Genius of the Hidden Rock Village

After all, although Zhi Ge was exceptionally gifted, he was still a newcomer who had only just begun to make a name for himself.

Wen He of the Hidden Rock Village, however, was the prized disciple of Wen Ya, a Jonin of the Hidden Rock Village!

It was said that he had long possessed the strength of a Chunin. The only reason he had not been promoted

was that he had constantly been carrying out dangerous missions, which had delayed his advancement!

"What a pity! Zhi Ge actually drew such an unlucky lot! No matter the outcome, the gap between them is destined to be an uncrossable chasm!"

A trace of disappointment flashed through Iruka's eyes.

"Though this Zhi Ge has decent talent, his temperament is far too arrogant. If this continues, Zhi Ge will definitely be the one to suffer!"

Another Jonin shook his head, his face equally full of helplessness.

"All we can do is accept it! If Zhi Ge's life is in danger, I will step in and stop the match!"

Iruka sighed. Zhi Ge and Naruto were both newcomers, and they had many similarities. Naturally, Iruka did not want to see Zhi Ge come to harm.

"Rumble!"

At that moment, a tremendous roar suddenly erupted from the fighting platform.

The battle between Zhi Ge and Wen He had begun!

"That intense already!"

"This Zhi Ge truly deserves to be called a newly risen ninja. He can actually match Wen He from the very start."

The people on the viewing platform cried out in surprise, their gazes fixed on the battle below.

In this fight, Zhi Ge and Wen He engaged in close-quarters taijutsu combat!

Zhi Ge was incredibly fast. As his arms swung, Rubber Straight Punches swept toward Wen He like a raging storm!

Wen He clenched both fists and continuously met his attacks, blocking every strike!

Seeing this, everyone on the viewing platform silently praised him.

This was talent!

Although Zhi Ge was far younger than Wen He, this level of strength was already enough to make him a genius of his generation!

"Hmph! So what if he has talent? Strength is the only standard for a ninja!"

Wen He sneered, stomped his foot, and shot toward Zhi Ge like a cannonball!

"Bang!"

Zhi Ge braced himself with both hands and sprang into the air, evading Wen He's attack. At the same time, he drove a heavy punch into Wen He's abdomen.

"Aaaagh!"

Wen He let out a miserable scream. Blood spilled from his mouth as he staggered back several steps, his face instantly turning pale!

"How could this happen!?"

Wen He's face was filled with disbelief.

"Hah!"

Just as Wen He was struggling to believe it, Zhi Ge suddenly sneered.

In the next instant, Zhi Ge bent his legs slightly and used Rubber Launch, kicking fiercely against the fighting platform. He shot upward again, countless fist shadows forming in his palms as they rained down madly upon Wen He.

"Boom, boom, boom!!!"

Wave after wave of fist force smashed brutally toward Wen He.

"You only know these flashy tricks! Earth Release! Earth-Style Wall!!!"

Wen He shouted, his hands rapidly forming seals. A yellow earthen wall immediately rose around him, firmly protecting him within. No matter how Zhi Ge attacked, he could not harm Wen He in the slightest!

Seeing his attacks blocked by the Earth-Style Wall, Zhi Ge did not lose heart. Instead, he moved his feet and sprang up again!

"Rubber Power Whip Kick!!!"

Zhi Ge let out a low roar, pressed his palms together, and kicked fiercely at the ground.

"Rumble!"

Cracks spread across the floor. Then his elongated left leg burst from the earth and swept toward Wen He!

"Not bad for a remnant of the Uchiha Clan. You really are formidable!"

Watching the whip kick sweep toward him, Wen He could not help nodding to himself.

"But this is nothing to me!"

As he spoke, he gritted his teeth and waved both hands. Before him, a massive net formed from rock suddenly appeared!

"Earth Release! Giant Rock Mending Net!!!"

"Boom!"

The whip kick slammed viciously into the giant net with a thunderous crash.

Then the net shook violently.

Though Zhi Ge's strength was formidable, the giant net was exceptionally sturdy as well.

"Boom, boom, boom, boom!!!"

The whip kick struck the giant net again and again, making it tremble nonstop!

Seeing that his defense was completely unafraid of Zhi Ge's attacks, Wen He finally breathed a sigh of relief!

But in the next moment, Zhi Ge suddenly leaped into the air!

Then he forcefully pressed both hands downward, kicked out with both legs again, and stomped toward the giant net!

"Rubber Twin-Barrel Rocket Launcher!!!"

"Crash!"

With a deafening blast, the giant net shattered. Wen He was sent flying by Zhi Ge's legs and slammed heavily onto the fighting platform!

"Pfft!"

Wen He spat out a mouthful of blood, his face growing even paler.

"How is that possible!? He actually broke Wen He's Earth Release!"

"How did he do that!?"

Iruka and the other four Jonin all widened their eyes.

They all knew that the Earth Release Wen He had used was an exceptionally profound technique from the Hidden Rock Village, with power comparable to an Elite Jonin's full-force strike.

Yet this Earth Release ninjutsu had only lasted a brief five seconds beneath Zhi Ge's assault before being completely crushed!

Such terrifying strength was utterly beyond their expectations!

"Hahaha!"

Seeing this, Zhi Ge suddenly burst into laughter.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Wen He climbed to his feet and glared at Zhi Ge, his eyes filled with fury!

"Stop wasting time! I have little patience! I don't have time to keep playing with you!"

Zhi Ge sneered, took a step forward, and attacked Wen He again!

"You're just a remnant of a fallen lineage! How dare you put on airs in front of me! Earth Release! Heaven-Dropped Clay!!!"

"Boom, boom, boom!"

With Wen He's furious shout, a stream of viscous liquid fell from the ceiling and, in the blink of an eye, wrapped Zhi Ge within it!

Zhi Ge kept striking the clay with both hands, trying to free them, but it was completely futile!

"Weren't you so arrogant? Keep acting arrogant!"

Wen He looked at Zhi Ge, tightly restrained by the clay, with a mocking smile in his eyes. Then he raised a hand.

"Seal!!!"

In an instant, Zhi Ge's limbs were all bound by the clay, trapping his entire body within it!

"With this, what right do you have to act so arrogant!?"

"Hahaha!"

As Wen He spoke, he walked toward Zhi Ge, who was tightly entangled in clay, his eyes brimming with murderous intent!

"This is bad! I never expected that kid from the Hidden Rock Village to know such a complex Earth Release technique! His strength has already far surpassed that of an ordinary Chunin!"

The many Jonin watching the battle

all showed slight changes in expression.

"Even an Elite Jonin would probably need some time to break this Earth Release ninjutsu, right?"

"Zhi Ge may be strong, but he is still a newcomer who has only recently returned to the village. He definitely isn't Wen He's match!"

"This time, Zhi Ge is likely in grave danger!"

"Ah... what a pity! One of our Konoha Village's rare young talents actually ended up facing Wen He!"