The moment Yuhi Shinku announced the start of the match, a flash of unwavering resolve shone in Liuxia's eyes. He gently tightened his grip on the Crimson Blood Sword; the blade seemed to share a telepathic connection with his soul, its surface shimmering with a crimson glow under the sunlight, reflecting his iron-willed determination.
Liuxia stepped steadily into the arena, each stride appearing calm and confident, as if the entire world lay beneath his feet. His gait revealed not only a thirst for victory but an absolute trust in his own strength. His figure resembled a king about to ascend the throne, each step marking the rhythm of triumph.
His opponent, Kitsuchi, had long been waiting in the arena. The young Kitsuchi wore a red ninja cap, possessed a dignified, large nose and a thick beard that framed his face, and had a massive build clad in a red tight-fitting combat suit; his very presence was a symbol of power. Liuxia couldn't help but grumble inwardly, wondering if the growth of these ninjas followed some sort of proportional scaling—why was there so little change? 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 the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki—but also the father of the Leg Kage. These backgrounds undoubtedly added a touch of legend to Kitsuchi, especially the part about him being the father of the Leg Kage, which Liuxia had already inquired about at the barbecue party a few days prior. He already had a fiancée, so perhaps in a few years, one might even see the young Leg Kage.
With Liuxia's appearance, the atmosphere in the spectator stands became lively and fervent. Young girls began to whisper, their voices filled with excitement and anticipation.
"Look, is that Liuxia? He's so handsome!" one girl exclaimed, her voice carrying a hint of irrepressible excitement.
"Indeed, the way his Crimson Blood Sword shines in the sun makes him look just like a legendary hero," another girl chimed in, her eyes sparkling like stars as if she were gazing at her own idol.
"Look at the way he walks, so calm and confident, just like a king," a girl nearby added, her voice tinged with longing as if she were describing a scene from her dreams.
The boys, however, appeared somewhat unconvinced, exchanging glances as they tried to mask their jealousy.
"Hmph, what's so great about him? Isn't he just a bit handsome?" one boy said with feigned disdain, though his gaze was involuntarily drawn to Liuxia's flair.
"Exactly, true strength isn't determined by appearance," another boy echoed, though his tone betrayed a hint of unease, as if he were worried about the gap between himself and Liuxia.
"Still, his temperament is truly unique," a more rational boy remarked, his voice carrying a trace of admiration, clearly swayed by Liuxia's aura.
The girls couldn't help but laugh upon hearing these remarks.
"You boys are always sour grapes. Liuxia is a famous genius at the Ninja Academy, you know!" one girl teased, her voice playful, clearly well-aware of the boys' jealousy.
"Haha, never mind them; let's just enjoy Liuxia's match," another girl suggested, her eyes full of anticipation as if she had already foreseen a spectacular duel.
Kitsuchi stood at the other end of the arena, his gaze firm and sharp, yet a friendly smile played on his lips. His voice was loud and clear, carrying over the roar of the arena to reach Liuxia's ears.
"Liuxia, thank you for the barbecue party last time; the taste of that meat was truly unforgettable," Kitsuchi said loudly, his words revealing his gratitude, as if the delicious flavor still lingered on his tongue.
Liuxia smiled slightly, his voice calm and powerful as he replied, "Kitsuchi, the barbecue was a small matter, but being able to enjoy peace alongside peers from various ninja villages is a pleasure in itself." His words revealed his appreciation for the friendship between ninjas and his longing for peaceful times.
Kitsuchi nodded, his smile widening, though his expression soon turned serious. "However, a match is a match, and I will not hold back. Are you ready?" His words revealed his respect for the competition and his opponent.
A flicker of fighting spirit flashed in Liuxia's eyes as he gripped his Crimson Blood Sword and replied, "I am ready to face the challenge at any time." His voice was filled with anticipation for the coming battle and a thirst for victory.
Kitsuchi laughed heartily. "Then let us begin and see who the true powerhouse is!" His laughter was full of confidence and the spirit of a challenge.
Liuxia nodded slightly. "As you wish." His response was concise and firm, signaling his serious attitude toward the match and his respect for his opponent.
As their conversation ended, the tension and fervor in the arena intensified. The audience's anticipation and excitement reached a peak; they knew a spectacular duel was about to unfold.
At the command of Yuhi Shinku, the prelude to the match sounded like a beating war drum, stirring the heart of every spectator. Liuxia and Kitsuchi, two ninjas, quickly entered combat mode, their eyes flashing with a desire for victory like volcanoes about to erupt, harboring boundless power.
The moment the match began, Liuxia displayed his extraordinary swordsmanship and speed. He brandished the Crimson Blood Sword, carving out a stylish and precise sword flower—not only a sign of respect for his opponent but a display of confidence in his own craft. His voice was firm and resonant as he issued a warning to Kitsuchi: "Watch out!"
Before the words had faded, Liuxia's figure was already like a phantom, arriving beside Kitsuchi in sync with his voice. His speed was so great that it seemed as if he had torn through the air, leaving ripples in his wake. Although Kitsuchi was a powerful ninja, he felt unprecedented pressure in the face of Liuxia's speed.
Kitsuchi struggled to respond; despite his massive frame, his movements were exceptionally agile. He quickly summoned an earth wall to block Liuxia's attack, but Liuxia's sword light flowed like water, easily piercing through the wall and continuing toward Kitsuchi. Looking somewhat disheveled, Kitsuchi was forced to retreat a few steps to maintain distance, only to be approached by Liuxia once more, leaving him no choice but to draw a kunai to fight.
The audience held their breath, witnessing Liuxia's astonishing speed and swordsmanship, their hearts filled with shock. This match was not just a contest of strength, but a duel of speed and technique; everyone was waiting to see who would emerge victorious in this fierce battle.
The spectators were stunned by Liuxia's performance, marveling at his speed and swordsmanship. The girls' eyes sparkled with excitement, cheering for Liuxia's courage and skill. The boys felt a sense of challenge, knowing that Liuxia's strength far exceeded their imagination.
To the eyes of the spectators outside the ring, Liuxia's movements were as fast as lightning, with only fleeting afterimages visible. For less capable ninjas and civilians, they could only perceive Liuxia's speed as a raging storm, leaving them unable to keep up. But for powerful ninjas, especially experts like Ai, Liuxia's speed and reaction time appeared truly terrifying.
Ai, a ninja tempered by countless battles, kept his gaze as sharp as a hawk, locking onto every one of Liuxia's movements. His heart was filled with shock and curiosity; Liuxia's performance had exceeded his expectations.
This guy... his speed and reaction time are simply not something a human should be able to achieve, Ai mused to himself, his eyes flashing with a desire for the strong and a craving for a challenge.
Ai knew that Liuxia's strength far surpassed his expectations, which only made him look forward to a duel with him even more. His heart was filled with excitement and anticipation, as if he had already foreseen that heart-pounding battle in the future.
A battle with Liuxia will be a true challenge, Ai thought. This is not just a contest of victory or defeat, but an excellent opportunity to improve my own strength. I must go all out to compete with such an opponent.
Ai's heart was filled with fighting spirit, his eyes shining with a firm light. He knew that only by constantly challenging stronger opponents could he become more powerful.
Meanwhile, other powerhouses were also watching the match. Their eyes were filled with admiration and surprise, giving Liuxia's performance high praise.
At the edge of the arena, an elderly ninja leaned against the railing, his gaze piercing through the noisy crowd to stare at Liuxia's sword dance, which was like a driving rainstorm. His eyes revealed admiration for the younger generation and a hint of self-mockery.
"That kid Liuxia is truly impressive," the old ninja remarked, his voice raspy. "His speed and reaction time have reached an astonishing level. It seems we of the older generation need to step it up; we can't let these youngsters outshine us."
His words revealed his high regard for Liuxia, as well as his confidence in his own strength and his expectations for the young ninja.
"Indeed, Liuxia's performance is truly memorable," another powerhouse echoed, his gaze also locked onto Liuxia's movements. "He is not only astonishingly fast, but every movement is incredibly precise, without a hint of hesitation. Such strength reminds me of someone!"
"Who?" the ninja beside him asked curiously.
"The White Fang of the Leaf, Sakumo Hatake!" the powerhouse said with a hint of awe. "The same astonishing speed, the same dangerous swordsmanship; every strike hits the vital point."
Sakumo Hatake—this name had already caused quite a stir in the ninja world. Although he had only just begun to make a name for himself, his strength and potential had already made many take notice. Through his own efforts, he had carved out a reputation, and ninjas who had crossed blades with him had begun to call him the "White Fang of the Leaf."
While it hadn't yet reached the point where one could abandon an ongoing mission upon seeing the White Fang of the Leaf, Sakumo Hatake's name had already appeared on the high-bounty lists issued by major ninja villages on the black market.
The audience was also stunned by Liuxia's performance, marveling at his speed and skill. The girls' eyes sparkled with excitement, cheering for Liuxia's courage and skill. The boys felt a sense of challenge, knowing that Liuxia's strength far exceeded their imagination.
In the stands, the crowd was captivated by Liuxia's elegant yet lethal swordsmanship, marveling at his dance-like movements, each swing of his blade carrying a deadly threat. Liuxia's sword light flowed like water; it was not only beautiful but filled with danger.
However, behind this glamorous facade, Kitsuchi was caught in a bitter struggle. Faced with Liuxia's nearly unstoppable Water Release: Water Blade Slash, his kunai were damaged within a few rounds, and each weapon failure was accompanied by new wounds on his body. Kitsuchi felt unprecedented pressure and challenge; he had to change weapons frequently, and each replacement came at a cost.
This... this is just too dangerous! Kitsuchi felt frustrated. He had always relied on his enhanced boxing to force opponents to avoid close-quarters combat with him, but today, the situation had completely reversed.
This can't go on! Kitsuchi mused to himself, knowing he had to change tactics, or this battle would be extremely unfavorable for him.
Kitsuchi stood in the arena, facing Liuxia's high-speed swordsmanship and agile footwork, knowing he could not rely solely on defense. At this moment, he decided to adopt a more aggressive stance, utilizing his deep understanding of Earth Release ninjutsu to turn defense into offense. Kitsuchi began to attempt to use the advantages of his Earth Release to create a battlefield environment favorable to himself.
Kitsuchi's hands moved with rapid precision to weave hand signs, a determined light flickering in his eyes as he gathered chakra into his right hand. His voice, low and powerful, echoed across the arena: "Earth Release: Rock Fist Jutsu!" Following his command, Kitsuchi's right hand began to transform; the skin grew coarse and rugged, eventually hardening into solid rock.
This was more than a mere superficial change. The Rock Fist Jutsu imbued his hand with the true properties of stone, significantly increasing both its hardness and weight. Every strike from this fist of rock carried the power to shatter mountains and cleave stone.
Kitsuchi swung his newly formed rock fist, launching a fierce assault on Liuxia. The fist tore through the air with a dull, whistling sound, as if the very air were being compressed by its immense power. Liuxia could feel the weight behind the blow and knew he could not block it head-on. Relying on his superior speed, he began to move nimbly across the arena, dodging Kitsuchi's rock fist.
The spectators were deeply captivated by the intense battle between Kitsuchi and Liuxia; every movement and every clash drew gasps of amazement from the stands.
"Wow, Kitsuchi's Earth Release ninjutsu is incredible!" a young ninja shouted excitedly, his eyes locked on the rock-hardened fist and the seismic waves it generated.
"But Liuxia is no slouch either; his speed and reflexes are simply astonishing!" another spectator replied, his gaze tracking Liuxia's rapidly shifting figure.
As Kitsuchi unleashed his attacks with the Rock Fist Jutsu, the audience felt the power that seemed capable of shaking the very ground, and they couldn't help but break into a cold sweat for Liuxia.
"Liuxia, watch out!" some spectators couldn't help but shout. Even though they knew Liuxia couldn't hear them, they were completely immersed in the emotion of the match.
When Liuxia skillfully evaded an attack and found an opening to counter, the crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch.
"Brilliant! That strike from Liuxia was a stroke of genius!" a veteran ninja exclaimed, offering high praise for Liuxia's pinpoint swordplay.
"This match is truly eye-opening!" another spectator added. "Both ninjas possess such immense strength; their tactical wisdom and skill are truly admirable." As the match progressed, the crowd's fervor continued to rise.
Although Kitsuchi had gained a temporary advantage with his Earth Release: Rock Fist Jutsu, he began to feel unprecedented pressure as the fight dragged on. The Crimson Blood Sword in Liuxia's hand seemed to possess a special power; every time it collided with the rock fist, Kitsuchi felt a strange vibration, as if the blade could pierce through the hardness of the stone.
This sword... it's not simple! Kitsuchi thought to himself. He could feel the sharpness of the blade and the power contained within it. With every clash, his rock fist seemed to lose its edge, and he began to realize that Liuxia's swordsmanship and the power of his weapon far exceeded his expectations.
The audience noticed this shift as well, and they began to murmur among themselves.
"Look, it seems Kitsuchi can't hold on much longer!" one spectator pointed out in surprise.
"Indeed, while Kitsuchi's rock fist is incredibly hard, it seems to be struggling against that sword," another agreed.
"Liuxia's swordsmanship and that blade are a perfect match! Every attack puts Kitsuchi in a difficult spot," a third spectator marveled.
Kitsuchi stood in the arena, his massive frame resembling an immovable mountain. Facing the approaching flash of Liuxia's blade, he quickly shifted his tactics, displaying the formidable strength of an Iwagakure Earth Release user.
"Earth Release: Earth Style Wall!" Kitsuchi's voice rang out across the arena like a monarch commanding the earth. At his command, the ground trembled, and a tall, sturdy wall of earth rose from beneath the surface, acting as a natural barrier between him and Liuxia. This wall not only blocked Liuxia's direct path of attack but also bought Kitsuchi precious time to prepare his next move.
Seeing this, Liuxia was forced to halt his assault. His eyes betrayed an assessment of Kitsuchi's new tactic, and he spun the Crimson Blood Sword in his hand, pointing the tip toward Kitsuchi as if searching for a new opening.
Kitsuchi did not waste the time bought by the wall; he quickly adjusted his strategy. "Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!" His hands moved with speed and precision. The ground shook once more, and a giant dragon composed of rock and soil erupted from the earth, lunging toward Liuxia with immense power.
Facing the Earth Dragon Bullet, Liuxia showed no signs of panic. A flash of resolve crossed his eyes as he quickly decided on a counter-measure. He knew that against such a powerful Earth Release technique, he needed to respond with an equally potent Water Release ninjutsu.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Liuxia wove his hand signs rapidly; his movements were fluid and accurate, completing the sequence in an instant. He took a deep breath and shouted his counter-attack in a firm, resonant voice.
At his command, the air in the arena suddenly grew humid. A massive amount of chakra surged from Liuxia's body, instantly condensing into a giant water dragon. The dragon circled in the air, its form majestic and vivid, standing in stark contrast to Kitsuchi's earth dragon.
The two giants—one of earth, one of water—confronted each other in the arena. The audience held their breath, watching the impending collision with tension.
Kitsuchi's Earth Dragon Bullet attacked first, rushing toward the water dragon with astonishing speed and force. However, Liuxia's Water Dragon Jutsu did not retreat; it surged forward to meet the earth dragon, and the two beasts clashed violently in mid-air.
The collision of earth and water triggered a massive explosion, sending a cloud of dust and spray across the arena. The spectators' vision was obscured, leaving them to feel only the force of the powerful shockwave.
When the dust settled and the spray dissipated, the audience saw that Liuxia's water dragon had successfully withstood the earth dragon. The power of the water not only neutralized the impact but also gradually eroded the structure of the earth dragon, causing it to crumble.
"So... so powerful!" the spectators marveled, cheering for Liuxia's formidable Water Release and his exceptional combat intelligence.
"Not only is Liuxia's speed incredible, but his ninjutsu is also top-tier!" one spectator exclaimed.
"Indeed, this battle is truly magnificent; the strength of both ninjas is simply unbelievable!" another added.
Ai watched all of this from the stands, showing great interest in Liuxia's strength and tactical mind—not just his swordsmanship and speed, but also that impossibly fast hand-sign speed.
Kitsuchi heard this and wore a confused expression, failing to grasp the meaning behind Liuxia's words for a moment. In the world of ninjas, battles were usually serious and tense, and Liuxia's sudden mention of mundane matters brought a touch of humor and levity to the intense duel.
Kitsuchi paused for a moment before speaking slowly: "Liuxia, are you joking? Our battle isn't over yet."
Liuxia smiled faintly and replied: "Of course, but I've had my fun. Time to finish this!" His voice carried an unquestionable sense of resolve.
Surprise washed over the faces of everyone present; they did not understand why Liuxia had suddenly changed his attitude.
Liuxia had not been holding back because the outcome of the match was unimportant, but rather because he intended to let Kitsuchi showcase his strength before everyone. Kitsuchi had already successfully proven his capabilities to the audience, especially the Feudal Lords of the major nations, by demonstrating his mastery of high-level ninjutsu like the Rock Fist Jutsu at such a young age. Now, though it might be a pity for Kitsuchi personally, for the sake of a more effective deterrent, finishing him off instantly was the best choice!
It's time to use that move I gained after reaching the rank of Jonin! Liuxia thought to himself.
"Sorry, brother Kitsuchi!" Liuxia's voice rang out across the arena, clear and firm.
"What!?" Kitsuchi only had time to let out a cry of surprise before feeling a sharp, intense pain in his chest.
The audience watched with bated breath as they saw Liuxia, who had been far away just a moment ago, suddenly appear before Kitsuchi like a phantom.
Before Kitsuchi could react, he felt a stab of pain in his chest and saw a flower of blood bloom before his eyes. He looked down to see his chest stained a deep, vibrant red.
At that moment, a chorus of gasps erupted from the stands. They had not expected the battle to take such a drastic turn in an instant.
The air in the entire arena seemed to freeze, and the spectators' breathing stopped. They had witnessed an almost impossible feat: Liuxia's figure had vanished from the distance and appeared before Kitsuchi in the next heartbeat, as if he had crossed the boundaries of space itself.
"This... this is impossible!" a spectator finally burst out, his voice trembling with a hint of panic.
"How did he do that? That speed... that power..." another whispered, his voice filled with awe.
Ai stood among the crowd, cold sweat beading on his forehead, his heart filled with shock. His gaze remained locked on Liuxia, trying to find a clue in his movements. If I were fighting him, could I withstand an attack like that? Ai wondered to himself.
The Feudal Lords in the VIP seats were also stunned by the scene, looking at one another with 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. While assassinations of Feudal Lords were rare in the ninja world, what if one were to happen? They secretly resolved to strengthen their security measures upon returning home and, above all, to maintain good relations with Konoha and the Land of Fire!
The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire, while shocked, also felt a sense of satisfaction. He turned to the Third Hokage, inquiring about Liuxia's background and what had just transpired.
"Hiruzen, who is this ninja? And what was that technique just now?" The Feudal Lord's voice carried a hint of urgency.
The Third Hokage took a deep breath to steady his emotions before answering, "He is a descendant of the Senju clan, and what he just used was the secret technique of the Second Hokage—the Flying Raijin Slash."
The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire wore a satisfied smile upon hearing this answer. He spoke slowly, "Lord Tobirama's technique? It is truly an eye-opener. This young ninja is destined for greatness."
The Third Hokage's heart, however, was a whirlwind of mixed emotions. On one hand, the mention of the Flying Raijin brought to mind his teacher, Tobirama, who had stayed behind to hold the line in order to uphold the Will of Fire, filling him with reverence and nostalgia. On the other hand, he felt a flicker of apprehension toward the young yet immensely gifted Liuxia.
I am still in my prime, the Third Hokage thought to himself, and I am not yet ready to step down from the position of Hokage. But with talent like Liuxia's, coupled with his status as a Senju descendant, should he ever set his sights on the seat of the Hokage... a shadow of worry could not help but creep into the Third Hokage's heart.
Regardless, this match had forced everyone to look at Liuxia in a new light. He had not only displayed formidable strength but had also upheld the glory of the Senju clan, emerging as the ultimate victor!
Calming the shock within him, Yuhi Shinku stepped onto the field to coordinate the medical ninjas in providing emergency treatment to the severely wounded Kitsuchi and to announce the results of the match.
"In this match, Konoha's Liuxia versus Iwagakure's Kitsuchi—the winner is Liuxia!"