Chidori vs. Rasengan

The next day.

The semifinals began as scheduled.

On the elevated platform, the two Kage were still accompanied by the senior officials from their respective villages.

However, Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato both seemed a little lost in thought now.

Namikaze Minato was thinking about the Flying Thunder God and the Rasengan. He was eager to get some proper practice with the Rasengan, combine it with his own techniques, and quickly boost his combat strength.

Unfortunately, this wasn't Konoha. It was Sunagakure.

The combination of Flying Thunder God and Rasengan really wasn't suitable for practicing in Sunagakure. By now, Namikaze Minato's desire to return to the village had reached its peak.

On his way back to his lodgings yesterday, Jiraiya had bought some balloons and started practicing the Rasengan. Even now, he was still thinking about its techniques.

Tsunade was the most relaxed. She had basically come to Sunagakure as a tourist.

Though, with scenery like Sunagakure's, there wasn't much to sightsee.

Over in Sunagakure's section, the Third Kazekage didn't look too pleased.

Their trump card, Karura, was out, and the other two couldn't stop Akiyama Shun and Kakashi. Next up was a showcase match between Konoha's prodigies.

On their home turf, no less!

In stark contrast to the Third Kazekage was Sarutobi Hiruzen, whose face always seemed to wear a smile.

Ever since the Chunin Ninja Exams began, one good thing after another had happened.

Not only had Akiyama Shun and Kakashi performed well, but Namikaze Minato had also learned a powerful new jutsu.

Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at the Third Kazekage and suddenly said, "It looks like two of Konoha's prodigies will be facing two of Sunagakure's prodigies next. I'm curious to see who'll take the championship."

The Third Kazekage's mouth twitched at that. His voice was somewhat low as he replied, "We'll just have to wait and see."

With the two Kage occupied by their own thoughts, the matches began.

Kakashi and Akiyama Shun were each matched against a shinobi from Sunagakure. Their opponents were no pushovers; they had probably already passed the Chunin assessment and were qualified to become Chunin. But against Akiyama Shun and Kakashi, they still weren't good enough.

The two fights were over in just a few exchanges.

There was plenty of time today, so the matches had been spread out.

Only the two semifinal matches were held in the morning. Once the finalists had been decided, they had the entire lunch break to rest and prepare for the afternoon's final.

During the break, many spectators stayed in the stands, still discussing the final that would begin that afternoon.

It couldn't be helped. This was probably the most exciting match in years.

One finalist was Kakashi, who had broken through an absolute defense. The other was Akiyama Shun, who had beaten every opponent with overwhelming ease.

More than anything, though, people were curious.

Kakashi had already fought Karura, so they could get a rough idea of how strong he was.

But Akiyama Shun was different. Every fight he'd had so far had been a crushing victory. No one could tell just how strong he really was!

"Who do you think will win?"

"Who else? Obviously Kakashi. He even beat Karura."

"I think it'll be Akiyama Shun. He's been hiding his strength. He might have something up his sleeve."

"I'm with Akiyama Shun. I often see him with Jiraiya or Tsunade, two of the Sannin. I think he's their student, right? He must be even stronger!"

"Kakashi is the White Fang of Konoha's kid. That doesn't prove anything."

"..."

As the spectators argued excitedly,

the afternoon soon arrived.

It was one o'clock—the final was about to begin!

Neither Akiyama Shun nor Kakashi was late. They stood on the arena right on time.

Neither showed any unnecessary expression. They simply stood there, quietly watching one another.

Everyone in the stands fell silent, their eyes fixed on the two contestants.

On the elevated platform,

a hint of anticipation showed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes. He wanted to see what other surprises Akiyama Shun had in store.

The Third Kazekage didn't think there was anything worth watching in this fight.

A match between villagers, and even between teammates at that—he'd seen plenty of those. Most of the time, the two would put on a little show, trade a few blows, and then one would simply surrender.

He could accept an internal match between Sunagakure shinobi. But a match between Konoha shinobi seemed like a waste of time. They might as well have told him the script and announced the winner outright.

But what happened next was beyond the Third Kazekage's expectations. The very next second after the referee announced, "Begin!"

"Chidori!"

"Rasengan!"

A sharp crack and a deep rumble rang out at the same time!

In an instant, wild lightning screamed and burst across Kakashi's palm, while a spiraling chakra sphere roared into shape in Akiyama Shun's hand.

The moment Kakashi saw the Rasengan, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He'd known Akiyama Shun for a long time and had prepared himself for his incredible talent.

So it wasn't all that surprising that he'd pulled out another self-created, hand-seal-free jutsu.

Their gazes met in midair.

The next instant, they both lowered their centers of gravity. Cracks spread through the ground beneath their feet as they shot toward each other like arrows loosed from a bow!

As they charged, the Chidori's lightning and the Rasengan's spiraling current rose together. The blue-white lightning and swirling chakra in their palms aimed straight for each other's chests!

Lightning flashed. The vortex roared.

Thunder and storm collided head-on in the center of the arena!

"Boom!"

A blinding white light exploded from the point of impact!

A moment later, a violent blast accompanied by a deafening roar swept across the arena. The unstoppable shockwave sent Akiyama Shun and Kakashi flying backward!

The furious aftershock didn't stop there. It spread like an invisible tidal wave, sweeping through the stands as well. The spectators closest to the arena felt a tremendous force slam into their chests, making them stumble backward. Their hair whipped through the air, and their clothes snapped in the wind.

Some people instinctively raised their hands to shield their eyes, but the scorching light still pierced through their fingers. It felt as though the entire arena were trembling!

But even as the shockwave buffeted them, the spectators didn't feel uncomfortable. If anything, their blood seemed to be boiling. Long-suppressed cheers burst from the stands like a volcanic eruption.

"Hahaha! That was incredible! I told you this would be the most exciting match!"

"What kind of jutsu was that? It actually clashed with the Chidori without losing!"

"Another self-created jutsu?"

"Who was saying these two would just put on a show and that there'd be nothing to see? Show yourself!"

"We got to see two self-created jutsu collide in the Chunin Ninja Exams! I could brag about this for the rest of my life!"

"Go, Akiyama Shun!"

"Go, Kakashi!"

Before the spectators' cheers had even faded, Akiyama Shun and Kakashi twisted around in midair as they flew backward, quickly righting themselves.

"Tap."

They landed on the wall at the same time, then looked up sharply, their gazes clashing once more in midair.