Making a Name 4 (New Book, Please Add to Bookshelf)

Facing Tomu's frenzied assault, Kakashi did his best to evade, minimizing the stamina drained by head-on clashes.

He was completely unlike his usual aggressive attacking style.

In the preparation area, Inuzuka Kawa and Aburame Haru watched with puzzled expressions. Not far away, Kitsuchi also frowned slightly.

"Why has this guy suddenly become a different person?"

Even with his speed and reactions enhanced across the board, Tomu was only barely a match for Kakashi. Thus, in this pursuit battle, Tomu failed to achieve the outcome he wanted.

Once more than thirty percent of his Senjutsu energy had been consumed, Kakashi had successfully stalled for over four minutes.

Tomu, who had been lively and imposing just a second earlier, seemed as if someone had pressed a pause button.

Then, his chakra cloak dissipated, his face instantly turned pale, and after trembling for a moment, he collapsed to the ground.

This was the standard symptom of overuse—exceeding the limits his body could bear.

The Hidden Cloud Village examiner watching from the side had been waiting for this.

He appeared between the two at once. After announcing the winner, he directed the medical ninja to take Tomu away for treatment and rest.

Afterward, the chief examiner announced that all matches for that morning had concluded.

At three in the afternoon, the final trial of the third round would begin.

The five contestants who had advanced through the first two rounds would engage in a chaotic free-for-all to determine the champion of this year's Chunin Ninja Exams.

The five contestants were Kitsuchi of Stone Village, Kakashi of Konoha, Ross and Asui of Kumogakure, and Kiyoshi Hozuki of Kirigakure.

This was a final lineup that left everyone happy. At the very least, the various daimyos present could all save face.

It was nearly noon now. Kakashi and the other four contestants rested in the preparation area, adjusting their condition.

The other eliminated contestants had already been asked to take seats in the stands.

At this moment, Aburame Haru and Inuzuka Kawa were sitting with Shimura Ran in the stands.

After spending this time together, Kawa and Haru had never felt inclined to initiate a conversation with Shimura Ran.

Unexpectedly, Shimura Ran was the one to speak first today.

"You performed well. Although you didn't make it into the final round."

He paused there.

"What a pity. You've been graduated for less than a year." Shimura Ran smiled softly, seemingly thinking of something.

It was the first time Kawa and Haru had seen Shimura Ran smile. After a brief daze, Inuzuka Kawa answered.

"Uh, thank you for the praise, Teacher Shimura."

Upon hearing him, Shimura Ran gave another insincere smile before falling silent.

Then he stood first and led them toward the dining area reserved for contestants and their team leaders.

In the preparation area, the two Kumogakure ninja sat together.

After his teammate had left, Kitsuchi moved over to sit with Kakashi.

The only one alone was Kiyoshi Hozuki of Kirigakure, who sat silently in a corner.

"For the match later, let's join forces and drive them out first. Then we can each rely on our own abilities. How about it?"

Kitsuchi offered his suggestion.

As expected, Kakashi agreed without hesitation. Then he glanced at Kiyoshi Hozuki in the corner.

Understanding Kakashi's intent, Kitsuchi smiled faintly and nodded in approval.

After whispering among themselves for a while, the two Kumogakure ninja sent Ross as their representative to quietly negotiate with Kiyoshi Hozuki.

No one knew the specifics of their discussion, but it was nothing more than joining forces to defeat Kakashi and Kitsuchi first.

Based on the abilities displayed so far, Kitsuchi was the strongest, followed by Kakashi.

The result apparently had not been ideal. Ross returned to Asui with a somewhat regretful expression.

"That Mist ninja refused. He's probably afraid that after we take out the Konoha and Stone Village guys, we'll gang up on him two against one."

Asui was equally helpless upon hearing this. If they could first eliminate Kakashi and Kitsuchi, then the two Kumogakure ninja would definitely join forces against Kiyoshi Hozuki.

Everyone understood that perfectly well. It was also the barrier preventing both sides from cooperating.

But an even more obvious fact lay before them: if Kiyoshi Hozuki did not cooperate with them, then if they stood by and watched, he would definitely be eliminated by Kakashi and Kitsuchi at the first opportunity.

"He said he'll try his best to help us, but how much he'll help depends on the circumstances." Ross finally told Asui the result of the negotiation.

"It'll have to do."

Time passed quickly, and it was soon nearly three in the afternoon.

The five contestants had long since taken their positions in the arena, waiting for the match to begin.

Three o'clock sharp!

Gong!

"The match begins!"

The five people in the arena instantly split into three positions.

The two Kumogakure ninja stood close together, holding fast to the northwest corner of the field.

Kiyoshi Hozuki of Kirigakure stood alone in the southwest corner, far from everyone else.

Kakashi and Kitsuchi were skilled and bold, remaining where they stood in the center of the field.

"Then I'll make the first move!"

After exchanging a glance with Kakashi, Kitsuchi charged at Kiyoshi Hozuki first.

The spectators from the Land of Water were indignant at the sight, yet they could do nothing about it.

Even they could see that in this match, their own ninja was the one in the greatest danger and most likely to be eliminated.

To show their sincerity in cooperating, the two Kumogakure ninja naturally would not stand idly by.

The instant Ross saw Kitsuchi move, he cast a ninjutsu, intending to disrupt Kitsuchi's attack.

Lightning Release: Gratitude Wave!

Two whips formed from lightning gathered beside Ross and swiftly took shape.

Just as the lightning whips swung toward Kitsuchi, Kakashi, who had moved later but arrived first, appeared in the path of the ninjutsu.

Ninja Art: Earth-Flow Wall!

A thick Earth Wall rapidly rose from the ground, blocking the lightning whips.

Ross looked at the raised wall, which even bore several dog-head carvings, with a hint of disdain.

In theory, Lightning Release countered Earth Release. Kakashi's Earth Wall could at most block one of his lightning whips, while the second could still interfere afterward.

But Ross did not know that Kakashi's Earth Wall was not made from pure chakra-based Earth Release.

It was an Earth Wall created using Senjutsu energy.

The subtle differences in appearance were impossible to spot, but its internal structure was entirely different.

Boom! Boom!

Two successive explosions rang out. Ross's Gratitude Wave failed even to pierce Kakashi's Earth Wall, let alone destroy it.

Caught off guard, Ross and Asui missed the best opportunity to rescue Kiyoshi Hozuki through their carelessness.

Kiyoshi Hozuki, already entangled by Kitsuchi, was suffering bitterly.

Kitsuchi's solid Jonin-level foundation beat Kiyoshi Hozuki into a desperate scramble. He even abandoned the standard Mist Village long blade.

He had no choice but to use a life-saving measure.

Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique! Having learned the Silent Killing Technique, Kiyoshi Hozuki had not wanted to reveal his trump card this early.

The Mist Concealment Technique consumed far too much chakra for Chunin and Genin. It was generally only used when launching a final attack.

Unfortunately, if he did not use it now, he might be eliminated. With so many spectators watching, he was still Mist Village's last seed contestant.

If he were eliminated right at the start, he would probably be nailed to the pillar of shame.