Yoshihime vs. Inuzuka

She wanted to become a Chunin partly to raise her ninja rank for the future, and partly for the system's reward—the Mangekyō Sharingan.

Just think: as long as she became a Chunin, she would gain this outrageously overpowered Uchiha Clan ability. More importantly, Qingyun had drawn Indra's bloodline in an earlier lottery.

Now everything was ready; all that was missing was the final push. Though the Mangekyō Sharingan was a double-edged sword, his eyes could still evolve further.

A huge screen stood in the Duel Arena, and the names of the candidates who had passed the exam began appearing on it.

The Feudal Lord and important officials from various countries sat in the stands, ready to enjoy the battles between ninjas.

The atmosphere in the arena gradually grew more charged.

"Okay! The names are rolling! All right, stop!" the Third Hokage called. Two names immediately lit up on the screen, announcing the competitors for the next match.

"Hyuga Xinghuo vs. Uchiha Xunfeng!"

"Hyuga versus Uchiha? This should be interesting!" Qingyun noticed that Uchiha Xunfeng seemed to be from the first-place team.

"A battle between Konoha's two great clans! This should be interesting! Byakugan versus Sharingan—I wonder which is stronger!" The spectators around them were excited. They rarely got to see a match like this.

"Byakugan!" Qingyun activated his Byakugan. He saw that Uchiha Xunfeng had plenty of chakra, while Hyuga Xinghuo had already used up more than half of hers.

After all, she was younger and less experienced. The Byakugan helped her evade attacks, but using it continuously would surely drain her.

The battle began. Hyuga Xinghuo activated her Byakugan and used Gentle Fist, unleashing the full range of the Hyuga Clan's techniques.

"That girl from the branch family can even use Rotation! You can't describe that as mere talent!" Many spectators familiar with the Hyuga Clan were astonished. They knew the girl had already mastered the Byakugan, and that given time, she would surely become one of Konoha's finest.

Unfortunately, Hyuga Xinghuo soon began to run out of stamina and chakra.

Uchiha Xunfeng started by attacking with shuriken and kunai, wearing down what little chakra and stamina Hyuga Xinghuo had left. Then he activated his Sharingan.

"His Sharingan has two tomoe!"

"How incredible! Is he a genius of the Uchiha Clan? I can't believe we're seeing a battle between a genius of the Uchiha Clan and a genius of the Hyuga Clan! What a match!"

"A Sharingan versus a Byakugan match? I never thought I'd see one!"

The spectators were thrilled. Qingyun was amazed too. So many geniuses and skilled fighters had emerged in Konoha during this era. If I hadn't shown up, would anyone even know about these people?

The outcome of the match was never in doubt. Uchiha Xunfeng won, and Hyuga Xinghuo collapsed to the ground, completely exhausted.

Still, no one thought Hyuga Xinghuo was weak. Everyone had seen the strength of the Hyuga Clan.

"Not bad. I didn't expect her to have reached this level already. Very impressive!" The Third Hokage stroked his little mustache, looking pleased.

"That Uchiha boy is talented. A Genin with such skill in shuriken techniques!" The Third Hokage praised Uchiha Xunfeng as well.

The Jonin beside him nodded in agreement.

The tournament continued. Before the second match, the Third Hokage called out again, "Stop!"

At last, two names lit up on the screen.

"Second match! Senju Yoshihime vs. Inuzuka Hana!"

"Do your best, Yoshihime! I know you can beat her!" Qingyun had great confidence in Yoshihime. After all, she was an original character who didn't appear in the source material, and currently the only ninja in the entire Shinobi World capable of using Wood Release.

As for Inuzuka Hana, she had been part of the second team to reach the Central Tower. From her name, it was clear that she was a female ninja from the Inuzuka Clan. Her fighting style centered on working with her Ninja Dog and using Beast Mimicry Ninja Art.

Yoshihime entered the arena and watched her opponent.

Inuzuka Hana was already over ten years old.

"Little girl, you're too young. You'll have another chance next year. Why not let an old-timer like me have this win?" Inuzuka Hana said bluntly. She seemed like an easygoing, straightforward girl.

"That's not happening. I want to have a proper match with you." Yoshihime wasn't a pushover. She had gone on many missions with Qingyun, even completing B-rank missions. She wasn't afraid of the ninja before her, much less inclined to surrender before the fight began.

"Are you sure you won't give up? My techniques are pretty fierce. I might scratch your pretty face and mess up your purple hair." Inuzuka Hana stuck out her tongue, looking a little frightening.

"Bring it on! Who's afraid of whom?" Yoshihime was just as headstrong. She wasn't afraid of a fight at all.

"Kuromaru! Let's go!" Inuzuka Hana patted her Ninja Dog, then fed him something. Kuromaru instantly grew much larger. Next, he used the Transformation Technique and turned into Inuzuka Hana. The two of them charged at Yoshihime together.

"Beast Mimicry Ninja Art: Passing Fang!"

The two spun around, creating a pair of powerful whirlwinds that hurtled toward Yoshihime from both sides.

"Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall!" Yoshihime immediately used her Wood Release defensive technique.

Wood Release was more effective at defense than Earth Style: Earth Wall. Inuzuka Hana and Kuromaru's physical attacks were indeed powerful, but even after slamming into the wood again and again, they still couldn't break through.

"Damn! She can use Wood Release! Isn't that a technique only the First mastered?"

"So that's it! You're from that genius team! Damn it! Don't underestimate our hardworking team!"

"Fang Over Fang!" Inuzuka Hana and Kuromaru unleashed their ultimate technique, Fang Over Fang.

The girl and the dog merged into a huge two-headed beast and charged at Yoshihime.

Yoshihime immediately brought her hands together. With a sharp clap, she called out, "Wood Release: Deep Forest Creation!"

Yoshihime belonged to the Senju Clan. She had inherited their chakra and possessed Wood Release. Though young, she was a one-of-a-kind existence in the entire Shinobi World.

Even Inuzuka Hana had never faced an opponent like her. Hana specialized in close- and mid-range combat, while Yoshihime could attack from mid- to long range. As soon as she used Deep Forest Creation, Inuzuka Hana and Kuromaru felt their chakra rapidly draining away, and the strength left their bodies just as quickly.

"Th-this wood can absorb my chakra..."

All the strength had been drained from Inuzuka Hana's body, and she collapsed to the ground alongside Kuromaru.

"So this is that little girl from the Senju Clan! She's incredible!"

"She can even use the God of Shinobi's Wood Release! Konoha is truly blessed!"