That's All There Is to It! (Third Update)

"You brat, a Chunin's strength isn't as simple as you think."

Hirata Saburo said, casually loosening his wrists.

In fact, he was using the opportunity to recover a little.

Although he had only crossed blows with Gong Yi for a moment, Gong Yi's strength had caught him off guard, and he had even sustained a minor injury.

"You really are just a little kid who's never taken a mission. You don't even know not to let your enemy rest."

Gong Yi knew that perfectly well. He was doing it on purpose, to make Hirata Saburo reveal more of his abilities.

It was also a chance to measure the results of his years of training.

Just how strong was he?

Suddenly, the wind whistled!

Three shuriken shot toward Gong Yi in a straight line, aimed directly at his face.

Behind them, Hirata Saburo didn't pause. Instead, he swiftly followed up with a Ninjutsu.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!

Flames burst from Hirata's mouth. The surging Chakra heated the air all around them.

"Brat, you can't withstand the power of Fire Style."

Hirata Saburo was somewhat winded. He let out a breath, then looked toward Iga Kawaji. The referee should be stepping in now, right?

But just as he let his guard down, Gong Yi remained perfectly calm.

He quickly formed Hand Seals and slapped his palm against the ground.

An irregular earthen wall shot up from the ground, blocking the entire fireball.

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

His opponent was clearly startled, but when he saw the ugly, irregular wall Gong Yi had made, he couldn't help sneering.

"How did you even learn Earth Style Wall? You can't even keep it rectangular. It's hideous!"

Gong Yi didn't respond. His Earth Style Wall might have looked ugly, but it was just as protective as any other—and it used half the Chakra.

He didn't care about appearances. As long as it worked, that was all that mattered!

Gong Yi started forward, walking slowly toward his opponent.

Hirata Saburo stopped sneering, his expression turning grave.

"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"

Hirata Saburo quickly formed Hand Seals, then threw three more shuriken, sending them toward Gong Yi at tricky angles.

At the same time, he darted toward Gong Yi and kicked out.

The string of moves was fast and fierce, flowing almost seamlessly. The battle skills of a seasoned Chunin were on full display.

Yet Gong Yi remained unhurried.

"Water Release: Water Bullet Technique!"

A water bullet canceled out the incoming Flame Bullet.

Then he used the Three Body Technique. Substitution Technique took the shuriken for him, and also blocked Hirata Saburo's flying kick.

When Gong Yi reappeared, he was already on the other side of the training ground.

Hirata Saburo stared at him in shock, panting.

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

Gong Yi frowned. "Is that all a Chunin can do?"

"What did you say?"

Hirata Saburo stared at him in disbelief. Then his face flushed. He'd actually been looked down on by a brat who hadn't even graduated yet.

Gong Yi shook his head and muttered to himself, "You're too slow, your Taijutsu is too weak, you use Ninjutsu poorly, your shuriken are pathetic, and you don't even have the basic mental fortitude a ninja needs. If that's what a Chunin is, I'm really disappointed. Forget it. I'll finish you quickly."

"Hey, you little punk! Do you even know what you're saying? I was just holding back so I wouldn't hurt you."

Gong Yi ignored his blustering. He stepped forward and charged straight at him, Kunai gleaming coldly in his hand.

"Close combat again? His strength is too great. I can't fight him head-on."

Gong Yi closed in and swept his leg across, striking his opponent.

But the sensation was wrong. It was a Clone Technique!

Gong Yi whipped his arm to the right, sending six shuriken flying.

Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!

Each of the three logs had shuriken embedded in it, every throw hitting its mark.

Hirata appeared off to one side, his eyelids twitching wildly as cold sweat streamed down his face.

"If I'd been even a little slower to dodge, I'd probably be dead by now! Thank goodness..."

Earth Style: Rock Pillar Spear!

A row of spikes suddenly burst from the ground.

Hirata was startled and leaped into the air, but a stern face appeared in his line of sight.

Thud!

A heavy punch, packed with terrifying force, slammed into Hirata's stomach and sent him crashing toward the ground.

A row of Rock Pillars was waiting for him below.

If this had been a battlefield, Hirata Saburo would have been dead.

But this was only a graduation exam for an eight-year-old boy, and a powerful Jonin stood nearby to protect them.

A figure flashed by. Iga Kawaji appeared in midair and caught Hirata Saburo.

His pupils contracted. The tremendous force in Hirata's body was still carrying them downward.

Iga Kawaji gritted his teeth, kicked Hirata up into the air, and formed Hand Seals.

Earth Style: Underworld Swamp!

All the spikes on the ground melted into a soft, muddy swamp. Iga Kawaji landed somewhat awkwardly, then quickly dispelled the technique before he could sink into it.

He was fine, but Hirata Saburo hadn't fared so well.

He had avoided being impaled by the Rock Pillars, but between Gong Yi's punch and a Jonin's kick, his front and back had both taken a beating. When he hit the ground, he landed with a dull thud.

Then he lost consciousness!

Gong Yi stood calmly off to the side, his expression composed. Nothing about him suggested that he had just moved with the speed of wind and thunder.

Iga Kawaji gave him a long look, then handed Gong Yi the Genin's Ninja Headband.

"Gong Yi, congratulations. You're now a Genin, and you can graduate early!"

Then Iga Kawaji picked up the unconscious Hirata Saburo and walked out of the indoor training ground.

The doors opened, and dazzling sunlight poured inside.

A group of students waiting outside watched eagerly.

But when they saw the unconscious ninja Iga Kawaji was carrying, they all froze.

Iga Kawaji forced a smile and announced to everyone, "Your classmate did great. He passed his graduation exam."

With that, he carried the man away, leaping away in a few bounds until he disappeared into the village.

The students at the school fell completely silent. After a long while, someone finally swallowed audibly.

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

At that, the school instantly erupted.

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

"Wasn't a powerful Jonin supposed to be watching? Weren't people supposed to be safe during graduation exams?"

"Gong Yi is terrifying! He managed to hurt his opponent right under a Jonin's nose. Good thing I didn't challenge him a few days ago. I thought I'd become stronger than him after three years."

Gong Yi nodded to Ishii Kawa, put on his Genin Ninja Headband, and walked out of the indoor training ground.

Everyone he passed made way for him, whether they were older students or younger newcomers.

Countless gazes followed him, filled with shock, amazement, admiration—and fear. Some of the younger children and girls even looked at him with fervent adoration!

Gong Yi let out a quiet breath. Now he was looking forward to finding out who would be on his first team.

What kind of teammates and captain would Lord Hokage assign him?