A New Level of Shamelessness

Takizawa Dan watched Noji Daishi leap out and couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

He knew this Noji Daishi; he was one of the jonin of Konoha Village, with mid-tier strength, certainly stronger than that bottom-feeder Miki Ichiro from before.

However, this guy's character was truly abysmal. Not only did he like to slack off and cut corners at work, but he also frequently bullied civilians in his daily life. He was just very discreet about it, leaving those civilians with nowhere to turn for complaints.

But then again, what kind of decent person could raise a pig-headed brat like Nochi Yoshino?

The situation was now clear: because he had beaten his son, Noji Daishi, the father, had jumped out!

"Noji Daishi! Takizawa Dan's actions were completely appropriate. To put it plainly, this was a normal match. If you have any issues, you can discuss them later; for now, please leave the arena immediately!"

A high-ranking official of Konoha jumped out and scolded Noji Daishi.

This official was considered a man with a sense of justice. He had heard of Noji Daishi's various misdeeds in the past but had never been able to find evidence to deal with him directly.

Although he was berating Noji Daishi, he knew the latter was incredibly protective of his own. He might be reasonable in other matters, but when it came to his son, he was truly heartless and reckless!

He was actually hoping Noji Daishi would lose his composure and attack Takizawa Dan directly, as that would provide the evidence needed to seize the opportunity and purge him.

"That's right, Noji Daishi, what exactly do you think you're doing! This is the Chunin Exams. Unless there is an outside invasion, you are absolutely forbidden from interfering with the order! By doing this, are you trying to show contempt for this exam?!"

At this moment, another high-ranking official stood up and shouted.

However, his motive wasn't as complex as the previous official's; he simply couldn't stand the man's behavior.

With Lady Tsunade personally presiding over the exam, and even she hadn't said a word, what right did a mere jonin have to come out and act so brazenly?

Facing the angry rebukes of the two high-ranking officials, Noji Daishi sobered up slightly.

He finally realized that he was at the Chunin Exams, not a place where he could run wild as he pleased.

Seeing that even Lady Tsunade had cast a look of displeasure in his direction, Noji Daishi truly panicked. He quickly knelt on one knee and addressed the officials in the stands:

"My deepest apologies, my lords! I was blinded by my concern for my son. Seeing him beaten into such a state by that wast... by Takizawa Dan, I lost my composure. I beg you all not to take it to heart..."

Tsunade glared at him and said sternly, "Noji Daishi, your son's defeat happened in front of everyone. Everyone can testify that Takizawa Dan did not use any underhanded tactics, and he only struck after your son was fully prepared.

There is nothing to discuss regarding the result of this match. If you want to blame someone, blame your son for his lack of skill! You should have him go back and train properly instead of harboring such arrogance and complacency. Not only did you fail to teach your son well, but you actually blame Takizawa Dan for a fair match? What kind of logic is that!?"

These words immediately resonated with everyone present.

Indeed, although the result of the match had been a bit abrupt—so fast that many hadn't even seen it clearly—it was an undeniable fact that Takizawa Dan had defeated Nochi Yoshino head-on with his own strength.

This only proved that Takizawa Dan was no longer the same pushover he used to be!

Moreover, since Lady Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, had personally delivered the verdict, how could the result be wrong?

For a moment, the way everyone looked at Takizawa Dan changed, even carrying a hint of respect.

"But... but..."

Noji Daishi broke into a cold sweat, desperately trying to argue his case.

He knew full well that he was completely in the wrong today; if he had to blame anyone, it was his own son for being incompetent!

But he was a father. Watching his son beaten into a coma, not even knowing if he was dead or alive—how could he just swallow this bitterness?

How could he be willing to let it go!!!

"Mr. Noji, why don't you tell me what you would like me to do?"

At that moment, Takizawa Dan's resonant voice rang out from the center of the arena.

Noji Daishi was stunned; he hadn't expected Takizawa Dan to take the initiative to speak to him under such circumstances!

Was he truly a fool, or was he just that confident?

"Takizawa Dan, you don't need to pay him any mind. You won this match! With me and the officials here to back you up, you have nothing to fear!"

Seeing this, Tsunade assumed it was just the impetuousness of youth and hurriedly spoke up.

"Lady Tsunade, thank you for standing up for me, but since Mr. Noji is dissatisfied with me, I must ask him how he intends to resolve this matter."

Takizawa Dan shook his head and turned to smile at Tsunade in the stands.

"I am a person who likes to speak plainly and reason things out. If Mr. Noji can say something today that convinces me, then I will forfeit this match. To put it bluntly, my strength is not something that can be measured or defined for life by a mere exam!"

"I am giving Mr. Noji this chance today, so he won't say in the future that I used my position to bully him or that my victory was dishonorable!"

Takizawa Dan spoke with great conviction, his clear voice echoing throughout the arena.

Ever since the day he defeated Miki Ichiro, he had realized that even when facing a true jonin, he was fully capable of putting up a fight!

If he performed well and had a bit of luck, he might even be able to kill his opponent!

Therefore, Takizawa Dan was not the least bit afraid of Noji Daishi now.

At worst, they could just have a fight; who would emerge victorious remained to be seen!

"Takizawa Dan, you..."

Tsunade wanted to say more, but seeing the calmness in Takizawa Dan's eyes, she fell silent.

She suddenly felt that Takizawa Dan was a completely different person from the insecure, fragile boy he used to be.

For a moment, even Tsunade, one of the "Sannin" who had experienced countless life-and-death partings, felt a deep sense of curiosity toward Takizawa Dan.

She simply chose to remain silent for the time being, intending to see how Takizawa Dan would handle this situation.

At this moment, Noji Daishi in the arena was also completely shocked by Takizawa Dan's actions.

However, the corners of his mouth immediately curled up, and a hint of disdain even appeared in his eyes.

As expected of a youthful temperament, young and frivolous!

Takizawa Dan already had the Hokage and a group of high-ranking officials backing him; as long as he went with the flow, he could have stepped down gracefully and brought this matter to a satisfactory conclusion.

Yet, he was not satisfied with that and actually wanted to confront him face-to-face?

In doing so, not only did he plunge himself back into a passive position, but he was also effectively slapping the faces of the Hokage and the other high-ranking officials!

Indeed, although Tsunade's expression was calm at the moment, and there was even a look of appreciation in her eyes, many of the other high-ranking officials were already looking at Takizawa Dan with slight traces of anger!

The Hokage had already given him face, yet he failed to cherish it—he truly did not know what was good for him!

In Noji Daishi's eyes, such behavior was foolish to the extreme.

But if Takizawa Dan weren't so foolish, he wouldn't have had this opportunity today.

"Since Takizawa-kun is willing to give me this opportunity, I will speak frankly," Noji Daishi said, taking a deep breath. "Just now, my son Yoshino clearly had no power to resist, yet you still threw him away, causing him to be seriously injured and unconscious! Your actions, which show no regard for the bonds between comrades, are truly cruel to the extreme! In my opinion, you should at least know how to show restraint when facing a comrade!"

Noji Daishi spoke with the tone of an elder lecturing a junior, his words even carrying a sense of reproach.

"You say I don't care about the bonds between comrades?" Hearing this, Takizawa Dan couldn't help but laugh. "Then I would like to ask you, Noji-san, when your son attacked me, did he consider the bonds between comrades? He explicitly said he wanted me dead! Everyone in this arena heard it! Do you intend to deny it?"

"This..."

Noji-san's face turned ugly upon hearing this.

Indeed, this examination hall was very spacious, and because of its enclosed structure, anything said inside was amplified, allowing everyone present to hear it clearly!

Including the moment when Noji Yoshino had cursed Takizawa Dan in a fit of rage; naturally, everyone had seen it and kept it in mind.

Facing the strange gazes cast from all around, Noji Daishi stammered for a long time before angrily saying, "Yoshino is still a child! He doesn't know any better, so you don't either? He was just saying it in the heat of the moment, why did you take it seriously?!"

"Besides, how can you call that cursing you! He was just using that method to try and disturb your mind so he could gain an advantage in the fight! But you, you were intentionally trying to put my son to death!"

As soon as these words fell, the entire arena fell silent. Everyone widened their eyes, staring at Noji Daishi with looks of disbelief.

Takizawa Dan was also stunned, and after a long while, he gave Noji Daishi a thumbs-up from across the arena.

What a talent!

To be shameless to this degree, twisting black into white—he had never heard of such a thing!

The high-ranking officials of Konoha, including Tsunade, covered their faces.

How did Konoha end up with such a thing... it's truly embarrassing.

It was fortunate that no one from other nations had been invited today, otherwise, wouldn't this be an embarrassment to the entire ninja world!?