"And that is how !#@#@$ is allocated directly into !#!@#@ in order to @#$@$. If you follow the calculations in this order… you should get !#@#!@%."
Toka stepped back from the board, setting the chalk down with a faint clack as the last lines of unintelligible equations marked the end of the lesson.
From the back row, a soft, rhythmic snore cut through the silence.
Obito was out cold, head tilted back against his chair, mouth slightly open—snoring in perfect harmony with Toka's lecture.
A vein twitched on Toka's temple.
Toka picked an object up and chose not to pick up not the chalk.... But the book on the podium.
"WAKE UP!"
With the precision of a seasoned Chūnin, he hurled the book across the room. It struck Obito squarely in the forehead with a THUD.
"OUCH!"
Obito jolted upright, gripping his now reddening forehead with an expression of pure annoyance.
The rest of the class snickered. Toka, meanwhile, remained unfazed.
Calmly, he returned to the board and wiped it clean while some students scrambled to finish copying the last of the notes.
After setting down the eraser, he moved back to the podium and cleared his throat.
"That's all for this morning. As I mentioned earlier, we'll be meeting at the training field in ten minutes for the taijutsu tournament."
"Hai, Sensei!" the class responded in chorus.
With that, Toka slid the door open and stepped out of the classroom, leaving the air behind him filled with tension, anticipation—and the faint sound of Obito still groaning.
. . .
Some students were quick to stand and gather their things, eager to follow Toka out to the training field. Others remained seated, whispering quietly among themselves, speculation buzzing through the air about who they might face in the upcoming tournament.
Lumian sighed softly and pushed himself up from his chair, stretching out the stiffness from sitting too long. He glanced around the room before weaving his way toward Rin, who was crouched beside Obito.
Rin was gently dabbing a cloth against Obito's forehead while Obito, for his part, was mid-rant, animatedly complaining about Toka's "excessive force" as he rubbed the fresh red mark.
"Hey," Lumian said, casually slipping his hands into his pockets. "What do you two think about the match-ups?"
Rin looked up and gave a small nod, her eyes flicking toward Obito. He, meanwhile, straightened with surprising energy, a competitive spark lighting up his dark eyes.
"Amon! If it's really based on rankings, then that means we might be matched against each other. You just joined, and I'm probably dead last!" Obito said with a mischievous grin, punching a fist into his palm.
Lumian looked at Obito with a deadpan look.
"I don't think that's anything worth announcing with that kind of tone, Obito...." he silently lampooned.
Obito jabbed a finger at Lumian."If we do get matched, don't expect me to hold back! I'm giving it a one hundred percent!"
Lumian smiled before taking his hand out of his pocket before pointing at himself.
"Same for you. I'm not going to go easy on you."
Obito laughed, full of confidence.
"Don't worry! I'll try not to leave you too injured!"
Rin's smile faltered as she glanced nervously between the two."Hey, don't go too hard on each other, okay? It's supposed to be a friendly match.... nothing more."
Around them, other conversations picked up. Some boasting about skills, others nervously guessing their opponents, and a few quietly hoping to avoid the spotlight altogether like Gekko who was still sleeping before promptly getting smacked on the head by Anko. The atmosphere was a mix of excitement and tension, the kind that always came before a competition.
Gradually, the classroom emptied as the students stood, gathered their gear, and began to make their way out the door. Lumian, Rin, and Obito exchanged one last look before joining the flow of classmates moving toward the training grounds, their footsteps echoing down the hallway.
. . .
. . .
"Alright! Line up side by side—I'll be announcing the match-ups shortly!"
The students quickly scattered, the sound of hurried footsteps mixing with the crunch of dirt underfoot as they moved into neat horizontal rows across the training field.
The sun beamed warmly from above, casting clear shadows and highlighting the sheen of anticipation (and nervous sweat) on a few foreheads. The Academy had chosen the perfect day for a tournament. Gentle breeses, clear skies, and no chance of rain.
On the sidelines, a modest crowd had gathered. A few academy students on lunch break watched from shaded benches, whispering predictions and joking about the matchups. Some Chūnin, enjoying their brief moment of downtime, lingered nearby with crossed arms and curious glances, ready to observe the progress of the next generation.
Lumian scanned the training field silently. From his spot, he could just make out the area where, only a month ago, his mini explosion had created a crater on the ground and broke a dummy after Toka crashed into it. Now, there wasn't a trace left. The dirt was fresh, the dummies had been replaced, and everything looked perfectly normal… as if nothing had ever happened.
His thoughts were interrupted by Toka's clear, commanding voice.
"I will now announce the match-ups!"
The students collectively straightened, some holding their breath. A few exchanged hopeful or fearful glances. Others, like Gekko, remained half-asleep, barely registering the tension in the air.
"First up!" Toka called, glancing down at the clipboard in his hand.
"Asuma Sarutobi versus Gekko Hayate!"
The Hokage's son cracked his knuckles with a grin, and Gekko's eyes slowly fluttered open. The two shared a glance, competitive and playful, before stepping forward.
"Second! Izumo versus Kotetsu!"
The two long-time partners bumped fists, already grinning like gym buddies about to spar for fun.
"Third! Anko Mitarashi versus Rika Hyuga!"
Anko's smile widened with a hint of mischief as her eyes settled on Rika, who remained calm and stoic, arms crossed, her Byakugan not yet activated but her focus razor-sharp.
"Fourth! Yugao Uzuki versus Gekko!"
Yugao raised an eyebrow and looked sideways toward Gekko, who blinked his tired eyelids at the announcement.
"Fifth! Rin Nohara versus Shiro Nara!"
Rin clenched her fists in quiet determination, while Shiro, a classic Nara, barely looked up. He scratched his head and sighing like this was a drag.
"Sixth! Kurenai versus Kurisu Kurama!"
The two genjutsu specialists exchanged respectful nods, an unspoken understanding between them.
The names kept rolling out like a drumbeat of tension and anticipation.
"Eighth! Gintoki Aburame versus Zoro Akimichi!"
"Ninth! Ken Yamanaka versus Joseph Joestar!"
"Tenth! Fodder versus Fodder!"
. . .
On and on the list went, match-ups echoing across the field, until finally—
"Sixteenth! Obito Uchiha versus Amon Tsuchi!"
Obito's face lit up with that familiar fire. He turned and gave Lumian a wide grin."Looks like it's us, Amon!"
Lumian gave him a teasing smirk, one hand in his pocket."Seems like it."
Obito pumped his chest with his fist.
"Don't cry when I knock you to the ground!"
Lumian's grin grew bigger as he silently chuckled in his head.
"Heh Heh Heh"
As the final pair was announced, Toka checked his clipboard one last time and then raised his voice.
"That concludes the match-ups! Everyone, please step to the sidelines unless your name has been called!"
The students began to shuffle out of the field in small clusters, chattering excitedly or stretching in anticipation. A quiet hum of energy built as they lined the perimeter of the field, waiting for the first clash.
"Asuma! Gekko! Please step to the center!"
The two boys walked forward and faced each other in the middle of the field, feet planted firmly.
Toka stepped back, and with a raised arm, declared:
"The Academy Taijutsu Tournament… begins now!"
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(Author's note:
Thanks for reading!
As always please leave a comment or review on the book.
Thank you..... and POWER STONES!!!!!!)