Chapter 66 - 66: Sarutobi’s TestChapter 66: Sarutobi''s Test

    A vast lawn stretched out beyond the gates of Konoha Village, bathed in the fading light of the setting sun. The distant roar of a waterfall filled the air, but it was often drowned out by the explosive echoes of battle ringing across the field.

    Two black shadows darted and clashed on the open grass, moving with incredible speed.

    "Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"

    Sasuke''s hands blurred through hand seals, his chakra flaring. He spat out three blazing fireballs in rapid succession, each one tearing through the air toward Naruto like fiery cannonballs.

    Naruto sidestepped the attack without hesitation, weaving through the flames. In the split-second gap between dodging, he formed his own seal.

    "Wind Style: Wind Cutter Technique!"

    A nearly invisible blade of wind burst forth from between the fireballs, slicing toward Sasuke with deadly precision. The wind, refined to a razor''s edge, was meant to reap lives.

    Sasuke, however, evaded again, his body moving with flawless agility.

    He no longer wore the smug, arrogant expression he had at the start of their fight. That confidence had vanished the moment he realized Naruto''s speed and technique weren''t something he could brush aside. Now, he was fighting seriously.

    "Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

    Naruto inhaled deeply and exhaled a powerful gust of wind, a mini hurricane that surged forward, tearing up grass and dirt. Even the weeds it pulled from the ground became dangerous projectiles under the force of the blast.

    Sasuke leapt back instinctively, barely staying ahead of the storm. As he moved, he was already analyzing—calculating how to turn the tide.

    Naruto''s chakra... it''s stronger than I thought.

    High above the battlefield, two figures stood on a thick tree branch, quietly observing the duel from the shadows. Ryosuke and Hinata watched with their Byakugan activated, eyes keen and focused.

    "Wow... they''re incredible," Hinata whispered, her gaze fixed on the fight. "Even with that level of ninjutsu coming at him, Sasuke still managed to dodge. That reaction speed..."

    There was admiration in her voice. Maybe even envy.

    Under Ryosuke''s training, she had come to understand her weaknesses. She struggled to react fast enough in real combat—unable to unleash her full potential. Compared to Naruto and Sasuke, their instincts and reflexes felt... natural. Like they were born to fight.

    "You''ll get there too," Ryosuke said with a small smile. He reached out to comfort her with a pat on the head—

    —but he paused, his sharp perception telling him something had changed.

    A new presence had arrived.

    "Hinata-chan wants to catch up to both of them," came a deep, gravelly voice beside them, "but that won''t be easy."

    An old man in white robes and a bamboo hat now stood beside them on the same branch, smiling kindly. His face was deeply wrinkled, worn by years of service and war.

    "Third... Third Hokage!"

    Ryosuke widened his eyes, feigning surprise as he stepped back respectfully. "What brings you here?"

    Hinata bowed her head politely. "Lord Third."

    Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded warmly. "Good kids."

    He turned his gaze back to the battle below. "Naruto''s application for an early graduation exam was approved. I stopped by his place but didn''t find him. I followed the noise and... well, here we are."

    Ryosuke gave a half-smile and explained, "He just wants to earn the top spot fairly before graduation. He''s not trying to cut corners."

    There was no nervousness in his tone, no fake cheerfulness. Just calm honesty. He wasn''t buying the old man''s story, not entirely.

    Ever since Sasuke entered the picture, Ryosuke had felt eyes on them—surveillance. This wasn''t a coincidence. The Third Hokage wasn''t just passing by.

    Sarutobi smiled, seeming satisfied with Ryosuke''s casual demeanor. "Naruto speaks of you often. Says you''re one of his only real friends at the academy."

    "Well, we''re classmates, and..." Ryosuke glanced at Naruto. "I know his story. My father explained it to me and Hinata. He''s the son of a hero. He shouldn''t be living like that."

    "...Naruto''s had a hard life," Hinata added softly. "But he works so hard. He''s strong."

    Sarutobi''s smile faded slightly. He sighed but didn''t respond. His eyes drifted back to the battle, filled with quiet reflection.

    The fighting below was still going on, though the energy had shifted.

    Sasuke was clearly fading. His movements were slowing, and his chakra reserves were nearly drained. His stamina was at its limit. He was holding on now through pure willpower and muscle memory.

    Any other ninja in his position would''ve already lost their focus and made a fatal mistake. But Sasuke''s pride wouldn''t let him quit.

    "He''s almost done," Sarutobi said quietly.

    Ryosuke and Hinata nodded. They''d seen enough to know the outcome.

    The Third Hokage spoke again, voice thoughtful. "Naruto''s progress has been impressive, especially under my guidance. I''m confident he''ll pass the graduation exam... but I worry about the team he''ll be assigned to afterward."

    He paused.

    "I''m not sure what kind of teammates will accept him."

    His eyes slid toward Ryosuke. "Ryosuke-kun... have you considered early graduation?"

    It was almost like a grandfather gently nudging his grandchild to befriend someone lonely on their first day of school. But Ryosuke didn''t miss the intent behind the words.

    He smiled calmly but kept his guard up.

    "I''ve thought about it, but... I need to stay with Hinata. She''s the future head of our clan, and protecting her is important to both me and my father. That''s our priority right now."

    He wasn''t lying. It was a calculated truth. And it was a perfect shield.

    Without needing to flaunt his strength, he could use Hinata''s identity—and the Hyuga clan''s strict rules—to avoid drawing too much attention.

    Sarutobi nodded slowly, clearly disappointed, but understanding.

    "That''s a shame..." he murmured.

    He reached into his robes and pulled out a scroll, offering it to Ryosuke.

    "Once they''re finished, give this to Naruto. Let him know his graduation exam is scheduled for tomorrow."

    Ryosuke accepted the scroll with a nod.

    "Yes, Lord Third."

    The old man gave them one last glance, then turned to watch the final moments of the duel below.

    The sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting long shadows across the field as the battle between two future legends neared its end.

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