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  Iruka stepped forward and gazed at the faces of all his students and expihe rules of the Taijutsu portion of the exam.

  "Listen up. I've ranked all 27 of you acc to your performan the physical tests ducted this st academic year. We've taken a prehensive assessment of your bat skills, Taijutsu teiques, agility, strength and enduranow this rank isn't a perma o's to give ead everyone of you an idea as to where you stand amongst your peers."

  Iruka then o his fellow teacher and Mizuki gave each student a paper with the list of the 27 students ranked from first to st. Sasuke was the first on the list and all of the rookie nine were ranked below 15 with Naruto ing ih spot.

  The blonde boy smiled as he looked at the number. 'All my training in the woods helped. I'm 14th.' His eyes then drifted to the top of the page and his smile dimmed. 'I o beat him.'

  After everyo their list Mizuki made his way to the front and Iruka tinued. "Based on your ranks we've selected two oppos near your rank for you to battle. Now listen carefully. What I'm about to say is the evaluation criteria. I won't be repeating it."

  Iruka looked around and was satisfied seeing that everyone aying full attention to him.

  "First we will grade you on your speed and strength. To be more accurate the ford agility behind your attacks and movements. Sed will be your teiques and precision. The skills you dispy and the accuracy with which you execute your attad defend. will be strategy and adaptability. We will grade you on how well you adapt to your oppos moves and the strategies you use in battle. The st is stamina and endurance. You o be able to maintain your energy and focus throughout the match. This is the evaluation criteria. Is everyone clear?"

  "Yes Iruka sensei!"

  Iruka nodded and motioned for Mizuki to expin the rules. The white haired in stepped forward and gave everyone a small smile before he began. "Now, we've selected two cssmates for you to face but you might be battling a total of 3 oppos."

  Seeing the students' faces marred with fusion Mizuki expined. "You will be seleg your third oppo. But the rules for that match will be expined when all of you have pleted your first two matches."

  The students nodded while Shikamaru's mind sharpened as he thought about the Taijutsu exam. 'So this test is essentially a two part test. In the first part we have to fight against the two people the teachers have selected and in the sed part we have to pi oppo and fight… Hmm… I doubt Iruka sensei would make the stroudents pick a match with the weaker ones. So there must be a rule against it… Will the 3rd match have the same rules or will there be something more. Eh… If I score some det points in the first two matches then I might not have to fight the st match.'

  He gnced around as he thought about the particurs of the test and his eyes fell on Naruto who was ily gazing at Sasuke's back. The Uchiha was standing in the front nontly with his hands in his pockets.

  Shikamaru saw the gaze Naruto had and quietly sighed. 'Well, I guess I know who he's going to pick.' He turned his attention back to his teacher.

  "The rules are as follows. Your match will sist of three rounds. Each round will st for three minutes. Each round will begin with both batants at the opposite ends of the marked fighting area. Yoal is to nd successful hits on your oppos or force them outside the marked area. Hits are ted only when it's and precise. Gng blows or i hits are not ted. A knockdown ts as two successful hits. A student who is knocked down thri a round will lose the round. Each successful hit and knockdown grants points." Mizuki said.

  The students were already familiar with the Taijutsu rules but Iruka wao make sure everyone remembered the rules. Mizuki looked at his fellow examiner and Iruka took over.

  "The student with the highest points at the end of all rounds wins the match. But the points you've earned during the match will also be ted when sidering the final rank. Disqualifications occur if a student uses any form of Ninjutsu enjutsu, or iionally inflicts severe injuries. The use of ons is also not allowed. If both students are still standing with the same points at the end of three rounds, a suddeh round will occur where the first to nd a successful hit wins."

  Ohe in finished expining the rules the students were divided between Iruka and Mizuki and the Taijutsu portion of the exam began. Naruto and some of his friends were with Iruka's group while Sasuke and a few others were in Mizuki's.

  Some of the future rookies faced each other. Kiba and Shino were Sasuke's two matches. While others like Shikamaru, Choji and Naruto were matched up against two outside their group. Hinata meanwhile had her matched up against Shino and audent from css. It was the same for Ino and Sakura. They were matched against each other and had anainst someoside their small group of friends.

  In the rge academy ground the two ins were dug the Taijutsu portion of the exam. Mizuki acted professional and didn't show a hint of maliciousness. He knew he couldn't screw up when he was so close.

  Time went by and each student pleted their exam.

  Sasuke and some of the rookies had two wins while others had one win and one loss. This was the case for those matched against their friends. Naruto had one win and one loss against his two foes.

  After a couple hours everyone's first two matches came to an end. Iruka marked everyone's score and addressed his students.

  "Now for the st match. This is optional. This is for those of you looking to improve your points. You will carefully sele oppo amongst your cssmates. The only dition is you 't seleeone who's lower than your rank and no person will be challewice. If you defeat your oppohen points will be awarded based on their rank and your performand if you lose then some points will be deducted. For those who are challenged, you will gain points if you win but you won't lose points if you lose the match. You will only have one round. 4 minutes. Other than that the rules are the same as the other test. Everyone clear?"

  "Yes sensei."

  "Alright. Who's up first?" Iruka asked and immediately a ha up.

  "Oh me! Me me sensei. I want to go first."

  Iruka groaned in exasperation as he saw Naruto's hand go up and wave about. "Why am I even surprised?... Fine. Naruto. Step forward into the ring."

  As Naruto got into the ring Iruka asked who his oppo was going to be.

  "I pick Sasuke. Today is the day I beat you and bee number 1." The boy said, pointing at the Uchiha.

  Some of the students frowned as they heard Naruto's decration. "Seriously Naruto?" "Stop wasting time and take this seriously."

  His friends were silent but some of them shook their heads at Naruto's antics.

  "I saw that ing a mile away." Ino said with a sigh.

  Hinata was silent but she was ed for Naruto and silently cheered him on.

  "There is no way he's going to win against Sasuke." Sakura said, shaking her head. 'What are you doing idiot Naruto? Sasuke is gonna kick your ass and yoing to lose points. Couldn't you have picked anyone else? CHAAA!' Inner Sakura shouted in her mind.

  Iruka sighed as he looked at his student. 'He didn't even think it through… This kid. He's going to lose points.'

  The in looked at Sasuke who was standing with crossed arms and a frown on his face. "Sasuke Uchiha. Step into the ring and make the seal of frontation." The Uchiha looked at his teacher and silently did as he was told.

  "Naruto made a bad call." Shino said in a low voice as he stood near Kiba, Choji and Shikamaru.

  "Why do you say that?" Choji asked.

  Shino began to expin. "This part of the Taijutsu test is optional. And if he was going to participate to improve his final ranking he should have chosen someone near his current rank. But now that he's chosen Sasuke as his oppo, he won't be getting any points but he'll be losing some."

  The young Nara among them agreed. "They're testing us on our judgment. Trying to see if we accurately assess our own strengths and weaknesses along with our oppos. If we make the wrong choid choose someohat we definitely 't beat, it'll lead to points dedu."

  "Oh I see. So for those with lower points they o be careful about who they challenge huh." Kiba spoke finally uanding the intricacies hidden in this seemingly straight forward exam.

  The sun sat high in the sky, casting stark shadows on the ground below. The crowd soon hushed, teh anticipation, as two figures stood ihe ring. To one side is Naruto Uzumaki, grinning widely, his bright e jumpsuit a stark trast to the muted surroundings. On the opposite side is Sasuke Uchiha, his onyx eyes serious and focused, his dark hair as unruly as ever.

  "Hey weakling, you ready to lose?" Sasuke called out with a smirk.

  "Hah, as if, ya bastard!" Naruto responded, raising his fists in preparatioe the bravado in his words, a nervous sweat dripped down his brow.

  "Make the seal of frontation."

  At Iruka's words both Naruto and Sasuke made the half tiger seal.

  Iruka raised his hand and dropped it. "Begin!"

  As soon as the match began, Naruto rushed forward with his characteristic headstrong approach. He threw a series of wild punches, but Sasuke effortlessly dodged them. The Uchiha, even though his Sharingan was still inactive, was already dispying far superior reflexes and battle instincts. Sasuke side stepped, ducked or parried and redirected every strike that came his way with ease and minimal effort.

  Naruto was getting angrier and ahat his attacks were missing and it showed on his face.

  Sasuke smirked seeing his oppo angry. "Is that all you got, dead st?"

  Naruto gritted his teeth. He hated it when people called him that. "I won't lose to a stuck-up jerk like you!"

  Naruto attempted to kick Sasuke, but the raven haired boy effortlessly caught his leg, and with a swift motion, threw Naruto to the grouhe ring.

  Naruto immediately got up but this time he was more cautious. He started slowly cirg Sasuke, looking for an opening. 'I o take him by surprise and attack him before he defend.'

  The Uchiha just stood there, analyzing Naruto's movements. Sasuke looked at Naruto's rategy and smiled desdingly. "You think that will help you? You're too slow."

  Suddenly, Naruto darted forward, faster than before. But just before he was within arms length of his enemy, Naruto quickly ged dire and moved to another side and came at Sasuke again. And just as the Uchiha was about to defend, Naruto ged dires again. Naruto kept moving wildly around his enemy while Sasuke was in the middle keeping a close eye on his foe.

  The Uchiha was surprised at the skill the boy just showed. 'He's ging dires at such speed without losing his bance or footing. He definitely knows the tree walking teique. It's the only way he could aplish this.'

  Sasuke had eyes on Naruto the whole time. The Uchiha kime was running out and knew Naruto would attack soon. The blonde boy also knew he didn't have much time and was growing nervous looking for an opening.

  Suddenly, Naruto rushed towards Sasuke's back, attempting to attack from his blind spot, but Sasuke quickly turned and tered with a lightning-fast punch to Naruto's stomach.

  The boy doubled over, and in that instant, Sasuke grabs him and performs a fwless judo throw, smming Naruto to the ground.

  "Give up, Naruto!"

  Naruto groaned in pain but refused to stay down. "I'm not giving up that easily!" He got back to his feet, his determination unwavering. Naruto unched a flurry of punches and kicks but unfortunately for him Sasuke's battle experience was much greater than Naruto's. Every strike was blocked or redirected easily.

  Sasuke suddenly switched from defeo an offetle style and nded several precise hits on Naruto's body. Naruto tried to block as much as he could but failed to keep up with Sasuke's speed and precision.

  The blonde was suddenly on the defensive, pushed back step by step under his oppo's relentless assault. Sasuke's every move was a dance of trol and aggression, a testament to his Uchiha heritage.

  Naruto gritted his teeth, feeling the pressure his enemy was exerting. He ducked under a swing aimed at his head, tering with a punch aimed at Sasuke's midse. But the Uchiha was quick, shifting his weight to the side and ung a high kick that Naruto barely mao dodge.

  "Is that all you got, Naruto?" Sasuke taunted, his eyes gleaming. Naruto's breath hitched, but he shot Sasuke a stubbre.

  "I'm...just...getting started!" Naruto retorted, ung himself at Sasuke with renewed vigor.

  He easily deflected Naruto's wild punches, weaving around him with an almost zy grace. He dodged a punch, slipping under Naruto's guard to deliver a punishing blow to the boy's ribs. Naruto staggered back, wing as he clutched his side.

  Sasuke's expression never wavered, his gaze cold and focused as he advanced on the vulnerable Naruto. He feinted a punch to Naruto's face, drawing Naruto's guard up. As Naruto's hands instinctively moved to protect his face, Sasuke swiftly swept his leg, a a strong blow to Naruto's torso, toppling the boy to the ground.

  Naruto hit the earth with a thud, his breath leaving him in a rush. He looked up at Sasuke, who was standing over him, with a cold look on his face.

  "Sasuke Uchiha...wins," Iruka immediately stepped in and announced. Most of the crowd exploded into cheers while others were silent.

  Naruto coughed and took several breaths and slowly stood up. "Why... why are you s?" Naruto asked his oppo, panting.

  Hearing that question the Uchiha's gaze slightly softened. "To fulfill my ambition, I 't afford to be weak." Before Iruka could make them form the seal of reciliation Sasuke turned around and began walking back to his spot.

  "ime, Sasuke...ime, I won't lose!" Naruto with gritted teeth.

  The Uchiha gnced back at him, his face was inscrutable. He didn't respond, but for a moment, his eyes softened before he turned and walked away.

  And with their battle the st portion of the Taijutsu test began. Some students challenged someone higher heir rank to improve their score while others decided to opt out.

  Sasuke stood he baot needing to fight anyone again. He didn't want to waste time with anyone in his css and only looked forward to the sparring matches he had with Daichi.

  The Uchiha looked up and thought about his former cssmate. 'What's Daichi up tht now?'