Nothing More Than This! (Third Update)

"Kid, the strength of a Chunin is not as simple as you think."

Hirata Saburo said, loosening his wrists as he spoke.

In reality, he was using this opportunity to recover his state slightly.

Although he had only clashed with Gong Yi briefly just now, the power Gong Yi displayed in that split second had caught him off guard, even leaving him with minor injuries.

"A little brat who has never been on a mission; he doesn't even understand the common sense of not letting the enemy rest."

Gong Yi certainly understood this principle, but he was doing it intentionally to let Hirata Saburo reveal more of his techniques.

It was also a way to reflect on his own years of training.

Just how strong was he, really?

Suddenly, the wind whistled!

Three shuriken shot over in a straight line, heading straight for Gong Yi's face.

Following the shuriken, Hirata Saburo did not stop his movements, instead quickly following up with a Ninjutsu.

Fire Style! Great Fireball Technique!

A sheet of flame erupted from Hirata's mouth, the surging chakra causing the very air in this space to steam with heat.

"Kid, the power of Fire Style is not something you can take head-on."

Hirata Saburo was struggling a bit; he exhaled and cast his gaze toward Iga Kawaji, thinking the referee should be stepping in soon!

However, just as he let his guard down, Gong Yi remained completely calm.

His fingers moved rapidly through hand seals, and he slammed his hands onto the ground.

An irregular earthen wall rose from the ground, blocking the fireball entirely.

Afterward, Gong Yi looked at Hirata Saburo with a calm expression.

The opponent was clearly taken aback, but seeing the irregular, ugly wall Gong Yi had created, he couldn't help but sneer.

"How did you learn your Earth Style Wall? You can't even maintain a rectangular shape; it's too ugly!"

Gong Yi did not answer. Although his Earth Style Wall looked ugly, its defensive power was not weak at all, and it saved half the chakra required.

He didn't care about aesthetics; as long as it was practical, that was enough!

Gong Yi took a step forward and began to walk slowly toward his opponent.

Hirata Saburo put away his sneer, his expression turning grave.

"Fire Style, Flame Bullet!"

Hirata Saburo quickly formed hand seals, then threw another three shuriken, shooting them toward Gong Yi at tricky angles.

Beyond that, his body moved rapidly, closing the distance to Gong Yi and throwing a kick.

This series of actions was fast and fierce, connected almost to perfection, fully displaying the combat level of a veteran Chunin.

Yet, Gong Yi was unhurried.

"Water Style, Water Bullet Technique!"

A single water bullet neutralized the incoming Flame Bullet.

Then, he activated the Three Body Technique, using the Substitution Technique to block the shuriken and, incidentally, the flying kick from Hirata Saburo.

When his body reappeared, he was already on the other side of the training ground.

Hirata Saburo gasped for air, looking at Gong Yi in shock.

"How could you possibly dodge my three-hit combo?"

Gong Yi frowned. "Is this all the strength a Chunin has?"

"Ah, what did you say?"

Hirata Saburo looked at him in astonishment, his face turning blue; he had actually been looked down upon by a brat who hadn't even graduated yet.

Gong Yi shook his head and said to himself: "The speed is too slow, the Taijutsu is too weak, the Ninjutsu execution is irrational, the shuriken skills are poor, and even the most basic mental fortitude of a ninja is substandard. If this is what a Chunin is, then I am truly disappointed. Forget it, I'll finish you off quickly."

"Hey, you bastard, do you know what you're saying? I was just holding back so I wouldn't hurt you."

Gong Yi ignored his attempt to save face, moved his feet, and charged straight forward, the Kunai in his hand radiating a chilling intent.

Close combat, close combat again. His strength is too great; I cannot engage him head-on.

Gong Yi lunged, sweeping his leg and striking the opponent.

However, the sensation felt fake—a Clone Technique?

Gong Yi flicked his hand to the right, and six shuriken exploded outward.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Each of the three wooden logs was struck by a shuriken, accurately and without error.

Hirata appeared to the side, his eyelids twitching frantically, cold sweat already streaming down.

If I had dodged even a second slower, I would probably be dead by now! Fortunately...

Earth Style: Rock Pillar Spear!

A row of spikes erupted violently from the ground.

Hirata Saburo was caught off guard and leaped into the air, yet a cold, stern face suddenly appeared within his line of sight.

BANG!

A heavy punch, carrying terrifying force, slammed into Hirata Saburo's abdomen, smashing him directly toward the ground.

And on the ground, a row of rock pillar spears was waiting for him.

If this were a battlefield, then Hirata Saburo would be dead right now.

However, this was merely a graduation exam for eight-year-old boys, with a powerful Jonin standing by to protect them.

A figure flashed by; Iga Kawaji appeared in mid-air and caught Hirata Saburo.

His pupils constricted as the immense force still lingering on Hirata Saburo's body continued to drag him downward.

Iga Kawaji gritted his teeth, kicked Hirata Saburo upward, and then performed hand seals.

Earth Style: Underworld Swamp!

All the spikes on the ground melted, turning into a patch of soft, muddy swamp. Iga Kawaji landed on the ground looking slightly disheveled, then quickly dispelled the jutsu to avoid sinking in himself.

He was fine, but Hirata Saburo had not fared so well.

Although he had avoided being impaled by the rock pillar spears, Gong Yi's punch combined with the Jonin Iga Kawaji's kick had left him battered on both front and back; he hit the floor with a dull, heavy thud.

Following that, he lost consciousness!

Gong Yi stood to the side with a calm and indifferent expression, showing no trace of the wind-and-thunder-like movements he had just displayed.

Iga Kawaji took a deep look at him, then handed the Ninja Headband of a Genin to Gong Yi.

"Gong Yi, congratulations on becoming a Genin. You may graduate early!"

With that, Iga Kawaji hoisted the unconscious Hirata Saburo and walked out of the indoor training ground.

The large doors opened, and dazzling sunlight streamed in.

A group of students waiting outside looked on with anticipation.

However, when they saw the unconscious ninja being carried by Iga Kawaji, everyone was stunned.

Iga Kawaji forced a smile and announced to the crowd.

"Your classmate is excellent; he has successfully passed the graduation exam."

After speaking, he carried the person in his hand, leaped a few times, and disappeared into the village.

Back at the school, the group of students remained deathly silent, and it took a long time before the sound of someone swallowing hard could be heard.

"Gong Yi... he—he knocked out a Chunin?"

After those words, the school instantly erupted into chaos.

"Blood! There's blood on the floor! That Chunin was seriously injured by Gong Yi!"

"Didn't they say that with a powerful Jonin watching, there wouldn't be any injuries during the graduation exam?"

"Gong Yi is too terrifying. He actually managed to injure his opponent right under the nose of a Jonin. It's a good thing I didn't go to challenge him a few days ago; I actually thought that after three years, I had become stronger than him."

Gong Yi nodded at Ishii Kawa, put on the Ninja Headband, and walked out of the indoor training ground step by step.

Wherever he passed, whether they were older students or younger newcomers, everyone cleared a path for him.

Countless gazes—some shocked, amazed, or admiring, others fearful or terrified—even appeared as fanatical worship in the eyes of some small children and girls!

Gong Yi let out a soft breath. Next, he was looking forward to his first squad.

Who exactly would the Naruto arrange for him as teammates and captain?