Nawaki squatted on the ground, his face a picture of despair. Copying the test questions a hundred times was pure torture.
Shin gave him a sympathetic look. 'Honest,' he thought. 'Not gloating at all.'
"Next up, the practical test. We'll start with Kunai throwing."
Tanaka-sensei announced, glancing at Nawaki.
"Nawaki, what are you still doing on the floor? Want me to add another hundred lines?"
Nawaki shot to his feet, glaring at Tanaka-sensei as if he were a demon.
Shin patted Nawaki's shoulder. "Sacrifices must be made, my friend. You understand."
Nawaki gave him a mournful look. A hundred times! How could he understand?
"Alright, let's begin. Uzumaki Shin, you're first."
"Lucky me, first up."
Shin smiled, pulled a Kunai from his pouch, and stood at the designated distance, about fifteen meters from the target.
They were still young students; throwing accurately from a greater distance would be challenging for most.
With a flick of his wrist, the Kunai flew through the air, striking the target with a satisfying thud.
"Nine points. Not bad. Almost a perfect score," Tanaka-sensei said approvingly.
"Hmph, is that all you've got?"
A sneer reached Shin's ears. He didn't need to turn around to know it was Kai.
Shin turned and faced him.
"Kai, what was that? I didn't quite catch it. Say that again."
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.
He wasn't sure if he hated Shin more than he feared him, or the other way around.
Seeing Kai shut his mouth, Shin snorted and returned to Kushina's side.
"Why only nine points?" Kushina whispered.
"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.
He was still a young dragon, learning to fly. He would soar through the skies one day.
The Kunai throwing test concluded. Four students achieved a perfect score: Mikoto, Nawaki, Minato, and, surprisingly, Kai.
"That smug look on his face is really annoying."
Kushina glared at Kai, her fists clenched. If he came any closer, she'd punch him.
"Don't mind him," Shin said calmly.
But inwardly, he was plotting ways to take Kai down a peg or two.
After the Kunai throwing, it was time for the sparring matches. They were paired up for one-on-one combat.
"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..."
"Whoa, sibling rivalry? Tanaka-sensei is ruthless."
Shin looked at Hiashi and Hizashi, feigning sympathy while inwardly relishing the upcoming match.
"I wouldn't mind being paired with you," Hiashi said to Shin, his expression stoic.
"Nah, I don't want to be with a stick-in-the-mud."
Hiashi always had the same serious, expressionless face. Shin found it boring.
"Shin, we're paired up. What am I supposed to do?" Nawaki asked, his voice filled with dread.
"Nawaki, out of allowance again? Tell you what, I'll treat you to Yakiniku. Just throw the match, okay?"
Shin gave him a friendly smile.
"And Nawaki, you wouldn't want Tsunade to find out you cheated on the test, would you?"
Bribery and threats. Nawaki caved instantly. Hiashi, standing nearby, twitched. 'Sensei, something's fishy here...'
The sparring matches began. Shin had bribed Nawaki, so their match ended quickly.
"Ouch! Why did you have to hit so hard?" Nawaki clutched his stomach, barely able to stand.
"Duh, it has to look convincing. What if they find out we're faking it?" Shin helped Nawaki up.
They watched the other matches. Kushina and Mikoto were evenly matched, though Kushina wasn't using her full strength.
At this stage, most of them didn't know any Jutsu. The Uzumaki and Senju, with their superior physique, had an advantage in Taijutsu.
This was evident in Kai and Minato's match. Minato was getting pummeled.
The Senju and Uzumaki were incredibly durable. Minato's punches barely fazed Kai, but when Kai landed a blow, Minato felt it.
In the end, Kai emerged victorious.
Shin shook his head. This was the advantage of having a Kekkei Genkai. The world was unfair.
But this was only temporary. Kai could bully Minato now, but in the future, he wouldn't stand a chance.
"Umm, Minato-san, are you alright?" Akiko approached Minato, concern in her eyes.
"Thank you for your concern, Akiko-san. I'm fine," Minato said with a smile. Despite the bruises, his smile remained bright.
Kai, who had been gloating over his victory, froze when he saw Akiko fussing over Minato.
He had a crush on Akiko. Seeing this, jealousy burned within him.
"Looks like things are about to get interesting," Shin said to Nawaki, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Kai stomped towards Minato.
"Minato!"
Minato turned, only to be met with Kai's fist.
Caught off guard, Minato was struck squarely in the eye, earning himself a shiner.
"Kai, what are you doing?!" Akiko yelled angrily.
Tanaka-sensei's attention was drawn to the commotion. He rushed over and grabbed Kai.
"Kai, your match is over. Why did you attack Minato-san?" Tanaka-sensei demanded.
"Hey, what's going on?" Kushina and Mikoto joined Shin.
"Huh? Your match is over?"
"Yeah, and I won!" Kushina said excitedly, looking at Shin expectantly.
"Oh." Shin's flat response deflated Kushina's excitement.
Kushina pouted. Couldn't he at least sound a bit more enthusiastic?
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