Too Much Talk Leads to Mistakes

"This..."

Everyone looked at Takizawa Dan, completely speechless.

At this point, this kid wasn't just arrogant or confident; he was purely foolish!

Facing one Jonin, his survival was already uncertain and the odds were stacked against him, let alone facing two?

By now, the crowd didn't even have the energy left to mock him...

"Heh, I thought you were something special, but looking at you now, Takizawa Dan, you really don't have a brain in that head!"

Noji Daishi shook his head, then said to Kameda Hironori beside him, "Kameda-kun, don't intervene. Let me handle this brat alone. Someone has to teach him how high the sky is and how deep the earth goes!"

"Fine."

Kameda Hironori also looked on with disdain and stepped aside.

He knew his friend's strength well. While not at the peak among Jonin, he was certainly capable and held his own.

Once, while on a mission outside the village, Noji Daishi had even killed two enemy Jonin despite being heavily wounded!

So, did a mere Genin think he could make Noji Daishi stumble?

Forget it, that was impossible! Did he really think this was a manga?

Of course, if the two of them could break the fourth wall and realize they were indeed inside a manga, and understood the sheer power of the protagonist's plot armor, they probably wouldn't be thinking that way...

In the stands, Tsunade watched the scene unfold and shook her head repeatedly.

This Takizawa Dan was far too reckless; he had never experienced a real beating.

Oh well, given her strength, it would be easy enough to intervene. She would let Takizawa Dan suffer a little at Noji Daishi's hands first, and if the situation turned dire, it wouldn't be too late for her to step in!

Takizawa Dan and Noji Daishi stood their ground in the arena.

Almost no one favored Takizawa Dan; in fact, when they saw him walk out, they even let out a chorus of boos.

"Kid, I admire your courage, but you must understand that strength isn't something that comes out of thin air. Between a Jonin and a Genin, there lies an insurmountable chasm."

Noji Daishi looked at Takizawa Dan across from him with a sneer.

"When I was your age, I also looked down on Jonin and thought I was the best in the world. However, reality taught me a harsh lesson. From that day on, until I became a Jonin, I remained cautious and never dared to overstep my bounds."

This was indeed true. Noji Daishi had only become a Jonin a little over a decade ago, and before that, he was known for being incredibly low-profile, even ignored by many. He was a completely different person compared to the arrogant, reckless man he was today.

"So, I'll give you one last chance. If you admit defeat now, kneel down, kowtow to me, and apologize for your earlier rudeness, I won't hold it against you. How about we call it even?"

Noji Daishi said this with a feigned air of magnanimity.

He felt his proposal was reasonable. Under normal circumstances, Takizawa Dan should be clear-headed enough to apologize and concede.

After all, as far as Noji Daishi was concerned, it was humiliating for a dignified Jonin like himself to have to deal with a wet-behind-the-ears brat.

Winning was embarrassing, and losing would be even more so!

Therefore, it was best if Takizawa Dan just gave up.

"Are you done?"

Takizawa Dan had listened patiently, and only when Noji Daishi finally stopped did he speak calmly.

"I'm done. What of it?"

Noji Daishi raised an eyebrow.

"I just wanted to say, you're truly pathetic." Takizawa Dan shook his head. "In your eyes, is power just a license to act recklessly? Do you think that as long as you're strong enough, you can do whatever you want? If you ever became the strongest in Konoha, do you intend to covet the position of Hokage as well?"

BOOM!!!

The entire arena was stunned. This Takizawa Dan really dared to say anything!

"You... you brat, you're slandering me!" At this moment, even with Noji Daishi's strong composure, he could no longer remain calm. "Not to mention that my strength will never surpass the Hokage... how could I ever have thoughts of rebellion? You're spouting nonsense! I have no skills, no family background... how could I ever become Hokage!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, don't be so agitated, I was just speaking casually!" Takizawa Dan waved his hand with a smile. "Why did you take it so seriously, Noji-sama? Could it be that you've actually harbored thoughts of treason in your daily life?"

The arena fell into a dead silence.

In the stands, Tsunade narrowed her eyes.

Noji Daishi had publicly stated that power conquered all, that one should lie low until obtaining power, and then act as one pleased!

Such behavior was incredibly dangerous, reminding her of Orochimaru in the past.

Back then, it was precisely that mindset that led Orochimaru to betray the village and abandon his comrades.

It seemed... it was time to issue some warnings and take action against certain people in the village, otherwise, wouldn't they be failing to show respect to her as Hokage?

Having just ascended to the position of Hokage, her foundation was unstable; she had to nip all unfavorable factors in the bud!

Thinking this, Tsunade crossed her arms, a sharp glint flashing in her beautiful eyes.

At this moment, it wasn't just Tsunade; even Danzo had his gaze fixed on Noji Daishi in the arena.

Unlike Tsunade's sharp gaze, Danzo's eyes were filled with pure killing intent!

His lips moved slightly, and he issued a silent command to the two Anbu members behind him that only they could understand.

"Execute Noji Daishi immediately after the exam ends!"

Danzo was a man who could not tolerate even a grain of sand in his eyes. Compared to Tsunade's policy of appeasement, he preferred to nip every threat in the bud at the source!

The Uchiha clan of the past was a prime example of this!

"Yes... Lord Danzo..."

The two Anbu replied in hushed tones, their voices audible only to Danzo.

Yet, as they looked at Noji Daishi in the arena, their eyes betrayed a hint of pity.

Another poor soul about to die by the blades of his own people.

Even if you really kill Takizawa Dan today, what good will it do? Once you have caught Lord Danzo's attention, your death is already a certainty...

In the arena.

Perhaps due to extreme tension, Noji Daishi remained completely oblivious to the gazes of Tsunade and Danzo, his focus entirely locked onto Takizawa Dan!

"Hah... Takizawa Dan, your sharp tongue is truly impressive. You almost managed to pin an inexplicable label on me; in that regard, I am indeed no match for you."

"But when it comes to strength, you are far inferior to me!"

"Kid, I'm going to teach you the meaning of the saying: loose lips sink ships!"

With a sinister grin, Noji Daishi lunged violently toward Takizawa Dan!