The Contest

The entrance exam officially began!

The rules were simple: a Chunin instructor would draw two students at a time to duel, while the others watched from the sidelines.

During the process, the instructors would observe the students' motor skills, coordination, and other essential ninja prerequisites.

They even specifically invited members of the Hyuga clan to observe the students' chakra meridians, using this to comprehensively judge whether a student had the aptitude to become a ninja.

Therefore, this exam was not judged based on winning or losing, but rather used the duels as a means to probe the students' potential.

Thus, even if one lost a duel, they would not necessarily be eliminated.

Conversely, even if one won, if the examiner determined the student lacked the aptitude to be a ninja, they would not be admitted (for example, Might Guy).

At this moment, Lihuo had his arm draped over Obito's shoulder, rubbing his slightly trembling calf.

Just a moment ago, in order to stop Obito, he had patted Obito's head, which incidentally triggered the "Head-Patting System."

"Ding! Patting D-rank ninja: Uchiha Obito - Ninja Rookie. Please choose one of the following rewards."

"The affection of middle-aged and elderly women."

"10,000 Ryo in savings."

"Goggles."

"I choose 10,000 Ryo."

As expected, nothing good could be pulled during this period, but having some savings was always a good thing.

At this moment, Obito's voice rang out.

"Stupid Lihuo! Why did you let him off so easily!"

"Most importantly... how come you were acting so cool! How did you do that move? Teach me, quick!"

Hearing this, Lihuo just smiled.

"Dummy Obito, just watch the match properly. Wait for your brother Lihuo to beat that jerk."

"Huh? You're really going to fight him? Are you stupid? I know your level; aren't you just asking for a beating?"

This guy Obito really made it impossible to stay angry when he was being a hot-blooded idiot.

He clearly knew that fighting him was just asking for a beating, yet he had still charged forward earlier.

Lihuo didn't dwell on it, gesturing with his chin for Obito to watch the match seriously.

However, Lihuo's heart was not at peace.

It's a good thing I used chakra to adhere to the soles of my feet and used a sudden burst of speed to stop precisely in front of him to act cool, otherwise, I would have lost face as a transmigrator.

But even if I have super-high chakra control, it's useless if I don't know how to use it.

It was like having Tsunade-level chakra control but being unable to save anyone because you didn't know medical ninjutsu.

Lihuo was now stuck in this predicament, unable to properly utilize the rewards he had pilfered from the Third Hokage.

If I really end up facing that jerk, I'll have to think about how to deal with him.

My weakness is that while I have the ninjutsu and chakra control, my chakra reserves are only at the level of a "Mini-Kakashi." Aside from the Three Body Technique, I can only release one ninjutsu.

To defeat that Nostril Guy, I must seize the perfect timing to release that one ninjutsu.

Thinking of this, Lihuo's eyes darted around, and an "evil" plan sprang to mind.

For the rest of the time, Lihuo spent almost every moment in his heart perfecting his plan.

After all, this was his first battle, and the Uchiha clan respected strength; if he truly had no ability, he wouldn't dare to clamor before Lihuo.

While refining his plan, Lihuo saw many familiar faces on the training ground.

Ebisu, Yamashiro Aoba, Asuma, and others flashed by, eventually being admitted.

Kakashi also won his duel in a high-profile manner and quickly left the scene.

Nohara Rin's duel caused Obito to run over happily to cheer for her.

In the end, both Rin and Obito were deemed to have the aptitude to become ninjas and were granted admission.

Lihuo was currently watching the direction Kakashi had left in; beside Kakashi stood a tall, silver-haired man carrying a short blade.

"Konoha White Fang—Hatake Sakumo, is it? Truly, his reputation is well-deserved."

"Just standing there, he is like an unsheathed sharp sword, concealing his keen edge."

I wonder what would happen if I had him endorse toothpaste? White Fang Toothpaste, Lihuo thought with a mischievous sense of humor.

However, the training ground was not peaceful at this moment, as the Nostril Guy had been drawn against an obscure civilian ninja.

"Referee, I don't even care to duel him. Where is Uchiha Lihuo? Let him duel me!"

His arrogant statement drew the dissatisfaction of the instructors on the training ground.

One instructor couldn't stand it and stood up.

"Student, you do not decide who you duel, and you should not disrespect your opponent."

"A ninja's duty is to obey orders and execute missions; this is a sign of incompetence."

The arrogant youth held his head high, unbothered.

"This is a private matter for the Uchiha clan; what right do you have to interfere? Tell that coward Lihuo to come and face me."

Lihuo was not the least bit intimidated. He stood up and walked toward the training ground with a steady gait, though he couldn't help but grumble inwardly, If the Uchiha clan were all like this, there would be no need to worry about curing cervical spondylosis... or being ostracized by the villagers.

Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had been about to leave to attend to official business after watching the duel between Asuma and Hatake Kakashi, saw this scene and stopped with great interest.

Isn't this the child who touched my Hokage hat earlier? Interesting. Let's see how he performs.

However, if I do this, my official business will be delayed again.

Biwako will definitely scold me again.

In short, the Third Hokage also turned his attention to this contest.

Lihuo and the Master of Cervical Spondylosis Treatment stood face to face, both of their eyes (or in the Master's case, nostrils) spewing infinite fighting spirit.

The proctor spoke first, "Both sides, perform the Seal of Confrontation!"

During the hand signs, the nostril-man was still spouting trash talk, but Lihuo had no heart to listen. He threw his entire being into this battle—his first since transmigrating.

The duel began!

In an instant, Lihuo and his opponent rapidly widened the distance between them. Just as Lihuo was searching for an opening, his opponent moved.

It wasn't a rapid closing of the distance, nor was it the direct release of a ninjutsu, but rather a classic Uchiha clan skill that Lihuo had forgotten—shurikenjutsu!

The seemingly simple shuriken faintly sealed off all of Lihuo's escape routes.

There was no time to think, and nowhere to hide, so he wouldn't hide at all. Lihuo pushed his dynamic vision to the limit.

He drew a kunai from his ninja tool pouch, quickly closed the distance, knocked aside the incoming shuriken, and took the opportunity to arrive right in front of his opponent.

"Still not practiced enough; your throw is too soft!"

Before his opponent could reply, Lihuo thrust a punch straight forward.

Forced into a corner by the sudden close-quarters approach, the opponent had no choice but to cross his arms to block.

Yet, who would have thought that such a simple punch would produce a muffled thud?

Bang!

The opponent was sent stumbling back ten steps, scrambling and rolling before he could dissipate the force.

Opponent: (･_･;, It wasn't blocked, it was a direct hit!

The surrounding youths all wore expressions of astonishment.

"Why? Why is your strength so great?"

Laymen watch the excitement, while experts watch the technique. The Hyuga clan proctor and the Third Hokage both saw it clearly.

Lihuo had almost no practical combat experience, and his fighting experience was pitifully scarce. However, the reason Lihuo could succeed in one strike was due to his outstanding chakra control!

He concentrated chakra into a specific part of his body and released it in an instant upon impact, causing immense destruction.

The Third Hokage nodded.

"This boy's move is quite similar to Tsunade's Super Strength."

"But now that he knows this boy's attack hurts so much, his opponent won't just stand there and let him hit him anymore."