On the training field, the black wall of insects continued to contract—like a massive, writhing stomach, attempting to digest the prey trapped within.
And Chigen was that prey.
Like a desperate insect skittering along the inner lining of the stomach, he sprinted frantically along the wall, buying time with sheer speed alone.
"Hah, I called it. What's the point of just running?"
Sarutobi Shin scoffed loudly from the stands.
"Once Jōnin Ryūma's bugs catch him, it's over."
"He's dead once his chakra runs out."
Murmurs echoed one after another. In their eyes, the outcome of this exam was already decided.
Chigen was merely making a final, futile struggle.
Even Rin clenched the corner of her clothes nervously, unable to bear watching any longer.
At the edge of the field, Kakashi frowned deeply.
Watching the figure doing nothing but sprint along the inner wall, a flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes.
Is this really it?
Just running away?
Just as everyone believed Chigen was about to exhaust himself and be devoured by the swarm—
Bang.
Before everyone's eyes, the high-speed figure suddenly burst into a puff of white smoke.
In its place, a perfectly ordinary wooden log dropped to the ground—instantly swallowed by the black tide of insects.
Substitution Jutsu?!
The entire field erupted in shock.
The smug grin on Sarutobi Shin's face froze.
In Kakashi's eyes, the flame that had dimmed blazed again.
Not simple evasion…
He completed hand seals and substitution while moving at that speed?!
"So that's it."
Minato watched the field, his blue eyes filled with undisguised admiration.
"It resembles the Eight Gates to some extent—a secret jutsu that forcibly stimulates the body's potential, granting speed and power beyond normal limits for a short time. For Chigen-kun to develop a technique of this level on his own… he's a true genius."
Eight Gates?
A genius?
Hearing Minato's evaluation, the surrounding shinobi looked toward the field with changed expressions.
"But sensei," Kakashi continued calmly,
"even with a secret jutsu, his chakra reserves are a fatal weakness. And he lacks a decisive offensive option. If he only evades, once his chakra runs out, the result won't change."
Minato nodded, offering no rebuttal.
Kakashi's analysis was cold—and correct.
However, the moment his words fell—
BOOM!!
A violent explosion erupted from the very center of the writhing insect wall!
A savage shockwave—mixed with scorched insect corpses and earth—blasted outward in all directions.
The once-impenetrable wall of insects was blown open, torn apart by sheer force!
Kakashi's pupils shrank to pinpoints.
"Explosive tags?!"
When did he—
Through the swirling dust, Ryūma appeared outside the breach.
He raised his arm just in time—three cold-glinting kunai pinning themselves precisely into the ground before him, deflecting three incoming shuriken.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The crisp metallic sounds made his expression shift slightly.
He glanced down at the sleeve that had been chewed open by insects—
That had only been a substitute.
The explosive tags were tied to the wooden log.
"A clever tactic," Ryūma said coldly, scanning the surroundings.
"But it's futile. My kikaichū cover the entire training ground. Any trace of chakra movement is within my perception. Your chakra is as weak as a candle in the wind—no matter where you hide, you cannot escape."
As his words fell, a figure burst from the forest behind him—no attempt at concealment whatsoever.
Chigen revealed himself.
A long, narrow tachi was clenched in his hand, the blade reflecting a chilling gleam under the sunlight.
Without a single word, he pushed off the ground—
and charged straight at Ryūma.
Ryūma did not move, watching him with cold indifference.
At the instant Chigen closed the distance, several black, insect-formed arms erupted from the ground, wrapping toward his ankles.
Chigen's blade flashed—cleanly severing the insect limbs—but his forward momentum slowed for a split second.
Ryūma seized the opening, stepping in as his kunai slashed straight for Chigen's throat.
Chigen raised his blade to block, and the two instantly fell into close-quarters combat.
Kunai and steel clashed repeatedly, metal ringing without pause.
Yet Ryūma's fighting style was grotesque.
Every strike was accompanied by swarms of kikaichū—like viscous black oil—constantly clinging to Chigen's body, crawling into the gaps of his clothing.
Chigen felt an intense itching spread over his skin as his movements began to slow.
After deflecting another strike, he borrowed the force to leap backward, widening the distance before retreating once more into the forest.
"Have you reached your limit?"
Ryūma watched the direction Chigen disappeared, his tone carrying the weight of a verdict.
The burst duration of the secret technique was limited. His chakra should already be nearing depletion.
And during that close combat, enough insects had already latched onto him.
"Found you."
Ryūma clapped his hands together.
The insects lurking within the forest surged instantly, forming another black tide that sealed off Chigen's reappearance point completely.
This time, Chigen did not run.
He stood amid the encirclement, once again adopting a charging stance.
"It's over," Ryūma said coldly.
Chigen moved—once more becoming a streak of light, charging straight toward Ryūma without hesitation!
Ryūma didn't dodge. He merely raised his kunai to meet him.
Yet just before Chigen's body collided with the blade—
his form rippled like disturbed water—
and with a bang, dispersed into white smoke.
Another clone?!
Ryūma's expression finally changed.
A lethal chill stabbed into his back.
He spun around—
only to see a face inches away, weary yet colder than ice.
Sakuya Chigen.
Thrust—!
The long blade pierced cleanly through Ryūma's chest from behind.
Time seemed to freeze.
The entire field fell silent.
All eyes widened at the unbelievable sight.
That so-called ultimate repeater student had actually—
stabbed the chief examiner straight through.
Yet there was no triumph on Chigen's face.
His hand on the hilt felt clearly that the sensation beneath the blade was not flesh—
but something writhing, sticky, and unnatural.
The pierced Ryūma slowly lowered his head, glanced at the blade through his chest—
and his entire body began to crumble.
Not flesh.
But countless black beetles, spilling from beneath his coat like sand.
"Insect clone…"
Chigen forced the words through clenched teeth.
And in the moment the clone collapsed completely, he saw it—
At the core of the clone, more than a dozen paper seals etched with symbols were flashing with a dangerous red glow.
Explosive tags!
"For the sake of completing the mission, any sacrifice is necessary."
Ryūma's cold voice echoed from behind another tree not far away.
"Detonate."
BOOOOM—!!!
A far more violent explosion tore through the center of the training field.
Blinding fire and a devastating shockwave instantly swallowed Chigen's figure whole.