A dozen colossal Water Dragon Bullets crashed down one after another.
The water level surged violently, rising higher and higher.
The entire examination arena shook under the force of the waves.
By the third Water Dragon Bomb, Neji faltered. He unleashed Revolving Heaven in desperation—
I can't hold on anymore!
The barrier shattered under the impact, and Neji was swallowed by the relentless torrent of water.
The rising flood nearly reached half the height of the arena, threatening to spill into the waiting room where Gaara and the others stood.
Fortunately, it fell just short of breaking through the walls.
Kankurō, leaning on the railing, stared wide-eyed at the raging water below. The corner of his mouth twitched.
His heart screamed in disbelief.
This guy… he actually beat the Hyūga clan's genius head-on with ninjutsu… Two to zero…
And it wasn't the usual way of defeating someone with clever jutsu.
Nagano Yuichi had overwhelmed Neji by sheer force—
terrifying chakra poured into his Water Style, battering Neji without mercy.
Simple. Brutal. Absolute.
A total domination of strength.
And of all things, Water Style happened to be Gaara's greatest weakness. Once sand became soaked, its weight increased drastically. If Gaara faced Yuichi in this arena, it would be an uphill battle.
Especially here, where water could not simply drain away.
The audience rose to their feet in shock.
Hyūga Neji's body had vanished beneath the flood.
From above, Yuichi descended slowly, landing firmly atop the water's surface. His breathing remained calm, his chakra flow steady.
Casting such massive ninjutsu again and again should have exhausted him, yet to Yuichi it was nothing.
The sheer scale of his chakra pool left many ninja not only astonished, but envious.
Everyone was born with different reserves, shaped by both lineage and training. Effort could improve stamina, but innate talent determined the limit.
And this boy… he showed no signs of fatigue even after unleashing such devastation.
For him, this level of ninjutsu is nothing more than a warm-up…
"Such chakra in a Genin? Impossible…"
"Nagano Yuichi—his Water Style is on par with the Second Hokage!"
"It's not just his chakra… no one could weave jutsu at that speed without monstrous talent."
"This boy's potential rivals even Tobirama-sama…"
The crowd murmured in awe.
But on the high platform, the Third Hokage's expression darkened.
The perfect inheritance of Senju talent… If only you had been born in Konoha earlier, Yuichi. But now, you are too late!
He lowered his gaze silently.
On the water's surface, Shiranui Genma peered down and caught sight of Neji's battered figure. He then looked to Yuichi.
"You win, Nagano Yuichi. Release the jutsu—let the water vanish."
Yuichi gave a small nod.
The floodwaters gradually receded until the arena floor was left drenched but clear.
Standing on the soaked ground, Yuichi faced Neji—who looked like a drowned chicken, covered in bruises and cuts from the Water Dragon Bombardment.
Struggling, Neji rose to his feet. He hadn't heard Genma already declare Yuichi the victor.
With a sudden snarl, he drew a kunai and lunged.
Genma's brow furrowed as he moved to intervene.
But Yuichi was faster.
The shimmering blade pierced Yuichi's chest—only for the image to dissolve into mist.
"An afterimage?!"
A chill ran down Neji's neck.
Behind him, Yuichi's hand reached out, holding a kunai reversed against Neji's throat. One twitch, and his life would be over.
Clang!
Neji's kunai slipped from his hand, striking the floor with a sound that echoed like a stone dropped into the hearts of every ninja present.
Because in that instant, Yuichi's speed had eclipsed even the perception of seasoned jōnin.
This ordinary-looking boy not only commanded overwhelming chakra and devastating Water Style, but his taijutsu was equally fearsome—despite never once revealing it in battle until now.
His mind was meticulous. By relying only on ninjutsu, he baited his opponent into underestimating his physical prowess, saving it as his finishing card.
Such tactical maturity… in someone this young…
Several shinobi exchanged wary glances, each seeing the same shock mirrored in the other's eyes.
"Hyūga Neji, you have lost. The winner—Nagano Yuichi."
"Wooooahhh!"
As Genma's voice rang out, the entire stadium erupted.
Thunderous cheers shook the arena.
Nagano Yuichi had crushed the Hyūga clan's prodigy.