"Mikoto—with her Sharingan—actually lost? This is unbelievable!"

"Natsuki is four years younger than her. To defeat her across that gap... he really is a monster!"

"What was that last technique? A genjutsu?"

The students of both classes buzzed with excited discussion over Natsuki’s victory.

After all, most of them had been supporting Uchiha Mikoto.

Such an unexpected outcome left them stunned.

The dizziness quickly faded.

Uchiha Mikoto steadied herself and saw the kunai pressed against her throat.

She couldn’t help but feel momentarily dazed.

Although she wasn’t a typical Uchiha, she had genuinely believed she would win before the fight.

Because she had learned not only Fire Release and genjutsu—but had also awakened her one-tomoe Sharingan.

In the ninja world, there was a saying: in a one-on-one fight, an Uchiha is invincible.

It couldn’t be helped. The Sharingan was simply too powerful.

Just the ability to clearly perceive every movement provided a massive combat advantage.

And it had been true—up until now.

Her fight with Natsuki could essentially be considered evenly matched.

Mikoto reflected on what had happened. The problem lay in Natsuki’s Phantom Blow.

She had only heard that he excelled in kenjutsu. She hadn’t expected him to also know Yin Release techniques.

"I lost. You’re very strong."

Uchiha Mikoto looked at Natsuki.

"I just got lucky."

Natsuki sheathed his kunai and shook his head.

"If you were my age, you could probably defeat me with ease."

A gentle smile appeared on Mikoto’s face.

Natsuki was young and tremendously talented. He should have been arrogant and untamed like most Uchiha—yet he was remarkably modest.

Her impression of him was quite favorable.

"Senior Mikoto, I have a favor to ask."

Natsuki saw an opportunity. "I’d like a crow as a summoning beast. I can pay for it."

"No payment necessary."

Mikoto looked mildly surprised, then replied. "I can introduce you, but whether you obtain a summon depends on your own ability."

As expected—the Uchiha clan had connections with the crow clan.

Natsuki nodded. "Thank you, Senior Mikoto."

Their brief exchange ended, and they returned to their respective class lineups.

Natsuki was immediately surrounded by enthusiastic Class 2-A students.

After all, he had defeated the sixth-year Uchiha Mikoto.

Now, as long as he defeated Nawaki, Natsuki would dominate the Ninja Academy—undisputed number one.

Namikaze Minato watched with complicated feelings.

Uchiha Mikoto had the Sharingan. Her dynamic vision and reaction speed were very similar to his own.

Her loss meant he would most likely lose as well.

However, there was always a difference between a first encounter and a rematch. Minato had already analyzed Natsuki’s strength, so the outcome remained uncertain.

Because ninja battles were information battles.

[You have awakened the Shippo Template.]

After Natsuki finished dealing with his classmates, a notification appeared before his eyes.

He paused, then examined his newly awakened template.

[Name: Shippo]

[Era: Final]

[World: Inuyasha]

[Rank: C-Rank]

[Ability 1: Clone — Unlocked]

[Effect: Use a leaf to create a clone. When attacked, it produces a sound to confuse the enemy.]

[Ability 2: Fox Fire — Locked]

[Effect: Release a massive ball of fire.]

[Unlock Condition: Defeat three Fire Release ninjas.]

[Ability 3: Fox Magic — Locked]

[Effect: Trap the target in an illusion that feels indistinguishable from reality.]

[Unlock Condition: Defeat three genjutsu ninjas.]

Ah—the mascot from Inuyasha.

A little fox demon. His role was similar to Chopper’s in One Piece.

But mascots weren’t just mascots. They possessed certain abilities.

Shippo’s three abilities were quite useful in the ninja world—roughly Chunin-level.

Ability 1: Clone.

Although using a leaf for a clone lacked combat utility, it could prove valuable in the wilderness.

Ability 2, judging by the description, was similar to Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique—a C-Rank Fire Release.

The unlock condition was defeating three Fire Release ninjas.

It didn’t specify Genin, Chunin, or Jonin. He just needed to defeat three ninjas who knew Fire Release.

Overall, moderate difficulty.

The most useful was undoubtedly Ability 3—because Fox Magic was a genjutsu.

Natsuki had just experienced the power of illusion techniques firsthand. They were genuinely formidable.

Even a D-Rank genjutsu had been troublesome, let alone high-level ones.

And the most powerful genjutsu in the ninja world belonged to the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Uchiha Shisui’s Kotoamatsukami, for example, could silently alter a person’s will and subconscious—essentially functioning like mind control.

The unlock condition for Ability 3 was also defeating three ninjas.

Only this time, it changed from Fire Release to genjutsu.

He could even unlock both abilities simultaneously by finding three ninjas who knew both Fire Release and genjutsu.

Natsuki’s expression turned subtle.

Because in Konoha, most ninjas who knew both Fire Release and genjutsu were Uchiha.

He had already defeated Uchiha Mikoto. If he defeated three more Uchiha, he would definitely be seen as targeting their clan.

Combined with his status as Orochimaru’s student and a ninja of the Hokage’s faction, the situation would escalate.

It would go from him targeting the Uchiha to Sarutobi Hiruzen targeting the Uchiha.

Natsuki shook his head.

The best approach was asking Orochimaru to help find three Genin who met the conditions.

Time passed. The exchange meet between the two classes came to a close.

Class 2-A suffered a crushing defeat—winning only three matches total.

However, no one felt discouraged.

Because Natsuki had defeated Uchiha Mikoto.

That single victory was already enough.

Meanwhile, news of Natsuki’s win spread throughout Konoha at remarkable speed.

The reason was simple: neither of their identities was ordinary.

Especially since many ninjas and villagers had long harbored grievances toward the Uchiha.

To be honest, the Uchiha clan ultimately meeting the fate of annihilation was largely due to their own personalities.

The other, smaller portion of the blame fell on Sarutobi Hiruzen.

No longer young, he had appeared indecisive when handling Uchiha affairs—ultimately allowing the situation to spiral out of control.

After school, Uchiha Mikoto returned home.

But upon entering the courtyard, she froze.

An uninvited guest awaited her: Uchiha Fugaku.

He was seventeen this year. With Jonin-level strength, he had recently succeeded as clan head.

"Clan Head."

Mikoto greeted him quickly.

"You lost to Natsuki?"

Fugaku looked at her directly.

"Yes."

Mikoto sighed internally. She already understood the situation.

"The clan members are very disappointed in you. Many wanted to challenge Natsuki themselves, but I stopped them."

Fugaku spoke bluntly. "I hope you can reclaim the honor you lost—on your own."

<><><><><><>

Read Advanced Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo247

~ Every 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!

~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]