Despite always adhering to the principle of keeping a low profile while making his fortune, and frequently hiding in the shadow of his senpai Kakashi, Habara couldn't escape the inherent trait of being recognized as one of "Konoha's talented new generation of ninja."
Compounding this was the fact that the person wanting to assess the combat strength of Konoha's Jonin during this period was Kushina Uzumaki. As the leader of the internal Konoha organization Habara belonged to, considering all factors, Habara really had no choice but to participate in this "team-building" flavored activity.
Not only did Habara have to participate, but he also had to put in a genuine effort—at the very least, he couldn't afford a first-round elimination. After all, the higher-ups were reasonably aware of his capabilities. If he didn't exert himself, it would be disrespecting the leadership. Disrespecting the leadership meant lacking social grace, and why should someone who doesn't know how to behave still be alive?
Naturally, an event like this couldn't possibly require all Jonin to attend. Non-standard activities shouldn't interfere with regular duties; Jonin carried heavy mission loads. Regardless, only a small fraction of Jonin could take part.
According to Tenzo's explanation, a total of thirty Jonin were participating, including several Special Jonin. However, this didn't mean it was merely a symbolic event. In fact, whether Jonin or Special Jonin, all participants were individuals of considerable skill.
Taking Habara's own small organization as an example, the three chosen representatives were Habara, Shibi Aburame, and Kakashi—clearly, this wasn't a lineup to be trifled with.
The day after Habara received this "dreadful news," inside the small earthen building of the Akakammuri organization:
The entire organization was already bustling in preparation for the upcoming village event. Since Kushina Uzumaki was the proposer, her organization logically became the event's organizer and host.
Watching the members rush about, their feet barely touching the ground, Habara suddenly had a change of heart. Compared to providing services for the participants and ensuring the event ran smoothly, the role of "participant" seemed markedly easier. No need to manage anything—just show up and fight.
Besides, the battles were only meant to be touch-and-go sparring. Habara didn't even need to specifically prepare. All participants were named Konoha shinobi, relatively speaking, none with particularly shady backgrounds. There might be ANBU members among them, but definitely no one from Root. Therefore, it was unlikely anyone would try to use this opportunity to assassinate Habara… It was common knowledge that Jonin Habara and Root leader Danzo Shimura didn't exactly get along.
Furthermore, for various reasons, no ninja from the Uchiha clan were on the participation list. The reasoning was simple: in a sense, these core Jonin were precisely the force meant to counter the Uchiha clan. If the Uchiha were ever to cause trouble, these Jonin would certainly be involved in suppressing them. Given the profound lack of mutual trust, how could Konoha possibly allow the Uchiha to participate? To display the techniques of their top Jonin one by one for the Uchiha to see? What kind of idiot would suggest that?
Moreover, the number of participants in this event was inherently small, and the spread of information was very limited. The Uchiha probably wouldn't even know exactly what Konoha was up to; this wasn't a large-scale, regular event like the Chunin Exams.
"Feels a bit chaotic..." Habara couldn't help remarking as he observed the busy scene.
It wasn't a large organization, after all, and mostly comprised of young ninja. Their work naturally appeared somewhat rough around the edges.
"Lady Kushina said this is an opportunity to train everyone's organizational and management skills..." Daigo commented, having appeared unnoticed beside Habara at some point.
Habara glanced at her pale, bloodless face; her expressionless features made her resemble an exquisite doll even more. "Why does a small organization need such strong management skills? Does Lady Kushina have some ulterior motive?"
"..."
Ah, this topic seemed a bit awkward to respond to.
It was common knowledge that the current Third Hokage's thinking was rigid, his decision-making ability lacking, and his overemphasis on personal sentiment made him insufficiently iron-fisted. Among the qualities required of a leader—decisiveness, responsibility, calmness, ruthlessness, unwavering drive—Lord Third excelled primarily in being kind and affable.
Let's just say, those who understand, understand. For those who don't, there's nothing to be done.
As for the event itself, while described as tournament-style duels, ninja weren't boxers. The arena they required certainly differed from a standard ring. The battlefield was set up within a 1000x1000 meter dense forest. The format was one-on-one duels, with participants, in principle, required to determine a winner within half a day.
After the referee announced the start of a battle, the two ninja would enter the combat zone from the north and south sides, respectively, and engage in free combat until one party was unable to continue or surrendered.
The stage for the Jonin was vast. Now it remained to be seen how they would perform.
......
A week later, the competition to assess Jonin combat strength officially began.
Habara, Kakashi, and Shibi Aburame arrived together at the hidden battle location. Seeing the other ninja gathered here in small groups, they too stood aside and began chatting idly.
"Speaking of which," Habara began, "since this is such a serious ninja event, there ought to be a corresponding reward for the final winner, right?"
Since he was being forced to participate and had resigned himself to it, Habara naturally started evaluating the practical benefits of such activities.
"It seems that hasn't been decided yet."
Kakashi stared ahead with his usual dead-fish eyes, speaking in a listless tone. Clearly, he too felt indifferent about this type of event.
"Making the horse run without feeding it grass? Are they too lazy even to dangle a carrot?" Habara felt like his feelings had been deceived. "How can this event possibly succeed?"
Shibi Aburame, characteristically composed, said nothing.
Before long, Kushina Uzumaki arrived. She herself would serve as the referee. After reiterating the competition rules, she declared the battles officially open.
Opponents were determined by random draw on the spot, and the very first match turned out to be a heavyweight confrontation.
"First battle: Shibi Aburame versus Hizashi Hyuga!"
The Hyuga clan consistently participated eagerly in such official events; they understood the importance of closely following the leadership's footsteps. And traditional ninja like Shibi Aburame considered obeying orders their duty; having received the mission order, there was nothing more to say.
Thus, a highly anticipated duel between Hizashi Hyuga—an elite Jonin from Konoha's ancient and noble clan, wielder of the Byakugan—and Shibi Aburame—a top combatant of the Aburame clan—was coincidentally arranged.
The opponents for the first battle entered the dense forest from opposite ends. However, the complex terrain of the battlefield offered no concealment from the Byakugan.
Ambush, sneak attacks, guerrilla warfare—such tactics were ineffective against the Hyuga.
Hizashi Hyuga activated his Byakugan. He knew that Shibi Aburame, who used kikaichu insects as his primary offensive means, was a formidable opponent with very poor compatibility for a close-combat taijutsu specialist like himself.
Through the penetrating vision of the Byakugan, Hizashi saw Shibi Aburame walking openly towards the center of the battlefield, making no effort to conceal his movements. Then, he watched as the man simply stopped, took something out of his ninja pouch, and began continuously stuffing it into his mouth.
As he watched, Hizashi Hyuga became utterly baffled.
Because…
As Shibi Aburame continued his actions, the intensity of his chakra began to surge in a way visible even to the naked eye. His chakra level rapidly increased by an order of magnitude, then by another. Soon, even the kikaichu insects surrounding him became uncontrollably agitated.
Hizashi rubbed his eyes, suddenly feeling a strong urge to raise his hand and signal the referee for a pause. He suspected his opponent was using stimulants and wanted to request a mandatory drug test from the referee.
Well, perhaps a urine test was unnecessary. Anyone with eyes could see the obvious outcome... Shibi Aburame's stimulants definitely didn't contain a single drop of urine.