Both Sides Wounded

The turn of events on the field made Tsunade and Kakashi, who were watching from a distance, frown in unison.

With their target gone, it clearly went against both teams' interests to keep fighting.

"Is this just a clash of pride?" Kakashi guessed.

Tsunade furrowed her brow. "The exam is only halfway over, and there are other highly competitive teams out there. It's rather shortsighted of them to keep at it!"

This exam tested more than just the candidates' combat abilities; it also tested their decision-making and leadership.

A good commander should learn to avoid letting pride cloud their judgment during a mission.

Tsunade wouldn't have minded if it had been someone else. After all, they were only eleven or twelve-year-old children. Who hadn't been hotheaded in their youth?

But Yakumo was different!

She had high hopes for Yakumo and was grooming her to become the next Hokage, so she held her to a much higher standard.

Fortunately, Yakumo hadn't let her teammates drag her into the fight in haste. Instead, she had chosen to stand by and provide support. As their commander, that left her room to either advance or retreat.

On the battlefield.

Perhaps because they knew each other well, Sasuke and Kimimaro skipped the probing stage. The fight went straight to a fever pitch.

"Ten Finger Bullet!"

For once, Kimimaro used the power of his Shikotsumyaku.

Whoosh.

Whoosh.

Whoosh.

In an instant, a series of shrill whistles swept toward Sasuke.

Sasuke had already activated his Mangekyō Sharingan. His scarlet eyes darted from side to side as he barely managed to track the bone bullets cutting through the air!

"So fast!"

After a silent exclamation, Sasuke twisted his body at an unbelievable angle, narrowly dodging the bone bullets.

But before he could catch his breath, the light in