The entry exam progressed into its next phase, transitioning into a one-on-one elimination-style tournament. The participants were pitted against each other in direct combat, and the victors would advance through the brackets, each round offering a clearer view of their combat aptitude and potential.
Sasuke, unsurprisingly, fought his way through the rounds with relentless precision, securing victory after victory. None of his opponents offered substantial resistance. He moved like a storm—controlled, deadly, and unstoppable. A small group of squealing girls cheered from the sidelines, swooning over his every move, but he paid them no mind.
His Uchiha lineage was evident in his dominant performance. Each bout he fought displayed the raw strength, instinct, and precision inherited from generations of elite shinobi. Losing would have been unacceptable—a disgrace his ancestors would never forgive. He fought with the pride of the Uchiha riding on every strike, and none of his foes stood a chance against his sharpened skills.
Only the elite remained in the later stages—children from prestigious clans and a few gifted individuals from civilian backgrounds. Surprisingly, the so-called princess, Minami Asami, was among them. Despite her origins, she showed no signs of fatigue or wear. Her posture was perfect, her aura composed. She had earned her place through skill, not luck. Sasuke had no doubt her prowess with a kunai extended to close combat as well.
"..." Sasuke's dark eyes narrowed as he stood across from her. Asami—she was his next opponent. She was strong. But he was stronger. He had to be.
Their eyes locked, and something deep within Sasuke hesitated. Her gaze was sharp, analytical, cold. Her long pitch-black hair framed her pale, emotionless face. Her posture—her calm, haunting stillness—reminded him of someone else. Nii-san... The resemblance was uncanny.
"..." Sasuke mentally shook himself free of the thought. This wasn't Itachi. She wasn't his brother. Asami wasn't even close to his level. And yet, the resemblance—it unsettled him. But it didn't matter. He had to win. Beating Asami wasn't just about pride anymore—it was about proving he could surpass Itachi one day.
Sasuke stepped into the center of the arena, determination simmering behind his calm exterior. "Listen, Asami... I'm going to defeat you. Don't think I'll fall easily!"
Asami tilted her head, raising a brow in amusement. "My, my... such spirit. I don't know your name, and I honestly don't care. But spare me your empty boasts. If you want to fight, then fight."
Her words burned, and Sasuke charged—hot-headed and impulsive. A mistake.
Asami shifted effortlessly, her body flowing like water around his attack. Sasuke's punch hit nothing but air.
His instincts screamed—he twisted just in time to intercept her counterpunch with his arms, but doing so left his midsection wide open. She followed up with a vicious sidekick aimed at his abdomen.
"Aargh...!" He stumbled back, breath knocked from his lungs. Only a desperate backward roll saved him from the final blow. He barely avoided a scythe-like sweep of her leg that would've ended the match.
"..." Sasuke hit the dirt and rolled to his feet, heart pounding. His instincts had saved him. Some ancient force buried deep in his blood responded to danger before his mind could catch up.
"..." He dropped into a defensive stance, jaw clenched. Against someone like Asami, there was no room for carelessness.
Asami's expression hardened. "Impressive. I underestimated you. Perhaps you'll be worth my full effort—someday. But not today."
With that, she lunged, kimono flowing behind her as she closed the distance in a flash. The two collided—fist meeting fist, foot meeting foot. Sparks danced in the air as their limbs clashed.
Asami's pressure mounted. Her strikes came faster, stronger, more precise. Sasuke tried to match her pace, but she was overwhelming him. Inch by inch, he was being pushed back.
Then it came—the decisive blow. Her fist struck squarely against his jaw, and he was sent flying. Dust kicked up as he rolled across the ground, limbs flailing until he came to a stop.
He lay there for a moment, eyes turned skyward. The calm, cloud-dotted blue above mocked his failure. That was the moment Sasuke accepted it—he had lost.
---
The Uchiha household gathered around the dinner table, their meals steaming and fresh, but Sasuke couldn't eat. He stared at his plate, deep in thought. Should he tell them? Should he remain silent?
"Yes, something happened at the examinations. I'm angry because... Because..."
Mikoto's maternal instincts kicked in. She clenched her fists, prepared to defend her son. "Did someone insult you? Were you bullied because you're an Uchiha? Don't pay attention to fools, Sasuke. Be proud of who you are."
Sasuke shook his head. "No, Okaa-san. I'm not upset because of that... I lost to a girl."
Mikoto blinked. Itachi, sitting silently, looked up slightly. His father, Fugaku, folded his newspaper, his gaze sharp.
"To be beaten... by a girl?" Fugaku's voice was heavy with disappointment. "I expected better. You're the son of the Uchiha clan head. You've shamed not just yourself, but the name of our clan."
"..." Sasuke balled his fists, defensive. "But she was strong, Father. Incredibly strong. I couldn't win."
Mikoto's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh..."
Fugaku's reaction was more calculating. "How strong?"
Sasuke hesitated. "She reminded me of Nii-san. She fights like him... only meaner. And a girl."
That caught Fugaku's attention. His brow arched slightly. "She reminded you of Itachi?"
Sasuke crossed his arms. "She looks like a younger version of Nii-san. And she moves like him too. But she's not noble like him. She's... evil. A real meanie."
Fugaku ignored the childish complaint. "Did you catch her name?"
Sasuke tapped his chin. "I think... it was Asami. Minami Asami."
"Minami..." Fugaku muttered. "Minami... Minami..."
"Is something wrong?" Sasuke asked.
"No... nothing." Fugaku brushed it off, but something about the name stirred an old memory in the back of his mind. He couldn't place it.
The next day, Fugaku visited an old friend—Sakutaro, a fellow Uchiha and infamous playboy in his youth. The two shared stories of their younger days, laughter and nostalgia filling the air.
Eventually, Fugaku brought up a particular affair from the past, one that Sakutaro had kept quiet for years. As it turned out, he had fathered a daughter. An extraordinarily talented daughter.