Chapter 19: Combat Training  

Konoha Training Grounds. 

Clear skies. 

Sasuke felt like he was hot stuff. 

But Iruka? Iruka was done. 

He knew exactly how strong Hikari was. 

The teacher's lounge had already buzzed with rumors about her. 

Even if Sasuke had awakened his Sharingan—let alone a three-tomoe one—it wouldn't matter. 

A blind girl hard-counters ocular jutsu. 

Her sealless water release hard-counters fire. 

And her ridiculously fast taijutsu? Even if you see it coming, you can't dodge. Hell, even Kazama-sensei—a jonin with wind-speed movement so refined it was practically art—got kicked so hard he wound up in the hospital. 

This matchup was brutal. 

Frankly, even Sasuke's dad, "Fierce-Eye" Fugaku Uchiha, would've struggled. And this Sasuke? The kid could barely handle the Academy Three. 

With tensions rising between the Uchiha clan and the village, Iruka really didn't need the clan's second son dying in his class. Would the Third Hokage even protect him if that happened? 

Trying to spare Sasuke's pride, Iruka carefully chose his words: 

"I think it's better if—" 

"Fine." 

Hikari agreed instantly. 

Clutching his clipboard, Iruka stood frozen at the edge of the field. As a teacher who knew he'd lose to his own student, he had zero authority to argue. 

At the center of the training ground, Hikari and Sasuke faced off. 

Her mission with Naruto was basically complete. 

Sasuke? She didn't care much about him. 

Sure, he was easy to manipulate—but what did he really offer? An Eternal Mangekyō? A Rinnegan way later? Meh. 

Even if she stole his eyes, where would she put them? She liked her Byakugan. 

It might've looked unimpressive, but— 

From merging it with Shikotsumyaku to create "Body Domination," to taming volatile tailed-beast chakra for sealless water release—her Byakgu was essential. 

So her goal was simple: Break Sasuke. Make him know who ruled this class. Then drag him along to fight Kaguya later. 

Hikari's plans were set. 

--- 

The moment the class realized Hikari and Sasuke were actually fighting? 

Chaos. 

Finally—a chance to see the mysterious Hikari in action! 

Sure, they'd heard the rumors about Kazama-sensei's hospital trip… 

But seeing was believing. 

Uchiha Sasuke, the undisputed king of sparring, versus Hikari, the girl who hospitalized a jonin on day one? This was gonna be epic. 

…At least, that's what Sasuke's fangirls (led by Sakura) thought. 

The boys? Different story. 

"Hey, Shikamaru—think Sasuke's got a chance?" Kiba tilted his head, Akamaru pawing excitedly at his hair. 

Shikamaru side-eyed him. 

"If he walks away without broken ribs, it's a win." 

His dad, Nara Shikaku, had warned him about Hikari last night: 

"Don't piss her off. Stay friendly. And never—never—fight her." 

Shikamaru wasn't stupid. He listened. 

Even when Naruto got bullied earlier, he'd wanted to step in—but if Hikari wasn't moving? Neither was he. 

Now, Naruto stood with the others, cupping his hands around his mouth: 

"Hikari! YOU GOT THIS!" 

Sakura immediately rallied the Sasuke Fan Club to drown him out: 

"SASUKE-KUN! YOU'RE THE BEST!" 

"QUIET!—I mean, GO SASUKE!" 

Iruka's attempt at order vanished under the screaming. 

Watching Sasuke and Hikari lock eyes, Iruka tensed. 

"I am Uchiha Sasuke. Fight me." 

For once, Sasuke wasn't smirking like he had against Hinata. He formed a hand seal, deadly serious. 

Hikari didn't even acknowledge him. 

Sasuke's hands dropped. His eyes burned. 

Oh, she's dead. 

"BEGIN!" 

--- 

Sasuke lunged— 

And flew back faster. 

BOOM. 

His tiny body skidded across the dirt, kicking up dust. 

Hikari lowered her foot. 

The fangirls' cheers died mid-scream. 

"YEAH! BEAT HIS ASS, Hikari!" Naruto's voice echoed—he was too short to even see the fight, still cheering blindly. 

"Uh, Naruto? It's over," Choji muttered, eyeing Ino's glare. 

"Huh?" 

Naruto pushed forward— 

And gaped at Sasuke, still crumpled on the ground, while Hikari stood untouched. 

"That… that was it?!" 

The class shared his shock. Even the ones in front had barely seen it—just Sasuke charging, then flying back. 

"Sensei. You can call it." 

Hikari's voice snapped Iruka back to reality. 

"Winner: Hikari—" 

"I'M NOT DONE!" 

Sasuke lurched up, eyes red, his back trembling. 

"But I am." 

Hikari tilted her head—even blindfolded, her disdain was palpable. 

"I expected more from an Uchiha." 

"YOU—!" 

Sasuke roared, charging again. His fist slammed toward her face— 

CRACK. 

Hikari caught it mid-air. 

"GAAAAH—!" 

Sasuke screamed as her grip crushed his knuckles. 

"Pathetic." 

Her cane blocked his hidden kick—then her foot drove into his liver. 

"Ghk—!" 

Sasuke folded, face purpling like a boiled lobster. 

"D-don't… insult… my clan…" 

THUD. 

Another kick sent him flying. The class watched, silent. 

"The only one insulting the Uchiha is you." 

Hikari's voice was ice. 

"Arrogant. Weak. If this is what your clan produces? Pathetic." 

No sympathy. None. 

She knew Sasuke. Knew he'd stab even those who loved him (cough Karin cough). 

You couldn't nice him into loyalty. 

Carrot and stick. Stay stronger, and he'd never betray you. 

Then— 

Sasuke looked up, face twisted in pain— 

And spat fire. 

"DIE—!" 

Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu! 

A burst of flames shot at Hikari— 

No water jutsu. No dodge. 

Was she too slow?! 

Sasuke grinned, savoring his revenge— 

--- 

(End of Chapter.) 

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