Danzo continued, "I'm sure you've heard of Hatake Kakashi, the Copy Ninja. Jonin Yuhi Kurenai says your strength has already surpassed hers, your teacher's. Today, if you can hold out against Kakashi for the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, you'll pass the Chunin exam.
"Furthermore, if you can demonstrate sufficient strength and earn the approval of the Konoha High Command and the elite Anbu, you may be promoted to jonin ahead of schedule."
"I understand, Lord Danzo," Chiya said solemnly.
"Then take your positions." Danzo still wore a gloomy expression as he impatiently waved his hand.
The four members of the Konoha F4 took their seats in the VIP section. Yuhi Kurenai and Uchiha Itachi, dressed in Anbu uniform, stood on either side of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo.
The other Anbu remained hidden in the surrounding trees.
A vast open space had been cleared in the center of the field. Chiya and Kakashi stood twenty paces apart.
An Anbu stood between them to serve as the referee.
"Then let's begin," Sarutobi Hiruzen told the referee.
"Fight!" the referee called, drawing out the word as he leaped backward out of the ring.
Chiya and Kakashi formed the Tiger Seal with their right hands at the same time, a gesture of respect for their opponent.
"Begin!" The instant the referee's voice fell, Chiya moved. His hands flashed through Hand Seals, and suddenly his body turned into cherry blossom petals and vanished before everyone's eyes.
Genjutsu: Three Absolute Cherry Blossoms!
"Genjutsu? This child has grown so strong already..." Sarutobi Hiruzen casually formed Hand Seals, disrupting his own chakra to dispel the effects of Chiya's genjutsu.
Everyone else followed his example, except Uchiha Itachi, whose Mangekyō Sharingan made it unnecessary.
They couldn't help but be amazed by Chiya's skill with genjutsu.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
A flash of steel streaked past, accompanied by the sound of a blade slicing through the air.
Before most of the people present had fully dispelled the genjutsu, a pure white blade shot through the air. Chiya appeared alongside it, thrusting the blade straight toward the top of Kakashi's head.
"So fast. Not just his speed and Hand Seals—his strength is exceptional too."
Kakashi was startled. The languid look vanished from his eyes, and he no longer dared to underestimate Chiya. He immediately drew the sword on his back to block the strike.
"Shatter, Kyoka Suigetsu," Chiya silently intoned.
He had no intention of breaking Kakashi's sword. Instead, he deliberately held back his strength. As everyone focused their attention on his Zanpakuto, he released Kyoka Suigetsu.
Then he continued trading Taijutsu blows with Kakashi.
Kyoka Suigetsu and Kakashi's sword clashed again and again, sparks flying through the air.
"His skill isn't limited to genjutsu. His Taijutsu and Body Flicker Technique have reached an extremely high level too. Even among jonin, he'd be one of the best. Kurenai, it seems you've taught yourself a fine student." In the judges' seats, Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his goatee and appraised the fight with an air of complete composure, turning to Yuhi Kurenai as he spoke.
The other two Hokage Advisors also showed varying degrees of approval.
Danzo, however, wore an unreadable expression. No one knew what he was thinking.
Uchiha Itachi was growing increasingly astonished.
His Mangekyō Sharingan gave him keener eyes than anyone else present.
He could vaguely tell that Chiya seemed to be holding something back and wasn't fighting with all his strength.
"You flatter me, Lord Hokage. I only offered a little help. Chiya's own efforts are what brought him this far." Yuhi Kurenai knew her own limitations. Hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's praise, she hurried to clarify.
As they spoke, Chiya and Kakashi had already exchanged dozens of blows, using all kinds of ninja tools and the Body Flicker Technique, and occasionally even the Three Body Technique.
To the ordinary spectators, they were only two afterimages colliding again and again, sending sparks flying through the air.
At last, as the incense stick was nearly burned down, the two stopped their Taijutsu exchange by mutual understanding. Based on the skill Chiya had shown so far, he was evenly matched with Kakashi. Their timing was equally sharp, and neither had gained the upper hand. Continuing wouldn't accomplish much.
It would only let the incense burn out, giving Chiya the win without a fight.
"Senior Kakashi, you really live up to your name as the Copy Ninja. You're amazing!" Chiya said politely, his hands already flashing through Hand Seals.
"Likewise. Be careful, Chiya. The next attack is coming." Kakashi's eyes held a trace of approval. He planted his sword in the ground and rapidly formed Hand Seals, thinking that, setting aside Kekkei Genkai, Chiya was a genius who could rival Uchiha Itachi.
Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!
Kakashi took a deep breath, then spat out a massive fireball. It was like a great sun, dazzlingly bright.
After finishing his Hand Seals, Chiya simply stood there, allowing the fireball to swallow him.
"Chiya!" Seeing this, Yuhi Kurenai cried out in alarm, thinking he hadn't dodged the attack.
"Don't worry. Chiya's stronger than you think," Sarutobi Hiruzen explained calmly, his expression unchanged. Though he'd been away from the battlefield for a long time, he hadn't lost his eye for these things.
"Yes, Lord Hokage." Realizing she'd lost her composure, Yuhi Kurenai quickly apologized.
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved off her apology and continued watching Chiya and Kakashi's fight.
As the flames dissipated, a shallow crater remained where Chiya had stood. He lay curled up inside it, covered in injuries and unconscious.
"Did it work?" Kakashi murmured as he approached the crater to check.
Just as he was about to reach it, Chiya suddenly went poof and vanished in a cloud of smoke. It was a Shadow Clone!
Earth Style: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique.
In the next instant, Kakashi let out a cry as he was dragged underground. Less than a second later, only his head remained above the ground.
"Senior Kakashi, looks like I've won this time." Chiya slowly rose from the ground.
"That's not so certain." Kakashi's voice suddenly sounded behind Chiya. When he finished speaking, his sword was already resting against Chiya's neck. The "Kakashi" dragged underground by the Double Suicide Decapitation Technique went poof and vanished in a cloud of smoke.
"How did you see through it? The Sharingan?" Chiya didn't turn around or show any sign of panic. He asked in a calm voice.
"Yes," Kakashi admitted. "From the Hand Seals you formed just now, I could tell you were preparing the Headhunter Jutsu and a Shadow Clone."
"The Headhunter Jutsu is suited for ambushes, but in a way, it's also the perfect technique for evading a frontal ninjutsu attack."
"You thought to combine the two techniques and managed to use them in such a short time. Chiya, I have to say, you're truly impressive."
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