The training field echoed with the steady thud of metal striking wood.
A line of wooden dummies stood at the far end, each marked with white targets painted in concentric rings.
Students lined up one by one, waiting for their turn with a small pouch of shuriken in hand.
Iruka-sensei stood to the side, clipboard in arm, already expecting what was coming.
"Today's focus — aim, distance, and hand control. Shuriken technique requires more than strength. It's about rhythm. Precision."
He watched as each student stepped forward.
Sasuke went first — cool and composed.
Thud. Thud. Clink.
Two solid hits, one glancing off the edge.
He clicked his tongue but said nothing.
Next, Shikamaru yawned and tossed three half-heartedly — one stuck, two missed.
"Tch. What a drag."
Hinata followed. Her form was shy, but focused. One bullseye, one near miss, one low hit.
Others came and went — Choji, Ino, Kiba. All similar. Decent, but nothing special.
Iruka nodded as he watched, making notes.
"Expected range for their level."
Then came the pause.
The next name.
"Ren Uzumaki."
The murmurs started immediately.
Sasuke looked over.
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow.
Naruto?
He was already shouting from behind the line.
"Let's gooo, Ren! You got this!"
Ren walked forward slowly, calm as always, eyes locked on the wooden dummy.
As he passed Naruto, they bumped fists.
"Like always?" Naruto grinned.
"Like always," Ren said softly.
He stepped up to the line.
Held the shuriken between his fingers. Three total.
And in one smooth motion—
Clink. Clink. Clink.
Three perfect strikes.
All bullseyes.
The silence afterward was louder than the metal.
Even Iruka blinked. "...First try?"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Shikamaru sat up straighter. A few students whispered.
Naruto practically exploded behind him.
"Did you see that?! My brother's a ninja monster! That was insane!!"
Ren just walked back calmly, hands in his pockets like it was nothing.
Iruka marked it down — double underlined.
"Flawless precision."
The Last One
Then Iruka called the final name.
"Naruto Uzumaki."
Naruto tensed. "Alright! My turn!"
But before he could charge forward, Ren stepped in front of him and held out his hand.
Naruto paused.
"Remember what we practiced," Ren said. "Loose grip. Breath in before release. Aim with your eyes, throw with your wrist."
Naruto blinked, then nodded. "Got it."
He stepped up.
"Please don't hit the fence again…" Iruka muttered quietly.
Naruto threw.
Thud. Thud. Clink.
One hit center, one on the outer ring, one just below the bullseye.
Not perfect — but far better than expected.
The class blinked.
Even Iruka smiled.
"He's improving. Fast."
Naruto turned around with his arms up like a champion.
"See?! Told ya! Next time it's three outta three!"
Ren gave him a small nod.
Their fists met again — no words needed.
Iruka watched the two of them walk back side by side. One loud and proud, the other silent and sharp — both pushing each other forward.
And for the first time in years of teaching, Iruka felt something rare.
Hope.
"They're gonna shake this village."