Chapter 115: Mini Tournament Begins

Standing on a raised platform above the gathered children, I looked around and smiled, anticipation coursing through my veins at this upcoming 'exam'.

Another two weeks had passed, and we were now around a quarter through the Academic Year, meaning...

"Alright, when Iruka-Sensei calls your name, you step up into the ring and prepare to fight. All the training you've had up to this point is to be displayed in that ring, and it allows Iruka-Sensei and I to observe your progress and understand what needs to become the primary focus of our classes going forwards.

There is no shame in losing this upcoming spar; this is a good way for you to learn what exactly it is that you need to work on to improve yourself. There is no benefit to winning, no extra credit or secret help from your professors; the only reward is seeing your own hard work realized and applauded by your peers.

Don't attempt to seriously injure your opponents either; this is a spar, not a life or death battle. If you do sustain an injury, I'll heal you right up after your match, so don't worry about it. Iruka-Sensei..."

Stepping aside, I let the experienced teacher step forwards, watching as he coughed gently into his fist before shouting "Neji Hyuga and Geki Toka!'

The first round of fights were, admittedly, rigged; I had selected who was going for each round with the idea of making the less impressive students realize the gap between them and those above them.

This was a necessary process, albeit cruel.

However, coddling them while they were young would only harm them more, by letting them think that the world was going to be something they could easily conqueror; it was a dream all aspiring Shinobi had, and I sadly needed to crush that dream before it could sprout into something dangerous.

Of course, those students that I knew were going to win would be humbled swiftly thereafter as well; what lied at the end of this little 'tournament' was a display of how easily they could lose their lives, should they get cocky enough.

Watching as the black haired, white eyed Hyuga stepped into the ring, I sighed as I realized that even the damn branch members had an innate superiority complex over those not of Clan blood.

I planned on having someone not of Clan blood humble this idiot as quickly as possible; like Naruto, perhaps.

Opposite Neji was a lanky brown haired boy, his features set as he assumed his stance.

I could tell that he was aware of his imminent loss, but he was determined to fight to the bitter end, which I could respect.

Hearing Iruka-Sensei give the signal, the two boys shot forwards and clashed, their fists flying towards one another as they exchanged a flurry of blows.

However, Neji's fist held more power, so each exchange only resulted in Geki bruising his forearms.

Eventually Neji slammed his leg into the boys knee, buckling it before following it up with a solid jab to the head, which was stopped an inch from the kneeling boys nose.

Geki stared at the fist with wide eyes, before giving Neji a wry grin as he staggered to his feet.

Neji didn't acknowledge the boy at all, promptly turning and walking back towards the edge of the ring, swiftly joined by Rock Lee.

Joining Geki on the side, I healed his bruises and gave him a warm smile, saying "You did good, but remember, your ent-"

"Entire body is a weapon... yeah, I forgot Kokoro-Sensei..."

Giving me a wry smile as well, I just chuckled as I ruffled his hair, before watching the next fight commence.

The spars flew by with few surprises; the main one being Midori managing to take down the boy she sparred, while the matches that Shikamru and Aki had were closer than I thought they'd be.

However, everyone I thought that would pass did, so we were getting to the true 'core' of the class now.

"Hinata Hyuga and Ami Kogure!"

Seeing the two girls step out onto the ring, I smiled slightly, wondering who would come out on top.

Hinata was doing well both in class and at the compound, but...

Her entire style seemed to revolve around Naruto's weakness', meaning she wasn't truly used to sparing opponents yet.

As for Ami, she had continued to maintain her weight training, but her control had improved quite steadily over these weeks, and the girl was determined to getting better with all forms of Shinobi Combat.

The quiet and shy Hyuga girl stood opposite the cocky Anbu wannabe, and I watched as they both assumed their own stances.

Hinata still utilized the Hyuga style, but she had started to change it in small ways to fit her more strenght focused frame, while Ami had started creating her own unique style, relying on her brawls with some of the students out of the Academy and the classes I gave her to create it.

The purple haired girl used her entire body to fight, and her entire style relied on heavy fists and light feet, making her a formidable foe.

Bouncing from one foot to another, Ami stared at Hinata with an arrogant smile, but she remained silent.

When Iruka-Sensei gave the signal, Hinata's eyes went wide as Ami appeared before her in a. flash, her fist flying straight towards her face.

Creating an x with her arms, Hinata grunted as she took the blow on her forearms, which resulted in her being pushed back a foot or so.

Her white eyes widened in surprise, but she swiftly ducked under the next punch, her own fist flying swiftly towards Ami's midriff.

Pivoting, Ami smirked at Hinata as her punch sailed harmlessly past her, before she grabbed Hinata's arm and lifted the Hyuga Heiress up, slamming her onto the ground.

Hinata grunted again, the air knocked from her lungs from the blow, but she still rolled away from Ami's next punch, which thudded into the dirt.

Panting, Hinata got to her feet and created space between them, warily observing Ami as she leisurely stood in the center of the ring.

Walking around the ring, Hinata searched for openings in the purple haired girls stance, before rushing forwards.

Preparing herself for the raised punch, Ami grunted as Hinata slid instead, tackling her and sending her flailing backwards.

Sadly for the Hyuga, Ami swiftly recovered from her precarious position, catching Hinata's fist and pulling her forwards.

Using Hinata's momentum, Ami slammed her head forwards, a loud thunk echoing around the grounds, making even me flinch.

Stumbling away from one another, Hinata glared at Ami, but her movements were sluggish as she staggered around, prompting Iruka-Sensei to call the match.

Ami grinned, bowing to the Hyuga Heiress, before flinching as I flicked her brow.

Pouting at me, Ami watched as I healed Hinata, the Hyuga gritting her teeth as she stared at the ground.

"You did good, Hinata. It's just..."

Gently brushing some dirt from her navy hair, I said "You aren't used to most styles just yet, but you will someday."

Nodding, she gave Ami one last glare before walking away, her cheeks reddening slightly as she pouted at Naruto, the blonde boy consoling her on her loss.

As for Ami, she was preening as she stood beside Tenten, a wide grin on her face as she chuckled, enjoying the way Tenten fussed over her swollen brow.

Giving her another flick, I muttered "Did you need to slam her that hard?"

Ami chuckled, her muscles relaxing as my medical chakra entered her body.

"Well, not really, but it was heat of the moment, y'know~?"

Shaking my head, I returned to the platform to watch the next few fights, nodding to myself at the outcomes.

Shikamaru copped out of his match against Shino, Sasuke decimated Choji, Naruto beat Ika, Aki barely beat Fuki, Sakura lost to Neji, Ino almost beat Kiba, Tenten lost to Rock Lee, and then there was Ami beating Hinata.

With that, we only had Shino, Sasuke, Naruto, Aki, Neji, Kiba, Rock Lee, and Ami.

Two of the girls made it this far, and it had almost been three; Ino had lost by a hairs breadth, her kick landing just shy of a 'critical' spot that would have ended the fight against Kiba instantly.

With that, we were onto some of the final matches of the tournament, with all those eliminated displaying interest in their peers fighting skills.

Some were even surprised by the ease of which some fought, while others were watching on with awe at their friends prowess.

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Gonna conclude the 'tournament' before we get to something special, so just wait patiently~

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