Muzan Crushes a Genin

"An absolutely brilliant battle. As expected of Kakashi."

"I actually saw a Ninja Academy student defeat a Genin!"

"Oh my god! What an incredible ninja duel!"

At that moment, Kakashi was reveling in the joy of becoming a Genin. He felt that his abilities were still superior to his brother's. Once he left the field, he would go show off in front of Muzan and make him jealous, envious, and resentful!

Suddenly, an unexpected figure stepped onto the competition field.

"Why did you come in?"

Lost in his own fantasies, Kakashi saw Muzan enter and assumed he had come to congratulate him. Before he could speak, however, he heard Muzan announce something on the spot.

"Teacher Nobi Wei, please arrange an additional match. I would also like to apply for the graduation exam and become a qualified Genin!"

As his words fell, everyone shifted their attention from Kakashi to Muzan.

Nobi Wei, seated in the stands, stared at Muzan in astonishment. Just as he was about to reject Muzan's request, an Anbu dressed in black and wearing a fox mask came to his side and produced a newly received order.

"The Hokage has approved it. Arrange Muzan's match immediately."

"What!"

Hearing the order relayed by the Anbu, Nobi Wei froze for a moment, his gaze deep as he looked at Muzan standing in the arena.

"Yes!"

When he learned that Kakashi would be taking the Genin exam, Muzan had rushed to the Hokage Building overnight. He wanted to take the graduation exam the next day as well.

"I'll say it one more time. It's not too late to withdraw now."

Nobi Wei rose to his feet, bringing an oppressive presence down upon Muzan. Yet Muzan merely nodded in silence, producing none of the effect Nobi Wei had expected.

"Of course I'm ready. Teacher Nobi Wei, please begin now."

Under the gazes of the many spectators, Nobi Wei announced the official start of Muzan's graduation exam and immediately called over a Genin.

"Since you've made your preparations, I'll have a Genin fight you."

Nobi Wei knew Muzan was highly talented, but during his time at the Ninja Academy, his performance had been rather ordinary. Most of his time had gone into Medical Ninjutsu and chakra control.

He had not undergone taijutsu training, much less practiced many offensive ninjutsu. Nobi Wei felt that Muzan was very likely to lose against an outstanding Genin.

"Little brother Muzan, I'm your opponent, Nozawa Shu."

Nozawa Shu was very polite, even making a ninja's gesture of respect. Seeing the confusion in Muzan's eyes, he immediately understood that Muzan had not noticed him before.

"I was one of those injured people. Since my wounds were relatively light, the Hokage asked me to be your examiner. But I won't go easy on you."

Having been on the battlefield, Nozawa Shu understood that if Muzan lacked the strength to become a Genin, passing him would only harm him. Therefore, he would give one hundred percent and defeat Muzan, letting him understand the gap in their strength.

"Hahaha! I never expected to run into someone I treated. If I'd known, I should've held back yesterday and left you in bed for a while."

Muzan's voice beneath the black robe sounded somewhat youthful. As he looked at the vigilant Nozawa Shu, a trace of killing intent emerged from him in the next second. The aura of an apex predator suppressed his opponent.

It actually made Nozawa Shu take a step back. His face tense, he stared at Muzan as though the child who had saved people beneath that black robe had become a savage beast.

"Get ready. I'm starting."

As his words fell, it was as though their roles had switched. Muzan became the one controlling the match.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

A massive fireball shot up from the ground, leaving behind a charred trail. It was a full size larger than an ordinary Fireball Jutsu. Nozawa Shu had no desire to take it head-on, so he used Body Flicker to leap away from its attack.

Every place scorched by the flames cracked apart,

the fractures spreading all the way to where Nozawa Shu had just landed. "Little brother Muzan, you used ninjutsu right away? On the battlefield, you must conserve chakra. Let me teach you how ninjas fight."

"Are you teaching me how to do things?"

Muzan's single sentence left Nozawa Shu speechless. He had wanted to instruct him on combat, but suddenly felt Muzan's speed surge as he appeared before him.

Crack!

Unable to react in time, Nozawa Shu could only take the blow with his body. He felt terrifying force travel from his arm throughout his entire body.

To the spectators, Nozawa Shu was sent flying in an instant, turning into smoke the moment he hit the ground.

Though Muzan's kick had struck him, Nozawa Shu had used Substitution Jutsu and Transformation Jutsu at the moment he landed, swapping positions to prevent Muzan from following up with more kicks.

"That was close..."

Without realizing it, Nozawa Shu had nearly been kicked out of the arena by Muzan. Pulling away, he looked disheveled and dusty as he stared at Muzan beneath the settling dust. This time, immense pressure surged into his heart. In that brief exchange, he had already realized that Muzan possessed Genin-level strength. If not for his lack of combat experience, he would have already been eliminated.

"As expected of Konoha's youngest medical ninja."

Muzan stopped and did not press his advantage. He took a deep breath, and the face concealed beneath his black robe trembled slightly. Even his voice became hoarse.

"If this is all you have, then I can tell you now—you're certain to lose!"

A layer of chakra appeared around Muzan's body, stimulating his cells. It resembled how the Raikage wrapped himself in lightning. Of course, Muzan's effect could not compare to the Raikage's, but the activation strength of Man-Eating Demon cells surpassed that of ordinary ninjas.

"Why is he glowing?"

"I think Muzan looks so cool right now! He's actually overwhelming a Genin! If I had that kind of strength, I could graduate early too."

"Damn Muzan! Damn Kakashi! Once I awaken my eyes, I'll definitely win back my pride!"

The students outside the arena all watched the glowing Muzan amid the dust. They did not understand what kind of attack method this was. Only Nobi Wei understood the terrifying amount of chakra in Muzan's body. He could cast C-rank ninjutsu without restraint.

"What an extraordinarily gifted kid. Nozawa Shu is in danger."

Just as Nobi Wei had said, Muzan's speed and strength on the field increased drastically. Using only taijutsu, he left Nozawa Shu unable to defend himself, forcing him into a corner. Even his clothes were reduced to rags beneath Muzan's rapid flying kicks.

The relentless attacks left Nozawa Shu trapped in a vortex, unable to launch an attack of his own. Summoning all his strength, he formed hand seals.

Earth Release: Hardening Technique!

A layer of ash-gray rock covered his body, hoping to withstand Muzan's assault. But ideals were beautiful, while reality was brutal.

At the instant he kicked Nozawa Shu flying, Muzan performed an action that made everyone cry out in shock.

One-handed hand seals!

This was something that required extraordinarily powerful chakra control. Konoha had ninjas capable of forming hand seals with one hand, but they were Jōnin! Years of combat allowed them to control chakra with precision, while Muzan relied solely on his own talent.

Wind Release: Gale Palm!