CHAPTER 6

c6 – You Actually Poisoned Your Blood!

Uchiha vs. Hyūga

The village had deliberately chosen two of the most exceptional young shinobi—aside from Kakashi and Guy—to set an example for the others.

In the distance, several figures cloaked in ANBU gear watched the battlefield intently.

"A clash between the two great dōjutsu clans…" one murmured.

"The Uchiha and Hyūga both claim the title of Konoha's strongest clan. This battle will determine if the next generation can live up to their legacy."

"With the war against Kirigakure escalating, we need young shinobi capable of stepping onto the battlefield. If these two prove their worth, their clans will gain even more influence."

Aburame Shibi, the silent observer, listened to the murmurs around him before speaking. "If this year's generation produces another genius, we must document it carefully."

A masked ANBU operative stepped forward. "Shibi-sama, should we inform Hokage-sama now? A prodigy of this level—"

"No," Shibi interrupted, his voice muffled by the high collar of his coat. "Let the tournament conclude first. Then, I will prepare a full report."

---

On the field, a ripple of shock passed through the spectators.

Uchiha Kazue's Sharingan had awakened.

At just ten years old, this alone cemented her status as a prodigy. Many Uchiha never unlocked their Sharingan, no matter how hard they trained.

In recent years, the Uchiha's reputation had taken a hit because of Obito, who had been dismissed as a failure before his sudden disappearance. But now, Kazue shattered all doubts.

"The Uchiha Clan… is still the Uchiha Clan."

Hyūga Iroha narrowed his pale, pupil-less eyes. He fought to suppress the unease creeping into his chest. "So, you've awakened the Sharingan… but I won't lose. The Byakugan is just as powerful."

Everyone knew that a Sharingan user was on a completely different level than an Uchiha without it.

Kazue merely smiled. Without another word, she leaped back, hands forming a rapid sequence of seals.

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"

The Uchiha's signature technique—the Great Fireball Jutsu.

A roaring fireball, easily the size of a grown man, surged toward Iroha. The intense heat distorted the air, illuminating the entire arena in flickering orange light.

For just a moment, Kazue's gaze flickered toward someone on the sidelines before returning to the fight.

---

Yuuji, standing at the edge of the battlefield, exhaled slowly.

'This is insane. Just how far did she push herself to grow this strong?'

His mind raced.

'How much nuclear radiation did she expose herself to? Did she accelerate her Sharingan's awakening through external stimulation? This level of development doesn't match the timeline of the original world…'

Among this generation, only Obito had been known to awaken his Mangekyō Sharingan by age twelve. But Kazue? She had unlocked her standard Sharingan at ten.

The thought sent shivers down his spine.

'Nuclear radiation as a catalyst for Kekkei Genkai evolution…? Even if Kazue is just a rare exception, this phenomenon has major implications for research.'

The God Tree… the Ōtsutsuki Clan…

Yuuji's thoughts swirled as he watched Kazue.

---

The duel intensified, drawing gasps from the crowd. The clash of the Sharingan's perception ability versus the Byakugan's insight left the students mesmerized.

In the end, Kazue outmaneuvered Iroha, utilizing the Uchiha's shuriken techniques to pressure him relentlessly. She exploited an opening, landing a decisive kick that sent Iroha tumbling across the arena floor.

"Damn it… If only I had landed a single hit," Iroha muttered, fists clenched. His Gentle Fist strikes had been dodged, neutralized before they could take effect.

The two formed the seal of reconciliation.

Kazue glanced at him, her voice soft yet merciless.

"The wails of the weak…"

With that, she turned and walked away, eventually stopping near Yuuji. After a moment's hesitation, she took a step behind him, as if seeking silent acknowledgment.

---

The next matches paled in comparison.

The earlier duel between Kazue and Iroha had set an impossibly high standard. Now, as one bout after another unfolded, it became clear—this year's Academy students lacked the necessary strength.

"The best contenders are still those from the great ninja clans."

"We can't send most of these children to the front lines. They'd be massacred."

"But we don't have much choice. The other villages have already begun deploying fresh recruits. We've held off for as long as possible."

Many of the observing officials were preparing to leave—until Shibi spoke again.

"Wait. There is still one more person we need to evaluate."

---

Mitarashi Anko vs. Shiranui Yuuji

As the names were called, the atmosphere shifted.

Anko strutted into the arena, her confidence evident. She crossed her arms and smirked at Yuuji. "Tough luck for you, huh? Of all people, you had to fight me."

Yuuji raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

Anko's smirk widened. "Oh? You really don't know? Guess it makes sense—the announcement hasn't been made official yet. I just became a disciple of Orochimaru-sama."

A murmur spread through the spectators.

"What? Orochimaru-sama personally chose Anko?"

"She's going to be trained by a Sannin?! Damn it! I wanted that chance!"

Many students burned with envy.

Even the instructors exchanged glances. To be handpicked by one of the Sannin? Anko was no longer just another student—she was a future elite of Konoha.

Anko licked her lips—a habit she'd recently picked up from her new sensei.

"Well? Are you scared yet?"

Yuuji blinked. "That's impressive."

For some reason, Anko frowned. His reaction wasn't what she expected.

Tch. He's not intimidated? Let's change that.

Without warning, she lunged forward, kunai flashing.

Yuuji barely moved. The blade sliced through the bandages on his face, drawing a thin line of blood. Red droplets splattered onto the kunai's edge.

A wicked grin spread across Anko's lips.

"You didn't even dodge? That's pathetic. Here's a little fun fact about me—"

Before Yuuji could react, she lifted the blood-stained kunai to her lips and licked it clean.

The moment the liquid touched her tongue, her expression twisted.

Her eyes widened. Her pupils dilated.

Anko spat it out violently.

"W-What the hell?!" She staggered back, pointing a trembling finger at him.

"You… you poisoned your blood?!"