"Is… is it over?"
"That Hyuga Anshin… he's not dead, right?"
"Unbelievable…"
The entire audience stared blankly at the scene on the arena.
On the battlefield, Hoshino Yoru stood coldly, his expression calm.
At his feet—
Hyuga Anshin lay motionless, like a dead dog.
"Th-the match is over! The winner… Hoshino Yoru!"
The Jonin referee, after confirming that Anshin was not in mortal danger, announced the result with a trembling voice.
Boom—
The arena erupted.
"Amazing! The youngest academy champion—not even seven years old!"
"My god! This has never happened before!"
"What a terrifying genius… Hoshino Yoru!"
Even the Jonin and clan heads in the stands couldn't hide their shock.
"Ahhh! Yoru! Yoru! You're the best!"
"Yoru-kun! I'm completely captivated!"
…
His fangirls exploded into cheers.
"Thank goodness… Yoru (kun)…"
Uzumaki Kushina and Uchiha Mikoto both let out relieved breaths.
Their hearts trembled—not from fear—
But from witnessing his overwhelming strength.
…
"Incredible!"
Jiraiya shouted in astonishment.
"This brat is even more of a genius than I was back then!"
Bang!
"And what kind of 'genius' are you supposed to be, idiot?"
Tsunade smacked him without hesitation, black lines crossing her face.
"But… that kid really is impressive."
Her lips curved slightly.
"That domineering fighting style… I like it."
"You two should start preparing."
Orochimaru spoke calmly from the side.
"Preparing? Preparing for what?"
Jiraiya looked at him in confusion.
"Idiot."
Orochimaru didn't even bother answering, turning away and leaving him behind.
"Orochimaru! You bastard! What do you mean by that?!"
Jiraiya shouted angrily.
…
"Next, we invite our Third Hokage to present the Champion Medal to Hoshino Yoru!"
After directing a Chunin to drag away the unconscious Anshin, the referee shouted loudly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly walked onto the arena.
He stopped in front of Yoru, gave him an approving smile, then turned to address the crowd.
"Today—our academy champion has been decided!"
"First-year student—Hoshino Yoru!"
"The youngest academy champion since the founding of the Ninja Academy!"
He spoke each word clearly and powerfully.
"Yoru-kun! Amazing!"
"He's brought honor to us first-years!"
"Yoru! Yoru! Yoru!"
The entire arena unified into one overwhelming chant.
"Now then—our champion, Hoshino Yoru, will say a few words."
Hiruzen smiled and gestured.
"Come, Yoru."
Yoru stepped forward.
"Today, to have obtained the title of Academy Champion…"
"I have many people to thank."
His voice was steady and full of confidence.
"First—"
"I'd like to thank Hyuga Anshin for overestimating himself and challenging me."
"I originally only planned to become the first-year top student."
Laughter burst across the stands.
Only the Hyuga clan's Second Elder remained stone-faced.
"Second, I want to thank my teacher—Nakamura Hino."
"It is through his daily guidance that I was able to achieve this title."
In the stands, Nakamura Hino was beaming, barely able to contain his grin as colleagues praised him.
"I also want to thank my classmates—Uchiha Mikoto and Uzumaki Kushina."
"It is their companionship that has made me stronger."
Both girls blushed, their faces glowing with shy happiness.
"I must also thank my best friend—Minato Namikaze."
"It is through our constant exchanges and mutual guidance that I have reached where I am today."
On the stands, Minato held Anko's hand, smiling brightly, a trace of emotion flashing in his eyes.
"And finally—"
Yoru took a deep breath.
"My father… and my mother…"
"They were heroes who sacrificed themselves for the village."
"I am deeply proud of them."
"My father was only a Special Jonin—"
"But there is one sentence he always told me…"
"And I will never forget it."
Yoru's voice rose—
Resonating across the entire arena.
"With this broken body of mine—"
"I will illuminate Konoha's supreme glory!"
"This—"
"Is my ninja way!"
His final words echoed like thunder.
The entire arena fell into silence.
Those burning words lingered in the air, refusing to fade.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the young figure before him—
A sharp light flashing in his eyes.
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