The First Match

Because Takizawa Dan rarely appeared in the past, Tenten naturally knew nothing about him.

But seeing him up close, she discovered that Takizawa Dan was an incredibly handsome youth. His features were sharp and well-defined, especially those pitch-black eyes that were like stars in the sky, making one feel as if they would be instantly lost in them at a single glance...

With Takizawa Dan around, Tenten felt that Neji, who stood beside her, was no longer quite as appealing.

"Thank you for stepping in for me just now."

Takizawa Dan turned his head toward Neji and expressed his gratitude.

Although he hadn't asked for it and didn't actually need Neji's help, Takizawa Dan was not an ungrateful person, and he felt appreciative of Neji's kind assistance.

"Don't mention it. Although I don't understand why you chose to hide your strength in the past, since you've chosen to participate in the Chunin Exams today, it means you don't intend to keep a low profile any longer. It was necessary to clear up the misunderstandings those around you had!" Neji said with a smile.

"Neji, is Dan-kun really that impressive? Even you..."

Upon hearing Neji's words, Tenten looked at him in astonishment.

"Just wait and see. Dan-kun will definitely surprise everyone here this time," Neji said with conviction.

Tenten had intended to ask more, but at that moment, the entire venue fell silent.

Tsunade had arrived with the high-ranking officials of Konoha and stepped onto the elevated platform at the front.

A sudden hush fell over the crowd; everyone gazed at Tsunade with eyes full of reverence. After all, she was the Hokage, and her presence was truly formidable.

"Very well, all candidates have arrived, I presume." Tsunade scanned the crowd and spoke in a majestic voice, "I imagine many of you have questions in your hearts: why the Chunin Exams were moved up, and why there was no joint effort with other nations!"

Many candidates below nodded almost imperceptibly.

This was indeed the question on their minds.

"The reason is simple. The current ninja world is no longer as peaceful as it once was; it is filled with constant strife and shadow wars!" Tsunade declared. "If anyone still harbors the delusion of developing their ninja village in the same lukewarm, slow-paced manner as before, it is no different from courting their own destruction!"

"Do not think of yourselves as mere children. While your elders are still here to support you, in ten years at most, you will become the pillars of Konoha, and you will be responsible for protecting the village! Think about it—as you are now, could you do it?!"

Hearing Tsunade's words, many candidates present lowered their heads in shame.

Although they were already Genin and were working hard to become Chunin, deep down, they had always viewed themselves as children, believing that as long as they had the care and concern of their parents, they could grow up safely forever.

Only now did they realize that the responsibility on their shoulders was heavier than they had ever imagined!

Only a few, like Neji and Sasuke, who had shouldered heavy burdens since childhood, were able to maintain a calm gaze, for they had long since steeled their hearts!

As Takizawa Dan watched all of this, he remained unimpressed.

While the ninja world was indeed dangerous, it wasn't so urgent as to reach this point.

He guessed that eight times out of ten... it was the appearance of the Hasu Clan that had made Tsunade feel as if she were facing a formidable enemy.

The more Takizawa Dan thought about it, the more it made sense. The incident with the Hasu Clan was the only major event to occur recently, which explained why Tsunade was in such a rush to hold the Chunin Exams.

But if the other party was merely a mercenary organization targeting commoners and wealthy merchants, they weren't exactly high-tier, so there was no need to be this terrified, right?

Takizawa Dan fell into deep thought; he feared the identity of the other party was far from simple!

"Candidates, being a ninja is not an identity to show off; it represents a responsibility—a vow to protect the peace of the village! It is precisely because of this that the civilians of Konoha willingly serve you, for they need your protection!"

"Now, I hope each of you takes this seriously and successfully passes the Chunin Exams! Stand before me, and I will personally acknowledge you!"

It had to be said that Tsunade's speech was truly stirring and soul-shaking. Many candidates who had been listless just moments ago now had their eyes wide open and were brimming with spirit!

Once Tsunade finished her speech, the assessment portion was handed over to Shimura Danzo.

The moment he saw Shimura Danzo, Takizawa Dan felt a jolt of panic!

The other Konoha officials were fine, but with Shimura Danzo here, he feared he would become a primary target of attention today!

Shimura Danzo stepped forward, his voice low yet clear enough for everyone present to hear:

"This Chunin Exam will be different from those in the past. In addition to the one-on-one elimination format, there will be further advancement until the final 16 are decided, who will be the ones to pass this exam!"

"Among the top 16, the top three will receive additional ninjutsu scrolls as rewards and will be granted the opportunity to enter the Anbu directly!"

Upon hearing the news announced by Danzo, the entire venue erupted into an uproar!

Setting aside the additional ninjutsu scrolls, the chance to enter the Anbu, become the Hokage's right hand, and gain access to the highest-level secrets was something every youth in Konoha yearned for!

They immediately began to roll up their sleeves, all calculating how to secure one of those spots!

Of course, in everyone's minds, the first and second places belonged to Sasuke and Neji; that was a given, and they didn't even bother to think otherwise.

But as for who would take third place, that was a matter of great contention!

Everyone felt it could be them; after all, who among those participating in the Chunin Exams didn't have a signature move they were proud of?

A person must have dreams, right? What if they actually came true!?

Watching the young men and women around him, all looking so ambitious, Takizawa Dan shook his head.

How young and reckless they were. The outside world thought the Anbu was such a sacred and core institution, but for Takizawa Dan, who knew the plot of the series, even if they begged him to go, he would never do it!

He didn't want to lose his life over a disagreement or be used for experiments for no reason!

"Lee, don't you intend to give it a try?"

Seeing Rock Lee standing beside him with a calm expression, as if the surrounding clamor had nothing to do with him, Takizawa Dan couldn't help but ask curiously.

Given Lee's hot-blooded, indomitable personality, shouldn't he be the one fighting the hardest for it?

Why was he so calm instead?

"I'll stop testing for now." Rock Lee shook his head. "I know my own strength well. If we were talking about the top five, I might have a fighting chance. But with so many powerhouses present, I definitely don't stand a chance at the top three."

"Of course, there's another reason: my personality leans more toward being extroverted and hot-blooded. The Anbu's style—which requires high intelligence, adaptability, and wearing masks to hide one's actions—doesn't really suit me."

Takizawa Dan nodded, feeling a sense of approval in his heart. He hadn't expected Rock Lee to have such a spot-on understanding of his own abilities!

Then again, if Rock Lee were to join the Anbu, the image of him wearing a mask...

He truly couldn't imagine it for a moment.

Although the scene was in an uproar, the Chunin Exams began quickly nonetheless.

Since the written exam and the journey to the tower had been skipped, it was straight to one-on-one matches!

At nine-thirty, the first match began.

The two combatants were Inokai Peng and Naoki Senmaru!

Inokai Peng was a burly, physically imposing ninja who excelled in power-based attacks; his iron fists whistled through the air with every swing, packing immense lethality!

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

Although Inokai Peng relied on his superior physical constitution to defend against Naoki Senmaru's attacks multiple times, and even managed to land a couple of counterattacks, he couldn't withstand his opponent's patience!

Finally, after a long period of probing, Naoki Senmaru found a flaw in Inokai Peng's defense. He used a shuriken to break through the guard, followed up with a combo, and successfully knocked his opponent unconscious.

In the first match, Naoki Senmaru wins!