After Itachi Uchiha's match, the subsequent battles between the Genin seemed rather standard.
The fights followed a predictable rhythm: starting with shuriken probes, transitioning into taijutsu clashes to demonstrate their solid foundations, and finally deciding the outcome with their most practiced ninjutsu.
The entire routine looked flawless. Whether it was the taijutsu exchanges or the ninjutsu duels, every moment felt thrilling. These evenly matched fights drew constant cheers from the audience in the viewing stands, leaving the spectators feeling like they had truly gotten their money's worth.
Even Jie enjoyed watching the amateurs stumbling in the arena. It was a free show, there was no need to be overly critical.
Jie waited a long time. Finally, after the majority of the Genin had finished their performances, his name flashed across the big screen.
"Next match: Jie Uchiha vs. Banzai Hyuga."
Seeing the name on the screen, surprise flickered across Kakashi's face. He hadn't realized Jie Uchiha was actually participating in the Chunin Exams. When he had spotted him among the contestants earlier, Kakashi assumed Jie was only there to accompany his younger brother, Itachi.
But looking at the matchup now, it seemed this Banzai Hyuga was in for a world of pain.
"Jie Uchiha against Banzai Hyuga?"
"A clash between the geniuses of Konoha's first and second greatest clans?"
"I didn't expect to see a spectacle like this during these Chunin Exams. This ticket was definitely worth the price!"
Up in the VIP stands, the wealthy merchants and officials chattered enthusiastically.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen watched Jie step into the arena, a flicker of pure hatred flashing in his eyes. He cast a brief glance toward the Anbu base then forced himself to calm down.
'Shinnosuke, watch closely. Father will soon avenge you.'
However, Hiruzen failed to notice that his every expression, no matter how small, was being observed by the trusted minister sitting right beside him. A mocking smirk tugged at the corner of Orochimaru's mouth.
'Still hoping to use outside forces to turn the tables? Wishful thinking.'
Down in the arena, Jie was completely oblivious to the silent drama unfolding on the Kage stand. He let out a wide yawn and looked at his opponent.
"You're... Hyuga Steel Plate, right?"
"My name is Banzai Hyuga!" The veins on Banzai's forehead bulged dangerously as he roared at Jie's blatant disrespect.
"Same thing," Jie replied casually. He tilted his head, looking Banzai up and down. "Since you're from the Hyuga clan, you must know the Eighty Gods Vacuum Attack, right?"
"No? Then how about just a regular Vacuum Attack?"
"Still no?"
"Then surely you know the simplest Eight Trigrams One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms, or at least Rotation, right?"
"None of them?" Jie's eyes widened, his face the very picture of exaggerated disbelief. "Then why are you even taking the Chunin Exams?"
"You're just spouting nonsense! What Vacuum Attack? There's no such move in our Hyuga's Gentle Fist!" Banzai bellowed, thoroughly enraged.
"I know there isn't. I was just joking," Jie said with a light laugh. "If you could actually learn the Vacuum Attack, the Hyuga would be the number one clan in Konoha right now. But I was serious about one thing."
"What?" Banzai frowned, his guard up.
"Taking the Chunin Exams when you don't even know Rotation."
Before Jie's words even finished echoing in the air, Banzai's vision blurred. Jie's figure vanished completely.
"Where did he go?!" Banzai's expression changed drastically. He immediately tried to channel chakra to activate his Byakugan, but Jie's voice whispered from right behind him.
"You'll only make a fool of yourself."
Smack!
With a casual kick, Banzai was sent sprawling across the dirt. Jie then turned toward the Kage stand and called out loudly.
"This is getting a bit boring. Let's just start and get this over with early."
"I completely agree."
Up on the viewing platform, Orochimaru sneered, his voice carrying clearly over the arena.
Hearing the painfully familiar voice right beside him, Hiruzen's face drained of color. He slowly turned his head, his eyes filled with utter disbelief as he stared at his trusted minister.
"Orochimaru?"
"Hiruzen-sensei… are you only recognizing me now?" Wearing the minister's stolen face, Orochimaru licked his lips, his voice cold and detached. "That's quite disappointing… coming from my teacher."
"What is going on?"
"Why is the S-Rank missing-ninja Orochimaru in the village?!"
Witnessing the sudden upheaval on the Kage stand, Kakashi's visible eye widened in shock. "Oh no, Lord Hokage!"
Kakashi cried out and instantly surged forward to the rescue, but someone else was faster.
"Kakashi, just sit back and watch the drama. In a moment, you'll understand exactly what kind of person you've been serving all this time."
Jie effortlessly blocked Kakashi's path, his expression perfectly calm.
"Jie Uchiha?" Kakashi skidded to a halt, his expression darkening. He pulled out a kunai, pointing the sharp edge right at Jie. "Has the Uchiha clan betrayed the village?!"
"Betrayal?" Jie shook his head slowly. "Konoha was founded by the Uchiha and the Senju. Right now, the Uchiha clan merely wants to take back what rightfully belongs to them. That is all."
"But that is no excuse for a rebellion!" Kakashi demanded coldly.
"Stubborn..." Jie sighed. "Since you refuse to watch peacefully...I'll just have to make you watch."
Jie's eyes shifted. His Mangekyo Sharingan flared to life, an exquisite triangular pattern spinning into existence within his scarlet pupils.
"Demonic Illusion: Paralysis Technique!"
"Genjutsu?!"
In a split second, Kakashi felt as though his entire body had been encased in thick layers of iron. Aside from his consciousness, he couldn't move a single muscle.
"Although you also possess a Sharingan, the gap in our visual prowess is simply too vast," Jie stated smoothly. "Under my Sharingan's Genjutsu, you won't be able to move. Now, just relax and watch how everything unfolds."
Kakashi had been thoroughly manipulated his entire life. Once he understands the real truth behind Konoha's shadows, it would be relatively easy to make him change his allegiances—from Hiruzen Sarutobi's elite Jonin to the Uchiha clan's elite Jonin.
Jie had no desire to carelessly kill off such an excellent pawn.
Restrained and utterly immobilized, Kakashi's heart pounded with anxiety, yet he could not do anything but stand frozen and witness the chaos unfold.
It was then that Kakashi noticed the perimeter. At some point during the distraction, Uchiha shinobi had completely surrounded the arena. Simultaneously, the intense, chaotic sounds of battle erupted from various areas across the village—though they quickly began to die down.
'That old fox definitely kept some tricks up his sleeve,' Jie thought to himself, listening to the distant explosions. 'But in the face of absolute power, it's all in vain.'
Everything was perfectly within his grasp. A brilliant, victorious smile spread on Jie's face.
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