I Also Have My Own Ninja Way to Uphold

"Therefore, before we proceed to the official third exam, we will hold a preliminary round!"

"A preliminary round?" Naruto asked.

"That's right," Anko explained. "The rules are simple: one-on-one personal combat, with opponents chosen at random. The winners will earn the right to participate in the official third exam, which will be held in one month before all the feudal lords and distinguished guests! As for the losers, this is where it ends for you."

"Now, everyone, follow me."

Team 7 followed Anko to a spacious, arena-like area at the base of the Central Tower.

The perimeter of the arena was filled with the other teams who had passed the exam: Gaara and his two teammates from Sunagakure, Neji Hyuga, Rock Lee, Tenten, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuga, Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, Ino Yamanaka...

And, that subordinate of Orochimaru from the Sound Village.

Everyone's gaze converged on the massive electronic display screen in the center of the arena.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, also appeared on the second-floor observation deck alongside numerous Konoha jonin. His eyes swept over every examinee one by one, finally lingering on Ling Xuan for a moment with a profound look.

"Now, let us begin the drawing for the first preliminary match!"

At Anko's command, the names of all the examinees began to scroll rapidly across the central electronic screen.

The atmosphere of the entire arena was instantly ignited, and everyone's breathing grew rapid.

Finally, the names on the screen slowed to a halt.

The participants for the first match were clearly displayed.

Sasuke Uchiha vs. Yoroi Akado

"Oh? Am I the first one?" A cold smirk tugged at the corner of Sasuke's mouth. He happened to need a battle to test his current strength and discover exactly what the sealed "Cursed Seal" could bring him.

His opponent was the ninja from the Sound Village, whose entire body was wrapped in bandages.

The two walked onto the arena floor and stood facing each other from a distance.

"Little brat of the Uchiha, it is your honor to die in a body that Lord Orochimaru has taken a fancy to." Yoroi Akado's voice was hoarse and grating.

"You talk too much." Sasuke's eyes turned icy in an instant.

Among the spectators, Ling Xuan watched this scene calmly. His Eye of Truth had already analyzed the Sound ninja named Yoroi Akado with absolute clarity.

His chakra flow pattern relied heavily on the conduction of sound; his armor was not merely for defense, but a special device capable of absorbing and storing an opponent's chakra. By releasing the stored chakra in the form of sound waves, he could disrupt his opponent's hearing and sense of balance...

A clever ninjutsu, but...

It is useless against me, and equally useless against the Sharingan.

"The match, begin!"

At the command of the proctor, Hayate Gekko, Sasuke's figure vanished from his spot in an instant!

He did not use any ninjutsu, choosing instead the purest form of combat—the taijutsu he excelled at most!

"Lion Combo!"

A fluid, seamless sequence of attacks landed on Yoroi Akado before he could even react!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The heavy sounds of impact made all the watching genin change their expressions.

"So... so fast!"

"I can't keep up with his movements at all!"

Yoroi Akado was forced into a steady retreat by Sasuke's barrage. His pride-and-joy sound wave attacks were completely ineffective against the Sharingan, which allowed Sasuke to predict his every move.

In the end, Sasuke finished the battle with a powerful downward kick.

"The winner, Sasuke Uchiha!"

The first match: Konoha, a complete victory!

Sasuke stood in the arena, breathing slightly hard. He felt the power of the Cursed Seal beginning to stir within him due to the battle, yet his eyes drifted involuntarily toward Ling Xuan in the crowd. He knew this small victory was far from enough.

Ling Xuan, however, felt no surprise at Sasuke's victory; his gaze had already shifted to the central electronic display.

The names for the second match had begun to scroll.

Shino Aburame vs. Zaku Abumi

It was another battle between Konoha and the Sound ninja. The Sound ninja named Zaku possessed the ability to release highly destructive compressed air and ultrasonic waves through the air vents in his palms. His attacks had a wide range and immense power, and he kicked off the match by whipping up violent gusts of wind, attempting to suppress Shino Aburame with sheer force.

However, he was facing the heir of the Aburame clan, one of the most mysterious secret-technique families in Konoha.

Shino maintained his signature calm from start to finish, simply standing his ground and letting the opponent's attacks rage. Yet, in a corner no one noticed, his thousands of Kikaichū had already silently formed a massive encirclement through the ground and walls.

When Zaku suffered a brief moment of exhaustion from his continuous use of ninjutsu, Shino launched his attack.

"Secret Technique: Insect Sphere."

Countless Kikaichū surged from all directions like a black tide, instantly swallowing Zaku whole. Those Cutting Air Waves capable of shattering rock were meaningless against a swarm of insects that could devour chakra. In the end, Zaku collapsed, powerless, as his chakra was drained dry.

"The winner, Shino Aburame."

Konoha scores another victory.

The subsequent battles were equally spectacular, and Ling Xuan watched every single one with intense focus.

His Eye of Truth categorized the combat style, ninjutsu principles, chakra attributes, and personality weaknesses of every examinee, storing them all within a massive database.

These were the most precious intelligence assets for him to control the entire chessboard in the future.

Finally, two names that drew everyone's attention flashed onto the electronic display screen.

Hinata Hyuga VS Neji Hyuga

As members of the oldest prestigious clan in Konoha, the main house and the branch house of the Hyuga clan were about to engage in a duel of destiny within this small arena.

"Lady Hinata, there is still time to give up." Neji looked at his cousin standing opposite him, her body trembling slightly from nervousness, his eyes filled with cold indifference. "Your personality is simply not suited to be a ninja; your fate was decided the moment you were born."

"I... I..." Hinata was so pierced by Neji's sword-like gaze that she could barely speak; she instinctively wanted to retreat, wanted to escape.

But at that moment, her gaze inadvertently caught a calm figure in the crowd.

Ling Xuan.

He was just standing there quietly watching her, his eyes devoid of encouragement or sympathy, holding only a pure, emotionless observation.

It was as if he were expecting something.

Hinata's heart gave a sudden jolt as she recalled the words Ling Xuan had said to her.

"Your Byakugan is your advantage."

"Keep working hard, and you will become stronger."

An inexplicable courage surged from the bottom of Hinata's heart.

She took a deep breath, raised her head to look directly into Neji's cold eyes, and assumed the starting stance of the Gentle Fist.

"I... I will not give up, Brother Neji!"

Hinata's voice was still trembling slightly, but her eyes now held an unprecedented firmness. "Because I, too, have a ninja way I wish to uphold!"