Are Your Relationships in Konoha Really This Messy?

"Shun's always creating new jutsu without telling anyone. What if he gets hurt? He really is such a handful."

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched the scene and shook his head, his expression seemingly reproachful.

"Heh..."

The Third Kazekage could only manage an awkward chuckle and say nothing in response to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He didn't want to let Sarutobi Hiruzen keep dwelling on the subject.

In the arena.

Kakashi quickly formed hand seals. "Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique!"

It was a C-rank jutsu, just like Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu. But unlike the Fireball Jutsu's single burst of fire, the Dragon Fire Technique sent a continuous stream of flames in a straight line. The terrifying heat warped the air as it roared toward Akiyama Shun, who had just landed and had no time to dodge.

"Water Style: Water Shield."

That name feels so repetitive. There's no excitement in shouting it at all.

As he released the Water Shield, Akiyama Shun silently complained to himself.

A circular shield of water appeared in front of Akiyama Shun.

The terrifying flames slammed into the water shield. Fire raged and burst out from both sides, almost swallowing the figure behind it. Akiyama Shun could clearly feel the searing heat scorching his skin, but the shield held firm in front of him, successfully blocking every attack.

As he blocked the Dragon Fire Technique, Akiyama Shun pulled out another scroll.

"Earth Release: Rock Fall!"

A massive boulder formed in the sky and came crashing down, rolling toward Kakashi. Kakashi immediately leaped aside to dodge. Even as he did, his hands were already forming seals at high speed.

"Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets!"

Kakashi's lungs swelled as he took a deep breath, then exhaled sharply. Several transparent waves of Wind Release chakra shot toward Akiyama Shun like bullets!

The first Vacuum Bullet struck the water shield, sending ripples across it. The shield finally couldn't withstand any more attacks and vanished completely.

But as the shield disappeared, Akiyama Shun's next attack was already ready.

"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"

A gigantic dragon's head made of flame burst from Akiyama Shun's mouth. The Vacuum Bullets that had been heading toward him struck the flaming dragon's head, but couldn't even make a ripple before the Great Dragon Fire Technique crushed them with ease!

The blistering heat tore through the air as the fierce fire dragon raced toward Kakashi!

When Kakashi saw the fire dragon, he didn't panic. Instead, a flicker of delight flashed in his eyes. His preparations hadn't been in vain!

"Water Release: Water Colliding Wave!"

A waterspout appeared around Kakashi. Under his control, it detached from his body and surged toward the Great Dragon Fire Technique!

The moment Water Colliding Wave and the Great Dragon Fire Technique collided, the hissing sound of vaporization erupted!

Then a violent explosion burst open, and an enormous cloud of steam instantly swallowed the entire arena. Everything in sight became a blur.

The advantage of mastering all five chakra natures was on full display in both of them!

The spectators were stunned. Even some of the jonin had never imagined that a Chunin Ninja Exam could turn out like this.

"Is this really the Chunin Ninja Exam? Where the hell did they bring me?"

"Those two have mastered at least four chakra natures!"

"Getting to see such an incredible clash of jutsu at the Chunin Ninja Exam is awesome!"

"Looks like Akiyama Shun's stronger. Kakashi can only trade blows with him, even though Water Release counters Fire Release."

In the arena.

Kakashi seized his chance and drew the White Fang Blade, rapidly closing in!

He had to fight at close range!

Akiyama Shun needed time to summon his ninja tools. With the advantage of having the White Fang Blade, Kakashi could suppress him with Taijutsu!

As long as he kept Akiyama Shun under pressure and gave him no chance to use jutsu, he might be able to win through close-quarters combat!

Victory was beckoning!

Kakashi's figure flashed across the arena. The White Fang Blade cut through the air with a sharp whoosh, aimed straight at Akiyama Shun's waist.

But just as Kakashi thought he had it in the bag, Akiyama Shun's fist moved.

Strength of a Hundred!

Faster than the White Fang Blade, Akiyama Shun's fist struck Kakashi before the blade could hit him.

"Thud!"

A muffled impact rang out. The punch landed squarely on Kakashi, sending a transparent ripple through the air.

Kakashi's body curled up like a shrimp. His eyes turned bloodshot, and he flew backward, slamming into the arena wall with a crash and leaving a web of cracks in it!

Kakashi slid down the wall and fell to his knees, coughing up mouthfuls of blood that stained his mask.

At least three broken ribs.

Just one punch had brought Kakashi to his senses.

I absolutely can't fight him at close range!

Damn it! I should've realized! Akiyama Shun learns so quickly, and his teacher is Lady Tsunade. Of course he's already learned her signature jutsu, Strength of a Hundred!

On the viewing platform.

Tsunade had been watching, and a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

Seeing her student use her jutsu to badly injure an opponent and dominate the match gave her a strange sense of satisfaction.

The Third Kazekage glanced at Tsunade without drawing attention to himself, then looked away.

Is Akiyama Shun a little too close with the Sannin?

According to the intelligence reports, Akiyama Shun was Tsunade's student. That was perfectly normal. A genius ought to have a renowned teacher.

But the problem was, more reports had come in over the past few days claiming that even Jiraiya called Akiyama Shun "Teacher."

Did that mean Akiyama Shun was both a teacher and a student of the Sannin?

It was bizarre. No matter how talented Akiyama Shun was, he couldn't imagine what a child that young could teach someone like Jiraiya.

And were the relationships in Konoha really this messy?

Inside the arena.

Bracing himself against the ground, Kakashi shakily stood up.

He took off his mask and tossed it aside, spat out the blood in his mouth, then quickly steadied himself. He readied the White Fang Blade for a second round of attacks.

A few broken ribs were nothing. Medical Ninjutsu could heal them easily. The fight mattered more right now.

He'd trained so hard recently to prepare for Akiyama Shun, learning jutsu of every nature, all for this day!

"Earth Style: Earth Flow Spears!"

Facing Kakashi as he got back to his feet, Akiyama Shun said nothing. He simply began to gather chakra inside his body.

But this time, the chakra's nature was different. It didn't belong to any of the five basic elements. A chill began to radiate from Akiyama Shun.

It was time to end the fight.

Akiyama Shun remembered exactly how Earth Flow Spears worked: it controlled the soil beneath the ground and formed spikes that thrust upward.

So all he had to do was freeze the soil and keep the spikes from forming!

"Ice Release: Ice Pillar Swallow!"