Naruto: I Am Uchiha Sasuke!?

Sasuke glanced at Naruto, who was still in shock. "Hey, you're not hurt."

Naruto shook his head, snapping out of his daze. "I... I'm fine."

Then, crossing his arms, he huffed, "Hmph! I could've dodged it without your help."

Sasuke smirked but said nothing.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Yamanaka Inoichi and Nara Shikaku exchanged glances, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"That just now... it had to be a coincidence, right?" Inoichi muttered, uncertainty lacing his voice.

Shikaku remained silent for a moment before sighing. "Maybe... but if it wasn't, that kid's shuriken skills are terrifying."

Even as seasoned Jōnin, they couldn't guarantee such a precise redirection of a thrown weapon. To see it executed by a mere student was beyond reason.

Shikaku frowned, deep in thought. I've only seen shuriken techniques that refined from one person... Uchiha Itachi.

A wild thought crept into his mind. Could Sasuke's talent surpass even Itachi's?

He quickly dismissed it. Impossible. Itachi was a monster, a shinobi who single-handedly annihilated the Uchiha clan. There's no way this kid could match that.

With the shuriken assessment complete, only one test remained—taijutsu.

The rules were simple: students would face off against academy instructors in hand-to-hand combat. No ninjutsu allowed. If they lasted thirty seconds, they passed. If they endured a full minute, they were deemed exceptional.

"What?! Fight a teacher?!"

"That's unfair! Iruka-sensei is a Chūnin!"

Many students voiced their protests, but Iruka raised a reassuring hand. "Don't worry, we won't be using our full strength. This is just to evaluate your taijutsu level."

Relief washed over the students, though some still looked hesitant.

"So, who's up first?"

"Me!" Naruto immediately shot up his hand, grinning. "Iruka-sensei, I'm great at taijutsu!"

One by one, students stepped forward, but most barely lasted a few moves before being defeated. Even those from prestigious clans struggled to hold out for a full minute. Despite their training, they lacked real combat experience.

Then came Sasuke's turn.

His opponent: Mizuki.

The white-haired instructor smirked, his eyes narrowing as he watched Sasuke approach with his usual indifferent expression, hands in his pockets.

Arrogant brat, Mizuki seethed internally.

A deep resentment burned in him. As a civilian-born ninja, he'd clawed his way to Chūnin through sheer effort, only to be overshadowed by those from prestigious clans who were gifted power from birth. And now, this Uchiha prodigy was standing before him, basking in the spotlight.

Let's see how talented you really are.

Without warning, Mizuki lunged forward, throwing a powerful punch at Sasuke's face!

Sasuke's eyes sharpened. He casually tilted his head, letting the strike pass harmlessly by.

What's with this guy? Did he wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Sasuke thought, noting Mizuki's unusual aggression.

Mizuki followed up with a knee strike, but Sasuke dodged it just as effortlessly.

"Damn brat!" Mizuki growled, increasing the pace of his attacks. He launched a rapid flurry of kicks and punches, his movements fast and fierce.

Yet, Sasuke weaved through them with ease, slipping past each strike like a shadow.

Seeing an opening, Sasuke shifted his weight and swept at Mizuki's supporting leg.

BANG!

Mizuki crashed onto his back, stunned.

Sasuke smirked. "Is this really the level of an academy instructor?"

The mocking tone made Mizuki's blood boil. "You little—!"

With a roar, he pushed himself up and charged again.

The two clashed, their fight sending shockwaves through the training ground.

"What's going on?! Mizuki-sensei seems serious!"

"No way... Sasuke is matching a Chūnin in hand-to-hand combat!"

The spectators were dumbfounded. Taijutsu was supposed to be the hardest test, yet Sasuke was going toe-to-toe with an instructor!

Mizuki blocked a kick with both arms, but in that moment, Sasuke twisted mid-air—

"Lion Combo!"

A crushing heel drop came down like an axe, slamming Mizuki into the ground.

BANG!

Dust settled. Mizuki groaned, blood trickling from his forehead. His limbs trembled as he tried to push himself up.

"H-how... could I lose... to a kid...?"

Sasuke stepped closer, his voice cold. "This is the limit of mediocrity. The name Uchiha is beyond your reach."

Mizuki's breath hitched.

Before the other instructors could intervene, Sasuke reached down and pulled Mizuki up by the collar. Leaning in, he whispered, "If you ever cross me again... I'll kill you."

A shiver ran down Mizuki's spine as he met Sasuke's gaze. His Sharingan spun ominously, radiating a chilling bloodlust.

Sasuke let go, stepping back with a casual smile. "Nothing to worry about, Iruka-sensei. Mizuki and I were just having a friendly spar."

Mizuki staggered, his knees weak.

"Sasuke, that was incredible!"

"He almost defeated Mizuki-sensei!"

"No way, a Chūnin wouldn't lose to a student! Mizuki-sensei must've been holding back... right?"

The crowd buzzed with disbelief.

Among them, Hinata gazed at Sasuke with admiration. Sasuke-kun is amazing... Not just in ninjutsu, but taijutsu too.

The graduation exams concluded.

Sasuke had earned a perfect score across all categories, securing his place as the top graduate.

One by one, successful students stepped forward to receive their forehead protectors from Iruka, celebrating their transition into full-fledged shinobi.

"Haha! I did it! I'm a ninja now!"

"Shikamaru, what do you think? This forehead protector makes me look cool, right?"

While others celebrated, Naruto stood before Iruka, looking anxious.

"Iruka-sensei, come on! I was so close! Can't you just let me pass?"

Iruka sighed, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, Naruto. If you're not ready, becoming a ninja will only put you in danger. Try again next time."

Naruto's face fell. Disheartened, he turned away.

Watching from a distance, Mizuki, still nursing his bruises, smirked. A plan was already forming in his mind...

Maybe I can use this fool to get what I want...