In an instant, the stage was covered in thick fog, obscuring everyone's vision.
Hyuga Kyo's expression was indifferent, "This move is useless against me."
"Byakugan!"
As the Byakugan opened, Hyuga Kyo captured all of Zabuza's movements perfectly.
Zabuza had already rushed toward him right after releasing the Hidden Mist Technique.
He took a stance and used Gentle Fist to attack Zabuza.
Zabuza's Silent Killing Technique was outstanding, but the Hyuga clan was known for its Taijutsu. Combined with the Byakugan, Zabuza's advantage instantly vanished.
The two exchanged blows in the thick fog, trading seven or eight moves, and Hyuga Kyo had already completely suppressed Zabuza.
"If it's only to this extent, then you've lost."
"Gentle Fist, Eight Trigrams Palm!"
Hyuga Kyo forced Zabuza back with a punch, then took advantage of the opportunity to pose in a standard Eight Trigrams Palm starting stance, bringing everything around into his control.
His figure was swift as wind, and he instantly closed the distance, striking toward Zabuza's chest with a palm.
Immediately, the smoke dispersed, and the people in the stands saw clearly. Zabuza had been sent flying by Hyuga Kyo.
Hyuga Kyo retracted his hand and said, "I've already struck your acupuncture point, restricting your chakra. You have no chance. Admit defeat."
However, at that moment—
BANG!
The Zabuza who was struck by Hyuga Kyo suddenly turned into a puddle of water.
And Zabuza's real body, with a blade on his back, appeared crouching behind Hyuga Kyo.
"Heh, you think I don't know about the famous Byakugan?"
"That Hidden Mist Technique earlier was just a decoy. I used that moment to release a water clone."
"After fighting you, I discovered your Byakugan has a visual blind spot. As long as I'm in this position, you won't be able to detect me."
Hyuga Kyo's expression turned horrified. He didn't expect that in just a brief exchange, Zabuza had analyzed his weakness.
And even silently approached him without him noticing.
He wanted to dodge the attack, but it was already too late, Zabuza's blade was already at his neck.
If he dared move even slightly, he'd be decapitated.
He smiled bitterly and said, "As expected of a Hidden Mist elite… I admit defeat."
All around the stands, many Konoha ninjas were in an uproar.
The Hyuga clan was one of Konoha's top families, with the most advanced bloodline and high-level Taijutsu. Regular ninjas simply couldn't compare to them.
No one expected such a clean loss.
Seeing the match decided, the examiner announced, "First match, Zabuza wins."
"Now, the second match begins. Will the candidate who drew number two step forward."
The two examinees left the stage one after another.
In the stands, the Third Hokage nodded. Hyuga Kyo wasn't weak, but the Mist's Zabuza was even stronger.
After all, he was the Hidden Mist's most elite talent. Losing to him wasn't shameful.
Thinking of this, the Third Hokage subconsciously looked in the direction of Kakashi and Obito.
'The Mist has its own geniuses—so does Konoha.'
Kakashi, hearing his number called, jumped down from the stands.
Immediately, a wave of intense cheers exploded around.
"Kakashi!"
"It's actually Kakashi!"
"The ninja fighting Kakashi is seriously unlucky…"
After the cheers, people realized the other ninja facing Kakashi hadn't come down yet.
Everyone looked at each other, 'I… is this guy chickening out?'
The examiner grew a bit impatient and said, "Candidate number two, please get on stage. Don't waste time. Otherwise, it will be treated as forfeiture."
Only then did the second number-two candidate reluctantly jump down from the stands.
Anko had an awkward expression on her face as she greeted Kakashi, "Hi, Kakashi. What a coincidence."
Kakashi's dead-fish eyes rolled upward. So it was Anko.
The examiner saw this and announced, "Second match, Kakashi vs. Anko—officially begins!"
On the stands, loud cheers erupted, all for Kakashi.
Only Rin shouted, "Kakashi, go easy on her."
Anko looked at the stands, realizing barely anyone was cheering for her, and felt a bit indignant.
She put her hands on her hips and said to Kakashi, "Don't think I've got nothing going for me! I'm Lord Orochimaru's student! Let me show you the results of my hard work!"
With that, she formed hand signs.
"Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique!"
Immediately, a large flame erupted from her mouth and shot toward Kakashi.
A hint of surprise flashed in Kakashi's eyes. He didn't expect Anko to unleash such a powerful jutsu.
But, an attack like that wasn't much use against him.
With a body flicker, he was suddenly right in front of Anko.
'No way, how is Kakashi so fast?'
Anko was shocked and instantly canceled the fire jutsu.
She formed hand signs again.
"Genjutsu: Hell Viewing Technique!"
Kakashi was mildly amused, 'Anko has a decent genjutsu in her arsenal.'
'But… she is too slow.'
Before she even finished the signs, Kakashi had already appeared behind her, a kunai pressed to her throat.
"You've lost."
Anko complained, "Kakashi, why are you so fast? Would it kill you to let me land one hit?"
Kakashi said, "On the battlefield, the enemy won't stand there waiting for you."
Anko felt a bit indignant. She still hadn't used the secret jutsu Orochimaru had prepared for her.
She could've summoned a giant snake to scare Kakashi to death.
But now… it looked like she wouldn't get the chance.
She drooped her head and said, "I forfeit."
The examiner saw this and announced, "Second match, Kakashi wins."
Laughter erupted from the stands, it was just too funny.
But Zabuza's expression turned serious.
Kisame beside him asked, "So? Do you have confidence?"
Zabuza shook his head, "Hard to say. He wasn't even serious… But even so, that speed is just too fast."
Kisame nodded, then looked at Might Guy not far away, "When it comes to speed, Might Guy is even faster."
On the stands, Sarutobi Hiruzen revealed a satisfied expression, 'Kakashi didn't disappoint.'
But in his heart, he was a little puzzled, 'Orochimaru obviously likes quiet people. How did he end up with such a noisy female disciple?'
At this moment, the examiner announced, "Candidate number three, get on the stage."
Immediately, two people jumped down.
It was the female Ice Release ninja from the Mist and Sarutobi Asuma.
The examiner said, "Third match: Hozuki Ren vs. Sarutobi Asuma—officially begins!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen tensed, 'The Hozuki clan of the Mist controlles the Ice Release bloodline.'
'Can Asuma handle it?'
But the result was a bit unexpected for Hiruzen.
On the stage, as soon as the examiner declared the match, Hozuki Ren used the Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals to surround Asuma.
However, Asuma showed a trace of disdain, "Just some Ice Release?"
He formed hand signs. "Fire Style: Ash Pile Burning."
Immediately, a large amount of gray ash sprayed from his mouth, not only obstructing Hozuki Ren's vision but also coating every ice mirror with flammable explosive material.
Then, he blew out a spark, igniting all the flammable material nearby.
A massive explosion melted every ice mirror.
Hozuki Ren had no way to dodge. She was blown to the ground, covered in injuries, and instantly passed out.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y