Withdrawing from the competition!

Lightning Release Rasengan... it was said to be extremely unstable in nature and immensely powerful, but also extremely risky.

"It could be a direction for future research."

Besides ninjutsu, he had not stopped practicing the [Six Powers], either.

Especially [Soru] and [Geppo].

Combining [Soru]'s high-speed movement with the [Body Flicker Technique] that ninja were already adept at had greatly improved his short-range bursts of speed. He was gradually getting a feel for using the two together, and his speed kept increasing.

Practicing [Geppo] was more difficult. Forcibly creating footholds in midair to move demanded tremendous stamina and skill. For now, he could only manage a few steps over a short distance, far from being able to use it proficiently.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

The eagerly anticipated third stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams-the official matches-had finally arrived.

The newly built, enormous arena in the center of Konoha was packed, with every seat filled.

The daimyo of the Land of Fire, envoys from various countries, and the villagers of Konoha had all gathered there.

In the stands, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat beside Orochimaru, who was disguised as the Fourth Kazekage. Around them were Konoha's jonin and ANBU members.

Ye Chuan stood calmly in a corner.

"Are you ready, Ye Chuan?"

Hinata walked over to him and asked, a little nervous. Her opponent was Naruto Uzumaki.

Ye Chuan glanced at her and suddenly said, "Hinata, I'm not planning to take part in my match."

"Huh?!" Hinata's eyes widened in surprise. "Wh-why?"

"No particular reason." Ye Chuan's tone was even. "I just don't think there's any need."

His opponent was Kankuro from Sunagakure.

According to the original storyline, Kankuro would most likely forfeit to preserve his strength and puppets for the Konoha Crush Plan.

Even if he did not forfeit, what would beating him accomplish?

After the match with Sasuke, Orochimaru would launch his plan, interrupting the entire exam. There was no way it would reach the next round.

The finals of the Chunin Ninja Exams were less a competition than a performance, a stage for showing potential.

Without fighting, he could not demonstrate his strength, and naturally, he could not be promoted to chunin.

Since that was the case, the result would be the same whether he competed or not.

Why waste his energy and reveal more of his strength ahead of time?

"You're really not competing?"

Hinata looked at Ye Chuan in surprise, not understanding why he would make this decision at the last moment.

"Yes." Ye Chuan nodded.

He looked at Hinata, a hint of seriousness entering his eyes.

"Be careful in your upcoming match."

"Not just of your opponent, Naruto Uzumaki. Be even more careful of... anything unexpected that might happen."

"Remember, protecting yourself is what matters most."

He knew that, with Hinata's current strength, the sleep-inducing genjutsu that would cover the entire arena probably would not affect her.

As for her match with Naruto...

Ye Chuan guessed that, given Hinata's personality, even if she could win, she probably would not actually strike hard.

And Naruto was notoriously relentless. By the end of the fight, Hinata would most likely concede on her own.

So he was not worried about the match itself. What worried him was... the impending chaos.

"Something unexpected?"

Hinata was a little puzzled, but seeing Ye Chuan's serious expression, she still nodded solemnly.

"I... I understand, Ye Chuan. You be careful, too."

"I know what I'm doing." With that, Ye Chuan lingered no longer. He turned and left the arena.

As the chief examiner, Gekko Hayate, announced the official start of the finals, cheers rose throughout the arena.

"Now, the first round of the third stage of the Chunin Ninja Exams!"

Gekko Hayate cleared his throat and read out the matchup in a loud voice.

"Will Kankuro of Sunagakure and Ye Chuan of Konoha please assemble in the arena!"

Carrying his Puppet Crow on his back, Kankuro walked into the arena somewhat reluctantly.

He had never intended to fight this match anyway.

Was this some kind of joke?

His opponent was that freak who had sent Gaara flying with a single kick in the Forest of Death!

He had no desire to go out there and get thrashed. Preserving his strength for the coming plan was what mattered.

But just as he was about to announce his forfeit, something unexpected happened.

"Since Ye Chuan of Konoha has failed to arrive within the allotted time..."

Gekko Hayate glanced at the empty other side of the arena and announced directly:

"This match is awarded to Kankuro of Sunagakure... by default!"

"Huh???" Kankuro froze.

He was not the only one. Temari and Gaara in the stands looked equally stunned.

Baki, the jonin leading the Sunagakure team, frowned deeply.

On Konoha's side, Hinata and Kiba Inuzuka exchanged puzzled looks. Several jonin were also quite surprised.

"What's going on? That kid named Ye Chuan actually forfeited outright?"

Asuma was a little disappointed. He had wanted to see what this dark horse could do.

"Heh, perhaps he knows his own limits and realizes he's no match for Sunagakure's puppeteer?" someone beside him speculated without any basis.

Only Kurenai Yuhi remained silent, looking thoughtfully in the direction Ye Chuan had left.

Whatever the case, the first match ended in a way no one had expected.

"Now, on to the second round!" Gekko Hayate announced. "Will Temari of Sunagakure and Shikamaru Nara of Konoha please enter the arena!"

This time, at last, nothing unexpected happened.

Temari was indeed formidable, wielding Wind Release with consummate skill.

But Shikamaru Nara, a genius with an IQ over 200, took tactics to their absolute limit.

Using the Shadow Imitation Technique, he lured Temari into a trap step by step. Finally, just when everyone thought he was out of options, he successfully caught her with his shadow.

Just as everyone thought the outcome was settled, Shikamaru lazily raised his hand.

"Ah... what a drag... I give up."

He looked at the disgruntled Temari, then at the clouds in the sky, muttering inwardly:

I'm out of chakra. Thinking up more tactics would be too much trouble...

I should've copied that guy named Ye Chuan and just not shown up. That would've saved me so much trouble.

This classic battle from Naruto ultimately ended with Shikamaru conceding of his own accord.

"The next match! And the scheduled highlight of this event!"

Gekko Hayate's voice rang out again, igniting the crowd's enthusiasm.

"Gaara of Sunagakure! Versus! Sasuke Uchiha of Konoha!"

It was here!

The stands erupted instantly!

One was Sunagakure's strongest newcomer, the other the orphaned genius of Konoha's Uchiha Clan! This showdown drew tremendous attention!

However, Sasuke did not appear in the arena.

Just as everyone thought Sasuke would forfeit too, Kakashi arrived with Sasuke like a whirlwind, right at the deadline.

Sasuke stood in the arena, looking at the emotionless Gaara opposite him, his face full of confidence.

After a month of special training with Kakashi, his speed and strength had both improved tremendously. He had even mastered that technique!