"It's over."
"Itachi's quite a promising child..."
Outside the arena, Orochimaru's interest visibly intensified.
The current Itachi hadn't awakened his Sharingan yet.
But his extraordinary combat instincts alone deserved the Sannin's acknowledgment.
In contrast,
Asuma—whose talent was merely passable—appeared utterly mediocre in comparison.
The specially crafted chakra blades appeared on his hands unnoticed.
While deflecting shuriken with blurring movements, he rapidly condensed chakra.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Howling gales scattered the blazing fireballs!
The age gap spoke volumes.
In physical strength, stamina, and chakra reserves, Asuma held absolute superiority.
Itachi's seemingly flawless offensive tactics couldn't truly pressure the older ninja.
The battle now hinged on ninjutsu clashes.
Wind Release's overwhelming chakra quantity dominated the confrontation.
The shrinking fireballs hinted at the young Uchiha's impending defeat.
This rising genius of the Uchiha clan still had miles to go before becoming a true shinobi...
Yet,
When fresh blood seeped from that slender wound,
When Asuma felt warm liquid trickling down his cheek during what should've been an effortless victory—
The true outcome
Had already been decided...
The final flames dissipated.
Itachi sidestepped the weakening wind currents.
Asuma now...
stood utterly bewildered.
"What... happened?"
His trembling fingers touched the glaring crimson stain.
The rules he'd arrogantly declared moments ago echoed mockingly in his ears.
He...
was wounded.
Defeated!
"My apologies for the trickery."
"No disrespect intended."
Itachi spoke with genuine sincerity.
The real feint wasn't just the Great Fireball—it included those earlier shuriken.
The decisive strike came from blades hidden beneath the flames, launched during ninjutsu intervals...
Only thirty-five seconds?
Calculating internally, Itachi inhaled deeply as fresh shuriken materialized in his palm.
Now to exhaust Haruko's stamina.
Though the examiner added "injuring him" as a passing condition,
His ambitions ran far deeper...
Whoosh!
Swish-swish-swish-swish-swish!
A dozen shuriken flew from his hands!
The dazed Asuma's eyes flashed with fury.
Itachi's continued assault had crossed the line!
"You think cheap tricks can actually hurt me?!"
Losing was one thing—
He'd admit underestimating the brat.
But attacking after victory?
This was outright provocation!
In this instant,
Asuma's rebellious pride erupted alongside his elite guardian-nin capabilities.
Charging forward, he sliced through every projectile mid-sprint!
The age difference showed its fangs.
So did the disparity in mental fortitude.
Itachi found himself overwhelmed in close combat again.
As Asuma vented his wounded pride, cold gazes from spectators pierced his back.
The Hokage's son? Pathetic...
Even Qingchuan's expression turned frosty nearby.
Itachi's stamina waned.
Committing to attrition tactics, he stubbornly endured Asuma's blows!
"Sensei!"
"Aren't you going to stop this? It's gone too far!"
From the sidelines, Anko shouted anxiously.
She'd definitely warn her girlfriends to avoid this sore loser...
What embarrassment!
Had Asuma fought seriously from the start, it would've shown respect.
But this tantrum after failed arrogance reeked of petulance.
Regardless of Itachi's methods,
Anko couldn't stomach this display.
"Observe carefully, Anko."
Orochimaru unusually indulged his dimwitted apprentice.
"That adorable kouhai you mentioned..."
"Is about to move."
The Sannin's eyes blazed with renewed interest.
Sure enough—
As his words faded,
The silent observer Qingchuan stirred.
"Consider this atonement."
Murmuring imperceptibly, he slowly drew Senbonzakura...
Simultaneously—
Asuma's raging heartbeat skipped.
Piercing coldness forced abrupt clarity. He abandoned attack, retreating frantically!
His frantic gaze swept the arena.
Yet besides the damned brat, the field stood empty.
The killing intent definitely didn't come from the kid.
Then...
Wait!
Where's that girl who graduated with him?
She was here moments ago!
Huh?
When Asuma refocused on Qingchuan,
The "cute little girl" now stood beside Itachi, sheathing her blade.
"You've worked hard, Itachi-kun."
Complex emotions churned in Qingchuan's heart.
Ah.
He'd truly warped this child.
If Itachi never became the clan-slaughterer...
This lifetime's sin would haunt him forever...
"Give me your hand."
Noticing Itachi's bleeding knuckles—torn from desperate clashes—
The Uchiha prodigy froze.
Faced with Haruko's request, he hesitated uncertainly...
Sigh.
Another internal sigh.
Qingchuan steeled himself, grabbing Itachi's small hand.
Yellow Kaido glow emanated, warm spiritual energy healing the wounds.
Only after this
Did Qingchuan's guilt slightly diminish...
Releasing Itachi, he turned to Asuma.
"Five minutes."
"If we don't finish this, neither of us leaves!"