Naruto: The Shattered Eyes

"I'll be in your care," 

With Suguru's bow came several curious reactions.

"Sensei, will he really be joining us for sparring? Isn't that dangerous?"

"Yes, he will. Suguru is at the top of his class in Taijutsu, so he might be even better than some of you!"

"Wow!"

Oohs and aahs sprouted from the kids like a choir. From the corner of his eye, Suguru spotted Sasuke, who didn't seem to care, and Naruto, who was the opposite.

"Sensei! Can I spar with Suguru first?" It was to the point that Naruto wanted to fight first.

Reluctantly, Iruka glanced at Suguru who smiled back at him. A complete and utter calm was reflected in Suguru's eyes.

"Well, it seems like it'll be fine. Play nice, okay Naruto?" Iruka realized that there wouldn't be a problem.

"Yes, sensei!" Naruto got into position with a wild run.

Suguru followed after him and stood within the circle.

"Okay, do the Seal of Confrontation."

Suguru put his hand up, and so did Naruto.

"Good, now..."

Iruka held his breath.

"Begin!"

***

In a spar, going in for the kill was a bad idea. Thus, Suguru had the bright idea of utterly decimating Naruto in a sheer display of strength.

Then, he would do the same against Sasuke.

A simple, unilateral obliteration would suffice to leave a last impression on the two.

With Naruto, Suguru planned to be untouchable.

Thus, when Naruto charged forward, Suguru leaned back. Naruto's fist barely grazed his nose. A move that was too close for comfort, yet well within Suguru's calculations.

In response, Suguru kicked Naruto's foot just before it hit the ground.

This simple move sent Naruto face-planting into the soil.

"..."

For a moment, everyone was stunned. Suguru stared at the sheer disappointment that Naruto was. With his leg twitching in the air and his dazed expression, it cemented the fact that Naruto was the exact loser that Sasuke loved calling him.

'Seeing it in real life is more embarrassing, isn't it?' Suguru thought as he smacked his lips.

He felt second-hand embarrassment despite being Naruto's opponent. So, he decided to look at Iruka to ask for an explanation.

"...I have no words, Suguru. I think you should fight someone else. Would you like to try fighting Uchiha Sasuke?"

"Uchiha Sasuke..?" Suguru expressed confusion. 

"That's me," Sasuke stepped forward.

Suguru nodded. But first, he went over to a dazed Naruto and formed the Seal of Reconciliation. Seeing this, Iruka thought, 'How cruel yet kind of you...'

Suguru was really hammering in Naruto's loss, garnering laughter from the entire class.

"I'm not as easy to beat as that loser, you got that?" Sasuke spoke as he made the Seal of Confrontation. The cheers of the girls behind him were loud and clear.

"Go Sasuke!"

"Show him what you got!"

Suguru didn't reply. Instead, he gazed straight into Sasuke's eyes and put up the Seal of Confrontation as well.

"...Begin!" Iruka announced the start of the spar.

This time, there was no reckless charge. Sasuke and Suguru took a moment to stare each other down. With Suguru slowly advancing with pure confidence, Sasuke clicked his tongue.

"Don't underestimate me!"

Sasuke threw a fist, but Suguru slammed his hand with a palm. Then, he began mimicking the Hyuga clan's gentle fist. A trick he learned from his sparring partner, Hyuga Mitsuko.

Striking with his palms, Suguru landed three heavy hits. Though he didn't hit any tenketsu, he broke Sasuke's balance.

Sasuke tried to reply with a kick, which Suguru parried once again. Then, seeing as Sasuke was heavily leaning to one side, he applied a trick he learned in his past life.

An application of judo.

Suguru hooked his leg around Sasuke's pivoting foot then grabbed his shirt with one hand and his arm with another. Then, he spun — launching Sasuke over his back and down to the ground.

While he was at it, Suguru made the Seal of Reconciliation when Sasuke fell on his back.

"Ack—!"

Sasuke choked, not expecting the sudden impact.

"...Winner, Hiryu Suguru!" Iruka announced the winner with a shocked expression. "Suguru-kun, is it alright if I ask you something?"

"Un," Suguru nodded.

"Will you be taking the Graduation Exam in advance?"

"Un~" Suguru smiled.

Hearing this, both Naruto and Sasuke were shocked.

"Ha??!" Naruto jumped to his feet, "In advance? I haven't even been able to pass the one I tried!"

"In advance..." Sasuke bit his lip, "I see..."

Naruto's exaggerated shock and Sasuke's dark expression were comedic sights. Therefore, Suguru felt that he had made a big enough impression on both of them.

***

Given Suguru's performance in Iruka's class, Masumi decided to let him spar with the graduating kids instead. This time, he had more of a challenge.

However, over the school year, everyone realized that Suguru was quickly making his way to the top. Once he topped even the graduating class, the teachers were surprised.

'At least, I was able to improve a little further,' Suguru thought.

Taijutsu was an integral part of being a shinobi. It was important enough that a select few could survive on Taijutsu alone. One even challenged Uchiha Madara while he was the jinchuriki of the ten-tails.

Therefore, when the day of the Graduation Exam came, Suguru was a fan-favorite to graduate. Given his previous track record, no one doubted that he would be able to pass.

Whether it was Taijutsu, Genjutsu, or Shurikenjutsu, Suguru met all the requirements. His Ninjutsu also did not have any problems despite him hiding his ability to use the Great Fireball and Fire Bullet Jutsus.

Thus, upon demonstrating the Clone, Substitution, and Transformation Jutsus, Masumi allowed him to pass without batting an eye.

"You've done well, Suguru. I hope you can become a great shinobi in the future." Masumi said as he patted his head.

"Since you're this batch's top student, the Hokage himself will give you your forehead protector." Masumi led Suguru to another part of the building. "Lord Hokage is waiting inside."

—Knock! Knock! Knock!

Masumi knocked thrice before announcing his presence.

"It's Masumi, Lord Hokage."

"Come in," An old voice said.

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