The winner, Mu Feng Uchiha!

Bzzzt-

White lightning flashed and danced along the Demon Sword, spreading through the entire water prison almost instantly.

Arcs of lightning sprang up around the water prison, while white light flickered inside it like lightning in a rainstorm.

Kisame had only just steadied himself in the rushing currents when the power of lightning poured into his body. First, his skin went numb. Then sharp pain spread through his entire body.

He opened his mouth wide, but submerged in the water prison, he could not make a sound. His entire body was paralyzed by the electricity, leaving him unable to move.

Outside, Mu Feng kept his eyes fixed on Kisame.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

Those few seconds were torture for Kisame. The ninjutsu he had taken such pride in had become his own trap, giving Mu Feng a way to defeat him quickly.

Finally, after five seconds, the effects of the Eight Gates Released Formation caught up with him. Mu Feng felt his strength drain away and could no longer concentrate on maintaining his output.

He pulled out the Demon Sword and took a step back.

The instant Mu Feng withdrew his blade, Kisame seemed to lose consciousness and sank straight toward the bottom of the water prison.

At the same time, there was a boom.

Without Kisame's chakra to sustain it, the enormous water prison burst apart, sending water surging across the arena.

A wave slammed into Mu Feng, but without chakra reinforcing it, it was only ordinary water. Mu Feng steadied himself and held his Demon Sword tightly.

The water rose past Mu Feng's chest, but he stood straight, becoming the focus of everyone's attention.

"The winner of the third round of the Chunin Ninja Exams!"

"Mu Feng Uchiha!"

At that moment, the head examiner's booming voice rang out across the arena.

The stands erupted. Every Konoha villager rose to their feet, and thunderous applause filled the examination grounds.

"Well done!"

"Hahaha, just what you'd expect from the Uchiha Clan!"

"He's incredible! Another genius!"

"Mu Feng, don't get too full of yourself! One day, I, Obito Uchiha, will surpass you!"

"Mu Feng, you're so handsome!"

"Mu Feng, you're the best!"

In the stands, those from Mu Feng's class also began applauding him.

Mu Feng stood in the center of the arena. A hundred meters away, opposite him, lay the unconscious Kisame Hoshigaki.

The aftereffects of the Eight Gates Released Formation left Konoha weakened, forcing him to gasp for breath.

Just then, a pleasant voice rang out in Mu Feng's mind.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing the mission: Chunin Ninja Exams.]

[Congratulations, host, on receiving 1,000 blackening points.]

[Ding! Main quest issued: The strongest ninja!]

[Main quest: The strongest ninja]

[Quest description: Some time has passed since the host arrived in this world. Through your own efforts and strength, you have proven that you have adapted to this world. Keep striving to survive and grow stronger until you become the strongest ninja in the entire Naruto world.]

[Quest reward 1: Lifespan +1,000 years]

[Quest reward 2: Unknown]

[Quest penalty: None]

[Note: This quest has no time limit. Completing it will unlock new system functions!]

As the system's notification ended, Mu Feng's pupils contracted slightly.

Only now did Mu Feng understand that the Chunin Ninja Exams had merely been a small test from the system. Completing this mission meant that the system had acknowledged him.

Had he failed, even though the listed penalties had included neither unbinding nor erasure, it would certainly have affected what came afterward!

Now, he had proven through his strength that he was the ninja most qualified to become a Chunin among all the participants. Barring any surprises, Mu Feng would officially become a Konoha Chunin once the Chunin Ninja Exams ended.

After all, Kakashi had already become a Chunin and was working toward becoming a Jonin.

Thunderous applause continued all around him. Several ninja cleared the water from the arena, and Namiashi Raidō walked onto the field, looking at Mu Feng warmly.

"Congratulations, Mu Feng Uchiha. You're the most outstanding participant I've ever seen in the Chunin Ninja Exams!"

Namiashi Raidō spoke with a smile.

To be honest, after seeing Kisame Hoshigaki unleash his Exploding Water Colliding Wave and Water Prison, even he had not been certain he could win. Yet Mu Feng had broken through with the powerful Eight Gates Released Formation.

What surprised Namiashi Raidō most was that even after forcibly ending the Eight Gates Released Formation, Mu Feng still had enough strength left to control his chakra and ultimately win through its elemental nature.

In this clash between a monster and a genius, Mu Feng had not even used his Sharingan despite being a member of the Uchiha Clan. That, too, surprised Namiashi Raidō.

But at that moment, he did not believe Mu Feng had yet to awaken his eyes. On the contrary, he would have been astonished if anyone told him Mu Feng had not awakened his Sharingan.

"You can get some proper rest now! The medical room is ready!"

Seeing how tired Mu Feng looked, Namiashi Raidō continued.

"How about this? I'll walk over with you!"

Hearing Namiashi Raidō's offer, Mu Feng nodded.

He could tell that Namiashi Raidō wanted to leave a good impression on him. After all, with such a dazzling performance, Mu Feng would have no trouble becoming a Jonin in the future. He might even become one of Konoha's leaders.

Building a good relationship with him now might save Raidō some trouble later. At a critical moment, someone like Mu Feng might even save his life on a mission.

Soon, Namiashi Raidō stepped forward and asked a few more questions about Mu Feng's condition to see whether he needed a stretcher.

Mu Feng said he had no trouble walking, and the two headed toward the arena's exit. On the other side, the medical team carried Kisame Hoshigaki away.

As they neared the exit, Mu Feng paused briefly and looked back at the main viewing stand.

"Stop looking. With your performance, Lord Hokage is sure to summon you later! Your strength is already far beyond a Genin's!" Namiashi Raidō said with a smile, thinking Mu Feng was worried about the Chunin Ninja Exams.

In truth, however, the system had already informed Mu Feng of the examination's result.

Nor was Mu Feng looking at Hiruzen Sarutobi. He was looking at Orochimaru, who stood a short distance from Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Mu Feng could sense that Orochimaru was watching him as well.

Without lingering any longer, Mu Feng left the arena. Some spectators were still absorbed in the match they had just witnessed, while others had already begun leaving.

In the main viewing stand, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched Mu Feng at the arena's exit as he smoked, then sent someone to summon Orochimaru.

"Sensei!"

Orochimaru's voice was as resonant as ever. At this point, master and student had not yet fallen out.

"Orochimaru! What did you think of this year's Chunin Ninja Exams?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Orochimaru.

"There were indeed a few promising ninja, especially Mu Feng Uchiha," Orochimaru said without reservation. "Sensei, I heard Mu Feng Uchiha only just graduated from the Ninja Academy and doesn't have a teacher yet!"

"Oh, you want to take him as your student?" Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Orochimaru a suspicious look.