Konoha Lotus's First Bloom~

"F... flying?"

"That guy can actually fly?"

"Sunagakure has a jutsu like this?"

In Konoha's observation stands, quite a few ninjas' expressions shifted slightly.

Flight ability was undeniably rare and troublesome in the ninja world.

"Oh! Looks like a strong opponent! Let's have a blood-pumping match!"

Might Duy on the arena showed no fear at the sight—instead, his eyes lit up. He gave another thumbs-up and shouted loudly.

Tessen just shook his head gently at that, as if unimpressed by Duy's enthusiasm.

The black iron-sand wings behind him slowly dispersed, flowing like quicksand to cover his entire body, forming a thin black armor.

"Match—begin!"

The Chief Examiner Jonin on the high platform, seeing both sides ready, immediately announced loudly.

The moment the words fell, Might Duy's figure abruptly vanished from his spot!

"So fast!"

Jiraiya couldn't help but mutter—purely in speed, this far surpassed him.

The next instant, Might Duy appeared before Tessen. With a whistling wind, a fierce whip kick swept toward Tessen's head!

But just as Duy's foot was about to touch the iron-sand layer on Tessen's body—

"Shlck!"

A sudden change!

The originally smooth iron-sand surface burst forth with countless sharp black spikes!

Duy's foot was directly pierced through by these sudden iron-sand spikes!

Blood instantly stained his green tights.

"Urgh!"

Might Duy let out a grunt, his attack halting abruptly.

Tessen's eyes were cold, as if unsurprised by this outcome.

He casually waved a hand. The iron-sand wrapped around his arm quickly condensed into a massive iron fist, carrying heavy force, and slammed it hard into Duy's chest!

"Bam!"

Might Duy flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily at the arena's edge, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"..."

"Hahaha! I thought he was something!"

"That Sunagakure guy clearly controls iron-sand like a hedgehog, and that green-tights idiot still charged straight in to get wrecked?"

"What a moron!"

"Is Konoha out of people? Sending trash like this?"

Watching this, the crowd froze for a moment, then many ninjas from other villages burst into jeering laughter.

Taunts rose and fell, filled with undisguised contempt.

On the arena, Tessen slowly withdrew his fist. The iron-sand re-covered his body. He glanced at Duy lying on the ground, shook his head, then turned to the Chief Examiner Jonin, signaling that the referee could declare the winner.

In his view, this fight was already over.

But just as the Chief Examiner Jonin was about to speak—

"Cough... cough..."

"Not... over yet!"

Might Duy struggled, propping himself up with his elbows, climbing bit by bit from the ground.

His right foot was drenched in blood, his face pale, but the fighting spirit in his eyes hadn't dimmed.

He once again assumed a combat stance, stumbling step by step as he charged toward Tessen!

Tessen frowned slightly at this, shaking his head again.

This guy's foot was pierced through—his speed and power were bound to plummet. Still trying to continue in this state?

Utterly senseless.

He casually waved a hand. The iron-sand before him formed another giant palm, sweeping horizontally toward the charging Duy!

"Bam!"

Another dull thud. Duy was easily swatted away again, rolling several times before stopping.

"Uh... Might Duy contestant..."

The Chief Examiner Jonin felt a pang of reluctance, about to announce the match's end.

"I... I haven't lost yet!"

Might Duy's voice was weak, but unshakably firm.

He struggled again, wobbling to his feet as blood dripped down his pant legs onto the arena floor.

"Oh? Do you still have some killing move left?"

Tessen looked at the opponent before him—covered in wounds yet refusing to fall—and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, followed by a hint of curiosity.

Anyone with eyes could see the gap in their strength; it was a complete stomp.

This Konoha kid, willing to endure such pain rather than give up—did he really have some hidden trump card?

"I'm not like you so-called geniuses! Ninjutsu? I can't use it well. Genjutsu? I have no talent for it either."

"The only thing I can rely on is taijutsu!"

Might Duy panted heavily, grinning wide, revealing teeth stained red with blood.

"Uh..."

Hearing this, Tessen's curiosity turned to confusion.

"Can't use ninjutsu? Then why be a ninja?"

"What's this? Can't use ninjutsu and still wants to be a ninja?"

"Is Konoha really that desperate? Letting a guy like this take the Chunin Exams?"

The surrounding ninjas from other villages burst into mocking laughter again.

A ninja who can't use ninjutsu—isn't that like a chef who can't cook?

Might Duy listened to the harsh jeers around him, but his expression didn't waver in the slightest.

Because he had heard words like these far too many times.

And that was exactly why he had signed up for this Chunin Exams without hesitation!

He wanted to prove to everyone!

Even if he only knew taijutsu, even if everyone laughed at him, he could still become strong through his own effort!

And now was the time to prove it!

"HAAAAAAAAH!"

Might Duy let out a thunderous roar, and the Chakra inside him began to circulate in a strange, unique way!

His muscles visibly bulged, his skin flushed red from engorged blood vessels, and a powerful aura erupted from his body!

Eight Inner Gates: Space Gate! Open!

Gate of Healing! Open!

Two gates opened at once!

Might Duy's entire presence shifted abruptly. The sluggishness from his injuries vanished, replaced by a savage surge of power!

The next moment, his figure vanished from its spot again!

This time, his speed was several times faster than before!

"What?!"

Jiraiya shot to his feet, his face full of shock.

How was this possible? This guy was faster after getting hurt than before!

Tsunade's eyes widened too. As a medical-nin specialist, she naturally saw more than Jiraiya.

"Orochimaru, this... this must be some kind of forbidden technique that forcibly taps into the body's potential, right?"

She turned to look at Orochimaru, who remained calm beside her, and couldn't help asking.

"Yes. It's a taijutsu technique that actively releases the brain's limits on the body, allowing one to exert one hundred percent of their muscle strength."

Orochimaru nodded in reply.

"Release the limits? One hundred percent muscle strength? Is that... really possible?!"

Hearing this, Jiraiya exclaimed.

"Theoretically, yes. In extreme situations, the body's survival instinct secretes adrenaline, letting humans unleash more power than usual."

"This ninja named Might Duy has probably achieved this through some forbidden technique. But how exactly?"

Tsunade answered. Such a forbidden technique was theoretically possible, but only in theory.

And relying solely on that mechanism couldn't produce this level of power...

"Mastering this technique is both hard and simple."

"All it takes is training far beyond what anyone can imagine, pushing the body's limits again and again."

"In other words, it's a skill that only someone who has devoted everything to taijutsu can learn."

As Orochimaru spoke, his gaze shifted to Might Duy, still fighting in the arena.

Based on the original content and his understanding of the human body from years of Konoha Hospital data, the principle of the Eight Inner Gates wasn't hard to guess.

Might Duy's skin hadn't turned red—meaning he hadn't opened the Third Gate...

Which meant this fight was already over...

Hearing Orochimaru's explanation, Jiraiya watched the figure in the arena who was repeatedly knocked back by Iron Sand, yet stubbornly climbed to his feet each time. His expression was complicated, and even he felt a stir in his heart.

This guy who only knew taijutsu... was going way too far!

On the arena, the battle had entered its final phase...

Having opened the Eight Inner Gates, Might Duy's speed and power had both increased dramatically. For a moment, he was actually trading blows with Tessen.

But he still couldn't break through the Iron Sand defense. Instead, every collision added fresh wounds to Might Duy's fists and feet.

Yet Might Duy seemed to feel no pain, no fatigue, charging at Tessen again and again!

That indomitable momentum, that never-say-die persistence, silenced the entire examination hall.

In the stands, the ninjas who had been sneering earlier now had expressions that quietly shifted.

Some showed surprise, others disbelief, and a few even had a trace of... admiration in their eyes.

As for Tessen, his mood had shifted from initial mockery and disdain to solemnity, and even a hint of... annoyance.

Was this guy a cockroach that couldn't be killed?!

"Isn't it over yet?!"

Tessen finally couldn't help but roar. He didn't want to keep tangling with this madman anymore!

He clapped his hands together, and the Iron Sand around him surged wildly, condensing into several thick black spears aimed at Might Duy charging at him again!

"Iron Sand Spear!"

This was his killing move!

Just as those gleaming Iron Sand spears were about to pierce right through Might Duy—

"Enough."

A steady voice rang out.

The next moment, a figure appeared in front of Might Duy in an instant.

It was none other than the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi!

With a casual palm strike, the ferocious Iron Sand spears crashed into an invisible barrier, instantly collapsing back into scattered Iron Sand.

Then, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, grabbed Might Duy's arm, stopping his forward momentum.

"Chief Examiner, announce the result."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said calmly.

On the high platform, the Chief Examiner Jonin snapped to attention and suddenly realized that Might Duy's eyes had lost focus—he had clearly lost consciousness.

In other words, he had been fighting purely on instinct, driven by an unyielding will!

The ninjas watching from the stands noticed this too.

For a moment, the entire examination hall was dead silent, shock written on every face.

"No way, was it really worth it..."

Jiraiya muttered with a complicated expression, watching Might Duy, covered in blood and already unconscious, being quickly carried away by the medical team.

"Maybe... for someone who only knows taijutsu and wants to prove himself through it, it was worth it..."

Orochimaru shook his head. This kind of spirit deserved respect.

Just then, on the giant display in the center of the arena, the next round's matchups slowly appeared.

Konohagakure, Orochimaru.

Versus.

Kirigakure, Raiga Kurosuki.