The Power of the Pills

That dark purple, pill-shaped hidden weapon actually vanished while flying toward Neji Hyuga.

What was going on?

Neji Hyuga was clearly stunned by this sudden turn of events.

His Byakugan could even see through the internal structure of that hidden weapon.

Yet he could not figure out why it had suddenly disappeared.

It definitely was not a genjutsu.

Neji Hyuga instinctively looked at Ye Fan.

The first thing he saw was Ye Fan's smug expression, as though everything happening before him had been within Ye Fan's expectations.

Neji Hyuga did not dare let down his guard. He hurriedly gathered more chakra into his eyes, gaining even greater perception.

Although he still failed to find the vanished hidden weapon, he caught a strange scent at that moment.

The smell was difficult to describe and slightly pungent.

Frowning, Neji Hyuga determined that the scent was coming from midair.

It was most likely related to the hidden weapon that had just vanished.

He was not the only one to smell it. Everyone in the stands could smell it clearly as well.

"What a strange smell. It's kind of like pepper powder stir-fried with moldy mushrooms."

Tenten wrinkled her nose and spoke thoughtfully.

"Tenten, you're the best at using hidden weapons. What exactly was that strange little ball just now? Did you see how it disappeared?"

Rock Lee was focused on something else. He was still pondering the hidden weapon that had suddenly vanished.

"I've never seen it before. It felt like it evaporated in midair."

Tenten answered casually.

On the stands across from them, Kiba Inuzuka said excitedly,

"Is Ye Fan finally getting started? I can't wait!"

"Kiba, do you know something?"

Shino Aburame could not help asking.

The scent drifting through the air had even made the chakra insects within his body somewhat restless.

Kiba Inuzuka grinned and said,

"On the way here, Ye Fan mentioned that he would use scent to limit the Byakugan. I think Ye Fan has started making his move."

"Through scent?"

Shino Aburame looked utterly incredulous.

He had made several guesses before, but he had never imagined that scent could limit the Byakugan.

If word got out, people would probably laugh at it.

"Ye Fan didn't explain exactly how he would do it, but I think we'll find out soon enough," Kiba Inuzuka said with a smile.

"But can it really be done? Neji Hyuga's Byakugan doesn't seem to have been affected."

As Shino Aburame spoke, he turned his gaze toward Hanabi Hyuga beside him.

Hanabi Hyuga was also using her Byakugan.

She wanted to see every detail of the fight clearly.

Her Byakugan did not seem to have been affected either.

Just as many people were wondering what Ye Fan intended to do, Ye Fan's voice suddenly rang out with tremendous volume.

"Everyone, forgive me."

With a smile on his lips, Ye Fan flipped his wrist and produced several red pills the size of ping-pong balls.

In an instant.

Everyone's eyes turned toward the small red pills in Ye Fan's hand.

What was this supposed to be?

"Kiba, why is Ye Fan apologizing to everyone?" Hinata Hyuga asked curiously.

Kiba Inuzuka froze at the question, then realized the same thing.

Yeah, why had Ye Fan said something like that? That wasn't like him!

The answer was soon revealed!

Ye Fan tossed the red pills in his hand.

He did not throw them at Neji Hyuga. Instead, he threw them at the ground.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Like firecrackers, the red pills exploded the moment they touched the ground, releasing large amounts of red gas.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Ye Fan threw another handful of red pills onto the ground.

In an instant, the entire hall was shrouded in red gas.

"Cough, cough! Ye... Ye Fan, what... what are you doing...?"

Iruka's hoarse, pained voice rang out.

After all, he was in the arena and was the first to experience the power of the gas.

"Bastard!"

That was followed by Neji Hyuga's furious yet helpless voice.

At first, the people in the stands did not understand what was happening.

But when the red gas spread to where they were.

They inhaled only the slightest amount, yet a fierce burning sensation instantly ignited their nasal passages. Breathing became difficult, and tears began streaming down their faces uncontrollably.

"Everyone, hold your breath!"

No one knew who shouted it.

Holding their breath did work. The burning in their chests weakened, though their noses still felt terrible and their tears kept flowing.

"Everyone, close your eyes! This mist burns!"

Someone else shouted.

Under the red gas, they could not even see one another clearly. Keeping their eyes open was painful enough.

It felt as though someone had thrown chili powder directly into their eyes.

Their own tears alone were enough to blur their vision.

Now they finally understood how Ye Fan intended to limit the Byakugan.

Forget the Byakugan. Anyone with eyeballs was probably being limited.

Damn it!

That was too vicious!

What a despicable move!

Was that why he had apologized earlier?

Inside the enclosed hall, the irritating smell lingered for a long time.

If only someone among them knew a Wind Release Technique. Then they could blow the smell away.

While everyone suffered from tears, coughing, difficulty breathing, and countless other symptoms, Ye Fan's voice sounded again.

"Sorry for making everyone suffer, but don't worry. This isn't poison and there won't be any aftereffects. Drink more water and breathe fresh air. The symptoms will disappear soon."

Ye Fan's voice was still as loud and clear as ever, making everyone wonder:

How was that bastard completely unaffected?

"...Everyone, go outside first. The make-up... cough, cough... exam is over..."

Iruka's hoarse voice came through. Though they could not see his condition, he clearly was not doing well.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Everyone began rushing out of the hall.

If they stayed any longer, they would probably choke to death!

Once outside, their conditions finally eased somewhat.

Like fish out of water, they gasped for air while tears continued pouring from their eyes.

Gradually, their vision returned.

They looked at one another, each person more miserable than the last.

Before long, Neji Hyuga ran out as well.

His eyes were tightly shut, and the corners of his eyes and his nose were red. Like everyone else, he gasped for breath.

Then Iruka came out too.

His eyes were shut as well, and he coughed while his nose ran. His image as a teacher was completely ruined.

By then, the people who had come out first had gradually recovered. When they noticed that Ye Fan had not appeared, they all became curious.

"Where is Senior Ye Fan?"

Hanabi Hyuga was the first to speak.

Ignoring the burning sensation in her eyes, she used her Byakugan once more, wanting to see how Ye Fan was doing inside.

To her surprise.

Her Byakugan showed her a bizarre scene!