Thud!
As Atsui's body collapsed in the arena, the Four Purple Fla Formation was dispersed by the Sealing Squad, and Itachi appeared in the arena. After checking Atsui's condition and confirming that the Kumogakure Genin was unconscious, he announced, "The winner of this match is Konohagakure’s Hyuga Neji!"
Imdiately, cheers erupted from the stands, especially from the Konoha ninjas, particularly those from the branch division of the Hyuga Clan. They all loudly celebrated Neji’s victory.
With the match over and the audience cheering for him, Neji smiled lightly as he deactivated his Byakugan Chakra Mode, letting out a sigh of relief as he lowered his arms. He glanced at the unconscious figure of Atsui, then turned and calmly walked out of the arena, heading back to the Konohagakure waiting room.
Watching Neji leave victorious, Raijin smiled to himself. ‘You did well, Neji!’
Once Neji had activated his Byakugan Chakra Mode, the fight lost its suspense and ended quickly with Neji's triumph. Although Atsui was quite formidable while using his Fire Chakra Mode, the protective layer of Byakugan Chakra around Neji's body shielded him from the heat and flas of Atsui’s Fire Chakra Mode. Combined with his newfound ability to disintegrate ninjutsu, it was no surprise that Neji secured the win without sustaining any serious injuries—though his clothes were slightly singed. None of that mattered now, as Hyuga Neji had successfully advanced to the second round of the third phase of the Joint Chūnin Promotion Exam.
With the conclusion of the third match, the arena was once again repaired. Afterward, Itachi announced the next matchup, "Darui of Kumogakure and Kurotsuchi of Iwagakure... please step forward!"
“Why him of all people?” Kurotsuchi cursed under her breath upon hearing her opponent's na.
Behind her, Deidara snickered. “Good luck…”
“Shut it!” Kurotsuchi snapped, shooting him a death glare before reluctantly standing and leaving the Iwagakure waiting room to make her way to the arena.
For her, as long as she wasn’t facing Kumogakure’s Darui or Agakure’s Raijin, she would’ve been fine with anyone else. The problem was that Lightning Style naturally countered Earth Style, and both Darui and Raijin were exceptionally skilled in Lightning techniques. They were simply too strong for her level of ability.
Kurotsuchi understood the vast difference in their skill levels and knew her chances of winning were slim. With a sigh of resignation, she thought to herself, ‘This is just the worst.’
Unlike Kurotsuchi, who felt her chances of winning were slim, Darui appeared calm, almost lazy. He didn’t seem too concerned about facing her. "I'll be back in a bit… take care of Atsui in the anti," he casually told Shee.
Shee nodded but added a word of caution. "Just don’t be careless..." Though Darui had the upper hand, Shee felt it was worth reminding him to stay sharp.
"I know," Darui replied, getting up and leaving Kumogakure’s waiting room.
Soon, both candidates stood in the arena. After confirming they were ready, Itachi announced the start of the match, “Begin!” and swiftly exited the arena with a Body Flicker Jutsu as the Four Purple Fla Formation surrounded them.
With the signal given, the battle began—and it quickly beca clear that Kurotsuchi was at a disadvantage. In taijutsu, ninjutsu, chakra control, and strategy, Darui was vastly superior. This was to be expected. Kurotsuchi, only fourteen years old and a ninja for just a few years, was still immature, her abilities on par with a Special Jōnin at best. anwhile, Darui, having been a ninja for over a decade and serving as the Yondai Raikage’s right-hand man, had the strength of a Kage.
The difference in skill was undeniable, and everyone in the arena recognized it. There wasn’t much excitent about the match, as it was obvious Kurotsuchi wouldn’t stand a chance against Darui.
As expected, within in a minute, Darui knocked her unconscious with a swift neck chop. She fell to the ground, the fight over before it even really began.
Darui scratched his cheek awkwardly. The match felt less like a fight and more like he was bullying a kid—but it couldn’t be helped. He had to do what was necessary.
As Kurotsuchi lay unconscious, the Four Purple Fla Formation dispersed, and Itachi reappeared in the arena. After confirming that Kurotsuchi could no longer continue, he announced the result: "The winner of this match is Kumogakure’s Darui!"
With the fight won, Darui turned and quietly left the arena.
…
VIP Stand
"Sigh... it couldn’t be helped," Ōnoki muttered, watching his unconscious granddaughter, Kurotsuchi, being carried away by Deidara. Her defeat at the hands of a Kumogakure ninja left him feeling a bit embarrassed, but he knew there was nothing to be done. The gap in skill between them was too vast.
Yondai Raikage laughed heartily. "It’s already impressive she lasted as long as she did against Darui!"
Tsuchikage snorted, glaring coldly at the Raikage. "Indeed, my granddaughter lasted long against the Anbu Commander of Kumogakure. I should consider that an achievent and be proud of her... After all, she’s only fourteen, a Genin. Not like a certain twenty-one-year-old Kumogakure ninja who's still a ‘Genin.’"
"You..." Raikage’s proud expression faltered as Ōnoki jabbed at Darui’s age and rank. There wasn’t much he could say in response, and it left him deflated.
…
Konohagakure Waiting Room
While the Konoha Genins celebrated Neji’s victory, Jiraiya frowned, muttering, “Why haven’t Kakashi and Sasuke returned yet?”
Tsunade nodded, her expression tight with concern. “How could Kakashi be so careless... What’s the point of all that training if he doesn’t even show up on ti?”
As they discussed, Itachi’s voice echoed through the arena, announcing the next matchup. "Temari of Sunagakure and Samsara of Agakure... please step forward!"
Hearing the nas of the next participants, the crowd's attention imdiately shifted to the arena. “It’s the Kunoichi from Sunagakure and the one from Agakure!” whispered excited spectators, eager to see the next battle.
…
Agakure’s Waiting Room
“It’s my turn…” Samsara mumbled as she stood up, glancing at Raijin. “What should I do, Raijin-sama?”
Raijin responded casually, “End it quickly.”
“I understand,” she replied, then turned and left the waiting room, ready for her match.
…
Sunagakure’s Waiting Room
"I’m up against Agakure’s kunoichi..." Temari muttered with a frown as she tried to recall everything she knew about Samsara. Unfortunately, she realized she didn’t know much, except for the fact that her opponent was quite skilled in Fuinjutsu.
“Be careful,” Itsuki reminded her.
“I know,” Temari nodded as she left Sunagakure’s waiting room. While her knowledge of Samsara was limited, the display of Fuinjutsu prowess during Tengu's battle against Shira last week had been enough to convince Temari that she needed to take this match seriously.
‘No matter what, I’m going to win this!’ she thought, determination surging through her as she made her way to the arena.
…
At the Arena
As the purple flas enveloped the arena, the match officially began. Everyone—whether it was the general crowd, Genin from different villages, elders, Daimyo, or even the Kages—watched with anticipation, eager to see what the two kunoichi would do. However, to everyone's shock, the mont the match started, Temari suddenly collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud, losing consciousness on the spot.
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