Naruto: I have Ten Skill Bars

After classes ended at the Ninja Academy, Shigure exchanged a few words with Ino before casually making his way toward one of Konoha's public training grounds.

"I wonder just how strong I really am now… I can't be weak by Genin standards, can I?"

He had never seriously fought anyone before, so he had no real frame of reference.

But it shouldn't be weak.

And today—

He'd test that for himself.

Arriving at the edge of the training ground, Shigure glanced around.

Most of the shinobi present were Genin, with a few Chūnin mixed in practicing their ninjutsu.

The grounds were large—far too vast to take in with a single glance. As he scanned the field for a suitable target, a shout broke the air.

"Hey! You, brat! What are you doing here?"

"Scram, scram! This is a shinobi training ground—not a playground for civilians! If you get caught in the crossfire, don't come crying to us!"

Shigure turned toward the source of the voice—a Genin storming over with an irritated look, clearly trying to shoo him away.

Perfect.

"I was just passing by after school and saw some ninja training. I got curious, that's all."

"Well, curiosity satisfied. Now get lost! Ninja business isn't something a kid like you should be watching!"

"You guys don't look all that impressive to me anyway."

Shigure said it flatly. He wasn't trying to provoke anyone—he genuinely thought they looked weak.

The Genin's expression darkened. A few others nearby turned to look at Shigure, some clearly annoyed.

"Who is this little punk? Talking trash about ninja?"

"You've got guts, I'll give you that—but they won't help you when you're six feet under!"

"Kid, are you looking to get beat up? I could break you with one hand. Kneel and apologize, and maybe I'll forget what you just said."

The one speaking was tall, broad-shouldered, and clearly confident in his strength. He loomed over Shigure with a sneer.

Any normal kid would've been terrified.

But Shigure only smirked.

"I'm just stating the truth. You're weak."

The Genin's face twisted into a scowl.

"Tch. Fine. You asked for it!"

With that, the brute threw a heavy punch toward Shigure's face.

It should've flattened him.

Should've—but didn't.

Shigure didn't even flinch.

Instead, his left hand lashed out—

Clack.

—and caught the punch mid-air.

Effortlessly.

The other Genin around them gasped, wide-eyed.

"No way… Did he just stop Takeshi's punch?!"

"That guy's known for his insane strength!"

"Are we seeing things?!"

But it wasn't an illusion.

Shigure's slender fingers were clamped around a fist larger than his head. And Takeshi, face reddening with exertion, couldn't move it an inch—no matter how hard he struggled.

Impossible… This kid…!

Shigure released him with a casual flick of his wrist. The sudden release threw Takeshi off-balance, sending him tumbling backwards across the dirt.

He groaned as he rolled to a stop.

Shigure turned to the others with a blank expression.

"Is fighting these kinds of opponents even worth it?"

[Great Sage: Worthwhile.]

Well then—if the Great Sage said so…

Shigure unsheathed the ninja sword at his hip, its steel catching the afternoon light.

He stepped forward.

The gathered Genin looked at him, stunned.

"My name is Gekkō Shigure. I came here today to see what kind of strength you so-called 'ninja' really have."

"But now that I'm here, I'm honestly disappointed. You may have the headbands, but it seems you don't have the strength to match."

"Still… I guess I can use you to sharpen my swordsmanship."

Clang!

Steel rang as Shigure raised his blade.

"What's the matter? A whole squad of ninja, and no one dares to step forward?"

For a brief moment, silence.

Then—

"Tch… Arrogant brat! I was just caught off guard! I'll show you what a real ninja can do!"

Takeshi had scrambled to his feet, face twisted in rage. But before he could finish his threat—

Whoosh.

Shigure blurred forward.

In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Takeshi, sword reversed in his grip, the tip now pressed to the Genin's throat.

Takeshi froze.

"With strength like that? You're better off saving your energy."

Crack!

A sharp kick to the chest sent him flying again.

Shigure turned back to the others, his gaze cold.

"No one else wants to step up?"

"And you call yourselves ninja?"

That stung.

Finally, one of the Genin snapped.

"Arrogant brat! I'll show you real power!"

He lunged at Shigure, kunai drawn, aiming directly for his chest.

But—

Shigure didn't even bother turning.

With a fluid backhand, he knocked the kunai clean from the attacker's grip, and with the flat of his blade, smacked both weapon and wielder away in a single blow.

Weak!

Too weak!

Shigure had initially assumed he was only somewhere around Genin level. But now, after facing these so-called ninja, he realized—

He had severely underestimated himself.

Defeating a Genin… took just one move.

[Calculating...]

Hearing the voice of the Great Sage, Shigure sighed inwardly. These Genin might be weak, but they still served as decent data points for the Great Sage's ongoing calculations.

"Too weak… Are all ninjas this 'strong'?"

He raised his voice so all could hear.

"Why don't you all come at me at once?"

Shock.

The surrounding Genin stared at him, stunned. Then their faces twisted with rage.

He wasn't just arrogant—he was outright mocking them.

"Who the hell does this brat think he is?"

"Forget it—let's crush him!"

Someone shouted—

"Let's go, together!"

And in the next instant, the entire group of Genin moved as one.

The first wave came in the form of a storm of shuriken and kunai, flying toward Shigure from all directions.

He raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

"Compared to Tenten's hidden weapon techniques…

You guys are like toddlers tossing pebbles."

...

TN:

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