upside down as a sudden pain hit his cheek!
Both attacks landed!
Sasuke successfully struck Naruto's torso, while Naruto caught his face with an elbow!
The arena of students, including Iruka were stunned at this development.
Sasuke felt like his head was throbbing; he had no idea what hit him, but he also knew he mustn't stop!
Using the momentum of the elbow strike, Sasuke spun, placing one hand on the ground to halt his descent, and delivering a powerful tornado back kick to Naruto's face.
Naruto could foresee the motion of the opposition, and reluctantly carried both arms in a cross shape to block in time. Upon impact, Naruto was sent reeling across the sand, while Sasuke buckled on his knees, unable to mask the foreboding pain.
Naruto's elbow was strong! Sasuke's cheek was swollen, and blood had started to drip from his lips. However, Naruto too, shared haggardness, with one knee on the ground, and panting heavily.
Realising this open opportunity, Sasuke leapt forward, but...
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Iruka declared, his tone carrying finality.
Everyone was shocked, and so was Sasuke. Naruto was bound to lose, but changed the trajectory of his strike last second, producing a powerful elbow strike.
Wiping the blood from his mouth, Sasuke praised, 'That... was a good move.'
Iruka didn't want to press the battle any further, and concluded; "Match, draw!"
Silence prevailed as everyone took their time to register the drastic turn of events. Shikamaru too, was stunned. Normally he wouldn't really care about anything, but his concern is an indication that this duel was worth fawning over.
Naruto, who was ranked the lowest in his class, managed to tie against the top ranker!
- WOOOOOAAAHHHH!!! -
-WHAT JUST HAPPENED?! -
- IS THAT NARUTO? -
- NOO WAAAAAY! -
The reaction of the entire class was justified. Nobody had ever beaten the prodigy or even caused a draw, yet the class clown pulled it off.
Both challengers smiled at the result and decided to head back to their respective places. Sasuke cooly walked back, his mind aloof.
Naruto too, mirrored Sasuke's coolness, but his mind roared in enthusiasm at the inconspicuous outcome. He was extremely satisfied.
He had no idea how it happened... He felt this vigorous surge, and then BAM!
'YOOOSHHHAAA, HOW DID I DO THAT!' Naruto grinned.
"Both of you, don't forget the unison sign," Iruka inferred.
Once again, both challengers approached each other, offering respect by performing the unison sign, but...
Suddenly, the duo grabbed each other by the collar, staring each other straight in the eyes, radiating malice.
"BOTH OF YOU STOP," Iruka yelled, breaking the feisty duo before another brawl ensued.
The duo released their grip on each other, shaking their head away in impudence, and marched in opposite directions as though refuting each other.
And so, a rivalry sparked in the air! Naruto, who had been on a losing streak against the prodigy of the Uchiha, finally made a draw!
***
Sorry it took long to update. I was travelling, a lotta stuff happened, and I had no wifi...
And I should admit I was quite lazy too... Sigh.
I shall do my utmost to be more productive.
I seriously feel like Shikamaru right now;
Everything has seriously become a big fat drag!
Welp, let's do our best together, and triumph, like our little protagonist!
(Well, I guess he didn't win, but you get the point)
Take care, and peace out.