If the first match was a display of overwhelming strength, then the second was undoubtedly a contest of caution and wisdom. Had Nohara Rin not used that Water Clone, she might have gone from a great advantage to elimination in an instant.
"Look, Rin won!" A middle-aged couple smiled excitedly as they saw Nohara Rin's victory.
"In terms of teaching, I'm indeed far behind Mokgetsu," Minato lamented as he watched Nohara Rin win.
He was considered one of Nohara Rin's mentors and knew her strength before she took the Chunin Examination. Mastering Water Release to this extent in a month was indeed difficult.
"Oh, was Mokgetsu helping Nohara Rin train during the Chunin Examination?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, looking back at Minato standing behind him.
Today, Minato was watching as a guard with the other high-ranking members.
Jiraiya was supposed to come, but he didn't want to and went to sit with the regular audience instead. Minato was helping his teacher stand guard.
"Yes, after all, I don't understand Water Release well," Minato nodded and replied.
Even though Obito, Kakashi, and Nohara Rin all chose to let Mokgetsu help with special training rather than Minato, Minato didn't find anything wrong with it.
He had been working with Kakashi and the others for several months, familiar with their practice content, and had discussed their training with Mokgetsu.
The core cultivation content couldn't be guided because it was Ninjutsu developed by Mokgetsu himself; Minato couldn't give random advice.
Minato could only teach them what he knew—Wind Release, Fire Release, Fuinjutsu, and help Obito and the others with ninja training.
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't ask further. Although Nohara Rin's performance was decent, it was still far from Kakashi and the others.
If it weren't for Kisame's Water Release changing the battlefield, even if Nohara Rin could win, it would've been much harder.
"Rin, see, I told you there'd be no problem." Obito said excitedly as he saw Nohara Rin enter the lounge.
"Yes, thanks to your encouragement, I became more confident." Nohara Rin smiled, truly happy for having tried her best and achieved victory.
"The third battle is about to begin: Noguchi Nobuhide vs. Might Guy. Participants, please enter the arena quickly and prepare for battle."
At this time, Hiruko's voice came into the lounge.
"It's time to unleash youthful enthusiasm." Might Guy rubbed his fists together with excitement.
His father was watching from the stands, and Might Guy surely wanted to showcase his best state.
Compared to Might Guy's excitement, Noguchi Nobuhide seemed a bit withdrawn.
He was Terumi Mei's teammate, who had participated in the Forest of Death battles and knew how terrifying Might Guy's strength was. Even Kisame was kicked to vomiting blood.
But Noguchi Nobuhide couldn't surrender; if he dared to surrender, someone would certainly teach him the meaning of "Blood Mist."
"Friend, don't lose before you meet me," Might Guy grinned at Kakashi before leaving the lounge.
Might Guy hoped most of all to fight Kakashi once more. If he could defeat Kakashi and then take first place, that would be the ultimate youthful experience for Might Guy.
"Then get ready to be beaten by me," Kakashi replied calmly.
"Haha, as expected from a friend, I admire that confidence!" Might Guy gave Kakashi a thumbs up and then walked enthusiastically towards the battle arena.
"Stop boasting; wait until I eliminate you in the semifinals." Obito said with annoyance.
Since unlocking his Sharingan, Kakashi had never beaten him, though they'd only fought once.
Kakashi ignored Obito's remarks; the battle was about to begin.
Terumi Mei focused intensely on the battle arena, hoping her teammate could at least put up a show against the formidable Might Guy.
"Hahaha, did everyone see that? That's my son, Might Guy! He's so strong," Might Duy stood up excitedly, announcing as he saw Might Guy enter the stage.
The nearby audience couldn't help but offer an awkward smile. In a certain sense, even if Might Duy hadn't said anything, they could tell. The deathly green tights combined with those thick eyebrows made him hard to miss.
"Could he become a Chunin at just nine years old? Guy, your youth burns hotter than mine ever did!" Considering Might Guy becoming a Chunin before the age of ten, Might Duy couldn't help but shed tears of joy, feeling overwhelmingly proud of Might Guy.
"Why act like you've already won before the battle even starts? Our Hidden Mist ninja aren't that easy to deal with," a Hidden Mist Ninja complained.
Might Duy didn't engage in an argument with the Hidden Mist Ninja, merely sitting down quietly, watching the battle arena with excitement.
The Hidden Mist Ninja wasn't looking to cause trouble either and said nothing further upon seeing Might Duy settle down. To him, it felt like Might Duy was underestimating the Hidden Mist.
"Let the battle begin!" Hiruko called out and quickly retreated to the edge.
By this point, most of the water on the field had receded, returning the arena to its previous state, though puddles remained in spots.
"Eight Gates, First Gate: Opening Gate, open! Healing Gate, open! Life Gate, open!"
"Breath of Rock, Full Concentration!"
To showcase his strength for his father, even against an average opponent, Might Guy chose to push himself to the limit, unleashing his full potential.
This sudden outburst of power created a gust that scattered the surrounding puddles.
If you could send an emoji, Noguchi Nobuhide would definitely post a "Are you trying to kill me?" dragon meme.
Faced with Might Guy's imposing presence, Noguchi Nobuhide couldn't muster any desire to confront him; the gap was immense.
Noguchi Nobuhide forced himself to suppress his fear, forming seals to use Water Release Ninjutsu.
"Extreme·Leaf Strong Whirlwind!"
Might Guy poured most of his strength into his legs, unleashing a lightning-fast Tornado Kick at Noguchi Nobuhide.
Boom!
Noguchi Nobuhide's Water Release shattered under Might Guy's kick, and he was sent flying before even realizing it.
Thud! Crash!
Noguchi Nobuhide spat out a mouthful of blood, crashing into and embedding in the wall at the field's edge.
--- Silence
The arena fell silent; the spectators were stunned, and even Hiruko hadn't expected Might Guy to finish his opponent so swiftly. Had it even been thirty seconds, possibly less than twenty?
"Might Guy wins!" Hiruko promptly declared Might Guy's victory upon regaining his composure.
The Hidden Mist Ninja who had remarked on their strength earlier bowed his head deeply, feeling utterly humiliated by the instant knockout.
As for Might Duy, he said nothing to the Hidden Mist Ninja, merely celebrating his child's victory with excitement.