Rubber-Rubber Fruit

Half a day later, all the teams were led to an indoor training arena.

Here, they would hold the preliminary round before the finals.

Observation stands lined the high walls, and they were already packed with people.

Among them were the nineteen genin who had passed the second exam.

The jōnin instructors of each Konoha squad, and the team leaders from other villages.

Of course.

Also the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Shadow of Konoha.

The Third Hokage stepped to the edge of the observation stand, clad in his Hokage robes, pipe in hand, sweeping his gaze over the assembled examinees:

"First, congratulations to all of you for successfully passing the first two trials..."

"However, a chūnin is not merely a powerful individual, but one who can judge independently and complete missions!"

"And demonstrate the strength and caliber that convinces clients and allies alike."

"Therefore!"

"Before the official matches of the third exam, a preliminary round is necessary!"

"To determine who ultimately qualifies to fight publicly before the daimyō and honored guests of the various nations!"

"The rules of the preliminary round are simple: one-on-one combat!"

"The victor advances!"

"The loser is eliminated!"

The Third spoke concisely: "Then, if there are no other questions, we will begin drawing lots to decide the matchups..."

"Lord Hokage!"

A gentle voice suddenly rang out, interrupting the Third's words.

Yakushi Kabuto raised his hand, a harmless smile on his face.

"I'm terribly sorry to interrupt at such an important moment!"

Kabuto's tone was earnest: "After the battle in the Forest of Death, my chakra is heavily depleted, and I'm injured myself!"

"After careful consideration, I believe that in my current state, I cannot perform to my proper standard!"

"So, I voluntarily request to withdraw from the upcoming matches!"

As soon as Kabuto said this, murmurs rippled through the arena.

Voluntarily withdraw?

Right when the Chūnin Exams were about to enter their most critical phase?

The Third Hokage gave Kabuto a long, deep look, then slowly nodded:

"Since this is your personal decision, I will respect it."

"Thank you for your understanding!"

Kabuto bowed again, then retreated to the observation area at the edge of the arena.

The original nineteen genin had now become eighteen.

Exactly enough for pairs!

"Then..."

The Third Hokage's voice rang out again: "Now, we will determine the match order for the eighteen examinees."

The electronic screen scrolled rapidly, and a match list appeared:

Uchiha Sasuke VS Tsurugi Mizuki

Tsurugi Mizuki entered the arena first.

He wore a Konoha forehead protector, his face gloomy, his eyes hollow, like a soulless puppet.

Sasuke stepped forward with a cold expression, his Sharingan already activated.

Two tomoe spun, locking onto every movement of his opponent.

"Begin!"

Gekko Hayate waved his hand.

Tsurugi Mizuki struck first.

He didn't form any hand seals; his entire body, like a boneless mollusk, suddenly "flowed" forward.

Extremely fast, his trajectory bizarre and unpredictable, like a snake.

At the same time.

His right arm stretched out several meters like a rubber band, his five fingers pressed together into a blade, stabbing straight at Sasuke's throat.

What a bizarre attack method!

The entire arena erupted in gasps.

Sasuke's pupils contracted slightly as his Sharingan captured the attack's trajectory. Chakra exploded beneath his feet as he twisted sharply to dodge.

But then.

Tsurugi Mizuki's arm seemed to possess a life of its own, bending abruptly midair and whipping sideways like a lash.

Smack!

Sasuke blocked in time with a kunai, but the tricky force still sent him skidding back a few steps, his arm numb.

"His body... can deform at will?" Naruto's eyes went wide, disbelief coloring his voice.

"It's not just deformation!"

Yo said: "His muscle and bone density can change locally too. The force behind that strike just now was strange."

Tsurugi Mizuki was no ordinary opponent—he was one of Orochimaru's experimental subjects, capable of stretching and softening his body.

Similar to the Rubber-Rubber Fruit's ability, just not as exaggerated!

In the arena, Tsurugi Mizuki's attacks came like a relentless tide, wave after wave.

His limbs and torso would stretch long like whips, soften like mud, or harden locally like iron—shifting constantly.

His attack angles were utterly bizarre, completely defying the logic of the human body.

Impossible to guard against!

Sasuke pushed his Sharingan's insight to the limit, his form moving at high speed across the arena, dodging and weaving.

Kunai clashed against his opponent's limbs, producing dull, heavy sounds.

Sasuke tried countering with Fire Release.

But Tsurugi Mizuki would soften or shift his vital areas, greatly diminishing the technique's effectiveness.

"Uchiha brat, not bad speed—but that's all you've got!"

Tsurugi Mizuki's voice was hoarse and dry: "That... that lord's assessment of you seems a bit too high!"

Before the words faded.

Tsurugi Mizuki inflated like a balloon, then suddenly spat a stream of viscous black liquid from his mouth.

Sasuke quickly formed hand seals: "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

Flame clashed with the black liquid, but failed to burn it all away.

The residual liquid splattered onto the ground, eating small pits into the surface.

"What a pain!"

Sasuke's breathing grew slightly ragged.

The continuous high-intensity dodging and clashing had taken a toll on him.

And while his two-tomoe Sharingan could clearly track the movements, his opponent's completely unnatural attacks and body characteristics severely hampered his predictions and counters.

"What's wrong, Uchiha brat? Hit your limit already?"

Tsurugi Mizuki closed in rapidly, his body deforming irregularly again:

"Your Sharingan doesn't seem as impressive as the legends make it out to be!"

Rage flared in Sasuke's eyes. As one of the last remaining Uchiha descendants, he valued the clan's honor dearly.

This guy had repeatedly belittled the Sharingan, and Sasuke was furious.

Sasuke raised his right hand, frantically channeling all his chakra, converging it toward the palm.

"Crackle!"

A piercing screech like a thousand birds chirping suddenly rang out.

"That's..."

Might Guy's eyes went wide.

Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma also showed expressions of surprise.

Kakashi stood steady as an old dog, watching silently, saying nothing.

Facing Tsurugi Mizuki's attack, Sasuke's body suddenly leaned backward, nearly touching the ground, narrowly dodging.

At the same time, using the backward momentum, he kicked off the ground hard with his right foot, his body shooting forward like a spring.

His right hand extended forward, palm open—a dazzling blue lightning sphere had already condensed within, shrieking and roaring.

"Chidori!"

Shiiiiink!!!

The dazzling lightning spear pierced clean through Tsurugi Mizuki's chest, exiting from his back.

"Gyaaah!"

Tsurugi Mizuki let out a shrill scream, his body snapping rigid.

The violent Raiton chakra rampaged inside him, destroying everything.

Mizuki's transformation ability dissipated instantly, his body reverting to normal as he slumped forward limply.

Sasuke pulled his arm back, retreating two steps while panting, the lightning in his palm slowly dying out, his gaze icy cold.

That guy Yo could even defeat one of the Three Ninja, Orochimaru—how could I lose to some small fry like this?

"Winner: Uchiha Sasuke!" Gekko Hayate announced.

The training ground fell silent, then a murmur of discussion arose.

The decisive blow just now—Sasuke's grasp of speed, power, and timing was nothing short of stunning.

"Kakashi!!"

Might Guy was the first to jump up, his trademark thick eyebrows shooting high as he pointed at Sasuke below and shouted:

"Chidori! That's your Chidori! You actually taught your signature jutsu to a student?!"

"That's too reckless! That's not a technique a kid should be using!"

Kurenai Yuhi also covered her mouth in a soft gasp, her beautiful eyes filled with surprise:

"Indeed! The training difficulty and danger of Chidori are both extremely high. Kakashi, you sure have some nerve!"

Asuma blew out a puff of smoke: "Looks like the results are good!"

"This kid's got a sharp look in his eyes and doesn't hesitate to strike. Kakashi, you've taught quite the formidable disciple!"

Kakashi still wore that lazy expression, one hand in his pocket:

"Well... he wanted to learn it himself, and he has the talent and chakra control for it, so I taught him..."

Kakashi glanced at Yo: "Anyway, it's not like our Team 7 is short on one more reckless guy!"

Guy got excited immediately: "Kakashi, this is youth!"

"For the sake of youth... we have to work even harder too!"

Second match:

Uzumaki Naruto VS Inuzuka Kiba

Originally, Naruto couldn't beat Kiba, but then a fart knocked Kiba out.

An unexpected victory!

It left people unsure whether to laugh or cry.