On the battlefield below, Yagura flickered rapidly through flashes of blue-violet lightning. Akaiwa, realizing he couldn't match Yagura's speed, stood his ground like an unshakable rock, waiting for an opening.
Whether it was the lucky spectators who managed to get tickets or the distinguished guests seated in the VIP area, everyone was watching in astonishment.
From the looks of it, Yagura was completely overwhelming Akaiwa, forcing him into a defensive stance. This was the complete opposite of what most had expected.
Yagura, however, appeared completely at ease, even taking moments to interact with the audience.
He hadn't forgotten that his participation in the Chunin Exams was an opportunity to promote Kirigakure.
With the issue of the Third Kazekage settled, this exam felt more like a formality to him. Advertising his village mattered more than simply passing.
So, he made playful gestures toward the audience, flashing a peace sign here and winking mischievously. He was particularly skilled at that.
Of course, he aimed these interactions at sections filled with young women.
"Ahhh! He's so cute!" A young woman in the crowd squealed, covering her mouth.
Another, who had a boyfriend, screamed even louder. "Look over here! Look at me instead!"
Her boyfriend, standing beside her, sulked, practically tasting the bitterness of lemons.
A noblewoman fanned herself lightly. "Dear, they always say Kirigakure is a brutal and bloody place. These rumors seem exaggerated."
A nobleman, toying with his gold bracelet, mused thoughtfully, "Hmm… his strength is impressive."
...
Yagura's first opponent had been so weak that he barely had to exert himself to win. But Akaiwa was different—not only was he strong, but he could also take a hit.
A blade of lightning-infused water slashed down on Akaiwa's rocky armor, sending sparks flying as Yagura zipped past him, forming quick hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
The surging water dragon crashed into the towering earth wall that rose abruptly in response, blocking the attack completely.
In an instant, Yagura leaped onto the high wall, dashing forward until he was face-to-face with Akaiwa. His lightning-coated blade came down with a crackling roar!
Akaiwa raised his fist, meeting the attack head-on before seizing Yagura's wrist in a tight grip.
"I've gotten used to your speed."
"Oh? Is that so?" Yagura grinned, unfazed.
Before Akaiwa could react, his rock gauntlet shattered under a surge of lightning!
Yagura slipped free, spinning in midair before delivering a powerful punch straight to Akaiwa's chest!
"Earth Release: Rock Spikes!"
The moment Yagura's punch landed, Akaiwa's body crumbled into shattered stone—a rock clone!
From behind, several jagged spikes shot out from the ground, aiming directly for Yagura's back!
He immediately leaped backward to evade, only for hands to emerge from within the stone wall, grabbing hold of his ankles.
"Got you!"
"What—?!"
The rock clone and spikes were just distractions.
The real Akaiwa had been hiding within the earth wall all along, waiting for this moment.
He emerged from the ground, applying his technique to increase Yagura's weight exponentially.
"Earth Release: Added-Weight Rock Technique!"
Boom!
A surge of crackling electricity exploded outward!
The ground beneath Yagura shattered as he forced himself free!
Balancing on the falling debris, Yagura lunged forward with his blade, his speed somehow even faster than before!
His rocky armor had been nearly obliterated by the lightning burst, and now, as his water blade cut through Akaiwa, drawing blood, realization struck Akaiwa like a hammer.
Impossible! The Added-Weight Rock Technique worked… so why was Yagura still moving so fast?
Among the falling debris, faint pink coral fragments mixed with the stone.
Yagura had coated himself in coral and, in the heat of battle, shed its weight entirely.
Akaiwa cursed inwardly. This little opponent refused to take even the slightest disadvantage!
"Light-Weight Rock Technique!"
By reducing his own weight, Akaiwa floated into the air, dodging Yagura's follow-up strike.
Flying jutsu!
"Just like Onoki's technique..."
Yagura halted, stepping onto a falling rock fragment, recalculating his approach.
Flight was one of the rarest abilities in the ninja world.
If Akaiwa could fly, then close combat was out of the question.
That meant it was time to switch to Water Release for ranged attacks!
Having three chakra natures was useful. He had techniques for any distance—close, mid, or long-range.
Akaiwa was indeed an outstanding shinobi among his peers.
But Yagura had fought the Third Kazekage before.
He had seen what true power looked like.
That terrifying combination of Wind Release and Iron Sand had left a deep impression on him.
A single technique that could either kill or cripple you in one move—he had learned the importance of finishing an opponent decisively.
During the last exchange, Yagura had embedded his lightning-infused water blade into Akaiwa's body.
Now, he formed a hand seal, activating the stored chakra.
Lightning coursed through Akaiwa's body, paralyzing him.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
In an instant, a massive water dragon surged forth, swallowing Akaiwa whole and slamming him into the arena wall, leaving a massive crater.
The water dragon circled back, carrying Akaiwa within it.
A water clone emerged from its surface, continuously sending pulses of lightning into Akaiwa's body, maintaining his paralysis.
The effect wasn't strong—but in a ninja battle, even a fraction of a second was enough to decide life or death.
Yagura lunged forward, reforming his water blade and drawing it back.
The water dragon dissipated, dropping Akaiwa.
Yagura swung his blade, stopping it just short of Akaiwa's throat.
The battle was over.
A stunned silence filled the arena.
The victor was clear!
Yagura twirled his blade before dispersing it into a fine mist.
This guy was the Third Tsuchikage's student—killing him would definitely put him on Onoki's bad side. Not that Yagura knew why Onoki had such a freakishly overdeveloped apprentice in the first place.
...
Akaiwa had never expected to lose so quickly.
He had thought they were evenly matched—maybe Yagura had a slight edge. But in the end, he hadn't even gained a single upper hand.
The tall, red-haired Iwagakure ninja clenched his jaw, his expression flickering with frustration before he sighed and lowered his head.
"Thank you for the match. I'll keep training. Next time, I won't lose."
Yagura didn't disagree. "I'll be waiting."
The referee raised his flag. "Winner! Karatachi Yagura!"
The flag came down, and the crowd erupted.
"OOOOHHHHH!!!"
"He completely dominated that Iwa brute!"
"Akaiwa was strong, but that little guy's practically got the championship in the bag!"
"I WANT HIS BABIES!!!"
"Calm down! That's illegal! I think..."
Yagura and Akaiwa shook hands firmly before turning to leave the arena.
...
In the stands, the leader of Takigakure watched intently.
"That Kirigakure boy is impressive, Lord Hokage."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled knowingly. "He has potential."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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