[Defeated D-rank target, obtained D-rank card pool draw count: 1]
[D-rank card pool: 97% probability to obtain D-rank Card, 2.9% probability to obtain C-rank Card, 0.1% probability to obtain B-rank Card.]
『A new Card Draw Count... finally... it’s here.』
While looking at Sarutobi Ichiro, Uchiha Xuan listened to the ethereal voice ringing in his ears, a flicker of excitement flashing in his eyes.
The Ninja Academy... he had definitely come to the right place.
"You... cough... then let’s adjust the match arrangements. Students who haven’t fought yet, come forward one by one to spar with Uchiha Xuan.
However, the purpose of this class is to assess all of your abilities. Uchiha Xuan, know your limits. As for Hyuga Hizashi, rest for now. I’ll arrange for you to spar with other students later."
Unable to go back on his word while being stared at by Uchiha Xuan, Sarutobi Ichiro had no choice but to speak in a low, warning tone.
"Understood, sensei. I just didn’t want to waste your precious time."
"... Begin the next match. Next, Qingchengshan Yi."
Looking at Uchiha Xuan’s unchanging smile, Sarutobi Ichiro inexplicably felt that this kid was mocking him.
Half a minute later.
"Next."
One minute.
"Next."
One and a half minutes.
"Again."
At the edge of the training ground, Sarutobi Ichiro silently watched Uchiha Xuan in the center. His warning had indeed been heeded—Uchiha Xuan no longer slapped his opponents to the ground so hard they couldn’t get up. Instead, he defeated one person every half minute, timing it perfectly.
Watching Uchiha Xuan on the training ground, who wasn’t even breathing heavily, Sarutobi Ichiro furrowed his brows.
It seemed today’s Combat Practice class had uncovered something extraordinary.
.....
Hokage’s office.
Amid swirling smoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned as he gazed at the crystal ball before him through the thick white haze.
Reflected in the crystal ball was the scene from the training ground.
Class A of the Ninja Academy was, by nature, a reserve of Konohagakure’s new generation, so it naturally drew his attention.
Originally, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s purpose in observing this Combat Practice class was simply to see if any of the children in Class A showed exceptional talent.
But now...
Looking at the images reflected in the crystal ball, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s expression darkened, lost in thought.
"The Uchiha..."
Exhaling a puff of smoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a soft sigh as the haze drifted around him.
...
"Next."
Casually taking down the unknown brat before him, Uchiha Xuan smiled at Sarutobi Ichiro and uttered three words the latter really didn’t want to hear.
"Next... Namikaze Minato."
"It’s my turn."
Hearing his name, Namikaze Minato took a deep breath and stepped onto the training ground.
Uchiha Xuan’s successive defeats of his classmates had placed immense pressure on Namikaze Minato.
"Please guide me!"
On the training ground, Namikaze Minato stood firm, forming the Opposing Hand Seal toward Uchiha Xuan as he spoke seriously.
"Come."
Looking at Namikaze Minato standing before him, the amusement in Uchiha Xuan’s eyes deepened. If a waste like Hyuga Hizashi could give him one Card Draw Count, then Namikaze Minato surely must have one too.
Just moments ago, among the misfits Uchiha Xuan had defeated, not a single one had contributed a Card Draw Count to him.
"Begin!"
With the command from Sarutobi Ichiro, who had been acting as the referee, the two on the training ground moved simultaneously.
Namikaze Minato took a step forward and charged ahead. He knew Uchiha Xuan’s strength was formidable. While observing from the sidelines, the only methods he could think of to defeat Uchiha Xuan were to exhaust him and use his own greatest strength—speed—to catch him off guard.
’He must be tired after fighting so many classmates. If I can just seize his opening...’
Reaching out, he threw a straight punch directly at Uchiha Xuan.
Uchiha Xuan sidestepped the attack while simultaneously reaching forward to grab Namikaze Minato’s wrist. However, Namikaze Minato’s punching arm suddenly bent, shifting from a fist to an elbow strike aimed at Uchiha Xuan’s abdomen.
Thud!
A crisp sound echoed as wood splinters flew, and Namikaze Minato’s elbow strike landed squarely on a piece of wood.
Uchiha Xuan’s figure had vanished.
’Substitution Technique!’
Having missed his attack and lost track of Uchiha Xuan’s position, Namikaze Minato immediately retreated backward, quickly scanning his surroundings to locate Uchiha Xuan.
"Are you holding back?"
Yet in the next moment, Uchiha Xuan’s voice suddenly came from behind Namikaze Minato. Without hesitation, Namikaze Minato twisted his body and delivered a spinning kick toward the source of the voice.
Slap!
A dull thud followed as Uchiha Xuan caught Namikaze Minato’s ankle with his hand.
Seeing this, Namikaze Minato abruptly leaned forward, bending his leg as he clenched his right fist and aimed another punch at Uchiha Xuan’s face.
With his ankle caught, the distance between them was now very close. Namikaze Minato could clearly see a hint of disappointment in Uchiha Xuan’s eyes.
Though he didn’t understand the reason for Uchiha Xuan’s disappointment, all he could think of now was to continue his assault.
Because... the fight wasn’t over yet.
However, while the idea was sound, reality was...
Before Namikaze Minato’s fist could connect with Uchiha Xuan, he felt an immense force suddenly surge from his leg. The next moment, his body was flung away by Uchiha Xuan in an instant.
’His speed is decent, but his taijutsu is quite rough. As for ninjutsu... tsk, has Minato not yet been taught by Jiraiya at this point in time?’
[Defeated a D-rank target. Obtained D-rank Card Pool Card Draw Count: 1]
Looking at Namikaze Minato, whom he had thrown to the ground, Uchiha Xuan realized that the current Namikaze Minato had not yet caught Jiraiya’s attention.
His potential remained untapped. At this moment, Namikaze Minato was merely a child who had only recently learned to refine Chakra.
"Cough, cough, cough... I still lost. Xuan, you’re truly strong. I’ll take you as my role model and keep improving. In future battles, I’ll definitely make you go all out."
Namikaze Minato climbed to his feet, coughin
g lightly to catch his breath before flashing a bright, sunny smile and praising Uchiha Xuan.
"....."
Looking at Namikaze Minato’s bright, sunny smile, Uchiha Xuan suddenly had another thought.