Chapter 10 - 10: A Test of Strength, A Test of Jealousy
Theoretical exams, shuriken throwing, and the Three Basic Jutsu had all been tested multiple times before. But this—an actual combat test with scores that counted toward graduation—was a first.
Up until now, any sparring had been nothing more than practice matches.
But today's results mattered.
A ninja's future could be shaped by their performance in this test.
Tanaka Hideichi clapped his hands, drawing the class's attention. "Alright, everyone, gather at the playground for the test."
His voice was firm at first, but as his gaze landed on Youyu, he hesitated.
"...That being said." Tanaka coughed awkwardly, glancing toward Rin and Kurenai—the only two people in the class who could even remotely handle Youyu.
"Rin, Kurenai... please take Youyu to the playground." His voice lowered as if afraid to wake a sleeping beast.
The girls blinked, then nodded eagerly before shooting each other a competitive glance.
One left. One right.
They each took an arm, shaking Youyu lightly.
Youyu, still half-drunk, lazily cracked open an eye. "Hmm? You two... here to drink with me?" His slurred voice
made both girls' faces twitch.
Then, with an easy-going grin, he lifted his sake bottle. "Fine, fine. I'll only drink with you two, then. I won't share with anyone else."
Before either girl could respond, he tilted the bottle toward Kurenai's lips.
"Y-Youyu-kun!!" Kurenai jerked back, her face heating up as she practically jumped away.
Sure, she loved the scent of alcohol, but actually drinking it? If her parents smelled it on her, she was dead. And worse—if her dad found out where all the missing bottles had gone, she'd be grounded for life!
"Nope, nope! You drink, I'll watch!" She waved her hands frantically, stepping back.
Youyu turned to Rin. "What about you?"
Rin chuckled and shook her head. "No drinking for me, Youyu. Let's just get to the playground, okay?"
Youyu shrugged, not pushing the issue. He wasn't the type to force a drink on someone. Though, if they weren't the ones bringing him alcohol, he would have already introduced them to his blade.
And so, with Rin and Kurenai supporting him, they half-dragged, half-guided him toward the playground.
Meanwhile...
Two figures watched with burning jealousy.
Asuma and Obito.
Their goddesses, Rin and Kurenai, were voluntarily sticking close to Youyu—holding his arms, whispering to him, laughing with him.
Asuma clenched his fists tightly... then loosened them just as fast.
He still couldn't shake the fear from before. His body remembered the feeling of death when Youyu had turned his gaze on him.
His anger flickered, then fizzled out.
He just couldn't bring himself to challenge him again.
Obito, however, was different. His sharingan-less eyes burned with something else—pure rage.
His grip tightened until his knuckles turned white.
That bastard—drunk or not—was too close to Rin.
Too damn close.
Without a word, he turned on his heel and stormed toward the playground.
If this test was about combat, then he would finally have an excuse.
Today, he'd fight Youyu head-on.
And this time... he wouldn't hesitate.