Three days later.
The highly anticipated second stage of the Chunin Exams officially commenced.
In an open coliseum-style arena, reminiscent of the Roman amphitheaters, tens of thousands of spectators gathered to witness the battles. Sixteen genin who had passed the first round and the preliminary matches were set to face off in a one-on-one elimination tournament.
The drawing of lots followed the same fair and randomized method as previous jointly held Chunin Exams.
No, correction—there were only fifteen participants.
One of the competitors from Sunagakure, Sasori, had failed to arrive on time and was deemed to have forfeited the exam.
"Winner: Yagura of Kirigakure!"
"Winner: Akaiwa of Iwagakure!"
"Winner: Asuma Sarutobi of Konohagakure!"
"Winner: Mukumo of Kirigakure!"
"Winner: Genma Shiranui of Konohagakure!"
"Winner: Sunagakure…"
"Winner: Takigakure…"
The eighth match was Ringo Ameyuri versus Sasori. With the latter absent, Ameyuri automatically advanced to the second round.
And with that, the first round of the second stage was concluded.
...
Yagura glanced at Ringo Ameyuri, then at Mukumo.
He realized something.
Among the three of them, he was the only one who hadn't gotten a bye?
Was he just unlucky?
Meow meow meow??
Unacceptable.
Yagura narrowed his eyes at Ameyuri.
"You, share some of your luck with me!"
Having spent so much time with Yagura, Ameyuri had picked up some of his odd yet fitting phrases. Redirecting the frustration, she turned to Mukumo.
"Yeah, share some of your luck!"
Mukumo scratched his head and gave a sheepish smile.
"Alright, you kids did well. Take a fifteen-minute break, then we'll begin the second round."
Up in the highest section of the spectators' stand, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat with a distracted expression, absentmindedly waving for Shikaku Nara to continue hosting the exam.
Beside him, there should have been another figure—the Third Kazekage. However, there had been no word from him at all.
Reports from Konoha's border patrol stated that three days ago, the Kazekage and his escort had crossed into the Land of Fire.
And then, nothing.
This morning, Hiruzen had dispatched Konoha shinobi to search the surrounding areas for any trace of the Kazekage, but as the exam commenced, there was still no news.
A bad feeling gnawed at him.
The leader of Takigakure, who had been invited to sit beside him, had only just been informed of the situation upon arrival.
"Lord Kazekage should be fine," the Takigakure leader attempted to reassure him, sensing Hiruzen's unease.
"Perhaps he was simply delayed by some unexpected circumstances. After all, isn't he known as the strongest Kazekage in Sunagakure's history?"
Even as he spoke, doubt crept into his own voice.
What kind of unforeseen situation could delay a Kage for three whole days?
Even if something had happened, surely he could have sent someone to relay a message to Konoha or Sunagakure.
Yet there was nothing.
No sign of him, no word from his people.
Hiruzen felt a sinking weight in his chest.
As unbelievable as it was, he had to start considering the worst-case scenario.
—The Third Kazekage had been assassinated within Konoha. The culprit was unknown.
It sounded absurd, but it wasn't unprecedented.
Decades ago, the rogue ninja brothers Kinkaku and Ginkaku had slaughtered the Second Raikage during peace talks between Konoha and Kumogakure.
Hiruzen himself had been a witness to that event.
...
Fifteen minutes later, the second round began!
First match: Yagura vs. Akaiwa.
The genin still participating in the exam were unaware of the troubling thoughts occupying the minds of their village leaders.
"Come on down, Yagura!!"
Akaiwa landed with a heavy thud, kicking up dust. He clenched his fists eagerly and shouted toward the Kirigakure stands,
"I can't believe I get to fight you so soon! I'm pumped!"
"You always end up facing strong opponents, Yagura. That's real luck," Ameyuri commented, arms crossed. "But man, he's loud."
Yagura wasn't sure he appreciated this kind of luck.
"Your opponent in the second round is that Takigakure guy. Not bad either, huh?"
What was his name again? Yagura had already forgotten. Not that he had ever bothered to remember it.
With a push off the railing, Yagura hopped down lightly into the arena.
His entrance set off another wave of excitement from the crowd.
"OOOOHHHH!!!"
"You got this!!"
"Be careful, little Yagura!!"
Yagura waved enthusiastically.
"Hey~ Thanks, everyone~ I'll do my best to take down this big guy."
In the first round, this small, tea-colored-haired shinobi had dominated his match with overwhelming skill (and a little extra flair for showmanship).
Combined with his youthful appearance, he had instantly captured the audience's attention.
Crowds loved a good spectacle, and Yagura's unexpected contrast in power and looks was exactly what they craved.
They had paid for this entertainment, after all!
...
Unfortunately for Akaiwa, despite his impressive display in the first round, the audience had already decided their favorite.
When the match was announced, the cheers were entirely one-sided.
"Second round, first match—Yagura vs. Akaiwa! Begin!"
...
Akaiwa specialized in Earth Release and close combat.
"Maintain distance and finish him with Water Release."
Yagura swiftly formed a hand seal, fingers interlocking. From the rising water vapor, five spiraling water blades shot forward.
Akaiwa was unfazed by the audience's bias. His eyes gleamed with battle lust, solely focused on the opponent before him.
"Earth Fist Technique! Light-Weight Rock Technique!"
His fists encased themselves in dense rock, while his entire body became lighter, enhancing his speed.
With surprising agility, Akaiwa weaved past the incoming water blades, rushing straight at Yagura!
The water blades adjusted their trajectory, but they couldn't keep up with Akaiwa's movements.
In a blink, Akaiwa was in front of Yagura. He deactivated the Light-Weight Rock Technique and unleashed a meteor-like barrage of punches!
Yagura dodged swiftly but deliberately left an opening.
Akaiwa's eyes gleamed as he landed a direct hit on Yagura's crossed arms—
Yagura used the force to propel himself backward, flipping mid-air, forming hand seals.
A water dragon surged forth!
...
And so, the fierce battle raged on!
Would Yagura's swift tactics and water techniques outmaneuver Akaiwa's sheer brute force and earth manipulation?
The audience was on the edge of their seats!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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