Satoru stood under the shadow of a large tree, arms crossed, watching the three young students before him with an amused expression.
After a month of relentless training, it was time for them to face a true challenge.
"Today's match will have a little twist."
He pointed toward the massive ancient tree standing tall beside them.
"You'll be fighting up there. The rules are simple—whoever falls first, loses!"
Immediately, all three pairs of eyes lit up with excitement.
Obito smirked confidently, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Heh, this is my advantage! Gai, don't even think about winning!"
Gai clenched his fists, his eyes burning with determination.
"Don't underestimate me, Obito! I will defeat you using your own specialty!"
Kakashi stood nearby, hands in his pockets, his sharp gaze analyzing the situation.
Satoru glanced at the three of them and smirked in satisfaction.
"They'll soon realize just how crucial balance and chakra control are in every environment."
His eyes flickered toward Eren, who sat quietly on the sidelines, observing.
Eren remained silent, but there was a clear curiosity in his gaze.
---
**The Battle on the Tree Trunk Begins!**
*Thud! Thud!*
Two figures leaped onto the massive tree trunk, their feet sticking firmly to the rough bark using chakra.
Their bodies stood parallel to the ground, maintaining an upright posture while clinging to the tree!
The air crackled with tension.
The cold night wind rustled through the leaves, while the pale moonlight cast eerie shadows over this unusual battlefield.
Obito pulled out a handful of shuriken, his eyes sharp.
"Let's go, Gai!"
*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*
The deadly stars spun through the air, hurtling straight toward Gai!
Gai swiftly tilted his body, keeping his feet firmly planted against the tree trunk as he dodged each projectile!
But just as he evaded the last one—
A dark blur suddenly closed in at an alarming speed!
**Obito!**
*Bam!*
A powerful punch came crashing down!
Gai barely had time to react, raising his arms in defense, but the chakra-infused punch pushed him down slightly!
Obito's aura was no longer that of a playful child.
---
**Gai's Counterattack!**
Gai wasted no time.
"Konoha Reppū!" (Leaf Gale!)
He spun mid-air, unleashing a fierce kick aimed directly at Obito's head!
Obito swiftly jumped back, his feet gripping the tree firmly, dodging the attack by mere inches!
"Not that easy, Gai!"
*Boom!*
Just as he landed, Obito's hands flew through rapid hand seals!
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" (Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!)
A massive fireball erupted, roaring toward Gai with scorching heat!
The reflection of flames danced in Gai's wide eyes!
"Damn it! I can't block this directly!"
He immediately leaped sideways, narrowly avoiding the fiery explosion!
But—
"Now's my chance!"
The moment Gai dodged, Obito launched forward, kunai in hand, aiming for a decisive strike!
---
**Close-Combat Decider!**
"Heh, I knew you'd do that, Obito!"
Gai was ready!
He twisted mid-air, countering with a powerful kick straight toward Obito!
*Smack!*
Both attacks clashed!
Both were pushed back slightly, but Obito recovered faster.
Gai's feet slipped slightly, losing a bit of traction on the tree trunk!
In that split second, Obito lunged from above and slammed his foot against Gai's chest!
*Bam!*
Gai lost balance completely!
He plummeted from the tree trunk!
---
**Obito Wins!**
Obito landed lightly back on the trunk, his breathing slightly heavy but his face full of exhilaration.
"Hah! I won!"
Gai lay flat on the ground, staring up at the sky before bursting into laughter.
"Good job, Obito! But next time, I won't go down so easily!"
Satoru nodded in approval.
"Obito moved fluidly along the tree, maintaining excellent chakra control. That allowed him to dictate the pace of the battle and exploit every opening."
"As for Gai… he's physically stronger, but in this type of fight, agility and adaptability were more crucial."
"However, if Gai continues training, he will soon eliminate all his weaknesses."
He smirked and turned to Eren.
---
**Eren and His First Impression of Ninja Battles**
Eren had been watching the fight with an expression of quiet amazement.
"These kids… can fight at this level?"
"How are they standing on the tree without falling?!"
"How can they spit fire? Am I seeing things?!"
"They don't need to transform into Titans or rely on advanced technology. Just with their bodies alone, they have reached such a level?"
How was this possible? Were these really just children?
His fists clenched tightly as he felt a strange sensation within himself.
A raw energy, untamed and violent, stirred deep within his body.
"If I can learn to control this power… could I fight like them? Could Satoru help me?"
Eren fell deep into thought.
A faint flicker of something unfamiliar stirred in his chest—
For the first time in a long while, Eren felt a new kind of desire.
A longing to understand the power of this world.
A thirst to learn the way of the ninja.