Naruto : Konoha Light

Asuma also understood this point, but he felt quite troubled as he looked at Shimizu with a hint of hidden bitterness.

At this moment, he noticed that Shimizu was still calmly sitting in his seat, reading a book.

Seeing this, Asuma angrily walked up and asked, "Our duel is about to start, yet you're still reading here? At least show some intensity!"

Shimizu closed his book somewhat helplessly and said, "It's because you're too strong, Asuma. That's why I have to use every bit of time I have to improve myself!"

"Huh? Am I really that strong?" Asuma smiled a little dizzily, then asked, "But can reading really help? And besides, isn't it too late to memorize anything now?"

Shimizu looked puzzled. "Why would it be too late?"

The corner of Asuma's mouth twitched slightly. "You mean you can just memorize everything in a book instantly?"

"Yes! Isn't that normal for people like us?" Shimizu nodded naturally, then tilted his head and asked, "Asuma, can't you do that?"

Even though Asuma had repeatedly convinced himself that he was talented, at this moment, he was hit with reality—he truly couldn't do that!

Shimizu had an extraordinary ability—something akin to photographic memory. Thanks to this talent, even after several years, he still had a crystal-clear understanding of various details about this world.

Asuma opened his mouth subconsciously, but his throat felt dry. He really couldn't do it.

Am I not actually talented after all...?

As this thought crossed his mind, Asuma's eyes grew slightly moist.

Seeing that Asuma was beginning to doubt himself, Shimizu smiled and started walking outside. "Let's go. I've been looking forward to our fight for a long time!"

Asuma nodded and followed, stepping forward seriously.

On the school playground, many teachers and senior students were already waiting.

To most people, this was just a childish quarrel between two kids. However, since it involved the son of the Hokage, some people were genuinely interested.

"They really love to cause a scene. We weren't this restless back in our day."

"Hey, you're only six years old yourself. Why are you talking like an old man?"

"...Stop exposing me! I have to maintain my dignity as a senior!"

While the students whispered amongst themselves, the teachers in charge of different grades were also discussing the upcoming fight.

"Since when did a fight between two new students attract so much attention? Hopefully, it won't be too embarrassing to watch."

"How exciting can a fight between rookies be? At most, they'll just throw words at each other. Maybe even some Chakra-enhanced saliva!"

"Normally, being able to refine Chakra within half a month is already impressive. But don't forget, Asuma is the son of the Hokage!"

"Right. His talent is exceptional... Hey, Yagami, don't just stand there! You're their teacher, so you should know their progress best."

Yagami smiled slightly and said, "Asuma is indeed talented. By the time he enrolled, he could already use the Clone Jutsu proficiently. By now, he might even have learned a D-rank jutsu."

"You're joking! That would mean he's already at the graduation level!"

"Don't exaggerate. A ninja must also have battle experience. But yes, his talent is undeniable."

"As expected of the Hokage's son. It looks like our village has another genius like Orochimaru."

At that moment, a hearty laugh rang out from behind them.

"Haha, don't compare him to Orochimaru just yet! He's still far from that level!"

The crowd turned around and was stunned to see the Third Hokage standing there in casual clothing.

"Hokage-sama! You actually came?"

The Third Hokage waved his hand with a smile. "I'm not here as the Hokage today, just as an ordinary parent."

Even though he said that, the teachers standing next to him still felt immense pressure.

Fortunately, Shimizu and Asuma arrived at that moment, shifting everyone's attention away from the Hokage.

"Shimizu, I know you're strong. In this school, only you are worthy of being my opponent!" Asuma declared loudly with an over-the-top sense of shame and pride. "Come! Let's show these people our strength!"

The crowd collectively shuddered at his words. Why was this embarrassment so overwhelming?

Several teachers quietly glanced at the Third Hokage. After all, children often imitate their guardians. Could it be that the Hokage acted this way at home?

The Third Hokage stiffened slightly as he held his pipe, wondering if coming here today was a mistake.

Shimizu, however, simply clasped his hands together to form the "Seal of Opposition" and firmly stated, "Asuma, I'm starting!"

Asuma formed the same seal. "Come at me!"

The moment the words left his mouth, Asuma leaned forward, arms swinging back, and charged toward Shimizu at high speed.

Shimizu quickly stepped backward, pulling four shuriken from his waist pouch and gripping them between his fingers. His eyes focused on Asuma, predicting his next move.

Then—!

The four shuriken shot out simultaneously, slicing through the air, aimed precisely at Asuma's shoulders and ankles.

Asuma's sprinting figure suddenly stalled. He quickly changed direction and jumped to the left.

But before he could relax, a sudden sharp sound in the air startled him.

His peripheral vision caught sight of something—more shuriken flying straight toward him, as if he had voluntarily thrown himself into their trajectory!

"He predicted my movement? This level of accuracy… Shimizu is incredible!"

Although Asuma had more physical strength and Chakra than Shimizu, he was still the one being pressured.

"But throwing shuriken isn't ninjutsu! Let me show you how real ninjutsu is used!" Asuma did not dodge. Instead, he rushed straight ahead.

Bang—Clang!

A puff of smoke appeared, and Asuma's body suddenly swapped places with a nearby rock.

Just as his feet touched the ground, he immediately accelerated and charged forward again. His gaze locked onto Shimizu's waist. "His tool pouch should be empty now. What will you do next, Shimizu?"

"You can already use the Substitution Jutsu so well? That's really impressive… But wait, that is…"

"Be careful!"

Panicked shouts erupted from the crowd. Asuma instinctively turned his head—only to see a flash of cold light directly in his line of sight!

His pupils shrank. There was no time to form seals. The only option was to dodge by rolling away.

But he was still a step too slow. A thin line of blood appeared on his cheek as the sharp edge barely grazed him.

Asuma ignored the minor pain and looked up in shock.

In front of him, Shimizu stood calmly, his right hand raised.

Four shuriken floated in the air, spinning rapidly.

They were all connected by nearly invisible Chakra threads extending from Shimizu's fingertips.