Reborn into Naruto World with Tenseigan

“Why did Shimizu Mika suddenly lose consciousness? Could it be due to Genjutsu?” Kakashi pondered with a frown.

It was understandable for Kakashi to harbor such suspicions. Despite the battle unfolding with a bit more unpredictability than anticipated, Mika emerged victorious after rendering Uchiha Kiyomi unconscious. One would assume this secured her triumph, but right after incapacitating Uchiha Kiyomi, Mika herself inexplicably lost consciousness.

Considering the Uchiha clan’s proficiency in Genjutsu, the first doubt that crossed Kakashi’s mind was, ‘Is it because of Genjutsu?’

Kuroto activated his Byakugan and, after scrutinizing Shimizu Mika’s unconscious body, chuckled and remarked, “Well, this is a bit unexpected. It’s not Genjutsu; it’s poison. Shimizu Mika lost consciousness due to a poison coursing through her bloodstream.”

“A poison?” Kakashi asked in surprise. He posed another question, this time in a thoughtful manner, “Was it the snake venom? Did the snakes used by Uchiha Kiyomi bite her and inject venom into her bloodstream? Or was it the smoke bomb?” Then, considering something, he shook his head, “No, it couldn’t have been the smoke bomb because if it was, then the audience would have been knocked out as well.” After a pause, he added, “Hmm… or is it that she smeared poison on kunais and shurikens she used?”

Kuroto shook his head and explained, “Neither of those. It was through the steel wires she used to create that web around Shimizu Mika and trap her. Those steel wires were incredibly sharp, and as they cut through Shimizu Mika’s skin, they also contaminated her body with the poison Uchiha Kiyomi had smeared on them.”

Shisui was surprised, “So that means the Fire Style Ninjutsu she used earlier was just a distraction to buy her some time for the poison to work, and she anticipated Shimizu Mika to be able to escape that attack?” He once again looked at the two unconscious kunoichi in the arena in surprise.

Kakashi sighed, “I see, it makes sense. It’s a pity that Shimizu Mika didn’t act in the manner Uchiha Kiyomi expected her to and ended the fight before the poison had the opportunity to take complete effect.”

Shisui agreed, “Indeed, it’s a pity. Regardless…” Then he turned to Kuroto and questioned, “Kuroto-san, what’s going to be the result of this fight? I don’t think it would make sense to make Shimizu Mika the victor.”

Kakashi nodded as well. “Yes, this wasn’t a clear victory for Shimizu Mika, in fact, it wasn’t even close; I would consider it a draw between the two of them.”

Conflict between Ninjas, it’s a struggle for life and death—not merely a martial arts competition. Therefore, just because Uchiha Kiyomi lost consciousness a few seconds before Shimizu Mika doesn’t necessarily indicate her defeat. The outcome would have favored Shimizu Mika if she had not succumbed to unconsciousness due to poison. However, since Shimizu Mika did lose consciousness, it implies that she also forfeited her ‘life’ in the context of a life-and-death fight. Had the poison been more potent, unlike Uchiha Kiyomi’s which only induced unconsciousness, the scenario would be Uchiha Kiyomi unconscious but alive, and Shimizu Mika unconscious and deceased.

It would have been the victory of the young Kunoichi from the Uchiha Clan. Despite losing the fight, she would have emerged as the winner. Consequently, the winner of this battle cannot be Shimizu Mika. Technically, it should be Uchiha Kiyomi; however, since Mika did defeat Kiyomi, Uchiha Kiyomi cannot be declared as the victor either.

Kuroto concurred with Shisui and Kakashi’s opinions, stating, “Indeed, a draw seems to be more reasonable.”

As the three judges reached a consensus, they conveyed their decision to the referee, who promptly announced the result, “The judges have made their decision, this fight is a draw between Uchiha Kiyomi and Shimizu Mika!”

…

Among the instructors

“I see… so this is what you were talking about, Anko—using poisons to compensate for the difference in their raw strength and skills?” inquired Kurenai as she observed Uchiha Kiyomi and Shimizu Mika being escorted away by the Iryō-nin for treatment.

Anko nodded, saying, “Indeed,” and proceeded to explain, “That girl seemed quite intrigued by the battle between Kuro—Cough—Hokage-sama and Uchiha Shisui during the Godaime Hokage’s Election. That fight concluded in the most unexpected way due to Hokage-sama’s meticulous preparation and planning. Despite the odds stacked against him, he emerged victorious, defeating Uchiha Shisui—widely regarded as the strongest Shinobi among the Five Great Nations, much to the shock and surprise of everyone. Once she grasped that Uchiha Shisui was defeated due to a poison concocted and cleverly utilized by Hokage-sama during that battle, she decided to delve deeper into toxicology and venomology. And this is the result.”

“Makes sense… overcoming the difference in strength with other means,” said Asuma, and muttered to himself, “I see, ultimately, it doesn’t really matter who is stronger and who is weaker. Even those considered weaker can overcome the odds with careful preparation and planning. Kuroto demonstrated that against Uchiha Shisui back then, and now the young Kunoichi from the Uchiha Clan has done the same against Shimizu Mika.”

Both Anko and Kurenai looked at Asuma in surprise; his words clearly indicated that he had undergone some kind of enlightenment. Kurenai couldn’t help but question, “Asuma-kun, are you planning to incorporate poisons into your combat style?”

Kurenai’s question interrupted Asuma’s train of thought, and he shook his head with a helpless expression. “My combat style is not suited to that approach. Moreover, considering how careful a poison user has to be with their concocted poison, I understand that poisons are not my thing. Kuroto is way better at it than I would ever be. I was just thinking about something else.”

“Is that so?” muttered Kurenai with a brief nod, then turned her attention back to the arena.

…

The rooftop of the Academy Building

“Sigh, so it would seem that my niece was unable to win, huh?” sighed Naomi as the result of the fight was announced.

Shinichi glanced at the aqua-blue-haired Kunoichi and remarked, “You seemed rather happy despite the fact that your niece couldn’t win.”

Contrary to what many expected, Naomi was neither disappointed nor sad that her niece did not manage to win the fight.

Naomi was surprised and pointed to herself, “Am I?” Then her lips arched in a smile, and she nodded, “I suppose I am… this will serve as a lesson for Mika not to look down upon others and end the battle immediately. I get it she has her own pride, but it’s useless if someone is dead. Mika could have won if she had gone all out from the start, but her carelessness led to her defeat. I am just glad that it occurred here, against a comrade, rather than against an enemy on the battlefield or during some mission.”

“I suppose you are right about that,” muttered Shinichi, adding, “A momentary carelessness can lead to death in battle.”

…

Among the viewers

“How is Kiyomi’s condition?” asked Fugaku upon hearing the result of the battle.

Mikoto looked at the arena and nodded, “Izumi is taking care of her injuries; there shouldn’t be any complications.”

Fugaku breathed a sigh of relief, “Thankfully,” to which Mikoto smiled. He added with a thoughtful expression, “To think someone with such a terrifying Kekkei Genkai would emerge from the civilians.”

He hadn’t personally witnessed the power of Shimizu Mika’s Kekkei Genkai in action this time. His opinion is based on what he recalled from her fight against Sarutobi Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai more than a year ago, in which she teamed up with Sasuke and Hyuga Neji. And this fight against their daughter Kiyomi which was described to him by his wife, Mikoto.

Based on these two instances alone, Fugaku understood the potential of Shimizu Mika’s Kekkei Genkai, and he believed that if this girl grows up, she will definitely surpass even Senju Tsunade!

Mikoto argued, “But our Kiyomi is not bad either. Even now, she not only put up such a good fight against Shimizu Mika but ‘almost’ defeated her. And if you think about it, she is younger than most of her peers. By the time she becomes an adult, Kiyomi might even surpass Shimizu Mika!”

Fugaku nodded with a smile, “Indeed.”