The entire venue was completely silent.
Everyone was speechless, shocked by the thrilling and intense duel, and especially by Sora's earth-shattering final punch.
The referee froze for several seconds before quickly stepping forward to check Hyuga Hikaru's condition. After confirming that he had lost the ability to fight, the referee took a deep breath and announced with all his strength:
"The winner is Sora!!"
"The champion of this Ninja School practical combat exam is Sora!!!"
After a brief silence, thunderous applause and exclamations erupted throughout the venue!
"He won! Sora won!"
"So strong! He even broke the Hyuga clan's Eight Trigrams Palms!"
"What technique did he use at the end? His speed and power increased so much all of a sudden!"
"A monster! He's truly a monster!"
"..."
Yuhi Kurenai jumped up excitedly, her small face flushed red with excitement.
In the stands, Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
Jiraiya laughed heartily. "I told you this kid could take first place! Hahaha!"
Tsunade also nodded. "Although he took shortcuts, his explosive power and timing were top-notch."
Orochimaru, however, gave Sora a deep look, the corner of his mouth curling into a meaningful arc. He had clearly developed some interest in Sora as well.
Sora stood in the center of the ring, breathing slightly heavily, feeling the surging power within his body gradually calm down as he released the Eight Inner Gates state.
He had won.
This championship should be enough to attract Sarutobi Hiruzen's attention, right?
Although... he had exposed the Eight Inner Gates, he ultimately did not use the power of the Azure Dragon Fruit.
Sora looked at Hyuga Hikaru, who was being carried down by the medical team, feeling not much joy in his heart.
This Hyuga Hikaru was very strong, arguably a Byakugan genius even greater than Neji. He had truly forced Sora to the point of opening the second gate.
It was a pity he encountered Sora, who had cheats.
This also made Sora feel very insecure. Now, apart from the power of the Azure Dragon Fruit, almost all his other means had been exposed.
But Sora's true foundation had always been the Azure Dragon Fruit! Secret techniques like the Eight Inner Gates were, in the end, just icing on the cake.
So while it seemed like he had exposed most of his strength and trump cards, that wasn't actually the case. His greatest trump card was always the power of the Azure Dragon Fruit. If he truly used that power, his strength could at least double, and he could even exchange blows with a Jonin.
Currently, Sora was in the second stage of fruit development. Semi Beast Transformation!
But he could only control the beast transformation of his hands and legs, and it still required some transition time.
When he could freely control body parts for beast transformation, Sora would enter the third stage. Complete Beast Transformation, the true complete Azure Dragon form!
By then, he wouldn't need to hide and pretend to be weak everywhere like he did now, worrying about being captured as a lab rat.
He also wouldn't need to watch others' faces, and could try out what 'I don't eat beef' feels like?!
...
Not long after, it was time for the final award ceremony.
A high-pitched announcement sounded again. "Now, please welcome the Third Hokage-sama to present awards to the winners of this practical combat exam!"
Everyone's gaze instantly focused on the main stand.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, with a gentle smile on his face, slowly stood up. Under the gaze of numerous high-ranking officials and Jonin, he step by step walked towards the ring.
He first walked up to Hyuga Hikaru, who had just regained consciousness and was being supported by a medical ninja.
Then, from a tray held by an attendant behind him, he picked up a scroll and a small ninja tool pouch.
Sarutobi Hiruzen handed the rewards over, saying in a gentle tone:
"Hyuga Hikaru, congratulations on achieving second place. I hope you guard against arrogance and impatience, continue to work hard, and become a solid pillar protecting Konoha in the future."
Hyuga Hikaru bit his lip, taking the rewards with difficulty, and said in a low voice, "Yes, Hokage-sama."
But Sora, standing nearby, still caught a glimpse of humiliation and viciousness in his eyes.
'Showing this expression even in front of the Hokage, this Hyuga Hikaru is doomed sooner or later,' Sora thought to himself.
Indeed, although not obvious, Sora could still sense that the gentleness in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes had diminished slightly.
Afterwards, Sarutobi Hiruzen came before Sora.
The final remaining reward on the tray was clearly much more substantial than the previous one. A more exquisite, extra-large ninja tool pouch, and a sealing scroll that looked very high-end.
"Sora." Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice rose slightly, ensuring the surrounding crowd could hear.
"Your performance today exceeded everyone's expectations. Tenacious will, outstanding taijutsu, composure under pressure, adaptability, and that final explosive power all fully prove your talent and effort!"
"This first place is well-deserved for you!"
He picked up the conspicuous ninja tool pouch and scroll, handing them personally to Sora:
"These are your rewards. A specially-made ninja tool kit containing some practical ninja tools and explosive tags. And this B-rank ninjutsu scroll, I hope it will aid your future growth."
'A B-rank ninjutsu?'
Sora remembered that B-rank ninjutsu were typically used by Jonin. Whether in terms of chakra consumption, hand seal complexity, or power in actual combat, they were far beyond the C-rank and D-rank ninjutsu commonly used by Genin and Chunin.
It was important to know that within Konoha's ninja system, not all Jonin mastered A-rank ninjutsu. Those were forbidden techniques! Not to mention the extremely rare S-rank ultimate techniques.
The vast majority of ordinary Jonin were only proficient in three or four B-rank ninjutsu. The weight of this scroll could be seen from this.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." Sora respectfully accepted them with both hands. They felt heavy to the touch; these rewards were indeed generous.
Although ninjutsu weren't very useful to Sora...
But compared to these material rewards, Sarutobi Hiruzen's attitude next was the key!
Sure enough, Sarutobi Hiruzen patted Sora's shoulder, lowering his voice to a whisper. "Come to my Hokage office after the award ceremony ends."
Here it comes!
Sora's heart stirred, but his expression remained unchanged, still that respectful and slightly excited appearance. He nodded in response. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
The award ceremony concluded. Sarutobi Hiruzen then gave a brief speech to all the teachers, students, and spectators, encouraging the youth to train hard and inherit the Will of Fire. After eliciting another round of cheers, he left the training grounds under the protection of the Anbu.
The crowd began to disperse gradually, everyone still excitedly discussing the thrilling match just now, especially Sora's earth-shattering counterattack at the end.
"Sora, you were amazing!" Yuhi Kurenai was the first to rush over, her small face full of admiration and joy.
Asuma, Genma Shiranui, and Ibiki also walked over.
Asuma said with a pout:
"Hmph, you're pretty good. But I won't lose to you next time!"
"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river!"
"..."
Genma Shiranui, holding a senbon in his mouth, gave a cool nod of acknowledgment. He had lost in the quarter-finals against Ibiki.
Ibiki also showed Sora an expression that could be considered friendly.
It is worth noting that the exam only had a top four, with no third place, sparing Ibiki and Uchiha Enta from having to face each other.
Sora responded to each of them, but his mind had already flown to the Hokage Building.
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