The moment Yuhi Shinku announced the start of the match, a resolute light flashed in Liuxia's eyes. He gently tightened his grip on the Crimson Blood Sword. The blade seemed to be connected to his heart, its red glow glinting in the sunlight and reflecting his unshakable determination.
Liuxia strode steadily onto the field, each step calm and confident, as though the whole world lay beneath his feet. His pace revealed not only his desire for victory but also his absolute confidence in his own abilities. He looked like a king about to ascend the throne, each step setting the rhythm of victory.
His opponent, Kitsuchi, was already waiting on the field. The young Kitsuchi wore a red ninja cap. He had a prominent nose, a thick beard that ran across his face, and a massive frame. Dressed in a red, tight-fitting combat uniform, he was a symbol of strength in his own right. Liuxia couldn't help thinking to himself that all these ninjas seemed to grow in equal proportions. Why didn't any of them change more dramatically? It had to be the influence of some mysterious force.
Liuxia had a deep impression of Kitsuchi. He knew that Kitsuchi was not only an important figure in the Naruto World—the son of Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage—but also Leg Kage's father. That background gave Kitsuchi a legendary air. Liuxia had especially asked around about the fact that he was Leg Kage's father at the barbecue gathering a few days ago. He was already engaged, and perhaps in a few years Liuxia might get to see a young Leg Kage.
With Liuxia's appearance, the atmosphere in the stands grew lively and excited. The girls began whispering, their voices brimming with anticipation.
"Look, is that Liuxia? He's so handsome!" one girl exclaimed, barely able to conceal her excitement.
"Yeah, the way the Crimson Blood Sword shines in the sunlight makes him look just like a hero from a legend." Another girl chimed in, her eyes sparkling like stars as she gazed at her idol.
"Look at the way he walks. So calm and confident, like a king." A girl beside them added, her voice full of longing, as if she were describing a scene from her dreams.
The boys, meanwhile, looked a little disgruntled. They exchanged glances, trying to hide their jealousy.
"Hmph, what's so great about him? He's just a little better-looking," one boy said, pretending not to care, though his eyes were drawn to Liuxia's presence all the same.
"Exactly. Real strength isn't determined by looks." Another boy agreed, though a hint of unease crept into his voice, as if he were worried about the gap between himself and Liuxia.
"Still, he really does have a unique presence," a more level-headed boy remarked, his voice tinged with admiration. Liuxia's aura had clearly won him over.
Hearing them, the girls couldn't help laughing.
"You boys are always sour grapes. Liuxia is a famous genius at the Ninja Academy!" one girl teased, her playful tone showing that she saw right through their jealousy.
"Haha, forget about them. Let's just enjoy Liuxia's match," another girl suggested, her eyes full of anticipation, as if she could already picture a spectacular showdown.
Kitsuchi stood at the other end of the field, his gaze firm and keen, but with a friendly smile on his lips. His voice rang out clearly over the noise of the arena, reaching Liuxia's ears.
"Liuxia, thanks again for the barbecue gathering last time. The meat was unforgettable!" Kitsuchi called. His words conveyed his gratitude, as if he could still taste the delicious barbecue.
Liuxia smiled faintly. His voice was calm and steady as he replied, "Kitsuchi, the barbecue was no big deal. But getting to enjoy a little peace with our peers from the ninja villages across the Ninja World was a pleasure in its own right." His words reflected how much he valued the friendship between ninjas, as well as his longing for peaceful days.
Kitsuchi nodded, his smile growing brighter. Then his expression turned serious. "Still, a match is a match. I won't go easy on you. Are you ready?" His words showed his respect for the competition and his opponent.
A glint of battle spirit flashed in Liuxia's eyes. Tightening his grip on the Crimson Blood Sword, he replied, "I'm ready whenever you are." His voice brimmed with anticipation for the coming fight and a desire to win.
Kitsuchi laughed heartily. "Then let's get started and see who the real strong one is!" His laughter was full of confidence and challenge.
Liuxia gave a slight nod. "As you wish." His answer was brief and firm, showing how seriously he took the match and how much he respected his opponent.
When their conversation ended, the atmosphere in the arena grew even more tense and electric. The audience's anticipation and excitement reached a peak. They knew a spectacular showdown was about to begin.
At Yuhi Shinku's signal, the match began like a drumbeat striking up a battle song, stirring every spectator's heart. Liuxia and Kitsuchi entered combat stance at once, their eyes shining with a desire for victory. Like volcanoes about to erupt, they brimmed with power.
The instant the match began, Liuxia displayed his extraordinary swordsmanship and speed. He swept the Crimson Blood Sword through a stylish, precise flourish—not only showing respect to his opponent but also demonstrating his confidence in his skill. His voice rang out, firm and loud, as he warned Kitsuchi, "Watch out!"
Before the words had even faded, Liuxia's figure became a blur and reached Kitsuchi at the same moment as his voice. He was so fast that it seemed as if he had torn through the air, leaving ripples in his wake. Kitsuchi was a powerful ninja, but Liuxia's speed put him under unprecedented pressure.
Kitsuchi struggled to respond. His body was huge, but his movements were remarkably nimble. He quickly summoned an earthen wall to block Liuxia's attack, but Liuxia's blade flashed like flowing water, cutting through the wall with ease and continuing toward him. Looking flustered, Kitsuchi had to retreat several steps to keep his distance. But Liuxia closed in again, leaving him no choice but to draw a Kunai and fight.
The spectators watched with bated breath, stunned by Liuxia's astonishing speed and swordsmanship. This match was not merely a contest of strength but a clash of speed and skill. Everyone waited to see who would emerge victorious from the fierce battle.
The audience was stunned by Liuxia's performance, marveling at his speed and swordsmanship. Excited light shone in the girls' eyes as they cheered his courage and skill. The boys felt challenged, realizing that Liuxia was far stronger than they had imagined.
To the spectators outside the arena, Liuxia moved like a bolt of lightning. They could only catch a fleeting glimpse of his afterimage. The less capable ninjas and civilians could only feel that his speed was like a raging storm, leaving them overwhelmed. But to powerful ninjas—especially a fighter like Ai—Liuxia's speed and reflexes were truly terrifying.
Ai, a ninja who had weathered countless battles, fixed his hawk-sharp gaze on Liuxia's every move. Shock and curiosity filled him. Liuxia's performance had surpassed his expectations.
This guy... His speed and reflexes are practically beyond human limits. Ai thought to himself, a desire to challenge the strong glinting in his eyes.
Ai knew Liuxia's strength was far beyond what he had expected, which made him even more eager to face him. Excitement and anticipation filled him, as if he could already see the breathtaking battle that awaited them.
Fighting Liuxia will be a true challenge, Ai thought. This isn't just a contest to decide who wins or loses. It's a perfect chance to improve my own strength. I'll have to give it everything I've got if I want to measure up to an opponent like him.
Fighting spirit filled Ai, and determination shone in his eyes. He knew that only by continually challenging stronger opponents could he become stronger.
Meanwhile, the other strong fighters were watching the match as well. Their eyes were full of admiration and amazement, and they had high praise for Liuxia's performance.
At the edge of the arena, an elderly ninja leaned against the railing, his gaze cutting through the noisy crowd as he watched Liuxia's swordplay, swift as a raging storm. His eyes showed his admiration for the younger generation and a trace of self-mockery.
"That kid Liuxia really is something," the old ninja exclaimed, his voice a little hoarse. "His speed and reflexes have already reached an astonishing level. It looks like us old-timers will have to step up our game too, or these young ones will leave us behind."
His words conveyed just how highly he thought of Liuxia, along with confidence in his own abilities and expectations for the younger ninjas.
"Indeed, Liuxia's performance is truly impressive." Another strong fighter agreed, his gaze fixed just as intently on Liuxia's movements. "He's incredibly fast, and every move is precise, without a hint of wasted motion. His skill reminds me of someone!"
"Who?" a ninja beside him asked curiously.
"Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of the Leaf!" The strong fighter spoke with a hint of reverence. "The same astonishing speed, the same deadly swordsmanship. Every move strikes straight at the vitals."
The name Hatake Sakumo had already caused a stir in the Ninja World. Although he had only just begun to make a name for himself, his strength and potential had already impressed many. With his own power, he had made a name for himself in the Ninja World, and some ninjas who had fought him had started calling him the "White Fang of the Leaf."
He had not yet reached the point where anyone who encountered the White Fang of the Leaf could abandon an ongoing mission without consequence. Even so, Hatake Sakumo's name had already appeared on the lucrative bounty lists posted by the major ninja villages on the black market.
The audience was stunned by Liuxia's performance as well, marveling at his speed and skill. Excited light shone in the girls' eyes as they cheered his courage and technique. The boys felt challenged, realizing that Liuxia was far stronger than they had imagined.
In the stands, everyone was captivated by Liuxia's elegant yet deadly swordsmanship. They marveled at his dance-like movements, every swing of his blade carrying a lethal threat. His sword flashed like flowing water—beautiful, but dangerous.
Behind all that dazzling brilliance, however, Kitsuchi was struggling. Faced with Liuxia's nearly unstoppable Water Release: Water Blade Slash, his Kunai were damaged after only a few exchanges. Each broken weapon was accompanied by a fresh wound. Kitsuchi felt unprecedented pressure and was forced to switch weapons again and again, paying a price every time.
"This... This is way too dangerous!" Kitsuchi thought bitterly. He had always used his enhanced punches to force opponents to avoid fighting him at close range, but today the situation had been completely turned around.
I can't keep going like this! Kitsuchi thought to himself. He knew he had to change tactics, or the battle would go badly for him.
Standing on the field and facing Liuxia's swift swordplay and nimble movements, Kitsuchi knew he couldn't rely on defense alone. At that moment, he decided to go on the offensive and use his deep understanding of Earth Release to turn defense into attack. He began using the strengths of his Earth Release techniques to shape the battlefield to his advantage.
Kitsuchi's hands formed Hand Seals quickly and precisely. Determination shone in his eyes as chakra surged into his right hand. His voice rang across the arena, low and powerful: "Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique!" At his command, his right hand began to change. His skin gradually grew rough, until it transformed into solid rock.
This was more than a simple change in appearance. Rock Fist Jutsu gave Kitsuchi's right hand the true properties of stone, greatly increasing its hardness and weight. Every blow from the stone fist carried enough force to split mountains and shatter rocks.
Kitsuchi swung his newly formed Rock Fist and launched a fierce assault on Liuxia. It cut through the air with a dull boom, as if its tremendous force had compressed the air itself. Liuxia could feel the power behind the punch. Knowing he couldn't block it head-on, he used his speed to dart around the field and dodge Kitsuchi's Rock Fist.
The audience was completely absorbed by the fierce battle between Kitsuchi and Liuxia. Every movement and every clash drew waves of gasps from the stands.
"Wow, Kitsuchi's Earth Release is so powerful!" a young ninja shouted excitedly, staring at Kitsuchi's stone fist and the shock waves it sent through the ground.
"But Liuxia's no pushover either. His speed and reflexes are incredible!" another spectator replied, his gaze tracking Liuxia's rapidly moving figure.
When Kitsuchi attacked with Rock Fist Jutsu, the spectators felt the force that seemed strong enough to shake the arena. They couldn't help holding their breath for Liuxia.
"Liuxia, watch out!" some spectators shouted, even though they knew he couldn't hear them. They were completely caught up in the match.
When Liuxia deftly dodged Kitsuchi's attack and found an opening to counter, the audience's excitement reached an even higher pitch.
"Incredible! That slash from Liuxia was inspired!" an experienced ninja praised, giving Liuxia's impossibly precise swordsmanship high marks.
"This match is truly an eye-opener!" another spectator added. "Both ninjas are so strong, and their battle sense and skill are impressive." As the match went on, the audience grew more and more excited.
Although Kitsuchi gained the upper hand for a time with Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique, he began to feel unprecedented pressure as the battle wore on. The Crimson Blood Sword in Liuxia's hand seemed to hold some special power. Each time it clashed with Kitsuchi's Rock Fist, Kitsuchi felt a strange vibration, as if the sword's edge could pierce through the hardness of stone.
That sword... It's no ordinary weapon! Kitsuchi thought to himself. He could feel its sharpness and the power it contained. With every clash, his Rock Fist seemed to lose ground. He began to realize that Liuxia's swordsmanship and the sword's power far exceeded his expectations.
The audience noticed the change too, and began discussing it among themselves.
"Look, it seems like Kitsuchi can't hold on much longer!" one spectator exclaimed.
"Yeah. Kitsuchi's Rock Fist may be incredibly tough, but even it seems to be struggling against that sword," another agreed.
"Liuxia's swordsmanship and that sword are a perfect match! Every attack gives Kitsuchi a hard time," a third spectator praised.
Standing on the field, Kitsuchi's huge body loomed like an immovable mountain. As Liuxia's blade closed in, he quickly changed tactics, showing the formidable might of an Earth Release ninja from Iwagakure.
"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!" Kitsuchi's voice rang across the field, as commanding as a ruler ordering the earth itself. At his shout, the ground shook, and a tall, sturdy earthen wall rose from beneath the ground like a natural barrier between him and Liuxia. It blocked Liuxia's direct attack and bought Kitsuchi precious time to prepare his next move.
Seeing this, Liuxia had no choice but to halt his attack. His eyes assessed Kitsuchi's new strategy as the Crimson Blood Sword spun lightly in his hand, its tip aimed at Kitsuchi as if searching for another opening.
Kitsuchi wasted no time. Using the time he had gained with the Earth Style Wall, he quickly adjusted his tactics. "Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!" His hands moved swiftly and precisely. The ground shook again, and a giant dragon made of rock and earth burst from beneath it, lunging at Liuxia with tremendous force.
Facing Kitsuchi's Earth Dragon Bullet, Liuxia showed no hint of panic. A resolute glint flashed in his eyes as he quickly decided to counterattack. He knew that he would need a Water Release jutsu of equal power to face such a powerful Earth Release attack.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Liuxia formed Hand Seals quickly, his movements smooth and precise. He completed the necessary seals almost instantly, took a deep breath, and called out his counterattack in a firm, ringing voice.
At his command, the air above the field suddenly grew damp. A large amount of chakra surged out of Liuxia and quickly gathered over the arena, forming a gigantic water dragon. It circled through the air, mighty and lifelike, a vivid contrast to Kitsuchi's Earth Dragon Bullet.
Two giant dragons—one made of earth and the other of water—faced off across the arena. The audience held their breath, watching tensely for the collision to come.
Kitsuchi's Earth Dragon Bullet attacked first, hurtling toward the water dragon at astonishing speed and with tremendous force. But Liuxia's Water Dragon Bullet didn't retreat. It charged straight at the earth dragon, and the two giant beasts collided fiercely in midair.
The collision of earth and water triggered a massive explosion, sending up a cloud of dust and a spray of water. The spectators' view was blocked, and all they could feel was the powerful shock wave.
When the dust settled and the water spray cleared, the audience saw that Liuxia's Water Dragon Bullet had successfully stopped Kitsuchi's Earth Dragon Bullet. Its power not only neutralized the earth dragon's charge but gradually eroded its structure until it began to crumble.
"T-That's incredible!" the audience exclaimed, cheering for Liuxia's powerful Water Release jutsu and brilliant battle sense.
"Liuxia isn't just amazingly fast. His ninjutsu is incredible too!" one spectator praised.
"Yeah, this battle is spectacular. It's hard to believe either of them is this strong!" another spectator added.
Ai had watched it all from the stands. He was greatly intrigued by Liuxia's strength and battle sense—not just his swordsmanship and speed, but also his absurdly fast Hand Seals.
Hearing that, Kitsuchi looked confused. For a moment, he couldn't understand what Liuxia meant. In the ninja world, battles were usually serious and tense, and Liuxia's sudden mention of everyday matters added a touch of humor and levity to their intense showdown.
Kitsuchi paused, then slowly replied, "Liuxia, are you joking? Our fight isn't over yet."
Liuxia smiled lightly. "Of course. But I've had enough fun. Let's finish this!" His voice carried an unmistakable resolve.
Everyone present looked surprised. They had no idea why Liuxia's attitude had suddenly changed.
The reason Liuxia had held back until now wasn't that the outcome of the match didn't matter. He had deliberately let Kitsuchi show off his strength in front of the crowd. Kitsuchi had already successfully demonstrated his abilities to the spectators, especially the Feudal Lords of the various countries. At such a young age, he could already wield an advanced jutsu like Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique. Now, though Kitsuchi himself might find it a little disappointing, defeating him in an instant would be the best way to intimidate other countries. Liuxia was truly sorry to Kitsuchi, but that was the most effective way to make an impression.
It was time to use the technique he had gained after reaching Jonin strength! Liuxia thought.
"Sorry, my friend Kitsuchi!" Liuxia's voice rang out across the arena, clear and firm.
"What!?" Kitsuchi barely had time to gasp before a violent pain struck his chest.
The audience watched with bated breath. They saw Liuxia, who had been far away just a moment ago, suddenly appear in front of Kitsuchi like a ghost.
Kitsuchi had no time to react. Pain shot through his chest, and then he saw a splash of blood bloom before his eyes. Looking down, he saw that his chest had already been stained red.
A burst of gasps erupted from the stands. No one had expected the battle to change so dramatically in an instant.
The air over the arena seemed to freeze, and the audience held their breath. They had witnessed Liuxia make an almost impossible move: his figure vanished from a distance and appeared in front of Kitsuchi in the next instant, as if he had crossed the boundary of space.
"This... This is impossible!" one spectator finally cried out, his voice trembling with fear.
"How did he do that? That speed... that power..." another murmured, awestruck.
Ai stood among the crowd, cold sweat running down his forehead as shock filled him. He kept his eyes fixed on Liuxia, trying to find some clue in his movements. He couldn't help wondering to himself, If I fought him, could I withstand an attack like that?
The Feudal Lords in the VIP seats were shocked too. They looked at one another, fear and unease in their eyes. They began to realize that if a ninja like Liuxia wanted to harm them, their lives would be in grave danger. Assassinations of Feudal Lords were uncommon in the Ninja World, but what if one did happen? They resolved to strengthen their security when they returned—and, above all, to maintain good relations with Konoha and the Land of Fire!
Amid his shock, the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire also felt a hint of satisfaction. He turned to the Third and asked about Liuxia's background and the jutsu he had just used.
"Hiruzen, who is that ninja? What jutsu did he just use?" The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire spoke with a hint of urgency.
The Third took a deep breath, steadying himself before replying, "He is a descendant of the Senju Clan. What he just used was the Second Hokage's secret technique—the Flying Thunder God Slash."
Upon hearing the answer, the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire smiled with satisfaction. He spoke slowly. "Lord Tobirama's technique? That was truly an eye-opener. That young ninja is sure to achieve great things."
The Third, however, had mixed feelings. On one hand, hearing about Flying Thunder God reminded him of Teacher Tobirama, who had stayed behind to protect the Will of Fire. His heart was filled with reverence and remembrance. On the other, Liuxia's extraordinary talent, despite his youth, made him feel a hint of apprehension.
The Third thought to himself that he was still in his prime and had no desire to give up the Hokage position. But with talent like Liuxia's, on top of his Senju heritage, what if he set his sights on becoming Hokage... The Third couldn't help feeling a little worried.
Whatever the case, this match had made everyone see Liuxia in a new light. He had not only demonstrated formidable strength but also brought glory to the Senju Clan—and emerged as the winner!
After calming himself, Yuhi Shinku stepped onto the field to have the medical ninjas urgently treat the badly injured Kitsuchi and announce the result of the match.
"In this match, Liuxia of Konoha versus Kitsuchi of Iwagakure—the winner is Liuxia!"
Before you continue