The First Match

Tenten hadn't known much about Takizawa Dan, since he rarely showed up before.

But up close, she realized that Takizawa Dan was an incredibly handsome young man, with sharply defined features and especially dark eyes that seemed just like stars in the night sky. One glance, and she felt she could lose herself in them...

With Takizawa Dan around, even Neji beside her seemed to lose his appeal.

"Thanks for getting me out of that just now."

Takizawa Dan turned to Neji and thanked him.

He hadn't asked for help, and in truth, he hadn't needed it. But Takizawa Dan wasn't ungrateful, and he appreciated Neji's good intentions.

"No need to thank me. I don't know why you chose to hide your strength before, but now that you've decided to take part in the Chunin Ninja Exams, it means you don't plan to keep a low profile anymore. It's only right to clear up the misunderstandings people have about you," Neji said with a smile.

"Neji, is Dan really that strong? Even you..."

After hearing Neji, Tenten turned to him in surprise.

"Just wait and see. Dan's definitely going to surprise everyone this time," Neji said confidently.

Tenten was about to ask more, but the crowd had already fallen quiet.

Tsunade had led a group of Konoha High Command members onto the raised platform ahead.

In an instant, the place fell silent. Everyone gazed at Tsunade with reverence. After all, she was the Hokage; her presence was undeniable.

"Good. All the candidates are here, I see." Tsunade surveyed the crowd, her voice authoritative. "I'm sure many of you are wondering why the Chunin Ninja Exams are starting early, and why we haven't invited the other nations to participate."

Many of the candidates below gave the slightest nod.

It was a question they'd all been wondering about.

"The reason is simple. The shinobi world is no longer as peaceful as it once was. Rivalries and secret struggles are everywhere!" Tsunade said. "Anyone who still thinks they can build their village slowly and steadily, the way they used to, is only courting disaster!"

"Don't think that you're still just children. It's true that your elders are still supporting you, but in ten years at most, you'll be the pillars of Konoha, responsible for protecting the village! Think about it: can you do that as you are now?!"

After hearing Tsunade's words, many of the candidates lowered their heads in shame.

They were already Genin, working hard to become Chunin, but deep down, they still thought of themselves as children. They'd assumed that as long as their parents cared for them and looked after them, they could keep growing up in peace.

Only now did they realize how heavy a responsibility they carried.

Only Neji, Sasuke, and a few others who had shouldered heavy responsibilities from a young age could keep their gazes calm. They had already steeled themselves long ago.

Watching all this, Takizawa Dan remained unconvinced.

The shinobi world was dangerous, certainly, but the situation wasn't so urgent that things had come to this.

Could it be... that the appearance of the Hasu Clan earlier had put Lady Tsunade on high alert?

The more Takizawa Dan thought about it, the more sense it made. The Hasu Clan incident had just happened, and it was the only major event lately. That must be why Tsunade was in such a hurry to hold the Chunin Ninja Exams.

But if they were just a band of hired killers targeting civilians and wealthy merchants, they weren't much of a threat. There was no need to be so afraid of them, was there?

Takizawa Dan fell into deep thought. Their identity was probably far more complicated than that!

"Candidates, being a shinobi isn't something to brag about. It represents a responsibility: to swear to protect the peace of the village! That's why Konoha's civilians willingly serve you—they need your protection!"

"Now, I hope every one of you takes this seriously and passes the Chunin Ninja Exams. Stand before me, and I'll recognize you personally!"

Tsunade's speech was undeniably rousing and stirring. Many candidates who had been listless moments ago now had wide eyes and bristled with energy!

After Tsunade finished her speech, Shimura Danzō took over the examination.

The moment Takizawa Dan saw Shimura Danzō, his heart gave a jolt!

The other members of Konoha High Command were one thing, but with Shimura Danzō here, he was sure to become a person of interest today!

Danzō stepped forward. His voice was somewhat low, but everyone present could hear him clearly.

"This Chunin Ninja Exam will be different from previous ones. In addition to one-on-one elimination matches, candidates will continue advancing until the final sixteen are decided. Those sixteen will make up the list of candidates who pass this exam!"

"The top three among the sixteen will receive additional ninjutsu scrolls as rewards, and will also have the opportunity to join Anbu directly!"

The moment Danzō announced the news, the crowd erupted again!

Never mind the extra ninjutsu scrolls. The chance to join Anbu, become the Hokage's right hand, and gain access to the highest-level secrets was something every Konoha youth dreamed of!

They immediately rubbed their hands together, all plotting how to claim one of those spots!

Of course, everyone assumed first and second place would go to Sasuke and Neji. That was a given; nobody even needed to think about it.

But there was plenty of disagreement over who would take third!

Everyone thought they might be the one. After all, every candidate who'd come to take the Chunin Ninja Exams had a signature move they were proud of.

Everyone needed a dream. What if it came true?!

Watching the young men and women around him, each brimming with ambition, Takizawa Dan shook his head.

They were young and reckless. Outsiders thought Anbu was some sacred, central organization, but Takizawa Dan knew the story of Naruto. Even if they begged him to join, he wouldn't go!

He didn't want to die over some minor disagreement, or end up being used in an experiment for no apparent reason!

"Lee, aren't you going to give it a try?"

Takizawa Dan noticed how calm Rock Lee looked beside him, as if all the commotion around them had nothing to do with him, and asked curiously.

With Rock Lee's passionate, never-back-down personality, shouldn't he have been one of the most eager to compete?

Why was he so calm instead?

"I'll pass for now." Rock Lee shook his head. "I know my own strength. If it were a spot in the top five, I might have a chance if I gave it my all. But there are so many strong people here. I definitely have no chance of making the top three."

"Of course, there's another reason. My personality is more outgoing and passionate. Anbu requires great intelligence and adaptability, and its members have to wear masks and keep their actions hidden. That style doesn't really suit me."

Takizawa Dan nodded, feeling some admiration. He hadn't expected Rock Lee to have such a good understanding of his own abilities!

But then again, if Rock Lee joined Anbu, wearing a mask...

He really couldn't picture it.

The crowd was still buzzing, but the Chunin Ninja Exams began soon enough.

Since they'd skipped the written exam and the trip to the tower, they went straight into one-on-one matches!

The first match began at nine-thirty.

The two contestants were Inokai Peng and Naoki Senmaru!

Inokai Peng was a burly ninja who specialized in powerful physical attacks. His iron fists cut through the air with a fierce whoosh, and they packed a devastating punch!

Naoki Senmaru, on the other hand, specialized in assassination and concealing his presence. He was a classic assassin-type ninja.

Though Inokai Peng used his exceptional physique to block Naoki Senmaru's attacks several times, and even managed to counter twice, he couldn't keep up with his opponent's patience!

After a long exchange of probing attacks, Naoki Senmaru finally found an opening. He broke through Inokai Peng's defense with a single shuriken, then followed up with a combination of punches and successfully knocked him unconscious.

Naoki Senmaru won the first match!