Talent System In The Naruto Universe

Hanekawa?!

Uchiha Obito stared at the name displayed on the large screen, and his heart skipped a beat. However, he quickly composed himself.

In the year following graduation, under the guidance of Minato Namikaze, his strength had grown by leaps and bounds.

More importantly, he had a reason he absolutely could not lose.

Obito instinctively glanced at Rin Nohara.

"Do your best, everyone!" Rin said with a gentle smile.

"Rin, I will definitely win!" Obito, invigorated by her smile, declared with unwavering confidence.

Rin hesitated but eventually nodded. Deep down, she didn't think Obito could defeat Hanekawa, but as friends, she couldn't say it outright.

"This is going to be a tough choice!"

Might Guy gave a thumbs-up and exclaimed, "Show us your youth!"

"Hanekawa!"

Kurenai Yuhi, less reserved, clenched her fists and shouted, "Take him down!"

Hanekawa smiled slightly and stepped into the center of the arena.

Obito fixed his gaze on Hanekawa, clenching his fists tightly.

He absolutely couldn't lose to Hanekawa—especially in front of Rin.

Sharingan! Activate!

Obito's eyes widened, and a single tomoe appeared in each pupil.

"Begin the match!" Yamanaka Inoichi announced.

"I'm faster than you!"

Seeing Hanekawa clap his hands together, Obito moved first, tilting his head back to unleash an enormous fireball.

The searing heat distorted the air.

Compared to the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique he had used a year ago, his progress was remarkable.

Not only had his hand seal speed improved significantly, but the fireball's power had also nearly doubled.

Yamanaka Inoichi glanced at Obito in surprise.

For someone of this age to execute a Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique of this caliber was undoubtedly impressive.

But...

You've fallen into a genjutsu!

"Excellent!"

Obito, seeing his fireball hit Hanekawa, couldn't help but exclaim. But he knew victory wouldn't come so easily.

As expected, the next moment, Hanekawa appeared elsewhere.

Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!

Obito quickly retaliated by spitting out a series of small fireballs, resembling phoenix flowers, forcing Hanekawa to evade frantically.

A grin crept onto Obito's lips. If it weren't for the venue, he might have laughed out loud.

"What's going on with Obito?"

Shizune, watching the battle, asked in confusion.

From her perspective, Hanekawa hadn't moved at all, yet Obito was frantically using Fire Release techniques, none of which were hitting their mark.

"He's under a genjutsu," Kurenai said with a knowing smile.

As a genjutsu specialist, she could clearly see what had happened to Obito.

"What? When?" Shizune asked in shock.

"From the very beginning," Shisui Uchiha said, his expression serious. "Hanekawa-senpai's genjutsu can already be cast instantaneously."

When a jutsu is practiced to the point of mastery, it drastically reduces the time needed for hand seals, creating the illusion of instant casting.

Hanekawa, with his B-rank skill Genjutsu Special Jōnin and C-rank skill Kotoamatsukami Words, could cast certain genjutsu with just a simple hand clap.

"Has his power already reached such a level?"

Asuma Sarutobi muttered, tugging at the corner of his mouth.

With such speed in hand seals, he wondered if he'd end up like Obito, completely unable to evade the genjutsu.

Unless he avoided looking at Hanekawa's eyes from the very start.

But given that he was already weaker than Hanekawa, giving up eye contact would only make things worse.

Kakashi Hatake remained silent, pondering how to counter Hanekawa's genjutsu.

"This is Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Technique," Kurenai explained. "It creates visual distortions. Simply put, the Hanekawa Obito sees isn't the real Hanekawa."

"How terrifying!" Shizune couldn't help but exclaim.

With her level of skill, if she faced Hanekawa, she might as well surrender immediately.

"Doesn't he have a Sharingan? Why didn't he notice?" Asuma suddenly asked, puzzled.

"I believe there are two reasons. First, Obito's Sharingan only has a single tomoe," Shisui speculated. "Second, Hanekawa-senpai's genjutsu is exceptionally powerful—not just slightly stronger but overwhelmingly so."

"Of course!" Kurenai said proudly. "Hanekawa's genjutsu is nearly on par with my father's. He might even surpass him next year!"

"No wonder," Shisui said, finally understanding.

Kurenai's father, Yuhi Shinku, was a genjutsu master. If Hanekawa's abilities were only slightly inferior to his, a one-tomoe Sharingan couldn't possibly counter them.

Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!

Uchiha Obito formed hand seals, channeling a large amount of chakra into flames that shot out in a straight line.

The flames engulfed Hanekawa.

Obito let out a sigh of relief.

This should settle the match.

He had used four Fire Release techniques in quick succession, leaving his chakra nearly depleted. Exhaustion was now setting in.

But in the next moment, Obito's pupils contracted.

Hanekawa had escaped the flames unscathed once again.

This is impossible!

A strange feeling suddenly overtook Obito.

His expression changed drastically as he quickly formed hand seals.

Genjutsu Release!

The scene before him shifted immediately. Hanekawa was standing calmly across from him, watching him with an unshaken expression.

"You!"

Realizing how ridiculous his actions had been moments ago, Obito's face flushed red with embarrassment.

Laughter erupted from the audience.

Indeed, his earlier performance had been quite comical.

"Argh!"

Overcome with rage, a surge of intense emotion flooded into Obito's eyes.

Being toyed with under genjutsu in front of so many people, flailing around with Fire Release like a fool—it was humiliating.

He didn't dare imagine what Rin Nohara must be thinking.

Surely, she was utterly disappointed.

His chakra boiled within him.

Unnoticed, a second tomoe appeared in his Sharingan.

"Hahaha!"

Feeling the transformation in his body, Obito burst into manic laughter.

In the Stands

"Obito has awakened the two-tomoe Sharingan," Tsunade remarked, raising an eyebrow.

"This is unexpected," Minato Namikaze said in surprise.

As Obito's teacher, he was familiar with his talents. In his assessment, Obito's aptitude was decent but not exceptional.

Could it be that his true potential lies not in Fire Release, but in his Sharingan? Minato pondered.

"Two tomoe?"

Kushina Uzumaki asked, "Can Hanekawa still win?"

"Of course," Tsunade replied with a confident smile. "That kid hasn't even used a third of his strength yet."

Nearby, Uchiha Fugaku's expression was complicated.

On one hand, he admired Obito's talent in awakening his Sharingan. On the other, he found the circumstances of his awakening puzzling.

In the Arena

"Hanekawa! You're doomed!"

Obito, now brimming with confidence, shouted, "With these eyes, you stand no chance! I will have everything!"

"Congratulations," Hanekawa said with a faint smile.

He wasn't surprised that Obito had unlocked the two-tomoe Sharingan now. Given his age and abilities, this moment was inevitable. In the original story, it happened around this time as well.

Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death!

Hanekawa formed hand seals, releasing a surge of chakra.

"I see it!"

Obito reacted quickly, breaking the genjutsu as soon as the branches appeared around him.

The two-tomoe Sharingan granted him sharper dynamic vision and stronger ocular power, significantly reducing the effectiveness of ordinary genjutsu.

"Is that so?"

Hanekawa's voice came from behind him.

Startled, Obito spun around instinctively, only to see a spiraling mass of blue chakra heading his way.

No! This can't be happening!

His face twisted in fear.

Overconfident in his newfound power, Obito had lowered his guard.

But more importantly, Hanekawa's speed was simply too fast for him to react in time.

The Rasengan struck Obito squarely in the stomach.

His clothes tore, and debris scattered everywhere.

Obito's body trembled as he was sent flying backward, crashing to the ground unconscious.

"Hanekawa wins!"

Yamanaka Inoichi raised his hand and announced the victory.

Nearby medical-nin quickly stepped forward to carry Obito away.

"Arrogance always comes back to bite you," Asuma Sarutobi commented, shaking his head.

Obito had just declared his dominance moments ago, only to be soundly defeated. It was… rather clownish.

"You're describing yourself," Kurenai Yuhi quipped.

"When have I ever been arrogant?" Asuma retorted, feeling a bit embarrassed but trying to play it cool. "I've always been humble and low-key!"

Kakashi Hatake wore an odd expression.

Obito had lost to Minato's signature technique, the Rasengan.

Using the teacher's jutsu against the student, huh?

After the Match

"Hanekawa!"

Rin Nohara rushed over. "How's Obito?"

"He's fine," Hanekawa replied calmly. "He should wake up soon."

"That's a relief," Rin said, breathing out a sigh. "Congratulations, Hanekawa."

"Thank you," Hanekawa said with a smile.

"They're rolling the names again!"

Kurenai Yuhi glanced at the large screen and announced.

Everyone stopped chatting, feeling both tense and excited as they awaited the results.

Soon, the screen displayed two names: Kurenai Yuhi vs. Rin Nohara.

"Huh?"

Rin instinctively covered her mouth in surprise.

"Rin?"

Kurenai also looked shocked.

"Good luck, you two."

Hanekawa, unsure of what to say, offered a generic comment.

That old man is at it again!

Sarutobi Hiruzen was clearly stirring the pot.

"I'm definitely not a match for Kurenai," Rin said with a calm smile. She was content—making it to the second round as a medical ninja was already a great achievement.

"Just treat it like our usual practice sessions."

Kurenai grabbed Rin's hand, leading her to the center of the arena.

The Battle

The match began.

Aside from her medical ninjutsu, Rin could only rely on basic taijutsu. Despite Tsunade's training, she hadn't mastered superhuman strength, so she was quickly defeated.

"Rin."

Kurenai extended her hand to help her up.

"Thank you."

Rin grasped Kurenai's hand and got to her feet.

Hanekawa nodded quietly.

At least they remained good friends, and the match ended without any drama.

"Round Two, Match Three: Uchiha Shisui vs. Shiranui Genma," Yamanaka Inoichi announced.

Is this rigged?

Hanekawa felt suspicious but decided to keep watching.

As expected, Shisui swiftly and cleanly won the match.

"Round Two, Match Four: Might Guy vs. Shizune," Yamanaka continued.

Hanekawa was now certain—this was definitely rigged. The matchups were far too one-sided.

Like Rin, Shizune was a medical ninja. Against Might Guy, she only lasted a moment before conceding the match.

"Round Two, Match Five: Kakashi Hatake vs. Ibiki Morino," Yamanaka announced, then added, "Asuma Sarutobi gets a bye."

Wow. No shame at all!

Hanekawa couldn't help but mentally roll his eyes.

"I got a bye?" Asuma remarked, shaking his head. "What a pity—I missed a chance to fight."

"You mean you just lived to fight another round," Hanekawa retorted.

"Hmph!"

Asuma's face stiffened. "Just wait—I'll beat you next round!"

"You're just like Obito, talking big before the match," Kurenai teased, peeking out from behind Hanekawa with a grin.

"..."

Asuma was left speechless.

Are these two a team? Ganging up on me? How annoying!

"True enough," Kakashi chimed in unexpectedly.

"Why are you joining in?" Asuma asked, annoyed. "Aren't you supposed to be fighting?"

"I already finished." Kakashi replied flatly.

"...What?"

Asuma was baffled.

"Winner: Kakashi Hatake," Yamanaka Inoichi's voice confirmed over the arena.

Asuma's mouth twitched.

In the art of showing off, Kakashi is unmatched.

Hanekawa wasn't surprised.

Kakashi's father, Sakumo Hatake, was known for his speed and assassin-like swordsmanship. Against such techniques, Ibiki Morino stood no chance and was defeated in an instant.

"Take a 30-minute break. The third round will begin shortly," Yamanaka announced loudly.

"Let's check on Obito," Rin suggested.

"Sure."

Hanekawa felt a bit puzzled.

He had held back during their fight, so Obito should have recovered by now.

Could he be faking it?

The group made their way to the temporary medical ward.

Obito lay on a bed with his eyes closed.

Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.

He's definitely pretending.

"I'll help heal him," Hanekawa offered.

"No need, I'm fine," Obito said suddenly, sitting up.

It didn't bother him that Hanekawa had noticed, but he couldn't let Rin find out—too embarrassing. He had planned to feign unconsciousness to avoid facing the fallout of his disastrous performance. Especially after all his bold declarations, none of which had come to fruition.

Hanekawa watched the group chat while contemplating something.

Their fight hadn't triggered any new traits or upgraded his "Fire-Spitter" trait.

Does that mean I'm still not strong enough?

Third Round Begins

The break ended quickly, and everyone returned to the arena.

The large screen rolled the names again, soon displaying two names:

Hanekawa vs. Uchiha Shisui.

"Hanekawa-senpai?" Shisui took a deep breath, his expression growing serious.

Hanekawa's thoughts shifted.

I wonder if Shisui can trigger an upgrade to my Fire-Spitter trait.

__

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