But who was Araki?
He was the youngest jonin in Kirigakure's history, a powerhouse who had severed the Hokage's arm, gouged out the Hokage's aide's eye, killed the head of the Hyuga Branch House, and driven off Kakuzu...
What were a few hostile stares worth?
He stepped forward without the slightest hint of stage fright and declared, "It's simple. I need a genin strong enough to accompany me to the Joint Chunin Exams. This is a great opportunity to earn merit for the village. The rules are simple too: one-on-one fights. I only want the strongest one!"
The moment he finished speaking, the atmosphere immediately grew tense.
Every genin present looked eager to try, and they all began eyeing the people around them with scrutiny and wariness.
"Oh, right!"
Araki suddenly added, "Anyone who hasn't awakened their Kekkei Genkai, don't bother stepping forward. Our time is all valuable."
Although those without a Kekkei Genkai could still occasionally defy the heavens, possessing one yet being unable to awaken it showed that their talent was indeed limited. What Araki needed now was immediate fighting power, not some late-blooming prospect with unrealized potential.
As soon as he finished speaking, a youth dressed in gray leaped out.
He first respectfully said to Araki, "Lord Araki, my name is Hagane Koga."
Then he turned to face the crowd and shouted, "That spot is mine. Who dares fight me for it?"
Good. He had spirit!
Araki silently gave him a thumbs-up, then beckoned over the Hagane Clan's patriarch, Hagane Kotetsu.
"Give me a brief rundown of this kid."
"Lord Araki,"
Hagane Kotetsu called respectfully before saying with a hint of pride, "Little Koga is a well-known genius in our clan. He awakened his Kekkei Genkai at eight. He's eleven this year, and he can already skillfully