Chapter 68: Everyone Here is Trash
No one could have predicted that this Uchiha clan member would suddenly attack.
Especially since he'd been smiling pleasantly one second, then erupted into violence the next—his shift in attitude was faster than flipping through a book!
"Uchiha, you've gone too far!"
The Jōnin leading the Iwagakure team from the observation stands looked extremely grim, his eyes flashing with fierce anger. "Our village's shinobi are none of your business to discipline!"
Karura and Pakura exchanged a quick glance before speaking up. "That's right. No matter how you justify it, as the chief examiner, you physically attacked an examinee. This is a clear violation of protocol. We will be reporting your conduct during this exam directly to the Hokage!"
"Oh? Alright then, go ahead."
Uchiha Kazuki casually dropped the unconscious Iwa ninja from his grip, glanced back toward the stands, and said with complete calm: "But I am the chief examiner for this examination. That Iwagakure genin provoked the proctor and spoke disrespectfully—therefore his entire team is disqualified. As for Sunagakure, every single one of their examinees died in the simulation and failed the exam. Do either of you have any objections to these results?"
"What?!"
"Every single Sand ninja died?!"
The Jōnin from both Sunagakure and Iwagakure looked even grimmer upon hearing this news.
The hot-tempered Iwagakure Jōnin, Higashi, his eyes flashing with malicious intent, gritted his teeth and said hatefully: "What did you just say? You're disqualifying Iwagakure from passing?"
Pakura glared down at the genin below the stage and couldn't help but demand: "What exactly happened down there? Did none of you survive the scenario?"
Chiyoko Umezono, when questioned directly, could only lower her head in shame, unable to answer.
"Hmph! Pakura-sensei, it's all because of that Umezono!"
Daigo, thinking back to their encounter in the genjutsu world, gritted his teeth with hatred burning in his eyes. "That coward abandoned her comrades and ran away alone—and she still died in the end! She's completely useless!"
"I..." Chiyoko Umezono couldn't refute the accusation and could only lower her head in embarrassment.
The exchange between the two left Pakura momentarily speechless.
"Uchiha Kazuki, this examination is a joint effort between three great shinobi villages—not a one-man show run by Konoha!"
Higashi said coldly, his voice dripping with authority. "You have no right to unilaterally disqualify Iwagakure. Furthermore, you physically assaulted one of our shinobi. You owe us an explanation!"
Uchiha Kazuki tilted his head slightly, his eyes half-lidded behind his glasses. "Heh. What kind of explanation do you want?"
"An apology!"
Higashi declared arrogantly. "Apologize to Iwagakure immediately. Additionally, I demand that you make public all details regarding your genjutsu technique. We need to investigate whether there was any foul play involved!"
Karura's eyes suddenly lit up, instantly understanding Iwagakure's true intentions.
Uchiha Kazuki's large-scale genjutsu can create an entire illusory world where multiple people can coexist simultaneously. If this technique could be used to train genin, it would be an incredibly powerful tool for cultivating elite shinobi!
She immediately voiced her support: "That's correct. I agree with the Iwagakure Jōnin's assessment. Regarding the genjutsu used in this examination, you must disclose complete information about the technique—including all aspects of the jutsu itself. Otherwise, we can and will consider this entire exam invalid!"
"Disclose complete information about my genjutsu?"
Uchiha Kazuki's lips slowly curved into a mocking smile. "So that's what this is really about. After all that posturing, you're just after my technique."
"Watch your tongue, Uchiha Jōnin."
Higashi crossed his arms over his chest, his expression completely blank. "Nobody is coveting your ninjutsu. We're simply making a reasonable request in the interest of fairness."
"I agree with Higashi-san's assessment."
Pakura's eyes were icy, filled with open provocation. Then, as if deliberately trying to escalate the situation further, she added: "Uchiha Kazuki, you miscalculated this time. Even if the Hokage is willing to protect you, this situation won't be so easily resolved, will it?"
"Uchiha Kazuki, let's face reality here."
Karura spoke more gently, playing the role of good cop. "Otherwise, if this matter escalates further, even Konoha won't be able to properly explain things to the Kazekage and Tsuchikage."
Bringing up both the Kazekage and Tsuchikage at this critical moment was undoubtedly a calculated move to apply maximum pressure.
Both villages had keenly sensed the immense strategic value of Uchiha Kazuki's genjutsu technique.
Therefore, Higashi and Karura were working together seamlessly, choosing to apply coordinated pressure from both sides.
Even though they knew this approach would provoke Konoha's hostility, the potential value of acquiring this technique was absolutely worth the political risk.
If they didn't force the issue here and now, the Hokage would definitely intervene and complicate negotiations later. It was better to be aggressive now—at worst, they could extract some compensation from their respective villages afterward for taking the initiative.
Faced with simultaneous pressure from two major shinobi villages, cold sweat broke out across the faces of the Konoha Chūnin proctors.
"Wh-what do we do?"
The scarred-face proctor swallowed hard, his face pale as he glanced nervously at the person beside him. "Kazuki-san, shouldn't we report this situation to the Hokage immediately?"
"Gentlemen, aren't you going a bit too far?"
Kosuke Maruboshi immediately sensed the dangerous tension building and could only step forward diplomatically. "How to handle this matter should be left to Lord Hokage to decide."
"The Eternal Genin of Konoha?"
Higashi glanced at him coldly. "Step aside, old man. I don't care if you have Jōnin-level skills or not—you have no authority to speak here."
"Hey now, you're going way too far!"
Although Might Duy was sometimes slow on the uptake, even he noticed the group in the stands putting intense pressure on Uchiha Kazuki. He immediately stepped forward in support.
"Didn't you hear what he said?"
Pakura's lips curved into a cold, cruel smile. "No genin have any right to speak in this discussion."
Kosuke's expression darkened considerably. Things had indeed escalated dangerously. He subtly caught Kazuki's eye, silently asking if they should prepare to intervene forcefully.
Although he'd maintained genin rank for decades, that didn't mean he was actually limited to genin-level abilities.
Even though age had diminished his physical capabilities somewhat, he could still hold off elite Jōnin for a reasonable amount of time.
Moreover, they had Might Duy on their side—between the two of them, holding off one Jōnin definitely wouldn't be a problem.
Three against three... they weren't without a fighting chance!
After rapidly analyzing the tactical situation, Kosuke quietly shifted half a step backward, subtly assuming a combat-ready stance.
"Oh? Planning to make a move?"
Their opponent's preparations clearly couldn't be hidden from experienced shinobi like Higashi and Pakura.
"Perfect."
Pakura licked her lips, fervent battle lust flashing in her eyes. "I've wanted to test myself against the legendary Sharingan of the Uchiha clan for quite some time!"
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense, balanced on a razor's edge and ready to explode at any moment.
Everyone present was incredibly nervous, beads of cold sweat forming on foreheads. The genin examinees especially were caught between the overwhelming pressure radiating from several Jōnin-level shinobi, making it extremely uncomfortable just to breathe.
"Handing over the technique isn't necessarily out of the question."
At this critical moment, Uchiha Kazuki suddenly spoke, his expression perfectly calm.
"Kazuki-san?!"
Both Kosuke and Might Duy's expressions changed slightly, their eyes filling with confusion and concern.
"Very good. It seems you finally understand your position."
Seeing his plan apparently succeed, Higashi couldn't help but laugh smugly, speaking with the condescending air of a superior lecturing a subordinate: "That's much better. This is all in the interest of 'fairness,' after all."
"The ninjutsu technique... I can give it to you."
Uchiha Kazuki extended a single finger, beckoning them downward with a casual gesture. "Come down here. If you can defeat me, the technique is yours. But if you lose... you'll kneel down and apologize."
So... so domineering!
So THIS is the Uchiha clan?!
In that single instant, Uchiha Kazuki's utterly domineering declaration made him seem to shine with brilliant intensity among all the Konoha shinobi present.
Even the elderly Kosuke felt his blood begin to boil with excitement: "Although I am old, I will never stand idly by while shinobi from other villages cause trouble for Konoha! I'm willing to fight beside you!"
"Me too!"
Might Duy was equally fired up, looking incredibly enthusiastic as he struck a dynamic pose.
Up in the observation stands, Higashi's face suddenly darkened like a thundercloud. His arms, which had been casually crossed over his chest, slowly lowered to his sides as chakra began gathering. "You ignorant brat! Three Uchiha Jōnin just like you have already died at my hands on the battlefield!"
"How arrogant can you possibly be, Uchiha?!"
Pakura was equally furious, gritting her teeth hard enough they might crack. "Does he really think he's a Kage-level shinobi?! He's just a mere Jōnin!"
"Sorry, but I'm actually quite short on time right now."
Uchiha Kazuki adjusted his glasses with one finger and said with perfect, infuriating calm: "There are many other matters waiting for my attention, so... would you both mind coming at me together? It'll save time."
Upon hearing this ultimate provocation, both Higashi and Pakura completely lost their composure. Their chakra erupted simultaneously in massive waves.
"You're courting death, boy!"
"Arrogant fool!"
The two veteran Jōnin were absolutely enraged. The overwhelming aura they unleashed created visible ripples of pressure that rolled across the entire plaza like crushing waves.
"Kazuki-san, we'll fight beside you!"
Kosuke and Might Duy immediately stepped forward to flank him, their eyes warily fixed on the enraged Higashi and Pakura as they prepared for combat.
"Sorry, but perhaps my words just now caused some misunderstanding."
Uchiha Kazuki's eyes flickered with dark amusement behind his glasses as he smiled almost pleasantly. His next words dropped like a bomb:
"I didn't mean to single you two out specifically. What I meant was..."
He paused deliberately, his smile widening.
"Everyone here is trash."
[End of Chapter 68]