Third Match

"Second match, Hyuga Yukina wins!"

At this point, the Chunin Exam Proctor came to his senses. Kurenai Yuhi had already fainted, and Hyuga Yukina's victory was obvious. He did not care that so many people had suddenly rushed into the arena and directly announced Hyuga Yukina's win.

Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze had caught Kurenai Yuhi, while Kushina Uzumaki had already bandaged Yukina's leg wound.

"Congratulations, Yukina. You won your first match." Kushina Uzumaki stood and patted Yukina's head.

Hyuga Yukina nodded faintly, with little joy on her face. "Thank you, Teacher Kushina."

Kushina Uzumaki looked at the expression of her only female student and smiled bitterly to herself. Can't those three just smile honestly for once?

"Lady Yukina, are you all right?" Hyuga Yukyō came around Minato Namikaze and stepped forward to inspect Yukina's injuries.

But Kushina Uzumaki stopped him. Still, Hyuga Yukyō was not beaten up.

Hyuga Yukyō looked at Kushina Uzumaki in confusion.

"I'm saying, there's another match coming up. Let's head back first. We're blocking the others," Kushina Uzumaki said.

"Mm." Yukina nodded, then walked back toward the original spectator seats. Along the way, she said to Hyuga Yukyō, "Thank you, Brother Snow Eagle."

Hirohiko and Chiba followed close behind.

"Is your foot all right?" Chiba asked. But seeing that Yukina walked without much difficulty, it should not have been a problem.

"I'm fine," Yukina said.

"That's good." Chiba and Hirohiko nodded.

Chiba glanced back, his eyes narrowing slightly. Hyuga Yukyō was standing in the arena. Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze had already returned to the spectator seats on the second floor, while Minato Namikaze had handed Kurenai Yuhi over to a Medical Ninja, who had taken her away for treatment.

However, Yukina had shown restraint. It was merely a shock-inducing Pressure Point Strike. Even without treatment, Kurenai would naturally wake up after a day.

Hyuga Yukyō, meanwhile, watched Chiba with a calm expression, faint killing intent in his eyes. In public, he still held himself back and did not reveal it outright. When Chiba looked back, their gazes collided, nearly sending sparks flying.

Then Hyuga Yukyō snorted coldly and slowly returned to his teammates. Kiko and Sota looked nervous. Hyuga Yukyō's sudden palm strike from behind had given them quite a scare, and it had even prompted Teacher Minato to intervene. Their hearts had truly leaped into their throats at the time.

"Snow Eagle, are you okay?" Kiko hurried over and checked him over from head to toe.

"I'm fine." Hyuga Yukyō kept a grim face, ignoring Kiko's inspection as he walked straight to the railing and looked down.

Taki Chiba... I hope I face you in the next match. Then... I'll kill you! Filthy traitor, you're such an eyesore at Lady Yukina's side!

"Hyuga Yukina is a very promising seedling." Light flickered in Orochimaru's eyes as he watched Yukina, Chiba, and Hirohiko head upstairs together.

Tsunade nodded in agreement. "For a girl to be able to hurt herself like that—her qualities as a ninja are excellent."

"It's just that the Hyuga..." Jiraiya's gaze followed the three of them as well.

Then Tsunade took out a scroll again and recorded something before saying, "All right, let's continue."

"The third match... the two opponents will be..." Having received word from the Sannin, the Chunin Exam Proctor announced the next match.

At this moment, the large screen began to cycle again.

Hyuga Yukyō!

The first name had been decided.

Chiba's and Hyuga Yukyō's pupils contracted at the same time.

Is it happening? Fine! Better to settle this sooner! Chiba watched the large screen, his hand silently reaching for his Weighted Training Gear.

The veins at the corners of Hyuga Yukyō's eyes began to bulge as well.

Taki Chiba! It has to be Taki Chiba! I'll deal with you right here. It's only a Chunin Exam—so what if I give it up? Members of the Hyuga Clan have never cared about the distinction between Chunin, Genin, or even Jonin!

As long as I can get this cockroach away from Lady Yukina's side, I'm willing to do anything! At that moment, the large screen stopped.

Yamada Akira! Not him?

Chiba withdrew his hand and remained silent.

Damn it!

Hyuga Yukyō cursed inwardly, his expression turning even grimmer, drawing sidelong looks from his teammates Kiko and Sota.

"Second match: Hyuga Yukyō versus Yamada Akira!"

"It's Snow Eagle?" The moment the proctor finished speaking, a wail rang out. A boy around twelve clutched his head, looking as though he had drawn the worst possible lot.

The two teammates beside him, however, let out sighs of relief, wearing expressions that said they had been saved.

With no other choice, Yamada Akira reluctantly descended the stairs, repeatedly cursing his bad luck. Hyuga Yukyō was already waiting below. When he saw Hyuga Yukyō's expression, his heart sank.

This is bad! Snow Eagle looks like he's in a really bad mood!

At that thought, he unconsciously swallowed.

He's not going to beat me to death, is he...?

Hyuga Yukyō watched Yamada Akira approach, but did not actually look at him. The corner of his eye remained almost entirely fixed on Chiba upstairs.

Chiba was watching Hyuga Yukyō as well.

Let's first see what he can do!

At this moment, Hirohiko and Yukina both glanced at Chiba. Hirohiko said, "Chiba, Hyuga Yukyō is very strong. My brother said he should be the strongest ninja of his generation."

Rarely, Hirohiko had spoken such a long string of words.

Yukina nodded as well. Chiba had asked her about Hyuga Yukyō before, and she had told him everything she knew. However, Hyuga Yukyō had never displayed his skills in front of her, so she did not know the specifics.

She only knew that Hyuga Yukyō was her father's prized disciple. Although the Hyuga Clan did not really use terms like master and disciple, Hyuga Yukyō's Gentle Fist had all been personally taught by her father.

Her father's strength closely rivaled that of the current clan head, perhaps even surpassing the clan head's two sons.

Even such a father had nothing but praise for Hyuga Yukyō, calling him "the genius of the Hyuga Clan."

Clearly, the two of them knew that Chiba and Hyuga Yukyō were at odds. They knew a battle between them was inevitable, and out of concern, they had said those things.

Chiba's thoughts were no different from theirs. He also wanted to learn more about Hyuga Yukyō. And judging by Yamada Akira's reaction, Chiba could sense that Hyuga Yukyō was probably frighteningly strong.

Looking at Yukina, Chiba could faintly see some hesitation in her eyes. He knew very well that Hyuga Yukyō was, after all, a member of the main family. And seeing how overly protective Hyuga Yukyō was of her, although Yukina found it troubling, she probably did not dislike Hyuga Yukyō.

Chiba frowned, a slight hesitation rising in his heart.

If I kill Hyuga Yukyō, and Yukina is still on my team...

But he quickly cast the thought aside.

This isn't the time to think about that. Focus on the match! Chiba shifted his gaze to the arena.

"Ha!"

At that moment, Hyuga Yukyō gave a sharp cry and darted forward, unleashing the Gentle Fist!