Meeting the Saint of Thieves Again

"Normal attire, a dopey haircut... huh..."

"He didn't bring much in the way of supplies, probably confident he'll pass the exam quickly."

"Carrying a large ninja tool, but it's only secured to his back with a belt, so it's not a heavy one."

"He easily took down over ten opponents, most of them Genin and regular Chunin, but he himself was unharmed... perhaps he used a binding-type secret technique."

"In short, he's a very skilled examinee, but I've never heard of him before."

Kakashi was also observing Yuhara, but this superficial observation led him to some incorrect conclusions. For instance, because Yuhara casually tucked the metal contraption on his back under his belt like he was carrying a blade, Kakashi overlooked its weight.

Yuhara's "Sword Crate" was incredibly heavy.

Furthermore, Kakashi, as expected, didn't remember ever meeting Yuhara at the main gate of Konoha.

He also felt Yuhara's hairstyle was slightly familiar, but since Yuhara didn't have white hair and wasn't carrying a short sword directly in the middle of his back, this point could be completely disregarded.

Kakashi led Yuhara away from the exam grounds and then said to him, "You've passed this exam. Be at Training Ground 23 at 9 AM seven days from now to prepare for the final assessment."

"Don't I need some kind of certificate?" Yuhara asked.

He thought to himself, If it weren't for Kakashi delivering the notice, I'd be questioning its credibility.

"...Your passing has been recorded, so there's no need to worry. Frankly, your strength is enough to be a Chunin, and the examiners aren't blind," Kakashi said.

However, the examiners who weren't blind didn't see Yuhara's strength, and even "Sharingan Kakashi" didn't see it.

Moreover, when Yuhara fell into Orochimaru's hands, he already had Chunin-level strength. Hmm, thinking about it this way, Yuhara could participate in this Chunin exam with a powerful slogan... I've waited for months, just for this chance, not to prove I'm better than others, but to prove that the intermediate title I lost must be reclaimed with my own hands.

Thinking about it this way, things indeed became quite inspiring.

"Then I'll leave these things for you to handle. They're no use to me if I take them back... they're technically public property, Konoha assets."

As he spoke, Yuhara pulled out a large stack of surplus cipher scrolls from his pocket and shoved them all into Kakashi's hands before striding away.

Kakashi: "..."

Would they be of any use if I took them back?

For the final stage of the exam, Yuhara couldn't be so lax, as the Fourth Hokage would likely appear then.

For Yuhara, this was an opportunity to enter the higher echelons, shed his ordinary status, and seize a certain position.

Although some of his earlier thoughts were just jokes, the words "prove myself" were definitely not false; this was exactly what Yuhara wanted to do.

And since he had passed the second exam early, Yuhara would use the remaining time to continue training, seizing the opportunity to familiarize himself with his new state and new ninjutsu.

Seven days later, the indoor venue for the third exam.

Including Yuhara, a total of 36 Konoha Ninja had passed the previous exam; in terms of pass rate, this was considered normal.

Early that morning, the Genin candidates had already assembled.

Yuhara was among them, feeling no shame about "being so old and still participating in the Chunin exam," because although some of the participating ninja were very young, fifteen or sixteen years old was the average age for candidates.

Before the exam began, the Fourth Hokage appeared on the main spectator stand on the second floor of the venue. Behind the young Hokage were two squads of Anbu Ninja, and standing beside him was a rather low-key old man and the old man's two disciples—the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru.

As this was the first major village event since the Fourth Hokage's succession, some were there to support their successor, some were there to support their disciples, and some were there to watch the fun and observe Konoha's younger generation.

This lineup was so star-studded, it could almost rival the "anti-rice" forces, but with everyone here, who would handle the front lines?

Well, that wasn't something a small fry like Yuhara needed to worry about.

Subsequently, some idle ninja also voluntarily came to watch the exam, possibly out of respect for the new Fourth Hokage. The number of spectators was surprisingly large.

Regardless, Yuhara had to perform well in front of the distinguished guests.

Show strength, gain admiration, seize status, sit on a high chair, and...

Flip the table.

Look, what a classic villain's design blueprint.

After the Fourth Hokage delivered a speech that Yuhara didn't listen to at all, the final stage of this Chunin exam began. Yuhara didn't even hear how one qualified for the final, typical of leaders holding a meeting while he zoned out.

The exam format was simple and traditional, nothing more than one-on-one battles. It was said that the combatants were determined entirely by random drawing... well, supposedly random.

A character like Yuhara didn't seem likely to get a spot in the finale, but he didn't expect to be the first one to fight.

The examiner hosting this exam was named Shiranui Genma. He was only 17 years old, around Yuhara's age, yet one was an examiner and the other was merely a candidate.

"First match, Yuhara, opponent..."

Shiranui Genma first drew a slip of paper from the box and read out Yuhara's name, then he drew another slip.

"Opponent... Uchiha Shisui."

Huh...

Was this drawing truly random? Was it random at all?

If someone didn't know about Yuhara's performance in the second exam, the content of this battle would essentially be a super genius from a great clan versus an unknown rookie.

"This young man is truly unlucky. While there's still a chance to become a Chunin even after a brilliant defeat, fighting against a prodigy from your Uchiha clan... the battle will likely end in an instant, with no chance for the opponent to even show their skills."

A ninja on the spectator stands said, and beside him stood several ninjas from the Uchiha clan, including even Jonin... They were naturally here to watch Uchiha Shisui's battle, and also to ensure this genius wouldn't suffer any accidental harm.

The Uchiha clan lacks necessary trust in Konoha.

"Hmph, that's only natural," the leading ninja said.

The ninja who had just spoken looked surprised.

No wonder the Uchiha clan is disliked by everyone; do they not even know how to have a normal conversation with that kind of intelligence?

Yuhara, on the other hand, hadn't expected to hear Uchiha Shisui's name in a place like this. He hadn't even noticed such a person during the previous exams.

But since his name had been called, Yuhara could only remain on the battlefield, as did Uchiha Shisui.

Uchiha Shisui's build didn't seem to be on the same level as Yuhara's; he looked to be only in his early teens (Note).

Yuhara raised his hand to signal the referee.

"Yuhara, do you have a problem?" Shiranui Genma asked.

"My opponent seems to be a bit young. Isn't this kind of battle a bit unfair?"

Although Yuhara disliked the ninja clans, especially the Uchiha, bullying a child seemed a bit inappropriate.

"Don't worry, Uchiha Shisui is a professional ninja who has been on the battlefield. You don't need to worry about such things."

Yuhara's words were clearly heard by those in the stands, and waves of laughter and discussion erupted... The unnecessary concern of the weak for the strong was indeed laughable.

"Alright then, I understand."

Yuhara somewhat sheepishly reached up and scratched the back of his head.

Since everyone agreed he could beat up a child, Yuhara would beat him up for everyone to see... At this age, no matter how strong Uchiha Shisui was, how strong could he really be?

Then, Shiranui Genma signaled for both sides to retreat a sufficient distance and reminded them to prepare:

"Both of you, get ready...

The match begins!"

Yuhara took a deep breath. Since it was a battle, he had no reason to hesitate. Next, he planned to unleash the results of his training during this period... the "Thirty-Second Man Technique."

He planned to deplete all the Chakra in his body within thirty seconds. Using this technique on the battlefield would be suicidal, but it was another matter in the arena.

The battle would undoubtedly end very quickly, but what about the outcome of victory or defeat?

Uchiha, Uchiha. Since the Uchiha had taken the stage, Yuhara would allow his opponent to showcase one of the Uchiha's signature Ninjutsu.

What was the Uchiha's signature? Sharingan? Genjutsu? Shuriken?

No.

It was Fire Release.

Six Rulers Technique - Release.

Secret Technique - Cursed Seal Mode - Blood Loss Technique.

Secret Technique - Arc Gradual Sevenfold Rhythm - Second Turn.

Lightning Release - Self-Inflicted Karma Binding Chidori Stream.

In an instant, the Chakra intensity on Yuhara's body surged, and it wasn't just about intensity... Jiraiya, sitting beside the Fourth Hokage, stood up in shock, and the Anbu Ninja in the stands quickly surrounded the Fourth Hokage.

This level of Chakra intensity didn't seem like someone participating in the Chunin Exams, but rather like an assassin targeting the Hokage.

Or even...

Targeting two Hokages at once.

As the Chakra on Yuhara's body erupted with unimaginable intensity, the ironware on his back began to climb onto his body under his control.

In a flash, a ferocious Oni warrior armor, completely black with a metallic sheen, covered Yuhara entirely:

Secret Technique - Art of the Holding Magnet - Eightfold Yagakusya.

The armor had horns on its head and wore a Hannya mask, completely obscuring Yuhara's eyes... This was a measure against Genjutsu.

No one could feel the intensity of the Chakra erupting from Yuhara more than Uchiha Shisui, who was on the field. Thus, after Yuhara's technique was complete, Uchiha Shisui's technique was also complete.

Fire Release - Great Fireball Technique!

The scorching fireball collided with the black armor and then exploded with a deafening roar that seemed capable of tearing eardrums.

However, such an attack was completely inconsequential to Yuhara, who had activated "Absolute Defense." The floor tiles beneath his feet cracked inch by inch, and in a flash of lightning, his figure had already vanished from his original spot, appearing before Uchiha Shisui.

This speed easily surpassed "Body Flicker Shisui."

The three tomoe Sharingan instantly appeared. Uchiha Shisui narrowly dodged Yuhara's punch by turning his body, then extended his hands to meet Yuhara's kick in a very gentle manner. He actually used Yuhara's momentum to retreat slightly, dodging the attack again.

Then, Yuhara stomped his left foot down forcefully, and the ground instantly exploded. Using the recoil, he shot upwards, and with a knee strike, he sent Uchiha Shisui flying... This showed that he truly couldn't utilize Taijutsu. If he could have made better use of his speed and strength, he would have taken down the current "Body Flicker Shisui" with the first strike.

The genius of the younger generation of the Uchiha clan was thus sent flying backward like an arrow loosed from a bow, and then embedded himself heavily into the wall opposite.

The battle had indeed ended in an instant.

This made the Uchiha ninjas waiting to watch the show in the stands completely unable to sit still. They suspected that this match arrangement was deliberately made by Konoha, intended to eliminate the Uchiha's genius ninja in a justifiable manner.

"Hey! Shisui!"

That Uchiha ninja didn't say a word and rushed down from the stands, entering the competition grounds.

However...

As if Yuhara had anticipated it, an iron arrow already appeared before the Uchiha ninja.

BANG!

The Uchiha ninja, blinded by concern, took a heavy blow to his torso. Then, the iron arrow, carrying him along, rapidly retreated before pinning him to the opposite wall.

So, what's the point of bullying children? If you want to fight, fight their damn parents.

Yuhara turned around and raised his right hand high.

At the same time, the iron armor covering his right hand began to disintegrate, revealing his palm, which was enveloped in dark red patterns and azure lightning.

Yuhara was a special ninja capable of controlling the separation and aggregation of his chakra, allowing him to use certain ninjutsu in unique ways.

The key points for the jutsu that followed were as follows:

First, concentrate a mass of high-density, high-quality chakra at the center of the palm, compressing it as much as possible into a single point.

The user could decide the nature of this chakra mass, such as wind release.

Second, scatter other chakra points arbitrarily around this high-density chakra point. There were no special requirements for these outer points.

Third, apply a rotational force to these outer chakra points. As they spun at high speed, the central high-concentration chakra would begin to dissipate rhythmically under the influence of the traction force, spinning along with them.

Fourth, once these chakra points spun into a sphere of light at high speed, scatter more chakra points in a larger area around the sphere of light, and apply another rotational force in the same direction...

Accompanied by an exceptionally piercing and rhythmic high-frequency hum, a special form of Wind Release ninjutsu was held in Yuhara's hand:

False Sage Art: True Wind Release: Spiraling Shuriken!

Then, Yuhara hurled this "shuriken" at the Uchiha ninja!

The opponent suddenly interfered with the exam and threatened the lives of the examinees, so Yuhara's actions were reasonable, justifiable, and legal.

Now, the Fourth Hokage was the one who couldn't sit still.

Question: How can a "commoner ninja" prove his talent?

Answer: Surpass the Fourth Hokage.

The method was concise and straightforward.

And using an advanced version of the Rasengan, one that even the Hokage himself hadn't perfected, right in front of the Fourth Hokage—wasn't this another form of NTR?

However, Yuhara still overestimated himself somewhat.

His full chakra didn't last even 30 seconds in the end.

(Note: In this story, Uchiha Shisui is set to be 5 years older than Uchiha Itachi, making him 10 to 11 years old currently.)

PS:

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