The two candidates for the second round—Uchiha Sasuke was still late. Declaring him the loser by default would be simple. However, as one of the headline acts for publicity, if the duel between the survivor of the Uchiha clan and the genius son of the Fourth Kazekage ended just like that, the audience wouldn't buy it.
Indeed, with just a slight delay for the second round, many guests who had come to witness the last glory of the Uchiha were already starting to make a noise.
This situation was no longer something a lowly proctor could decide; one wrong move could even cause a diplomatic incident.
In the end, as expected, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, wanted to disqualify Uchiha Sasuke, but Orochimaru, disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, insisted on postponing the second round.
Looking at the chief examiner calling for the candidates of the third round, Kankuro had to choose to forfeit.
"The Chunin Exam is irrelevant. You two, don't show any openings!" Kankuro ignored Aburame Shino's gaze and whispered instructions to Temari and Daimaru.
"Don't worry! Kankuro, I've been waiting for this day for a long time. Lately, for some reason, my luck has been incredibly good..."
Temari moved ahead, riding her Three-Moon Fan to glide down to the arena, waiting for Daimaru. "This time is no exception. I'm incredibly satisfied with this matchup..."
With a smug smile on his lips, Daimaru formed seals with his hands, turning into sand dust that scattered with the wind, then rematerialized opposite Temari.
"I've wanted to smash that foul mouth of yours for a long time. Today, I finally have the chance to beat you to my heart's content without being criticized..." Temari slammed the Three-Moon Fan heavily onto the ground, looking provocatively at Daimaru, who was significantly burlier than her.
"You're too violent, Temari!" Daimaru wagged his index finger. "This world needs love and peace. Violence doesn't solve problems..."
"Solving problems is too troublesome; I just need to solve you!" Temari elegantly placed one hand on her hip and looked at the composed proctor, Shiranui Genma. "We can start, right?"
"Both of you are acquaintances, and it seems there are no objections. Then, the fourth round of the Chunin Exam begins now!"
As soon as the words fell, the impatient Temari waved her hand for a strike. Wind Release: Sickle Weasel Technique whipped up a gale, rushing toward Daimaru with a sharp whistle.
"I'm a Wind Release ninja too. With just this much power, aren't you underestimating me?"
After forming seals, Daimaru clapped his hands together. A mass of compressed air in his palms surged forward, colliding with the Wind Release: Sickle Weasel Technique. The turbulent currents exploded with a crisp boom, disturbing a whirlwind that spread in all directions, flapping the clothes of countless people. Those closest couldn't help but shield their faces from the oncoming blast.
Such a wild opening—worthy of the Sand Ninja known for their violence...
Acquaintances who knew their strength aside, the strangers in the audience seeing Genin unleash ultimate moves right from the start likely gained a new understanding of Sand Ninja strength.
Temari blocked with her fan and retreated a few steps, while Daimaru simply used his Substitute Puppet as a shield to withstand the wind pressure and scattered wind blades.
"Next, it's my turn. Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!"
The beautiful puppet doll, originally crouching in defense on Daimaru's shoulder, suddenly revealed its ferocity. From its mouth, it spat a series of tiny Wind Release bullets, shooting toward Temari at super speed.
Bang, bang, bang...
The projectiles struck the tough surface of the fan. Although they didn't penetrate, the continuous impact forced Temari back repeatedly, her wrist nearly losing its grip on the Three-Moon Fan.
"It's not over yet..."
The Substitute Puppet used Wind Release: Gale Palm, colliding with the compressed Wind Release from the main body's palm. Like a shell fired from a chamber, it slammed violently into the Three-Moon Fan held by the dodging Temari.
Temari, possessing a petite frame and clearly less strength than Daimaru, was instantly knocked flying backward. She managed to flip in the air, landing half-kneeling on the ground gasping for breath, her right hand gripping the Three-Moon Fan trembling uncontrollably.
The intense duel happening in the blink of an eye left not only the audience dumbfounded but even Kankuro, who had expected it, rubbing his forehead.
"Is this the tacit understanding you agreed on? I really shouldn't have trusted these two idiots..."
Put on a decent taijutsu match, then a ninjutsu light show to satisfy the audience's curiosity, and finally exit gracefully according to the script. It was a good thought, so why couldn't they just follow it?
Temari, having suffered a hidden loss from a careless move, stood up supporting herself with the fan handle. "Seems like if I don't get serious, you won't understand the power of the Three-Moon Fan!"
"The defense is pretty good. Hiding behind it lets you take a few more hits. However..." Daimaru chuckled lightly, pushing his hands forward as Wind Release chakra spread out. "Polarizing Light Killing Formation!"
Instantly, a series of identical Daimarus appeared from every angle, surrounding Temari in the center.
"Clones? No, he used his main body as a template and utilized light refraction to create many identical illusions."
All the illusions moved in unison, appearing slightly different only due to the viewing angles.
"No essential difference from the Clone Technique..."
Despite her arrogant words, Temari wouldn't be careless when taking action.
"Little hint: not all of them are illusions. Guess which one is real?"
All the Daimaru illusions began to use Wind Release: Gale Palm, and the petite dolls on their shoulders coordinated with the release of compressed Wind Release, launching a fierce siege.
"I can't be bothered to figure out which is real; I'll just wipe them all out."
Waving the Three-Moon Fan, Temari released a tornado of wind blades, sweeping away the surrounding chakra that was disturbing the air, leaving only two figures, one tall and one short.
"This must be it!"
She snapped the Three-Moon Fan shut, rushed forward, and smashed the petite puppet doll, which shared her face, to the ground.
"Idiot, over here!"
Suddenly, a teasing laugh came from the sky. Temari instinctively looked up.
"Fell for it, didn't you? Look at my Solar Flare!"
Leaping high in the air, positioned in the sun's shadow, Daimaru swung his right arm down. A beam of intense light shone directly into Temari's eyes, instantly blinding her temporarily.
-----
Read up to 20 advanced chapters on my P@treon.
[email protected]/fanfictionsimp