One of Konoha's Trump Cards

The battle raged on.

Everyone's eyes were glued to the ongoing fight.

Facing Yue, Ryuzaki Hyuga was putting up Konoha's best performance. With the advantage of the Byakugan's unobstructed vision, all of Yue's attacks were blocked by Ryuzaki, who even managed to counter-attack. This forced Yue to change his moves or dodge the moment they were close.

However, judging by Ryuzaki's panting appearance, his stamina was also greatly depleted.

It was not easy.

After a moment, Ryuzaki stood in place, spread his hands, and assumed a stance, breathing heavily without making a rash move.

Meanwhile, after retreating, Yue began to walk in a circle around the Hyuga Clan members.

"The trick of hidden weapons is completely useless against him..."

"Moreover, no matter from which angle I attack, he can see it. His eyes can also observe the flow of chakra within my body, allowing for predictive judgments on Ninjutsu activation. Not only Ninjutsu, but my internal meridians and acupoints are all clearly visible... which also allows him to keenly capture my limb movements."

"The most dangerous is his Gentle Fist... Purely physical strength alone cannot defend against this method of directly injecting chakra into the enemy's body. To some extent, it practically ignores physical defense, possessing built-in armor penetration."

"Combined with his eyes, once I'm hit, every blow is fatal."

Yue analyzed, a smile creeping onto his lips.

As expected... this Kekkei Genkai, famous throughout the ninja world and suited for direct combat, is the most troublesome.

The situation seemed to have reached a stalemate.

Based on their situations, although Ryuzaki was expending a huge amount of stamina, Yue also seemed hesitant to attack rashly for the moment.

But when the spectators saw the smile on Yue's face, a sense of foreboding arose.

Yue understood the Hyuga Clan too well.

Or rather, he was intimately familiar with most of Konoha's clan techniques.

The reason he created this stalemate was to manufacture a false impression, showcasing his prowess in analyzing opponent information. Otherwise, if he had immediately demonstrated overwhelming advantage against the Byakugan from the start, it would undoubtedly make outsiders question why someone from the Grass Village knew so much about the Hyuga Clan.

Yue didn't want to reveal too much.

Ryuzaki Hyuga's strength was still quite weak. Although he had the enhancement of his dōjutsu, his other aspects were lacking by more than just a little.

The best way to deal with the Hyuga Clan was to utilize the versatility of Ninjutsu... to achieve victory through long-range attacks or to restrain his movement.

But Yue planned to use the simplest, most direct method.

And the most brutal.

He intended to "outlast" Ryuzaki Hyuga to death.

"Although you can block all my attacks, it seems... the pressure you're enduring is no ordinary amount," Yue suddenly stopped and gave Ryuzaki Hyuga a strange smile.

Then, he instantly vanished from his spot.

"Behind you!"

Ryuzaki's pupils constricted. He spun around abruptly and swung a palm towards the approaching Yue.

Yue slightly turned his head, letting the palm graze his cheek, and then, using his explosive power and speed, he shifted his position again.

A dark shadow continuously appeared around Ryuzaki Hyuga. Yue increased the frequency and rhythm of his attacks, his offensive a veritable storm. Hitting the target wasn't Yue's primary objective; he wanted to force Ryuzaki to constantly counter or defend, thereby expending very little of his own energy.

He could also easily evade the opponent's killing blows.

However, due to the accelerated rhythm of his attacks, Ryuzaki's stamina began to be strained further.

Yue's experience and physical condition were still a significant distance ahead of Ryuzaki's.

Due to his understanding of the Hyuga Clan, even without being a member, Yue could discern Ryuzaki's current shortcomings – there were too many! To give the most obvious example, every Gentle Fist counter-attack aimed at harming him seemed to have no regard for chakra conservation, as if he couldn't control it subtly, always aiming to turn the tide in one decisive blow.

Instead of preparing for a prolonged engagement, he was focused on making effective attacks.

Even if the chakra used in the Gentle Fist was "contracted" to a certain extent, the move's effect would still be present, and Yue still wouldn't face it head-on.

Therefore, if Yue were to be hit, he would still be injured.

If Ryuzaki's ability allowed him to release contracted chakra the moment he confirmed a hit, causing the Gentle Fist's power to surge in an instant, that would be perfect.

Unfortunately, Ryuzaki at this stage couldn't achieve such chakra manipulation techniques, nor did he possess the skill or technique for such Gentle Fist execution.

Yes... in Yue's mind, he even simulated the optimal combat plan from Ryuzaki's perspective.

After several minutes of this back-and-forth, the veins in Ryuzaki's eye sockets, which had been bulging, finally returned to normal. He was drenched in sweat and could barely stand.

Yue knew the time had come.

In an instant, he bent low, like a swift leopard baring its fangs at its prey.

A simple jab was driven into Ryuzaki's abdomen.

As his wrist twisted.

The flesh on Ryuzaki's stomach rotated along with it.

His entire back was pushed upwards.

Then, his legs gave out, and he knelt directly before Yue.

"Next."

Yue slowly straightened his back and repeated.

"Lost again..."

Someone murmured.

The relay match continued, and the next participant was from the Hyuga Clan, who had defeated Ryuga.

Although their clan's secret techniques appeared powerful, such as the Four Legs Technique, Beast Human Clone, or Piercing Fang, Yue found them far less difficult to deal with than Kekkei Genkai like the Byakugan. Techniques like Piercing Fang, while powerful and fast, lacked variation. As long as the timing was right, they could be countered.

Therefore, Yue won without taking much time.

"Next."

This participant was from the Nara Clan, named Shiobi Nara.

During their exchange, it was evident that this person was intelligent and employed a bit of cunning.

But it was no use; a loss was still a loss.

His exit from the stage was even quicker than the Hyuga Clan's.

This was because he conceded directly.

He was the only one to raise his hand and surrender so far, as he realized Yue was extremely wary of shadow secret techniques and was constantly seeking opportunities to engage him up close, creating an overwhelming sense of pressure.

He didn't leave him any openings.

Ultimately, after weighing his options and personally testing the waters, Shiobi Nara determined he had no chance of winning and simply surrendered.

This saved him from being carried away by the medical team like the previous participants.

"Next."

"Next."

As time slowly passed, Yue's 'piercing' and indifferent voice continuously echoed in the silent arena.

One by one, the Konoha Rookies were 'sent off' the stage.

Even Obito Uchiha fell silent.

The Jonin from Grass Village felt numb...

They wondered when Yue would stop this 'atrocity' against the Konoha Rookies.

It truly was an atrocity... because, based on the level Yue had displayed so far, he was dominant against Konoha's current generation.

The ones who lasted the longest against him were Ryuzaki Hyuga and the person from the Aburame Clan.

It should be noted that the Aburame Clan member fought Yue for the longest duration, a full fifteen minutes, and was the only opponent to force Yue to use a Fire Style Ninjutsu. Primarily, the Aburame Clan's secret techniques were too bizarre and difficult to defend against, requiring extreme caution in both close combat and at range.

If those insects weren't burned... it was too dangerous.

The Aburame Clan member was arguably the only one who managed to elicit a bit more from Yue.

Of course, during the intervals between his victories, Yue didn't forget to put on a show of 'acting.'

He demonstrated that his knowledge and understanding of various secret techniques and Kekkei Genkai were acquired and analyzed on the spot, leading him to adopt different offensive strategies... rather than knowing them from the start.

Otherwise, it would be hard not to arouse suspicion from the Konoha shinobi.

He was just a Genin from Grass Village, and a child... Yue wasn't afraid of Hiruzen Sarutobi or Minato harboring any ill intentions, but the problem was, if the matter spread and people like Danzō found out, then things might not be so simple.

"What do you think?"

Minato Namikaze leaned close to Kakashi and asked softly.

"Very strong. His on-the-spot reactions and combat thinking are astonishing."

"He seems to find the key to victory against everyone he fights in an extremely short amount of time."

"He quickly analyzes and summarizes all the abilities his opponents display."

"His strength isn't just external; it's also in his mind," Kakashi said with a solemn expression.

"He's not even serious yet..."

Suddenly, Minato smiled.

"From what I know of him, although we've only met once before, ... based on his performance so far, Yue has only used basic or support-type Ninjutsu. Except when facing the Aburame Clan, where he revealed a Fire Style, the rest... he mostly won through powerful Taijutsu, combat experience, and strategy. Haven't you noticed? His aura is still very stable, and he shows no signs of fatigue. This indicates that his vitality, whether it's his recovery, personal energy, or willpower, is too strong compared to others of his generation."

"He's from the Fuma Clan, so I believe using Taijutsu with his bare hands is quite amateurish for him. What he truly excels at should be some sort of ninja tools... At least, when I saw him serious, he was holding a sword."

"His Chakra reserves are also astonishing."

"An opponent who is outstanding in every aspect, do you think... his proficiency in Ninjutsu and the techniques he cultivates would be low?"

"You're making him sound too perfect... like he's a perfect ninja with no weaknesses."

At this point, Kakashi was, after all, still a child and felt a bit unconvinced.

"In our eyes, or in the eyes of those superior to him, he's full of weaknesses," Minato replied. "But to you, he's almost perfect, so naturally, there are weaknesses, it just depends on whether you can discover and find them."

"He still has many abilities he hasn't shown..."

Saying this, the smile vanished from Minato's face, and he calmly looked down at Yue. "You must have also sensed it, Kakashi. The reason I didn't let you go first and persuaded Lord Hokage to invite Yue to Konoha was to warn you all. Becoming an excellent ninja isn't as simple as you think."

"The ninja world... it's the same."

"Although you lost, this was a complete growth opportunity for you."

"I deeply respected your father. Even though the village constantly criticized him, I truly respected him... He was an outstanding ninja, truly outstanding, very outstanding. Not many people shared my view."

"He gave you this chakra short sword hoping you would surpass him one day. Do you understand?"

"He believed you could do it. Not just him, I believe it too... and so does the Hokage."

"Step out of the shadow of his passing... You need to look forward, inherit his will, and prove to everyone, to the village, that this is what he would have wanted!" Minato suddenly patted Kakashi's head and smiled faintly, "Otherwise, if you delay too long, it won't be good... Look at the opponent you're about to face, look at Yue. Be careful not to fall too far behind, or it will be hard to catch up in the future."

"Kakashi..."

Minato took a deep breath and stared at Yue.

"This might sound a bit inappropriate, but my intuition tells me that if your generation doesn't push themselves, at least in the future ninja world after you've grown, this Fuma Yue will always stand above you."

Abruptly, Minato smiled again, his serious tone lightening, "Actually, forget about you guys. Looking at Yue, even I feel a bit pressured..."

"..."

Kakashi's eyes twitched, and he fell silent.

This was the first time Minato had said something like this to him.

It had indeed touched his heart.

Kakashi turned his stiff neck and looked at Fuma Yue, who was still standing alone proudly in the arena.

He then lowered his gaze to the chakra short sword in his hand, the heirloom his father had given him.

His thoughts drifted to the memories of his father when he was still alive.

And to some words his father had once told him.

Although his father's death was partly due to the village, his father's heart truly belonged to Konoha.

The title "Konoha White Fang" was at its peak, even the Sannin had to give way.

At that time, Kagami Uchiha was a genuine "Konoha Killing God" on the battlefield.

In the arena, as the medical team carried away another person, Yue's gaze flickered towards Minato and Kakashi's position.

He saw their interaction.

And the glance directed at him.

"Father, can I go now?!"

"It's time, Kai! I believe in you! Go, defeat your opponent, and have a thrilling battle, a clash that belongs only to men."

"This is the collision of friendship and passion between passionate men!"

"It's the best proof of youth and passion!"

"Whether you win or lose, as long as you give your all and have no regrets! The future you will thank yourself today, and remember this beautiful moment!"

"Yes, Father!"

Yue's gaze was still on Minato and Kakashi when he suddenly heard two loud voices from a distance. He instinctively closed his eyes and frowned.

He found it a bit noisy.

With a cold expression, he looked towards the source of the sound.

It was Might Duy and Kai, father and son, shouting as if they had been injected with chicken blood.

In fact, Yue had noticed Might Guy a long time ago. After all, besides Kakashi, Yue considered Guy to be the greatest threat.

Perhaps... he had even surpassed Kakashi.

Guy's current level was unknown to Yue.

It was hard to determine.

However, from the beginning, this father and son pair had been training on the spot without stopping, as if they had hyperactive disorder.

One moment they were doing crazy sit-ups, the next push-ups, or handstands.

They were quite 'unique'.

And a bit out of sync with everyone else, and with this venue.

"Oho."

Kai let out a strange cry, as if he had reached his peak condition through a series of warm-ups and exercises.

He leaped up, flipping his body in mid-air, and landed steadily.

It was clear that he was feeling exceptionally good at the moment.

Even after Yue had defeated a group of his companions, it seemed to have had no effect on him whatsoever.

His eyes were full of confidence, and he wore a smile.

On the other hand, Yue's expression, besides being cold, also showed a rare hint of disdain.

He actually quite liked Guy and Rock Lee before, but after actually interacting with them, he realized... people like this could be quite annoying at times.

Regardless of the situation, his lack of tact and tendency to do as he pleased.

The main issue was how loud he was… constantly shouting.

Perhaps he would be better when he grew up, with a bit more composure.

But as a child, he was no different from a megaphone.

Rock Lee's situation might be considerably better, as his personality was somewhat different from Guy's.

But Might Guy… was tru