The Final Round Begins at Last

The final round of the Chunin Exams had finally begun, and the contestants entered one after another.

Sasuke, Naruto, Gaara, and the others arrived at the arena.

Naruto spotted Su Bai at once and excitedly waved to greet him.

"Su Bai! I got a lot stronger this past month, you know! Maybe I've already surpassed you!"

Sasuke also walked over, a hint of challenge in his eyes.

"Su Bai, I've improved a lot too. This time, I'll definitely surpass you."

Hearing them, Su Bai could not help recalling the original plot.

Over the past month, Naruto should have met Jiraiya and had Orochimaru's Five Elements Seal removed.

He had also learned the Summoning Technique and how to use the Nine-Tails' chakra.

Meanwhile, under Kakashi's special training, Sasuke had mastered the A-rank ninjutsu Chidori.

His taijutsu had improved tremendously as well, and his speed was now comparable to Rock Lee's.

Thinking of this, Su Bai nodded slightly and said calmly, "Very possible."

Naruto and Sasuke both froze for a moment, clearly not expecting Su Bai to admit it so readily.

"Why did you admit it so easily?"

Naruto scratched his head, somewhat confused.

Su Bai smiled faintly. "Because I believe in your potential."

Hearing that, Naruto and Sasuke were stunned at first, then confident smiles appeared on both their faces.

"Of course!"

Naruto clenched his fist, determination gleaming in his eyes. "I'm the man who'll become Hokage in the future!"

Sasuke merely gave a soft snort, the corner of his lips lifting slightly.

Watching their fighting spirits blaze, Su Bai sighed inwardly. These two cheat-code kings really do have limitless potential!

As the match drew near, people gradually took their seats in the stands.

The daimyo and nobles attended in formal attire.

Sakura, Ino, Hinata, and the other young ninja also found their places.

The examiners and jonin filed in, including Su Bai's uncle, Hayate Gekko, as well as Kakashi and Might Guy.

Finally, the Hokage and Kazekage appeared and took their seats beneath everyone's watchful eyes.

Su Bai keenly noticed that the number of ANBU ninja in the stands had clearly increased.

It seemed his and his uncle's earlier report had worked. The Hokage had already strengthened security.

At a command, the matches officially began.

"First match: Su Bai versus Hyuga Neji!"

the examiner announced.

"Good luck, Su Bai!"

Naruto shouted from the side, cheering for his friend.

In the stands, Hinata nervously clutched the corner of her clothes, deeply worried for Su Bai.

The jonin were also full of anticipation for this match.

Might Guy pondered inwardly, Su Bai and Neji are both rare geniuses. I wonder who will win? If what Hayate said is true, Su Bai should be able to win. I hope I get to see his Fire Release.

Kakashi was even more certain. Based on Hayate's description, Su Bai should be able to win. I'm also looking forward to seeing his Fire Release.

Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the two in the arena and thought, Regardless of who wins or loses, both of them are qualified to be promoted to chunin.

As the two competitors walked toward the center of the arena, the atmosphere throughout the venue instantly grew tense.

Everyone held their breath, waiting for this clash between geniuses.

Su Bai and Neji faced each other, the air thick with tension.

"A genius of the Moonlight Clan?"

Neji said coldly. "I'm looking forward to seeing your strength."

Su Bai replied calmly, "You won't know how strong I am until we fight. But I advise you not to be too arrogant."

Neji narrowed his eyes. "I merely believe in my own strength. You'll understand soon enough. Fate has already decided who the victor is."

"Begin!"

With the examiner's command, the match officially began.

Su Bai chanted softly, "Binding Art Number Twenty-One: Red Smoke Escape!"

In an instant, thick, pungent red smoke engulfed the entire battlefield.

Neji rubbed his irritated nose and immediately activated his Byakugan, confidently preparing to observe his opponent's every move.

However, when his gaze pierced through the smoke, the expression on his face instantly froze.

Everything before him seemed obscured by a heavy curtain. Even the Byakugan could not see through this strange red smokescreen.

"How is that possible?"

Neji exclaimed under his breath, blinking in disbelief.

He warily scanned his surroundings, doing his utmost to catch any trace of Su Bai.

He pricked up his ears, trying to catch even the faintest sound;

His skin tensed as he sensed the slightest changes in the surrounding airflow.

He even tried to use his nose to catch Su Bai's scent.

But no matter how hard he tried, he could not determine his opponent's location.

Suddenly, an almost imperceptible disturbance in the air came from his left.

Neji instinctively tried to evade, but it was already too late.

A heavy, powerful blow struck his abdomen with pinpoint accuracy, catching him off guard and forcing him back several steps. He nearly dropped to his knees.

Before he could recover, another barrage of lightning-fast fists came at him from every direction.

Neji barely steadied himself and crossed his arms before his body, desperately blocking attacks from unknown directions.

However, his reactions were always a beat too slow. Quite a few attacks still broke through his defense, leaving waves of pain across his body.

"Damn it," Neji muttered through gritted teeth, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "How is this guy doing it?"

In the stands, the Third Hokage and the other jonin began discussing it.

"What a clever kid." The Third Hokage nodded.

"Using this method against the Byakugan is truly ingenious."

Might Guy focused on sensing the movements within the smoke, then suddenly turned to Hayate and asked, "Hayate, could the technique Su Bai is using be the assassination art Breathless Blade?"

Hayate nodded in confirmation. "Cough, cough... that's right."

"Th-That's impossible!"

Guy cried out. "That's an assassination technique even elite ANBU struggle to master!"

He recalled how he had spent an entire year barely learning Breathless Blade in order to deal with Kakashi's Sharingan.

Once he had truly mastered the technique, he found that dealing with Kakashi had indeed become much easier.

Yet Su Bai had reached this level in barely a month. His talent was astonishing.

"If Neji can't break this situation," Guy said gravely, "then Su Bai will likely claim victory with ease."

As the battle continued, Neji gradually realized something was wrong.

Su Bai's offensive came in unending waves, while he himself was growing more and more unable to keep up.

Sweat kept sliding down his forehead, and his breathing became increasingly hurried.

No, if this continues, I'll definitely lose, Neji thought, a flash of resolve appearing in his eyes. It seems I can only use that move.

Neji drew a deep breath and planted his feet firmly on the ground.

His chakra began circulating at high speed, his entire body like a drawn bow ready to fire.

"Heavenly Rotation!"

With a low, resolute shout, Neji's body suddenly began spinning at high speed.

At first, the rotation was slow, but its speed soon surged to a level the naked eye could barely follow.

A powerful current of air rapidly spread outward from Neji as its center.

The red smokescreen that had covered the entire battlefield was swept into the whirlwind, forming a strange yet magnificent red tornado.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—" The gale howled, and the roar of rushing air echoed through the entire arena.

The spectators instinctively covered their ears, staring wide-eyed at the astonishing scene in the arena.

Even some experienced jonin could not help drawing sharp breaths, shaken by the strength Neji had displayed.

The red tornado spun faster and faster, growing larger and larger until it nearly reached the edges of the arena.

However, just as everyone thought the whirlwind would continue, it suddenly began to collapse.

Bang!

With a muffled explosion, the red smokescreen completely dispersed.

Neji reappeared in the center of the arena, still maintaining a defensive stance.

His face was full of exhaustion, yet determination still shone in his eyes.

"Su Bai, I've broken your smokescreen. Next, let's settle this in a fair and honorable fight!"