The iron sand burst apart.
Like a splash of filthy water, it poured down in front of the Third Kazekage.
Yubi's Blood Release Ninjutsu was astonishingly powerful. Though it was clearly liquid, it had enough destructive force to pierce iron!
Even the Kazekage's expression shifted slightly.
"He's incorporated some Ninjutsu transformations, hasn't he... I noticed it just now. The blood he attacked Lord Kazekage with seemed to change from liquid to solid... increasing its destructive power. The transformation happened in an instant... Was it because of chakra? Or is that part of this Kekkei Genkai's innate abilities?" Outside the arena, a Sunagakure Jonin cried out in surprise. Even though the blood's volume had increased, it could still maintain such tremendous speed.
Standing beside the Jonin, Rasa rubbed his chin at those words, thinking as well.
Yubi's blood was his chakra.
Rasa knew more or less about Yubi, though not as much as the other senior figures.
Because Iwagakure had recently withdrawn its troops... the border had stabilized for the time being, so... he, who had previously been stationed on the front against Iwagakure, had finally been able to return to the village for a short rest.
He had happened to arrive when Yubi's group of three also returned from outside the village. Hearing that Lord Kazekage would personally test Yubi's mastery of his Kekkei Genkai, he had come to watch as well.
"Arai... this little fellow Yubi could only manipulate blood before, couldn't he? He couldn't incorporate any transformations into his ability... Do you know about this Blood Release Ninjutsu of his?" The Jonin in front turned toward Arai, who stood nearby looking just as surprised, and asked.
"Turning liquid into solid, compressing it, and increasing its speed-this hardly looks like a newly awakened Kekkei Genkai," someone chimed in.
"Water-nature chakra... and earth-nature too... The earth-nature chakra is used to shape the blood and increase its hardness..."
"That acceleration probably isn't wind-nature chakra. It's simply a way of driving the chakra..."
Other Sunagakure ninja who had picked up on a few clues whispered among themselves as well.
But more of them remained absorbed in the battle in the arena, unable to look away.
"To think Yubi developed Ninjutsu for his Kekkei Genkai in such a short time... This goes far beyond our expectations." Chiyo smiled.
"I'm getting a little used to it... After all, this brat had already created his own Ninjutsu before. His understanding and mastery of Ninjutsu are quite considerable for his age. This ability of his is innate to begin with. As he grows, he'll gradually become familiar with it and learn to use it. Driving it with chakra properties and hand seals, incorporating some transformations, and figuring out new methods... is hardly surprising."
Ebizo, standing beside her, said, "One thing is certain: if he puts his mind to training, he can at least master Water Release too... The water-nature chakra properties in his Blood Release are fairly pronounced. We just don't know how effective it would be when he used it. His latent chakra natures are very likely being incorporated through his Kekkei Genkai's abilities... If he tried to use a single Nature Transformation on its own, he's still young and hasn't had the corresponding guidance or training. He might not be able to convert it. Even if he could, he'd need some time to hone it."
Elsewhere, Arai was speechless in the face of his friend's question.
During their six months in the Land of Grass, all he had known was that Yubi was extremely flexible in his control of his Kekkei Genkai.
He had simply manipulated blood... There had been some variations, but not many.
It had not reached the point of forming Nature Transformation techniques.
But now, after witnessing it firsthand, Arai instinctively glanced toward Sasori.
Clearly... he did not understand how quickly Yubi was truly progressing.
Sasori, by contrast, looked perfectly calm.
"..."
Arai fell silent.
These two little fellows... had been deliberately keeping him in the dark.
In the arena, the Third Kazekage finally made his move.
His ability shifted from defense to active offense.
Vast quantities of iron sand formed sharp cones that swept toward Yubi's position, blotting out the sky.
Almost in the blink of an eye, the densely packed cones came sweeping down.
They left Yubi hardly any room to dodge.
More lethal still, even the cones that missed instantly turned into black "quicksand," covering the entire ground.
Then countless spikes shot up from the ground, crisscrossing.
They formed an enormous iron cage... filled with thornlike spears.
Yubi's small figure leaped frantically inside the cage, dodging the sharp objects that shot toward him.
Even under such a dense assault, he still tried to drive his blood into shots at the Third Kazekage.
But soon... he failed to dodge in time, and an iron spear pierced his clothes, leaving him suspended in midair.
The Kazekage, who had still been across from him, also used the "iron sand" to perform the Body Flicker Technique, appearing eerily behind him.
He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Hehe... Just as I'd expect from Lord Kazekage. You really are formidable."
Yubi knew he had lost. He smiled faintly, without the slightest dejection, his tone candid.
The Third Kazekage had been fine while he held back, but once he acted, his offensive surged like a tide.
It practically left no room to breathe.
Whether it was his Kekkei Genkai's range, power, speed of transformation, or flexibility... all of it was terrifying.
This was a Kage Level powerhouse!
The Third Kazekage had not even gotten serious... He had merely been playing with him.
It was hard even to imagine what the Third Kazekage would show on a large-scale battlefield in terms of sheer strength.
Or to what extent he would bring his Kekkei Genkai into play.
"You pass."
The Third Kazekage released his ability and brought Yubi down to the ground, speaking with satisfaction.
As a "Genin" who was only ten years old, making him take action... was an impressive feat in itself.
The referee at the side also announced the result loudly at the appropriate moment.
Clap, clap, clap...
Seeing this, the people around them began applauding one after another.
They cheered for Yubi.
Although Yubi had immediately struggled to hold out and quickly lost once the Kazekage made his move.
Reaching this level had already delighted quite a few of the senior figures beyond their expectations.
Wasn't losing to Lord Kazekage... only natural? If he had won, that would have been unbelievable.
In all honesty... this battle had already gone beyond the level of an ordinary Chunin examination.
Rasa's gaze settled on Yubi, who stood before Lord Kazekage.
He watched Lord Kazekage rest a hand on Yubi's shoulder, undisguised appreciation in his eyes.
He turned and left.
Yubi today was who he himself had once been.
Rasa deeply respected the Third Kazekage. His path as a ninja had begun with gazing up at this man...
As a fellow ninja with a Kekkei Genkai, his ability resembled the Third's, and he had also been personally "trained" by the Third Kazekage.
The Third Kazekage was his teacher.
He believed in the Third's ideals and way of thinking... whether regarding the village or the battlefield.
He was also a staunch supporter of the Third Kazekage.
Yet a junior he had sent to the border back then had become the center of the village's attention in just two short years.
Rasa had never expected this.
When it came to military achievements among the village's younger generation, he was unquestionably first.
But judging by the momentum of Yubi's rise... as long as nothing unexpected happened and he did not die young, his future accomplishments might well rival Rasa's own.
"It's just that..."
Rasa's brow furrowed as he walked farther away.
From what he knew and had observed of Yubi... even if this optimistic boy grew into his own one day, he might not be able to inherit the Third's will.
Yubi was different from him and the Third. He was another "kind of person."
For a genius like this to emerge in Sunagakure was certainly a great thing for the village.
Rasa agreed with that.
He now counted as one of the village's senior figures as well. Though his standing and authority were not yet that great, he felt... Yubi could become an important figure in the village's future.
But he was not worth pinning excessive hopes on.