Classic Reenactment! Bird vs. Absolute Defense!

"Hatake Kakashi."

Kakashi calmly finished his self-introduction.

At this moment, the eyes of everyone in the arena were fixed tightly on Akiyama Shun and Kakashi. After a brief silence, a wave of enthusiastic cheers erupted.

"They're here! They're here!"

"I told you, with strength like Kakashi's, there was no need to run away. He really came!"

"Now we're really going to see a good show!"

"..."

On the high platform, Sarutobi Hiruzen watched this scene and chuckled as he took a puff from his pipe. "These two children, what a high-profile way to make an entrance."

After speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked toward the Third Kazekage with a hint of apology on his face. "It seems these two were delayed by their training, causing a bit of a wait for the Third Kazekage."

The Third Kazekage felt quite complicated inside, but his expression remained normal as he waved a hand.

"It is understandable to train hard in order to face strong opponents. Besides, they arrived within the allotted time, didn't they? It is of no consequence."

The two old men exchanged a glance.

They both knew exactly what the other was thinking, clear as a mirror, yet they both maintained a facade of kindness.

Inside the dueling arena.

Akiyama Shun looked at the referee. "There are ten seconds left on the countdown, so we aren't late. Kakashi hasn't been disqualified, has he?"

The referee glanced at his watch and nodded. "Within the regulated time, you are not late. The match may proceed!"

Having confirmed that the match was still on, Akiyama Shun turned and left the arena, heading to the spectator stands to find a seat.

Kakashi turned to face Karura, his expression grave as he drew the White Fang Blade. He remembered all too well how terrifying this woman's sand-manipulation techniques were, not to mention that "Absolute Defense."

"Do you not need to rest?"

To Kakashi's surprise, Karura did not seem to care at all that he had been so late; she was even concerned about his physical state.

"It is of no consequence... thank you for your concern."

Kakashi replied after a brief silence.

Hearing Kakashi's response, Karura nodded and prepared herself for battle.

Seeing that both were ready, the referee immediately announced, "Battle start!"

The moment the referee's voice fell, Kakashi attempted to do as he had in previous fights: draw his blade and close the distance rapidly. However, this time, the tactic did not work—Karura was faster than him!

In the sky, it began to rain.

No, to be precise, it was a rain of pellets—pellets made of sand, pouring down toward the ground like a deluge!

"Sand Hail!"

Kakashi had watched Karura's battles, and naturally, Karura had watched his. She knew that Kakashi's first instinct would be to close the distance, and she had already prepared a countermeasure.

Seeing that a direct approach was hopeless, Kakashi did not lose heart. He sheathed the White Fang Blade and performed hand seals rapidly.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"

Flames resembling the seeds of a phoenix flower were spat from Kakashi's mouth, scattering in all directions toward the sky. As the flames struck the sand pellets, a sizzling sound of scorching filled the air, and they successfully neutralized each other, clearing a safe zone above Kakashi.

But immediately following this, Karura's second wave of attacks arrived!

Shuriken made of sand shot toward Kakashi from Karura's direction!

Kakashi dodged in a hurry. While evading the first shuriken, he had already drawn the White Fang Blade again, channeling chakra into it to shatter the subsequent sand shuriken flying toward him.

Seizing the opportunity, he immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to charge toward Karura!

Karura had too many long-range attack methods; he could not let this drag on. He had to get close!

Kakashi's speed was immense. During a brief opening in Karura's attacks, he successfully closed the distance, and the White Fang Blade in his hand swung down!

Had this been any other participant in the Chunin Exams, this strike would have resulted in death or severe injury. Yet, facing this blade, Karura did not even glance at Kakashi.

The moment before the White Fang Blade could strike, the sand beneath Karura's feet reacted instantly. Like loyal guards surrounding a king, it transformed into a shield, perfectly blocking Kakashi's attack.

In truth, Kakashi had anticipated this. After his strike was blocked, he immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to retreat!

When Kakashi's figure reappeared, he was already at Karura's side, and his blade swung down once more!

"Bang!"

A new sand shield appeared, blocking Kakashi's attack.

Kakashi shifted positions constantly, launching attack after attack, but the sand shield always appeared in the most optimal position, making his efforts seem incredibly futile.

In the end, the sand shields were nearly enveloping Karura entirely. Not only had Kakashi failed to inflict any damage, but his attacks had actually made Karura's defense even more formidable!

Finally, just as Kakashi attempted another Body Flicker attack, a mass of sand originating from Karura began to spread rapidly toward him. A sense of danger instantly enveloped his entire body.

"Sand Binding Coffin!"

Kakashi decisively abandoned the attack and retreated violently. To stay away from the sand, he even used his chakra to stand vertically against the wall.

He recognized this attack; it was the technique Karura had used to end her match during the preliminaries.

Karura stared at Kakashi, the sand shield beside her still lingering, protecting her and radiating a sense of utter despair.

In the spectator stands, those who had been rooting for Kakashi could no longer even perceive a glimmer of hope for victory.

Only Akiyama Shun remained smiling, showing no concern whatsoever that Kakashi might lose.

On the high platform.

The Third Kazekage chuckled, "It seems that even the child of the White Fang of Konoha cannot break through Karura's absolute defense."

The Third Kazekage's logic was simple: if the son of the White Fang of Konoha couldn't solve the absolute defense, then that boy named Akiyama Shun surely wouldn't be able to either.

That meant Karura was undoubtedly the champion!

Sarutobi Hiruzen was just about to say something, but upon seeing Kakashi's movements, his eyes suddenly narrowed.

The words he intended to speak died on his lips, replaced instead by, "This child has trained for so long; I believe in him."

The Third Kazekage did not respond, assuming Sarutobi Hiruzen was merely being stubborn.

A faint smile touched the corners of Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth; no wonder those two children had been inseparable for the last seven days—it seemed that boy Akiyama Shun also possessed a remarkable talent for teaching.

He saw Kakashi forming hand seals, a sequence he was intimately familiar with, having witnessed it during that heavy rain when Akiyama Shun and Kakashi fought in the park.

Ox-Rabbit-Monkey.

"Chidori!"

Following Kakashi's low shout, the dense, frantic sound of electrical current erupted within his palm.

The piercing cry of the Chidori tore through the air, and the dazzling blue electricity beneath Kakashi's palm acted like an invisible plow, carving a jagged, scorched trench directly into the ground.

As his sprinting figure pressed forward, the chasm expanded wildly amidst the lightning, sending soil flying and creating a terrifying display of power.