On arena four, Torifu Akimichi and Hakukei Gekko stood ready for battle. Torifu was heavily built, with a good-natured smile on his face, but his eyes were resolute and burning with desire for victory. His confidence came from his own tremendous strength. Hakukei, by contrast, was tall and slender, dressed all in black. His expression was cold, and a chilling light shone in his eyes. He was like an assassin in the dark of night, sending shivers down people's spines.
The fight erupted in an instant. Hakukei used Transparent Release and vanished on the spot. Torifu dared not be careless, watching his surroundings warily. Suddenly, he heard a rush of air behind him. With no time to turn, Torifu could only rely on instinct and block with the iron armor on his arm. Hakukei's assassination blade drove through the armor and pierced his arm, drawing a gush of blood. But Torifu did not back down. With a loud shout, he began to swell, using the Secret Multi-Size Technique.
Hakukei darted around him with Transparent Release, attacking again and again. Before long, dozens of wounds covered Torifu's body, and blood stained his clothes red. Yet Torifu's gaze only grew more resolute. Gritting his teeth against the pain and relying on a ninja's keen senses, he spun around the next time Hakukei attacked and seized the wrist holding the blade with his thick arm. Startled, Hakukei tried to break free, only to find that Torifu's strength was astonishing.
"I won't lose!" Torifu roared. Ignoring his wounds, he smashed his other hand toward Hakukei. Hakukei fought back with all his might, switching the blade to his left hand, and the two became locked in a fierce exchange, trading wounds for each other's lives. The spectators held their breath, their eyes fixed on the arena. Torifu took slash after slash from Hakukei's blade, yet never released his grip, and every attack he made carried an unstoppable momentum. Finally, Torifu struck Hakukei with a full-force headbutt, knocking him unconscious to the ground. Torifu himself swayed and collapsed from blood loss.
The stands fell silent for a moment before erupting in thunderous applause and cheers. Some marveled at Torifu's tenacity and resilience, while others lamented the outcome for Hakukei and his superb swordsmanship.
Tobirama Senju nodded slightly and said, "Torifu Akimichi demonstrated the Akimichi Clan's powerful physique and indomitable will. To turn the fight around from such a disadvantage was truly remarkable. Hakukei Gekko's assassination swordsmanship and Transparent Release were powerful, but they still lost to overwhelming strength and tenacious fighting spirit." Uchiha Tomioki snorted. "Hmph. He was just lucky enough to catch his opponent. If Hakukei Gekko had been a little more careful, it's hard to say how the fight would have ended." Sasuke Sarutobi remarked, "Torifu Akimichi's perseverance is admirable. He showed us a ninja's resilience through his actions." Tennin Hyuga nodded in agreement. "That's right. This fight showed us the power of combining Taijutsu and secret techniques, as well as the power of will."
On arena five, Mitokado Homura, who specialized in water-nature Ninjutsu, faced Mokubon Kurama, a master of Genjutsu. Homura looked composed, wisdom shining in his eyes as he stood there, as though he had everything under control. Mokubon's gaze was distant, and a faint, mysterious smile played on his face. He seemed utterly confident in his Genjutsu.
As the fight began, Mokubon attacked first. His hands moved rapidly through Hand Seals as he chanted, "Genjutsu: Dream Shadow!" The scene before Homura's eyes suddenly changed. Countless phantoms appeared around him, surrounding him on all sides. They attacked him relentlessly, leaving him somewhat disoriented. But Homura did not panic. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and began carefully sensing the flow of Chakra around him.
With his keen perception of Chakra, Homura quickly found a flaw in the Genjutsu. His eyes snapped open, and his hands swiftly formed seals. "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!" A massive water dragon burst from his mouth and charged at the phantoms. As the dragon struck, the Genjutsu shattered instantly. Mokubon's expression changed slightly at the sight. He had not expected his Genjutsu to be broken so quickly.
Unwilling to accept defeat, Mokubon used an even more advanced Genjutsu. "Genjutsu: Bewildering Dream!" This time, Homura felt as though he had fallen into an endless dream. He saw the things he desired most, as well as the scenes he feared most. But Homura soon regained his senses. He bit the tip of his tongue, using the pain to keep himself clearheaded. Then he attacked with Water Release while searching for Mokubon's real body.
During the fierce clash, Homura noticed that Mokubon's Chakra fluctuated abnormally for an instant whenever he used Genjutsu. He seized the opportunity, launching a sudden attack the next time Mokubon cast a Genjutsu. "Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!" A tremendous waterfall descended from the sky and engulfed Mokubon. The rushing water prevented him from using Genjutsu, and Homura ultimately defeated him.
The audience gave the fight a warm round of applause, cheering Homura's wisdom and composure.
Tobirama said approvingly, "Mitokado Homura's composure and wisdom in the face of Genjutsu are admirable. His use of Chakra and his methods of breaking Genjutsu are worth studying by other ninja." Tomioki frowned slightly. "Mokubon Kurama's Genjutsu was ingenious, but Mitokado Homura's response was even better." Tennin nodded. "That's right. Mitokado Homura's performance proves that a ninja needs not only powerful Ninjutsu, but also a calm mind and keen insight."
On arena six, Tai Chiba and Kyūgen Aburame stood facing each other. Tai wore a proud expression, confidence and disdain in his eyes, utterly assured of his lightning-nature Ninjutsu. Kyūgen, meanwhile, was wrapped from head to toe in a black coat, leaving only his eyes exposed. His gaze was calm and deep, impossible to read.
As soon as the fight began, Tai struck first. He formed Hand Seals and shouted, "Lightning Release: Lightning Burst Current!" A powerful electric current burst from his body and spread toward Kyūgen. Unhurried, Kyūgen gave a light clap. Countless insects poured from his body, forming a wall to withstand the current.
Seeing this, Tai increased the output of his Lightning Release, and the current slammed into the insect wall with greater force. Kyūgen directed his insects to constantly change formation, dispersing the lightning while searching for an opening in Tai's defenses. Suddenly, one insect broke through the current and flew toward Tai. Tai hurriedly dodged, but the insect still managed to bite him. His arm went numb, and the power of his Lightning Release weakened.
Kyūgen seized the opportunity and ordered his insects to launch an all-out attack. Countless insects swarmed toward Tai, surrounding him on all sides. Tai fought back with all his strength, using Lightning Release to attack the insects again and again, but there were too many of them, and he gradually struggled to keep up. In the end, the insects engulfed Tai, leaving him unable to fight, and Kyūgen won.
The spectators were somewhat surprised by the outcome, then broke into animated discussion.
Tobirama said, "Kyūgen Aburame's secret insect-control technique is indeed unique. He cleverly used the insects' characteristics to divert the lightning, countering Tai Chiba's Lightning Release Ninjutsu. Tai Chiba did not fully consider his opponent's abilities."
Tennin nodded. "That's right. Kyūgen Aburame's performance demonstrated the power of the secret insect-control technique. It also reminds us to keep exploring and studying ways to counter all kinds of Ninjutsu."
The final match was also drawing to a close. Nannen Uchiha's One-Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly in his eyes as he held a Fire Style seal with his left hand and flung three Kunai with his right. The water bullet Koboku Ito had just formed was smashed head-on by the Fire Style: Great Fireball. Kunai flew out of the boiling steam and precisely pinned Koboku's right hand through.
"That Fire Style's power... his Chakra flows three times faster than an ordinary Chunin's." In the stands, Uchiha Tomioki unconsciously rubbed the handle of his Gunbai. "That kid calculated the Great Fireball and the Shuriken trajectories in sync."
Tobirama Senju's Water Release sensing technique covered the entire arena. "The Hand Seals for the water bullet were too slow. All of Koboku's subsequent movements were seen through." The Water Release master shook his head slightly. "His defeat was inevitable the moment the Sharingan caught the preliminary movement for his Hand Seals."
In the stands.
"Can the Sharingan really see through every Ninjutsu?" A Konoha Chunin clutched his Forehead Protector.
Scouts from the various clans wrote in their notebooks: "Nannen Uchiha, One-Tomoe Sharingan, Fire Style power surpasses a Special Jōnin."
Nannen stepped through the water covering the ground as he approached, pressing a flaming Kunai to Koboku Ito's throat. Looking at the skin charred by the intense heat, sizzling with oil, the boy smiled. "What do you think would happen if I sent Fire Style down your windpipe..."
"Stop!" The referee's Kunai struck the ground between them. "Koboku Ito is unable to fight!"
Tomioki's Gunbai suddenly snapped open, blocking the Uchiha clansmen who wanted to rush into the arena to celebrate. "This is our future-a clansman who can develop Fire Style to its utmost."
The Ito Clan head turned and left the stands, thinking, It seems I should have Koboku practice his Hand Seals more.
A doctor rushed into the arena.
The doctor tore open Koboku Ito's clothes, revealing shocking burns that spread from his right shoulder to his heart. "Burns this severe..." Her hand trembled as she held a medicine bottle. "How long has it been since Konoha saw such a pure Fire Style attack?"
"The three Kunai severed his nerves, tendons, and Chakra flow, respectively." The doctor examined his injuries. "The Sharingan's ability to track movement... it's truly monstrous."
After the fights ended, the atmosphere in the training ground reached a peak. The spectators were still absorbed in the fierce battles they had just witnessed, full of praise for the young ninja's strength and performances. Everyone knew that these young people would surely become the pillars of Konoha's future.