Boom!
Under the glow of the sunset, before the eyes of the entire academy, Sasuke and Yakumo collided, producing a low, muffled thud.
With this clash, Sasuke's challenge to Yakumo officially began.
Both started with taijutsu, especially Yakumo, who seemed intent on testing the results of her recent training in physical techniques.
Boom, boom, boom.
Soon, they engaged in a dazzling exchange of taijutsu offense and defense.
In the classroom.
Shinji leaned against the window, watching the fierce battle on the training field.
Like him, many others opted not to join the crowd on the field, instead staying in the classroom with its better vantage point, observing the challenge from above.
Tenten muttered nearby, "Don't you guys find it weird? Sasuke just lost to Kimimaro. Shouldn't he challenge Kimimaro again? Why's he suddenly going after the stronger Yakumo?"
Rock Lee chimed in, "It is pretty strange!"
Haku glanced at Shinji: "Shinji, do you know why?"
Shinji shook his head.
Tenten turned to Neji: "Neji, what do you think?"
Already using his Byakugan and focusing intently on the field, Neji said gravely, "Something's off about Sasuke today!"
Tenten nodded repeatedly: "Right? I think so too. Those dark circles—he looks like he hasn't slept in days!"
"That's not what I mean," Neji shook his head, his voice low: "The chakra in his body seems to have changed. It's different from before!"
Karin, who had been silent, was also staring at Sasuke.
She sensed that the Yin Release chakra their leader had sent her yesterday was strikingly similar to the chakra emanating from Sasuke now.
On the training field.
Shikamaru scoffed, "These two monsters…"
Chōji, munching on snacks, asked, "Shikamaru, do you think Sasuke can win today?"
Shikamaru replied, "Logically, Sasuke shouldn't be challenging Yakumo. This abnormality suggests he might have a trump card that could turn the tide. I just haven't figured out what it is yet!"
Ino, hearing this, sighed in relief: "See? I knew Sasuke wouldn't do something he wasn't confident about!"
Nearby.
Sakura watched the intense battle with worry etched on her face.
Naruto, hands behind his head, said carelessly, "Sakura, relax! It's not like Sasuke hasn't lost before. He'll be fine!"
Sakura ignored Naruto, thinking, I don't know if Sasuke's body can handle this. He's clearly in bad shape today. Why does he have to challenge Yakumo? Ugh, it's so worrying!
Shion, dragging Kimimaro through the crowd, joined the spectators.
After watching the two fight for a bit, she asked Kimimaro, "Kimimaro, Yakumo's got this, right?"
Kimimaro nodded slightly: "No one in the academy is her match now!"
Shion was slightly shocked: "What? Not even Shinji can beat her?"
Kimimaro fell silent.
In his view, Shinji's previous victories over Yakumo were purely because Yakumo had been frail since childhood, lacking combat experience due to minimal sparring.
Now that Yakumo had overcome that weakness, Shion's question seemed foolish to him, not even worth answering.
Boom!
At that moment, another muffled thud echoed from the field as the two combatants leapt apart.
Steadying himself, Sasuke grinned: "Warm-up's over! Yakumo, I'll take you down in one go!"
Yakumo's expression hardened.
She knew what Sasuke was about to unleash, so she held nothing back. With a clap, she pressed her hands together, activating 'Wood Release.'
As 'Wood Release' manifested, accompanied by a thunderous roar, the entire training field—nay, the entire ninja academy—trembled.
"Sasuke's really ticked Yakumo off!"
"No way! Yakumo's getting serious?"
"Everyone, back up! Don't stand so close!"
The students gasped in shock, while the teachers hurriedly maintained order, urging the onlookers to retreat further to avoid being caught in Yakumo's 'Wood Release.'
In the distance.
The jōnin on the tree exchanged puzzled looks.
Even Shizune hadn't expected Yakumo to unleash 'Wood Release' directly on the academy's training field against Sasuke.
Kurenai remarked, "Isn't this a bit of an overreaction?"
Shizune shook her head repeatedly: "Yakumo's not reckless. She must have noticed something. Don't forget, she's a dojutsu Bloodline Limit user!"
Hearing Shizune's words, Kakashi's expression grew even graver. He seemed to have an inkling but quickly dismissed the thought.
To him, it was impossible!
On the field.
Facing the oncoming 'Wood Release,' Sasuke neither dodged nor flinched, a playful smirk on his upturned lips: "Yakumo, you'll be the first to witness the Uchiha clan's resurgence!"
Swish.
In an instant, the three-tomoe Sharingan in Sasuke's eyes transformed into a six-pointed star pattern, radiating an eerie glow.
Sasuke touched his forehead, murmuring, "Susanoo!"
Roar!
In a flash, accompanied by a soul-shaking bellow, a purple silhouette projected from his body, swiftly solidifying into a towering half-body skeletal giant!
Boom, boom, boom!
Moments later, Yakumo's 'Wood Release' collided with Sasuke's purple 'Susanoo,' unleashing a series of deafening roars!
Air surged, and wood splinters flew!
The onlookers were utterly dumbfounded. Forget the students—even the teachers maintaining order stood frozen, gaping at the clash between 'Wood Release' and 'Susanoo.'
Shion exclaimed, "Another pair of Mangekyō Sharingan!? Uh, why did I say another?"
Kimimaro, shedding his earlier calm, looked grim.
This time, he was truly shaken!
Shikamaru, pulling Chōji and Ino to safety, shouted as he fled, "I knew Sasuke was hiding a big move!"
The students watching from the classroom were equally stunned.
Neji, wide-eyed, muttered, "Mangekyō Sharingan!?"
Haku, startled, glanced at Shinji beside him, only to find Shinji unexpectedly calm, his face devoid of surprise or joy.
The jōnin weren't faring much better!
Shizune's eyes widened in disbelief.
Asuma asked, "This kid awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan? When did that happen? Kakashi, did you know?"
Kakashi, dazed, murmured, "I can't believe he actually did it!"
In the Hokage's office.
The Third Hokage, handling paperwork, heard the roar of 'Susanoo.' His expression shifted, and he stood, looking toward the ninja academy.