In the training field of the Ninja Academy, students from two classes gathered tightly together.
Two students were sparring in the center, going blow for blow. But their skills were pretty average. Most people's attention was actually fixed on Minato and Yan Uchiha instead.
A year ago, the fight those two had put on had been way more exciting than what was happening now.
That battle had been the moment these students truly realized just how powerful Minato was—despite his usual gentle and modest nature.
One year had passed since then—how much stronger could these two geniuses have gotten?
"I wish I could see them spar against each other!"
This thought ran through many minds—even Yan Uchiha's homeroom teacher couldn't wait to see it either.
Yan Uchiha occasionally glanced over at Minato, who remained calm and composed.
"Winner: Rina Takeuchi!"
Just then, a result was declared—the match between two girls had ended. One wore a face full of disappointment—it was clear who lost.
"Form the Reconciliation Seal [a traditional symbol of peace after sparring]."
Moto Kouda stood between them and announced.
The two exchanged smiles, overlapping their hands to form the traditional seal practiced by students after matches at the Ninja Academy.
"Next match: Kushina Uzumaki versus Yu Akasaka!"
As Moto Kouda called out the next pairing, most of the gazes previously focused on Minato and Yan Uchiha now shifted entirely elsewhere.
When Kushina heard her opponent's name, she slightly lifted her delicate eyebrows before confidently stepping forward.
The looks directed at her were uneasy, almost avoiding. Meanwhile, the one who had just been called out wore an expression full of panic and dread.
"Why me, Teacher Kouda?" Yu Akasaka clearly showed reluctance. He'd rather spar with Minato or Yan Uchiha than face Kushina right now.
Yu wasn't weak at all for his age—he was only behind Minato, Yan Uchiha, Mikoto, and Kushina herself.
But nobody expected this match to be even remotely fair...
The gazes fixed on Yu Akasaka carried pity, and some students had already started sighing on his behalf.
"C'mon, are you even a guy? It's just a sparring session—I'll go easy on you."
Kushina said it like that, but her clenched fists visibly trembled, faint sounds of grinding bones audible beneath her skin.
The faint smile curling at her lips looked like pure evil to Yu.
"Yu Akasaka, come to the center for your match." Moto Kouda had no choice but to pair them up—who else would even step into the ring with Kushina these days?
Even Minato, normally composed, now wore an awkward smile. Normally, Kushina only ever sparred against him or Mikoto—nobody else dared. And today, unexpectedly, it was Yu Akasaka.
Swallowing his anxiety, Yu Akasaka forced himself to stand in the middle of the arena, facing Kushina.
"The battle begins!"
With Moto Kouda's announcement, Kushina charged straight at Yu Akasaka with a punch.
Her long red hair lifted gently as she moved.
Although Yu was frightened, his fundamentals were actually quite solid. Besides, Kushina's speed wasn't nearly as extreme as Minato's or Yan Uchiha's.
He dared not block her punches directly and could only dodge.
Yet just as he dodged her first punch, Kushina's angelic face lit up with a mischievous smile.
"Gotcha!"
While throwing her punch, Kushina suddenly crouched low and swept her leg.
Yu Akasaka hadn't expected the usually straightforward Kushina to play tricks on him. His reaction was good enough—he dodged her leg sweep but lost his balance, staggering backward.
At this moment, Kushina shot forward with another direct punch. Yu Akasaka had no chance to evade completely and crossed both arms to take the blow.
"Boom!"
Absorbing the full impact, Yu Akasaka stumbled back from the force and collapsed onto the ground in a sitting position.
Immediately after, Kushina launched another punch. Yu barely managed to avoid it—though it still grazed his face before striking heavily against the earth.
The ground kicked up light dust, and Yu Akasaka became so terrified his pupils seemed to lose focus. If that punch had landed fully, he probably would have been knocked unconscious.
Then came several more strikes from Kushina—all just grazing Yu Akasaka's vitals.
"Oh my God! The Red-Hot Habanero is going to kill me!" Yu Akasaka cried out, tears almost spilling from his eyes.
The crowd watching the fight had seen this coming from the start, gazing at him with pity.
The Red-Hot Habanero was the title Kushina had gained within the past year.
Because her style tended to be somewhat violent—her excitement often causing her to overestimate her strength during simple sparring matches—and combined with her fiery red hair, the name fit perfectly.
No one besides Minato and Mikoto could truly withstand her "spicy" offensive style...
"Stop!"
Moto Kouda hadn't expected Yu Akasaka's defeat to come so quickly. Hurriedly calling an end to the match before Yu Akasaka sustained any serious injuries, Kushina pouted but reluctantly stepped back.
Dashing over to Moto Kouda, Kushina said, "Teacher Kouda, this isn't even training. My opponent's too weak; I can't get any stronger like this."
"Could you find me a new opponent?" Kushina continued immediately.
Wiping sweat from his brow, Moto Kouda glanced at Minato among the crowd and said, "Minato, how about you spar with Kushina again..."
Just as Minato was about to respond, Kushina spoke again.
"It gets boring constantly sparring with Minato. Today we're practicing together with classmates from Third Division anyway—why not let him be my sparring partner instead?"
Kushina pointed her finger toward Yan Uchiha, who was standing in front of the Group Three crowd.
As for Kushina's fiery temperament, Moto Kouda could only feel helpless. Although she was temperamental, her request wasn't unreasonable at all.
Everyone's expression grew expectant at this moment—who would come out on top between the newly-risen "Red-Hot Habanero" and Yan Uchiha?
Minato and Mikoto, however, wore serious expressions—they both knew that Kushina was intentionally stirring things up.
From that incident a year ago, she clearly still hadn't let go.
"I refuse," Yan Uchiha said coolly at this moment, his attention completely elsewhere, not even glancing at Kushina.
"You bastard!"
Kushina clenched her fist, ready to charge—but Moto Kouda stopped her in time.
"Now that the opponent has refused, I hereby declare this match invalid. Hurry down from the stage; there are still students waiting for practice!"
By the end, Kouda's tone had become somewhat stern. Kushina dared not defy the teacher's will. She glared angrily at Yan Uchiha before turning back.
"Kushina, you haven't performed the Reconciliation Seal (a ritual gesture symbolizing the end of combat) with Yu Akasaka yet!" Moto Kouda reminded again. Helpless, Kushina had no choice but to turn around and perform the Reconciliation Seal half-heartedly with the obviously tired Yu Akasaka.
"Pfft, what's the big deal with him anyway? Just wait 'til I get my chance—I'll totally take him down!"
Back beside Mikoto and Minato, Kushina puffed out her cheeks angrily, looking incredibly cute. The two could only exchange amused glances.
"Alright, don't be so stubborn anymore. Don't make Teacher Kouda feel embarrassed," Mikoto gently counseled Kushina.
At this moment, Moto Kouda announced the names for the next sparring session.
"The next round: Yan Uchiha versus Mikoto Uchiha!"
...
...
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