Chapter 11 - 11: The Arena of Madness
The Konoha Ninja Academy's playground buzzed with energy as students gathered in pairs, engaging in their assigned combat tests. There was relief in the air—Youyu wasn't required to spar with anyone.
For most, this was a miracle.
None of them had the guts to fight Youyu in actual combat.
What if he got too drunk and sliced them in half?
Kakashi Hatake, the son of the legendary White Fang, had already learned that lesson the hard way.
Even Asuma Sarutobi, the Hokage's son, had barely escaped with his life and dignity intact.
For the rest of the students, Youyu wasn't a classmate. He was a monster.
Fortunately, this exam only required them to spar against each other.
The first round of testing progressed smoothly, with students taking turns facing off in regulated duels. As the final match concluded, sighs of relief echoed across the field.
At last, it was over.
Or so they thought.
Smack-smack—
Tanaka Hideichi clapped his hands, calling for attention. "Alright, the first round of combat testing is complete. Now, we'll begin the second round of testing."
A dead silence followed.
"Second round?"
"What? My older brother already graduated, and he never mentioned a second test!"
Murmurs of confusion spread among the students. An ominous feeling settled in their stomachs.
Tanaka quickly continued before panic could spread. "The second round will be conducted as an arena battle."
He adjusted his clipboard and took a deep breath before announcing the match format.
"In this test, one person will serve as the ring's defender. The rest will take turns challenging them. The goal is simple—knock the defender out of the ring."
As Tanaka glanced down at the assigned defender's name, his stomach twisted. This couldn't be right.
Why was he assigned as the defender?
Tanaka gulped, then forced himself to continue.
"...And the selected defender is—"
"Youyu."
A collective gasp rang out.
"HEY?!!!"
A suffocating silence fell over the playground. The wind itself seemed to hesitate.
Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.
The only sound left was the steady, relaxed drinking of a certain problem student.
"Haaah... who called me?" Youyu exhaled, his breath carrying the unmistakable scent of premium sake.
Kurenai's nose twitched, and she inhaled deeply, her face subtly flushing.
Rin immediately launched into an explanation, carefully relaying everything Tanaka had said.
The rest of the class?
They were frozen in fear.
"We... have to challenge Youyu?!"
"That's insane! He's going to kill us!"
"Isn't this just a death sentence?!"
Sweat dripped down the students' faces as pure panic set in.
No one wanted to challenge Youyu.
Even Tanaka was at a loss. Who in their right mind would volunteer for this?
The answer?
No one.
So...
"Wait a second!"
A furious voice shattered the silence.
Everyone turned in shock.
"I'LL CHALLENGE YOUYU!"
Uchiha Obito stepped forward, his fists clenched, his eyes filled with rage.
For a brief moment, no one spoke.
Then—
"Huh?! Obito wants to challenge Youyu?!"