As the morning light spread across the Ninja World, the Chunin Ninja Exams reached their final climax. After a string of fierce battles and a series of coincidences, only a handful of elite ninja remained in the arena: Konoha's Liuxia, Nawaki, and Hyuga Hiashi; Kumogakure's Ai; and Sunagakure's Rasa. Their names had long been renowned throughout the Ninja World, and each represented the pinnacle of their village's strength.
The arena gates slowly swung open, and several figures strode inside like the first rays of dawn, their presence imposing. Determination shone in every ninja's eyes. Their steps were firm, as if each one proclaimed their desire for victory and pursuit of glory.
The spectators held their breath, the air thick with tension and anticipation. They knew they were about to witness an unprecedented clash—a contest of strength and wisdom, a collision of courage and dreams.
Yuhi Shinku, the experienced referee, was about to begin the draw to decide who would receive a bye in the first round and choose their opponent for the day. But at that tense moment, Liuxia, a young and confident ninja, suddenly broke the silence.
"Lord Yuhi Shinku," Liuxia said, his voice calm and firm. His gaze swept over Ai and the others like a sharp blade. "These Chunin Ninja Exams have already gone on long enough. There's no need to drag things out. Let them all come at me together."
His words landed like a bomb, stirring an uproar throughout the arena. The spectators exchanged shocked glances, their hearts full of confusion and excitement. They had never seen anyone make such a bold proposal. One person challenging all the other contestants was unprecedented in the history of the Chunin Ninja Exams.
Among the two Konoha ninja, Nawaki's reaction was especially calm. He had grown up in Liuxia's shadow, and after countless sparring matches, he was already used to being casually beaten by Liuxia in every conceivable position. To him, Liuxia was not only a formidable opponent but also the driving force that pushed him to keep improving.
Hyuga Hiashi, meanwhile, had mixed feelings. This was his first face-to-face encounter with Liuxia, the Senju Clan's prodigy. Though the Hyuga Clan was renowned for its unique Byakugan and Taijutsu, even Hiashi had to admit that provoking the Senju Clan was simply out of the question—even the faint remnants of the clan after its dissolution were not to be trifled with. The Senju Clan's influence still lingered. Lady Mito was still alive, and the Third Hokage and the others all belonged to the Senju Hokage faction.
For Ai and Rasa, however, Liuxia's challenge was an outright humiliation. They were filled with resentment and anger, but beneath that anger, they knew full well that Liuxia was far stronger than either of them. The Flying Thunder God Slash Liuxia had demonstrated the day before still left them confused and stunned. Their elite Jonin team leaders had mentioned that it was a space-time ninjutsu created by the Second Hokage, but they would need to wait for information from their villages to learn more. Time was short, however, and they had no time left to wait or prepare.
In the tense, uncertain atmosphere, Ai and Rasa could only suppress their resentment for the moment. They knew that any rash move against an opponent like Liuxia could lead to irreversible consequences. They had to stay calm and wait for the right opportunity. Perhaps they could find a way to defeat Liuxia in the next round.
Yuhi Shinku was taken aback. Surprise and admiration flickered in his eyes. He knew Liuxia's proposal would change the rules of the match, and that the referee panel had to approve it. All he could do was say gravely, "Liuxia, that's an extremely bold proposal, but we must consult the referee panel."
When a ninja Yuhi Shinku had dispatched hurried onto the stage and respectfully asked the Third Hokage and the Daimyo to rule on the unexpected situation, every eye in the arena turned toward the decision-makers.
The Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire's smile and generous attitude set the tone for this sudden proposal. His words echoed through the VIP stands, reaching everyone with the warmth of an elder's open-mindedness and trust in the younger generation. "If a young boy has such youthful, reckless ambitions, then let him give it a try. That's the vigor of youth, and the hope for the future of our Ninja World."
The other Daimyo nodded in agreement. After watching the Chunin exams over the past few days, they had gained a deep understanding of Konoha and the Land of Fire's strength. The Feudal Lord of the Land of Grass, who had previously wavered between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, immediately responded with an ingratiating smile. "We came here to witness the strength of the next generation of ninja. This is wonderful—a chance to see a genius rarely seen in the Ninja World for a hundred years."
The other Daimyo were not as blatantly fawning as the Feudal Lord of the Land of Grass, but their words also carried a measure of deference and respect. Even the other four of the Five Great Nations showed a degree of respect and yielded to the decision, much to the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire's satisfaction.
The representatives of the four great ninja villages felt some resentment, but with the Daimyo unanimous in their approval, they had no choice but to accept it. The elite Jonin leading Kumogakure and Sunagakure's teams felt humiliated, but faced with the astonishing strength Liuxia had displayed, they could only agree. They privately reflected that their own prodigies paled beside Liuxia, and couldn't help feeling a growing sense of danger.
They resolved to report everything to the Kazekage and Lord Raikage as soon as they returned and to devise countermeasures before Liuxia fully matured. Though they had such thoughts, they maintained their composure under everyone's watchful eyes, hiding their inner turmoil.
After hearing everyone's opinions, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes gleamed with resolve. He knew that after this match, Liuxia's reputation among the younger generation would reach its peak. But this outcome was best for Konoha at present, and he already had plans for Liuxia!
Hiruzen slowly rose to his feet, his voice echoing across the arena. "Konoha has always encouraged its ninja to challenge themselves and surpass their limits. Liuxia's proposal may be unusual, but it embodies the spirit of the ninja world. Then it's settled. Let the match begin, and let us witness the strength and courage of these young ninja."
After receiving Hiruzen's confirmation, Yuhi Shinku returned to the center of the arena and announced in a clear, firm voice, "By the decision of the Third Hokage and the assembled Daimyo, Liuxia's proposal is accepted. The match will proceed in this unprecedented manner. Contestants, prepare yourselves. Together, let us witness this historic moment."
Cheers and applause surged through the arena like a rising tide, wave after wave, nearly drowning out everything else. The spectators' excitement had been fully ignited. Everyone was eager to see this extraordinary clash unfold. Amid the roaring crowd, Liuxia stood quietly in the center of the arena, his Crimson Blood Sword still held in his arms. His expression was calm, and he felt no tension at all—instead, his fighting spirit burned hot.
So I'm a battle maniac too! Liuxia thought, surprised, yet feeling a thrill of excitement. He knew this would be a major turning point in his ninja career, and perhaps the crucial step on his path to the Hokage Position.
Meanwhile, Nawaki, Hyuga Hiashi, Ai, and Rasa stood at different corners of the arena. Though they were somewhat resentful, they understood the way of the ninja. A ninja's foremost duty was loyalty to their village and putting its interests and missions first. No matter how they felt personally, they had to put their village's honor and interests above all else.
Though I hate it, this is our chance to take down Liuxia. You'll regret underestimating us! Rasa silently encouraged himself, determination shining in his eyes.
Hyuga Hiashi was calmer. As the Hyuga Clan's representative, he knew the weight of his responsibility. "This is a battle, and a test. We must give it everything we have."
Nawaki gripped his Kunai and shouted at Liuxia, "Xia, even if you're my opponent, I'm not going easy on you! Today, I'm the one who's going to beat you to a pulp!"
At Yuhi Shinku's signal, the historic match began. The five ninja raced across the arena, their ninjutsu and Taijutsu weaving together into a breathtaking spectacle. The spectators were captivated, cheering every ninja's impressive performance and marveling at this unprecedented showdown.
Without a doubt, this would become the greatest Chunin exam in Ninja World history—bar none. And thanks to this match, Liuxia's name would go down in history as a legend of the next generation.
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