Yukari Uchiha (English)

Chapter 19

I stand and walked to the center of the battlefield. The hall, which had just been buzzing with excited murmurs, grew quieter with each step I took. I could feel the eyes of everyone on me, as if the entire village had been waiting for this moment. It was as if the air itself held its breath, ready to see what would happen next. Kitsune and Yako weren't here, but I knew they were outside, perched on the rooftop, their protective presence like an invisible cloak around me. I took a deep breath and sharpened my focus. This fight was different. It wasn't just about winning—it was about proving who I was.

"Nice to meet you, and thank you for overseeing this match," I said calmly to Hayate Gekkou, who was supervising the fight from the sidelines. Outwardly, I was composed, though inside, excitement pulsed through me. My heart beat steadily, in rhythm with my determination. I positioned myself, my hand resting lightly on the kunai at my belt. I kept my Sharingan deactivated for now—it was a weapon I would only use if absolutely necessary. I knew I'd need to conserve my energy. The Hokage would expect nothing less than my best.

My first opponent stepped forward—a Genin, probably around 13 years old, still young but with the sharpness in his eyes of a shinobi ready to prove himself. As the signal to start echoed through the hall, he didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, he threw a handful of shuriken at me. Instinctively, I drew my kunai, the metallic clang of deflected blades ringing out through the hall. But in the next instant, he charged at me, his body taut with focus, his movements fast but not fast enough.

His kick came from a low angle, but I sidestepped easily and countered. My elbow struck his stomach hard, and he gasped, staggering back. His breathing was labored, but he wasn't giving up. I saw him form hand signs—wind-style jutsu. Small, sharp wind blades hurtled toward me. "No need to waste chakra," I thought as I sidestepped smoothly, the blades whistling past me. Without hesitation, I launched my counterattack. My kick aimed to send him crashing to the ground for good.

But suddenly, a second figure entered my field of vision. Another Genin charged toward me. I broke off my attack, leaping into the air with a graceful spin, sailing effortlessly over both of them. They were coordinated, but I was faster. The second Genin attempted to strike with precise punches and kicks. Each blow landed hard on my kunai, but I remained focused, looking for the opening in his defense. They had forced me onto the defensive, but I knew they were trying to trap me.

I noticed the first Genin moving back, forming hand signs again. A wave of pressure began forming around me—wind-style again, meant to pin me down. "A typical trick," I thought with a faint smile. As the first Genin retreated, I grabbed his arm, using his momentum to hurl him into the air, straight into the wind pressure from his teammate's jutsu. The force hit him hard, sending him tumbling across the battlefield.

But I had no time to rest. The second Genin was already back in front of me, faster, more determined. His fists flew toward me, each strike precise, and I could feel the strength behind them. But I remained calm, blocking his punches with practiced movements as I searched for the perfect moment to counter. I dodged every attack, letting him hit nothing but air, until I finally found the right opening. With a swift spin, I kicked him hard in the side. He staggered back, gasping for air, but I knew he hadn't given up yet.

Then, out of nowhere, a third Genin appeared. He was bigger, more muscular, and far more dangerous than the other two. "Now it gets serious," I thought as he charged at me with full force. His punches were like hammers, shaking the ground beneath me. But I was quick. I dodged, letting him swing at empty air as I deftly maneuvered around him. His brute strength was impressive, but it also made him predictable.

He tried to corner me, but I didn't give him the chance. With a quick sidestep, I spun behind him, landing a solid kick to his back. He stumbled forward, hitting the ground hard, but he immediately stood up again, angry yet determined to keep fighting.

Meanwhile, the other two Genin had recovered and were coming at me again. I felt the energy within me flare. My movements grew smoother, and I stayed a step ahead of them. They were strong, but they lacked the experience I had gained from my brothers and my heritage. With fluid motions, I dodged their attacks, blocked their kicks, and countered with precision. Every punch they threw missed its mark, and every counterattack I landed threw them off balance.

The third Genin refused to give up. With one final, powerful strike, he tried to hit me, but I read his movements before he even swung. I ducked, dodged, and delivered a swift kick that sent him crashing to the ground again. This time, he stayed down, exhausted, his breathing heavy and uneven.

The other two Genin exchanged quick glances before nodding silently to each other. They knew they had no chance left. Slowly, they backed away, their heads bowed in defeat. I remained standing in the center of the battlefield, my breathing heavy, but the pulse of victory ran through my veins.

For a moment, the hall seemed frozen in time—silent, tense, as if no one could fully believe what had just happened. Then soft murmurs broke the stillness, followed by applause that slowly spread through the crowd.

But before I could relax, I felt a shift in the air. Something big was coming.

I turned around and saw them—two familiar figures at the edge of the battlefield. Shisui and Itachi. Their eyes were fixed on me, and I knew that this was just the beginning.