Chapter 93: Fighting Is the Shortcut to Becoming Powerful
Ding ding ding—
Shuriken clashed mid-air, releasing a harsh metallic ring that echoed across the open training field.
With little to no cover on the plain terrain, Uchiha Sasuke could only keep his body low, weaving and dodging Mizuki's relentless pursuit. Every now and then, he'd twist mid-movement to counter with precision, his sharp eyes never leaving the Chunin.
His clean and agile movements had clearly surpassed the level of an average student. This wasn't the performance of a rookie—it was the poise of a ninja in the making.
Unlike when he sparred with Naruto, Sasuke didn't attempt any close-range attacks this time. The gap between him and Mizuki—in chakra reserves, experience, and raw strength—was simply too wide. Sasuke knew that charging head-on would be suicide. Instead, he opted for tactics and agility, carefully planning each move in hopes of tipping the scales.
But his composure only irritated Mizuki.
Does this brat actually think he can beat me? Mizuki sneered inwardly. He's not even a real ninja yet! What a joke.
Insulted by the very idea, Mizuki's forced smile tightened into a grimace. His frustration boiled over, and he stopped holding back. His strikes became faster, more brutal, and far less restrained.
Sasuke quickly paid the price. Shuriken grazed his arms and legs, leaving thin cuts that began to bleed. Crimson lines stained his clothing, yet his movements didn't falter.
If anything, the pain sharpened his focus.
His body became lighter, reactions quicker, as he adjusted to Mizuki's rhythm. The grim expression on his face gradually gave way to something more genuine—a small, satisfied smile.
He was enjoying this.
"Fighting really is the fastest way to grow," he muttered under his breath, almost in disbelief.
The practical sparring class had completely transformed. As soon as Sasuke challenged a Chunin, the usual student sparring lost all relevance. The field, once scattered with pairs of training genin, cleared out. Everyone stepped back, silently giving space to the rare spectacle unfolding in front of them.
A student challenging a Chunin—it was unheard of.
Like spectators at an underground match, they stood at a respectful distance, watching the fight with wide eyes. These kinds of experiences weren't taught in the classroom. Just watching this battle gave them more insight into combat than sparring with a fellow student ever could.
Among the observers, Ryosuke and Hinata stood quietly, their gazes locked on Sasuke's movements.
"He's gotten better," Ryosuke noted. "Much better than when he fought Naruto."
Sasuke's chakra control had noticeably improved. He used his chakra more efficiently now, reducing unnecessary waste. He had even learned how to channel chakra into his feet—allowing him to stick to surfaces like trees or water. It was a fundamental skill that every ninja needed to master for mobility and chakra control.
Normally, kids learned this at home, taught by an elder or family ninja. But Sasuke, now an orphan, had no one to guide him. Still, that hadn't stopped him from learning it on his own, probably picking it up while fighting Naruto.
He wasn't exactly proficient at it yet, but the fact that he could even attempt it in real combat was impressive.
"Uchiha Sasuke's improving so fast," Hinata whispered, almost to herself. "He's completely different from when I last saw him…"
Though they stood far away, her Byakugan allowed her to see clearly. And what she saw shook her.
For the first time, Hinata felt the sting of frustration—not from Ryosuke, but from someone else.
So this is what they call talent? In one battle, Sasuke had picked up more skills than some students had learned in a whole semester.
"Do you think he can win?" she asked softly, glancing at Ryosuke.
Ryosuke shook his head. "No chance… not unless he activates his Sharingan."
He didn't say it with cruelty, just calm honesty. He wasn't the kind of person who only made judgments from the sidelines anymore—he'd fought enough himself to know the difference between hope and reality.
The Sharingan. You couldn't talk about the Uchiha without mentioning it.
Unlike the Hyuga, who had inherited secret techniques alongside their eye powers, the Uchiha's pride—and power—rested almost entirely on the Sharingan. It was their symbol, their weapon, and their burden.
Without it, they were still strong… but not unstoppable. Too many in the clan relied on it, and those who couldn't awaken it were often left behind.
Hinata stared hard at Sasuke, then said something unexpected.
"If it was close combat… I think I could beat him."
Before Ryosuke could respond, she flinched and corrected herself quickly, "I mean—only in close-range. I'm not underestimating him!"
She knew Ryosuke too well. Even if he didn't say a word, she could tell when he was about to scold her for arrogance.
But Ryosuke simply raised an eyebrow, then gave a small smile.
"That's fine. Just remember—never underestimate your opponent, even if they seem weaker than you. When the time comes and you're a real ninja, you can't afford to show mercy. If you can't kill them, then cripple them. Crush their chakra network, break their limbs—make sure they're no longer a threat. Then you can talk all you want."
He didn't add the last line he was thinking: The villain dies because they talk too much. That just didn't suit Hinata's personality. She was too earnest for villain talk.
"Ehehe…" Hinata chuckled nervously at the compliment, then glanced up at him. "Actually, I really want to graduate already… I want to go on missions with you. I want to see the world outside."
She looked away for a second, fiddling with her fingers.
"Staying in the village all the time makes me feel less like the future head of a clan, and more like… just another noble's daughter."
Every battle with Ryosuke had broadened her perspective. School fights now felt trivial. Pointless, even.
Yes, it had taken her a whole month of effort to defeat Kiba Inuzuka. She still wasn't the strongest in her class—not by a long shot—but her goals had changed. She was starting to see further, dream bigger.
She knew her current strength didn't match that vision. But it was that vision that made her desperate to graduate.
She had been chasing Ryosuke for so long… but all she could do was watch his back as he moved further ahead.
That growing distance scared her.
Ryosuke squeezed her hand gently.
"You still have a long road ahead if you want to be the head of a clan."
His tone was light, but his eyes were distant as they looked across the training field—toward a future only he could see.
"Next year… we'll be eight," he muttered.
And somewhere far away, a four-year-old girl named Hanabi would be taking her first steps on this same path.
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