The battle began.
Uchiha Jingyan only needed to last ten minutes without being defeated.
After all, his opponent was a chūnin. Even if he just avoided fighting the whole time, it would still count as a pass.
But Hyuga Kouta clearly had no intention of giving him that chance…
The moment Heishou Nian announced the start, Hyuga Kouta activated his Byakugan, flashed forward in a body flicker, palm raised, charging straight at Uchiha Jingyan!
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Jingyan chose the jutsu he was most familiar with.
A violent gale burst forth. With the boost from his Ninjutsu Master halo, even Hyuga Kouta could only twist his body to dodge.
Immediately after, Jingyan's ten fingers moved again—but he only formed a few hand seals before stopping.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
With the wind assisting it, the already oversized fireball became even more terrifying!
The fireball howled forward, swallowing Hyuga Kouta. Its massive size completely sealed off all possible escape routes.
Hyuga Kouta frowned.
This brat… is a little troublesome.
Both jutsu were cast smoothly, and the transition between them was flawless—nothing like what a first-year student should be capable of.
But that made sense.
Anyone who could beat same-age kids so badly—one of them almost ready to graduate—had to have real strength.
However…
That was as far as it went.
Looking at the imposing fire release, Hyuga Kouta actually felt more at ease.
Too young…
Trying to exploit the Hyuga's weakness in ninjutsu to keep pressure on him?
Thinking too much!
He spread his hands, chakra exploding from his entire body!
"Eight Trigrams! Rotation!"
With a shout, a blue chakra dome formed, completely blocking the massive fireball!
"This is—!" Heishou Nian's heart jumped, his face quickly turning serious.
Watching the fireball gradually weaken while the Rotation barrier stood firm, Heishou Nian sighed inwardly.
"So he really isn't holding back…"
Now he finally understood why Jingyan had provoked this Hyuga examiner.
Maybe it was because of his clansman Obito, or maybe he truly disliked the Hyuga like he said…
But no matter what, Heishou Nian didn't think this was a wise choice.
That was a chūnin!
Even though the graduation exam only tested whether a student had the most basic ninja qualifications, a chūnin who refused to hold back against someone likely to become a genin…
Ten minutes was more than enough.
Yes—Heishou Nian had acknowledged Jingyan's strength.
Yes—he still didn't think Jingyan could pass.
Not only him; the other two examiners felt the same.
They looked at Jingyan with pity.
To ordinary ninjas like them, friction between great clans was like gods fighting.
They could only try to go easy on the other candidate…
But on the field, there were two people with different opinions.
One was Uchiha Obito.
After half a month of training, he had developed the habit of trusting Jingyan unconditionally.
Even that bastard Kakashi couldn't beat Jingyan—so what was a Hyuga chūnin?
Kakashi's view, however, was much calmer.
"This Hyuga chūnin is weaker than yesterday's one…"
That was Kakashi's evaluation.
And it was also the feedback Jingyan got from his fireball.
"His activation time is about one second slower than yesterday's, and his strength is roughly eighty percent of that guy's."
"Can't rule out that he's holding back…"
While continuing to form seals, Jingyan analyzed calmly.
The fireball was no match for Rotation.
After only about five seconds of clashing, the flames dispersed, while Hyuga Kouta inside the Rotation remained completely unharmed.
A mocking curve hung on Hyuga Kouta's lips—his relaxed manner showing clearly that he hadn't used his full strength.
He truly was a Hyuga chūnin.
But what outsiders didn't know was…
He had already possessed jōnin-level strength long ago!
But as a branch-family member of the Hyuga, he didn't need a jōnin headband…
...
Meanwhile.
Inside the Hokage Tower, Sarutobi Hiruzen was channeling chakra into the crystal ball before him.
The ninja academy's exam scene was clearly displayed in it.
"Third Hokage-sama, identity confirmed."
"Hyuga Kouta. Passed the chūnin exams seven years ago. Has completed sixteen A-rank missions and one S-rank mission."
"Suspected to be a branch-family jōnin of the Hyuga. Exact strength unknown."
An ANBU spoke and handed over a scroll.
Hiruzen nodded.
His gaze grew much heavier…
After a long while, he took a puff of smoke and waved at the half-kneeling ANBU.
"Inform the observing ANBU—mission unchanged. Ensure the safety of those two children."
"If there is no lethal danger… do not intervene."
"Yes!"
The ANBU responded and vanished.
Hiruzen pondered for a moment longer.
He had done his best…
This was the only way to keep Konoha stable while also protecting those two children from being traded by Shimura Danzō.
He knew his old partner too well.
Danzō had gone as far as to arrange a Hyuga to serve as the examiner—completely disregarding him, the Hokage.
That had already quietly crossed his bottom line…
T/N:
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