Chapter 21: A New Semester, Practical Combat Training (Please Add to Favorites! Please Keep Reading!)

Without delay, Naruto began developing the drone swarm. Working alone was difficult, and he had little experience controlling such miniature weapons, so he enlisted the Aburame clan to collaborate on the project.

As a gesture of gratitude for Naruto's assistance, the Aburame clan gave their full support. While the nanometer-scale swarm remained elusive, they succeeded in creating a prototype about the size of a soybean to prove the concept.

Naruto integrated this drone swarm module into his mechanical arm. The module could be used for reconnaissance and combat, greatly enhancing Naruto's ability to scout and launch surprise attacks.

There were pleasant surprises during development. To manufacture the miniature weapon, Naruto devised a nanometer-level, ultra-sensitive, multifunctional gripping unit. This unit could adapt to extremely complex and precise grasping tasks, and once installed in his mechanical arm, it provided unprecedented flexibility and accuracy.

With the two new modules completed, Naruto paused his research.

The reason was simple: the new school term had begun.

With the start of the new term, the ninja academy introduced a new course—practical exercises. The school explained that after a semester of study, students would begin applying their classroom knowledge to various real-world situations.

For now, the practical classes focused on survival in the wild and combat exercises. It was rumored that in higher grades, these subjects would be combined for more challenging assessments.

“Today’s first combat exercise, we’ll have the top two students demonstrate,” Iruka announced, holding a folder and addressing the students. “Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, please come forward for the demonstration.”

Iruka then motioned Naruto and Sasuke to stand in the open area behind him.

Naruto was reluctant to bully children; he would have preferred a match against Kakashi. Sasuke, on the other hand, though outwardly calm, was burning with fighting spirit—Naruto sensed it keenly. It seemed Sasuke had finally found a way to surpass him.

Iruka noticed Sasuke’s mood and felt a twinge of concern. “Naruto, go easy,” he said.

Naruto shrugged. What else could he do but go easy? Should he go all out against a kid?

However, Iruka was oblivious to Sasuke’s inner turmoil. His words only fueled Sasuke’s competitive fire.

“Form the seal of confrontation… Very well, the match begins!” Even before Iruka finished speaking, Sasuke lowered his stance and lunged forward.

He threw a punch at Naruto’s face. Naruto leaned back, and Sasuke’s fist grazed his chin, missing its target. Sasuke seemed to overextend, nearly losing his balance, but he seamlessly followed up with a high kick—a small combo move.

Naruto didn’t dodge; he simply raised his hand and pushed. Sasuke was sent rolling backward, but he used the momentum to somersault several times and regain his distance. As soon as he steadied himself, a handful of shuriken flew toward Naruto.

Naruto caught the shuriken. The force wasn’t quite there, but the aim was decent.

Sasuke clearly wasn’t relying on the shuriken to win. The instant he threw them, he pounced again like a leopard, launching a flurry of taijutsu attacks.

Naruto nodded to himself; he admired Sasuke. This child was truly talented—not yet seven years old, and he could already execute such a combo.

The watching children cheered loudly. To them, Sasuke’s performance was dazzling—it looked as if he was dominating Naruto, who seemed unable to fight back.

Though family influence kept them from approaching Naruto, they didn’t actually dislike him. To them, seeing the second-ranked student apparently overpowering the first was an exhilarating reversal—a passionate scene unfolding before their eyes.

The cheers from the training ground even caught the attention of other classes.

Nearby, some second-year students training also glanced over.

“That’s Naruto Uzumaki taking the hits, right? I remember he’s the top first-year student,” said a bushy-browed boy to a pale-eyed companion. “To be able to push the top student—how youthful! Is this the spirit of youth?”

The pale-eyed boy shook his head, replying calmly, “Look more closely. Who’s really in control?”

“Huh?”

“Watch Naruto. He seems passive, as if he’s on the defensive. But look at his feet—there hasn’t been a second footprint the whole time. He hasn’t moved his feet at all.”

Not only the second-year students, but several first-year observers also noticed the difference.

“Shikamaru, Naruto is just like you…” Chubby Choji Akimichi munched on chips and commented to his lazy friend.

“He hasn’t attacked at all, just calmly dealing with Sasuke’s moves. Is he as afraid of trouble as you?”

Shikamaru scratched his head and replied languidly, “I don’t think so. If he really wanted to avoid trouble, he’d have knocked Sasuke down with a single punch. He’s sparring with Sasuke, letting him practice.”

Choji asked, “But why would Naruto do that?”

“Didn’t you hear Iruka-sensei just now? He asked Naruto to go easy. He must know Naruto’s true strength. Iruka-sensei asked Naruto for this favor.”

Shikamaru sighed, “Naruto’s just being nice, helping Iruka-sensei out. If it were me, I wouldn’t bother… It’s such a drag.”

Meanwhile, Kiba Inuzuka said to Shino Aburame, “No wonder you always praise Naruto—he’s really impressive! He hasn’t moved a step! But Sasuke’s not that great! If I were up there, I’d definitely make Naruto scramble!”

Shino didn’t bother responding to Kiba’s boast. Make Naruto scramble? Once Naruto unleashed his four arms, Kiba would see just how formidable he was.

Shino knew exactly how strong Naruto was. In his view, if Naruto got serious, perhaps not even the entire Aburame clan could match him.

Sasuke himself could see Naruto wasn’t taking him seriously. Frustrated and anxious, his attacks grew faster and more relentless.

Naruto noticed Sasuke’s eyes seemed reddened, as if bloodshot.

“Well, this kid’s getting angry. I can’t let this continue,” Naruto thought.

Suddenly, Naruto’s movements changed. He grabbed Sasuke’s arms and legs, neutralizing his force and pinned him to the ground.

“That’s enough! Let’s leave some time for the other students.” Naruto said.

Sasuke struggled furiously, but Naruto’s grip was like forged steel—he couldn’t break free.

“Don’t move. If you keep fighting, you’ll only hurt yourself,” Naruto whispered. “You wouldn’t want to lose your chance to challenge me again in the future, would you?”

Sasuke finally stopped, thoroughly discouraged.

Seeing this, Iruka quickly declared, “Alright! Naruto wins this match! Form the seal of reconciliation!”