Yuichi faced enemies dozens of times over.
But instead of retreating, he advanced.
It was such a reckless, almost insane move.
At that moment, Shikamaru and the others watching him thought Yuichi looked like a lunatic.
But in the very next second—
—they were all utterly stunned.
Bang!
The impact boomed like a thunderclap.
With a fist carrying the force of a storm, Yuichi smashed into a Sand Shinobi like a bolt of lightning.
Whoosh—!
The air cracked with a deafening burst. The Sand Shinobi was sent flying backward, blood arcing in the air like a crimson parabola.
His flung body crashed into several more Sand Shinobi.
Yuichi spun around in midair, lashing out with a brutal kick. Another enemy was blasted away, the sound of bones snapping sharp in the chaos.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The thunder of his blows echoed without pause.
Yuichi's figure slipped through the crowd like a phantom, his speed blinding. He twisted midair, his heel smashing into a Sand Shinobi's skull—
Crack!
Dust erupted across the arena.
One by one, Sand Shinobi slammed into the high walls of the examination grounds.
And in just a few breaths…
Only three Sand Shinobi remained standing before Yuichi.
The wind stilled.
The relentless storm of attacks faded.
The three survivors gasped for breath, drenched in sweat.
Those ten seconds had shown them, for the first time in their lives, the true meaning of terror.
He was just a kid.
No matter how talented, no matter how skilled—
—at that age, with his body not yet fully matured, he should not have this kind of monstrous power.
Yet every strike shattered bones as though his opponents were made of clay.
The ground was littered with broken comrades, their bodies twisted and bloodied.
Not only the Sand Shinobi, but even the Konoha shinobi watching began to break into a cold sweat.
"He's a Genin… but he killed Sand's Chūnin…"
"How can he have such terrifying power?!"
They couldn't comprehend it.
But in the crowd, Asuma's eyes narrowed, realization dawning.
"This power… It's that strange strength. The same as the First Hokage… and the Second."
Boom!
At his words, the Konoha shinobi all turned to Yuichi, eyes wide with shock.
No wonder.
If it was the unique ability of the Senju clan… then this much power wasn't impossible.
But still—
—Yuichi, with the Senju's monstrous strength? Could it be that he was…?
Bang!!
A sickening crash rang out. Yuichi had seized the last standing Sand Shinobi by the skull, crushing him into the ground.
Blood sprayed.
Yuichi slowly lifted his head, his expression calm and cold.
He rose to his feet and swept his gaze across the arena.
Every Oto-nin and Sand Shinobi who had been dragging Konoha shinobi moments ago froze under his stare.
They trembled involuntarily, unable to meet his eyes.
Even Konoha's own ninja looked at him as if he were a monster.
Shikamaru and the others had turned pale.
So many Chūnin had been annihilated in ten seconds.
And it hadn't even been a battle.
It had been a one-sided massacre.
There was no hesitation in Yuichi's strikes, no wasted motion. It was terrifying—yet almost like a twisted performance of art.
The art of killing.
Hyuga Hiashi struck down an Oto-nin with his Gentle Fist and turned, his eyes widening as he stared at Yuichi.
Even he was shaken. For a Genin to have this kind of combat power was unthinkable.
And yet… what shocked him even more was the thought that crossed his mind.
Was that truly… the Senju's strange power?
As Hiashi stared in doubt, Yuichi suddenly turned his gaze on him.
Their eyes met.
Hiashi froze, confused by Yuichi's intent.
The next second—
—an icy prickling sensation shot down his spine.
He spun on instinct, unleashing a Gentle Fist strike toward an unseen enemy.
But the attacker moved first, a swift kick slamming into Hiashi and hurling him into a stone pillar with a resounding crash.
Gritting his teeth, Hiashi rose, clutching his shoulder.
The ambush had nearly pierced his heart. Only his reflexes saved him.
A cold, flat voice spoke:
"Impressive reaction. As expected of the Hyuga clan of Konoha."
Hiashi looked up sharply.
An Oto-nin stood ahead, his gaze locked on Hinata.
"What do you want with her?" Hiashi demanded.
The man didn't answer—just cast Hiashi a chilling look.
Swish!
Two Sand Shinobi appeared at his side, seizing Hinata and knocking her unconscious. They fled with her in tow.
"Hinata!"
Hiashi's rage boiled over. He lunged forward, Byakugan blazing, his Eight Trigrams field blooming wide.
In an instant, Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms burst forth.
The Oto-nin raised his hand to intercept.
Hiashi dodged the grasp with lightning precision, slamming his palm toward the man's chest.
But just before impact—
Puff!
Hiashi's eyes widened. Pain exploded through him.
A sharp weapon had pierced his shoulder.
He leapt back, breaking off the attack, just as the enemy's heel swept past in a deadly arc.
Hiashi landed, ignoring his wound—his gaze fixed on his foe's arm.
Bone spurs jutted from the man's flesh.
If not for that, his Gentle Fist would have killed the enemy outright.
"Dead Bone Pulse… You're one of the Mist's Kaguya clan?" Hiashi muttered.
"You know much, Hyuga of Konoha."
Kimimaro raised his arm, studying the blood staining his bone spurs. He shook his head.
"But your strength… disappoints me."
Whoosh!
Kimimaro shot forward like a serpent, twin bone lances sprouting from his palms, stabbing straight at Hiashi's heart.
Hiashi grimaced, preparing to unleash Revolving Heaven—
—but it was too late.
Clang!!
At the last moment, Sarutobi Asuma stepped in, blades clashing with the bone spurs.
"Are you all right, Lord Hiashi?"
"I'll live. Don't worry about me. Asuma—go save Hinata!"
"But…!" Asuma gritted his teeth, struggling against Kimimaro's strength.
"Please, Asuma. Go."
Before he could respond, a bone spike slashed across Asuma's cheek, leaving a thin line of blood.
Asuma's eyes narrowed.
This Bloodline… it was terrifying.
To fight a man who could weaponize his own bones—any hand-to-hand combat meant risking mortal injury.
He had no choice but to decide.
Protect Hiashi… or save Hinata.
A heavy silence fell.
Then, a calm voice spoke from behind Kimimaro.
"Let me deal with him."
Yuichi stood on the steps, gazing down at Kimimaro from above.