One Kick

The Konoha Ninja watching the monitors were just as uncomfortable after hearing the Cloud Ninja's remarks, and immediately shot back.

"Don't underestimate us Konoha Ninja. That Killer B you keep bragging about doesn't seem like much to me. Just make sure you don't start crying when you lose later."

"Exactly. The only thing you Cloud Ninja are good at is bragging."

Although it was the Peaceful Era, old grudges weren't so easily erased.

After just a few exchanges, the atmosphere grew tense and hostile.

But the Ninja on both sides weren't greenhorns. They might be angry, but they wouldn't lose their heads and do anything out of line.

Besides, there were Sunagakure Ninja nearby. They didn't want to make fools of themselves in front of them.

"Just a bit of trash talk. Killer B will make you shut up soon enough."

"Likewise. Kushina's no pushover."

The Konoha Ninja present were backing Kushina. They all knew she'd grown up alongside Uzumaki Mito and Tsunade.

And any Ninja with a little experience had heard of the Crimson Pepper.

As for Qingshui, only a handful of people knew how strong he was so far, so it was only natural that he wasn't famous.

The focus returned to Qingshui.

Ignoring Motoi's provocation, Qingshui looked at Killer B and asked the question that mattered most to him.

"What scroll are you carrying?"

Completing the mission came first.

Motoi was furious at that response.

He was one of the top Ninja in Kumogakure, yet during a Joint Chunin Exam, a middle-aged Konoha Genin had ignored him.

He was shaking with rage!

Motoi had originally wanted to say that he and Qingshui didn't really have any great grudge between them.

If Qingshui surrendered willingly, Motoi could do him a favor and let him off.

But now he couldn't hold back any longer. He immediately used the Body Flicker Technique and shot toward Qingshui, who was looking at Killer B, like an arrow loosed from a bow.

Today, he was going to teach this ignorant old man a proper lesson.

Bam!

The very next moment, Motoi was punched flying back the way he'd come.

It all happened so suddenly that he didn't even know what had just happened. He was left completely dazed.

How did I suddenly get hit?

Was it that old man?

A flurry of questions flashed through Motoi's mind. It wasn't until Killer B caught him and helped him regain his footing that he realized Kushina had struck him.

Realizing Qingshui hadn't been the one to hit him, Motoi felt a little better.

He couldn't accept being punched flying by a middle-aged Genin.

That would have been far too humiliating!

At least Kushina was the target of their mission in Konoha.

That punch had also proved she was indeed strong, making it clear why her village had gone to such lengths.

But Motoi had no idea that, among the five of them, Qingshui was actually the strongest.

His belief that he could teach Qingshui a lesson had been nothing but a delusion.

Kushina knew perfectly well that Motoi couldn't hurt Qingshui.

She'd struck because she had already decided to make a strong showing in the Second Exam and carry Qingshui to victory.

The Konoha Ninja watching from the Monitoring Room erupted in cheers.

"See that? As soon as Kushina steps in, you Cloud Ninja are completely helpless!"

"Tch, all she did was punch Motoi flying. The strongest one, Killer B, hasn't even made a move yet. Don't get too cocky."

Killer B had no idea what was happening in the Monitoring Room.

As he looked at Kushina, an intrigued expression appeared on his face.

"You're pretty strong. I hope you can give me a good, satisfying fight."

Just as Qingshui had ignored Motoi earlier, Killer B ignored Qingshui's question.

They hadn't come here to steal anyone's scroll.

Of course, if they could also get the Heaven Scroll they needed, that would be the best of both worlds.

Before his words had even faded, Killer B had drawn his Ninja Sword and charged.

He was far stronger than Motoi. When it came to speed alone, there was no comparison between them.

In the blink of an eye, Killer B was right in front of Kushina.

His Ninja Sword flashed white as he slashed with blinding speed.

Even Kushina was startled by his speed.

Daring not to be careless, she quickly used the Body Flicker Technique to dodge his attack.

Then she appeared behind Killer B, Kunai in hand, and stabbed down.

Clang!

Killer B had turned around and blocked the Kunai with his Ninja Sword.

Their opening exchange had ended in a draw.

Kushina was even more surprised.

She rarely met Ninja her own age who could match her.

Even Namikaze Minato, who was always called a Commoner Genius, was someone she looked down on.

Yet this Cloud Ninja had managed it—and judging by his age, he seemed to be a few years younger than her.

Clearly, he was a prodigious young genius.

But that didn't frighten Kushina. If anything, it only roused her competitive spirit.

Killer B felt the same way.

He couldn't find anyone his own age to challenge in Kumogakure, either.

If he weren't still growing, his strength would have already surpassed that of an ordinary Jonin.

Kushina and Killer B launched into a fierce battle.

They were both still children, yet the destruction they caused in the fight was enough to make many adult Chunin feel inferior.

After only a few exchanges, the surrounding ground and trees were already battered and scarred.

At the same time, Motoi turned to Qingshui again.

"Old man, no one's here to help you now. Let's see what you can do!"

With that, he charged at Qingshui again.

Qingshui watched him expressionlessly, merely reaching out with one hand to grab him. Motoi's attack came to an abrupt halt.

Motoi's face changed instantly at the sudden turn of events.

"What?"

Before he could react, Qingshui kicked him in the stomach.

Motoi felt as if he'd been hit by a ferocious beast. The terrifying force brought unbearable pain.

His eyes flew wide, and his face twisted in agony.

The force of the kick also sent him flying backward.

He flew even faster than he'd charged in.

Shiko, who had been silent until now, was so shocked by what had happened that she forgot to help. Motoi smashed through a tree before finally crashing to the ground.

When he landed, blood at the corner of his mouth, his eyes had rolled back and he was unconscious.

Before passing out, Motoi never could have imagined that the old man he'd always looked down on would defeat him with a single kick.

After all, he wasn't some Genin who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy.

"Motoi!"

Only then did Shiko hurry over to Motoi, her face stricken with alarm.