A Fair Duel

A breeze blew, but it did nothing to cool the surging fighting spirit of the students on the training ground. They were all rubbing their fists and impatiently waiting for the upcoming battle. However, amidst this high fighting spirit, Zhou Duan couldn't feel even a shred of excitement about the fight. He could only look at Kato, feeling a pain in his crotch:

"Teacher, my opponent isn't this freak covered in explosive tags, ready to self-destruct with anyone, is he?"

"I'm very sorry!"

The teacher, named Kato, said with a stern expression:

"According to discussions between our school and the Third Hokage, the first match is between you and Moshang Shizhen. Don't worry, the selection of genin candidates this time was conducted on the principles of fairness, justice, and openness. There is absolutely no malicious retaliation. Look..."

Kato pointed to the Third Hokage, who had appeared nearby at some point, and the several Anbu guarding him:

"Look, the Third Hokage has temporarily put aside his busy work to come here and watch your battle, precisely to prevent any unfairness in the competition. In Konohagakure, you might not trust others, but can you really not trust the Hokage? Zhou Duan, your thinking is too narrow!"

Kato, who had been somewhat casual in the classroom earlier, had now become serious. Zhou Duan looked at the serious Kato and the Third Hokage smiling and waving at him from not far away, and all he wanted to say with gratitude was:

"Mmp!"

Don't you guys know if it's fair or not? Are Moshang Shizhen's explosive tags just for show? That guy's green, tight-fitting outfit makes me feel uneasy! Why are the other genin being tested so calm and collected, while this guy looks like he wants to tear me apart? Fine, Zhou Duan admits he was wrong first, but can't you just not let Moshang Shizhen take the test?

Words of unwillingness pressed down in his heart, and phrases of defiance were stuck in his throat, but Zhou Duan couldn't utter a single one. It wasn't for any other reason than that, at some unknown time, the Third Hokage had appeared before him like a ghost. Placing a hand on his shoulder, he said with a "kind" expression:

"Zhou Duan, you must work hard. You are the first student to be tested, so you need to set an example for the others!"

The hand on Zhou Duan's shoulder tightened, and a message only Zhou Duan could hear reached his ears:

"Kid, if you cause trouble, you have to deal with it. I've already spoken with Moshang Shizhen. If you win, everything will be fine. If you don't defeat Moshang Shizhen, I'll reveal the reason for his berserk state!"

"Heh heh..."

Zhou Duan looked at the Third Hokage's deeply meaningful face and suddenly felt fortunate. He glanced with pity at Moshang Shizhen not far away. Zhou Duan felt that it was wrong for him to have made Moshang Shizhen so arrogant, but this guy dared to curse the Hokage along with him – he was asking for death!

It was clearly his fault with the potions, and the Third Hokage knew his strength, yet he still orchestrated this kind of battle-deciding scheme. This was the village's protection for geniuses! Thinking of this, Zhou Duan was incredibly grateful that he had spent all his time improving his strength. This kind of special treatment for having strength, this kind of letting others take the blame for having talent, this dark side of the village... it was truly f*cking great!

Shaking his head, Zhou Duan cast aside his jumbled thoughts, removed the Third Hokage's hand from his shoulder, and, carrying a basin-sized water bottle, walked to the center of the training ground, standing before the enraged Moshang Shizhen.

"Before the match begins, I need to emphasize again!"

Kato stood between Zhou Duan and Moshang Shizhen. Perhaps because the Hokage himself was present, Kato maintained a serious expression throughout:

"This competition concerns the assignment of all students after graduation. You must perform well. Students may use all their attack methods, even forbidden jutsu. However, whether a student or a genin, you are not allowed to continue attacking if you know the opponent has lost their ability to fight! Genin being tested are not allowed to use attacks that result in mutual destruction for the sake of victory! Do both sides understand?"

"Understood!"

"Understood!"

"Very good!"

Kato nodded, flashed, and moved away from between the two. The moment Kato left, Moshang Shizhen's eyes suddenly turned blood red:

"Kid, I will never forget what you did to me. Today, if I don't tear you to pieces and dismember you, I'm not Moshang Shizhen!"

"Hey, hey, hey!"

Seeing Moshang Shizhen's cruel and violent demeanor, Zhou Duan couldn't help but turn to the referee, Kato, and say:

"Teacher, this guy is going to tear me to pieces and dismember me. Is it really okay for him to say such dangerous things?"

"That's right."

Other students watching from the sidelines also wondered:

"Are the genin we're going to face also like this?"

"Yeah, Teacher Kato just said not to use fatal attacks, but from the looks of it, this genin, Moshang Shizhen, is completely going all out!"

"Everyone, don't be confused!"

It was the Third Hokage who spoke:

"The genin we've selected are all sensible. Although Moshang Shizhen appears dangerous, this is merely to test Zhou Duan's state of mind. You must understand that in battle, not being suppressed by the enemy's aura is also a very important point!"

"So that's how it is!"

"As expected of Lord Hokage, the candidates selected for the test have considered so much!"

"Yeah, I even want to switch with Zhou Duan now and experience that kind of pressure!"

"Heh heh..."

Zhou Duan looked speechlessly at this group of fair-weather friends who couldn't even see through the pretense. Didn't they see Moshang Shizhen's blood-red eyes, and that his teeth were bleeding from clenching them? The killing intent radiating from him, wanting to tear Zhou Duan apart, was almost making Zhou Duan unable to open his eyes. Moreover, Zhou Duan kept having a bad feeling whenever he looked at Moshang Shizhen's green, tight-fitting outfit!

As expected, Zhou Duan's premonition came true. Moshang Shizhen gulped down five or six bottles of potions and then let out a loud shout:

"Gate of Life, open!"

In terms of sheer strength, graduating students were not much different from genin. The only thing they lacked was experience in missions. Furthermore, it was the Second Shinobi World War, and even slightly stronger genin had been dispatched to the front lines. The genin remaining in the village were, at best, of average level. Therefore, Moshang Shizhen, who was well aware of Zhou Duan's genius and his own strength, came up with a plan.

During a mission, this guy had witnessed Might Duy's Eight Inner Gates, which was practically a cheat skill, and was deeply impressed. After a series of unbearable and terrifying experiences under Might Duy, he finally learned the first gate of the Eight Inner Gates: the Gate of Opening!

After using five or six types of potions that strengthened his physique but had unknown side effects, Moshang Shizhen finally activated the Gate of Opening, boosting his speed to the extreme. The pain throughout his body transformed into endless hatred, and all his surging rage was channeled into his legs. With the sudden burst of speed and the explosive tags all over his body, Moshang Shizhen launched a suicidal charge towards Zhou Duan!