At exactly nine o'clock, the third round of the Chūnin Exams officially began.
The first to step up as a warm-up were two unfamiliar genin teams.
Makoto had never heard the names of anyone on these two squads, which was perfectly normal. Konohagakure had tens of thousands of shinobi in total; even counting both his past and present lives, he only remembered a small fraction of them.
However, none of the six were weak. Their taijutsu was solid, their ninja tool throwing was precise, and each of them even mastered one or two C-rank ninjutsu.
Compared to those career genin who muddled along for years knowing nothing beyond the Three Basic Techniques—and perhaps not even a single C-rank or higher ninjutsu—these people possessed genuine chūnin-level strength.
At the same time, this was also the typical standard of most chūnin in Konohagakure.
It was obvious that both teams had made corresponding tactical preparations during the five days before the match. Their offense and defense were well-organized, without panic, and their combat awareness was on point.
The two teams first followed convention with a round of mutual ninja tool exchanges. When that proved ineffective, they immediately closed in and engaged in close-quarters combat, fighting with kunai in hand.
As it turned out, both sides employed the same tactics: one teammate proficient in taijutsu served as the main attacker, while the other two provided support from the sides.
With little difference in overall strength, neither side could break through the other's formation and coordination.
Afterward, the two sides exchanged another round of ninjutsu. These were all low-level, commonly used elemental techniques—slow to activate and lacking in power. Although they left everyone looking somewhat disheveled, all attacks were avoided, and no victor was decided.
Using explosive tags isn't allowed in this kind of match, so if they kept fighting like this, they would have to wait until one side ran out of chakra before they could determine a winner.
But shinobi are not martial fanatics. They do not pursue the thrill of battle; they only care about quickly dealing with the opponent and securing victory.
After both sides separated once again, someone on the all-male squad took advantage of the opening and threw several smoke bombs at the other side. As the opponents sprang back to evade, another person used a low-level Wind Release technique to blow the smoke over.
Their opponents were immediately covered by the smoke and let out violent coughing sounds. It turned out these smoke bombs were specially made—not only could they block vision, they were also laced with something.
The all-male squad immediately took the opportunity to fling a handful of ninja tools into the smoke, stabbing their opponents until they cried out in pain again and again.
Just as they thought they were about to win and relaxed in their hearts, a kunoichi among the opponents charged out of the smoke and, with all her strength, cast a simple genjutsu on them.
This is my last chakra—go! My most prideful ninjutsu—success or failure will be decided in this one move!
Genjutsu: Hell Viewing Technique!
A simple D-rank genjutsu that allows the afflicted to see the fear in their heart. Its circulation is very broad, and many shinobi know it.
Although the all-male squad quickly broke free, it was already too late. Kunai had already been set against their necks. Shinobi combat is like this: a momentary mistake can decide the outcome.
High speed, high offense, relatively low defense, and an extremely low margin for error.
Not only that—two of the male shinobi on the opposing side were wearing simple gas masks over their heads. The kunoichi must have had one as well; she had simply removed it in advance in order to let the genjutsu achieve maximum effect.
Low-level ninja combat is, at its core, a battle of information. Clearly, when the special smoke bombs were purchased, information had already leaked, and the opponents had made preparations.
Moreover, the fact that someone on the other team could use genjutsu was information the all-male squad did not possess.
Those two information gaps were then seized upon by the opponents, allowing them to turn defeat into victory.
Namikaze Minato used the Body Flicker and appeared instantly between the two sides, separating them, while loudly announcing, "The outcome has been decided. The victors are the team of Kobayashi Yūko, Sugi Shi, and Ishihara Tetsu."
The winners cheered loudly, while the losers hung their heads in dejection.
Minato smiled and softly comforted them, saying, "Don't be discouraged. Your tactical arrangements were good, and the battle was exciting. You have real strength—but in the future, pay attention to protecting your information."
"We'll keep working hard, Minato-sama."
The three of them immediately turned from gloom to joy and cheered up as well. Minato merely spread a bit of his sunny smile and offered a few words of comfort, successfully driving away the shadow of defeat lingering in the juniors' hearts.
Worthy of being Konoha's little sun.
As for the people present who were not shinobi—what would Konoha's ordinary civilians know about tactics or ninjutsu? The ninja on the field fought hard, and the audience watched with great enjoyment. That was enough.
As Minato announced the victors, earthshaking cheers erupted throughout the arena.
This time, even if the next two matches were nothing but flashy but ineffective displays, it wouldn't matter—this opening bout alone had already been worth the price of admission.
What? The matches are free? Then is my time worthless?
The shinobi mixed in among the crowd showed little reaction. This was a fairly ordinary chūnin-level battle, the kind they had seen many times before.
On the other hand, in one of the stands, academy students who had been brought by their teachers to see the world watched with their blood surging, so excited they wished they could jump down, kick the competing sides away, and personally have a legendary duel with their own class's destined rival.
They had the desire, but not the courage.
On the main viewing platform, the Daimyō—wearing a strange headdress and heavy makeup to conceal the marks of age—covered his mouth with an exquisite fan and said, "Oh my, oh my, what a splendid match. Watching it made my heart beat much faster."
The Third Hokage seated beside him nodded in agreement and said, "It was indeed quite good. However, the truly exciting parts are still to come. Daimyō-sama, you must keep your state of mind steady and not get overly excited."
The elderly legitimate eldest son accompanying the Daimyō wished with all his heart that his father's heart would leap out of his mouth and that he would die on the spot.
The old bastard lives far too well—why isn't he dead yet? I've been the 'young lord' for forty damn years already.
Truly admirable filial piety.
Soon, as the first bout came to an end, the participants for the second match stepped into the center of the arena at Minato's signal.
Makoto could recognize about half of the people in these two squads by comparing their names with the materials.
One of the teams was, likewise, composed entirely of male shinobi. Every member wore a ninja hood, and although the leader looked as though he was still underage, he had a ferocious, menacing air—someone who clearly was not easy to deal with.
This fellow was named Morino Ibiki, who would later become the captain of Konoha's Interrogation Unit.
His teammate was even more extreme. Not only was his head wrapped up, even his eyes were covered. His name was Tobitake Tonbo, and it seemed he had great confidence in his own sensory abilities.
The final member of that team was someone Makoto did not recognize.
In the other team, the most eye-catching figure was a small, handsome young man with green hair. Although he was also wearing a ninja hood, the color of his hair was far too striking. His name was Rokushō Aoi. Higashino Makoto had some impression of him, but for the moment could not recall his future information.
That team's remaining two members—one male and one female—were strangers. What stood out about this squad was their looks: all handsome men and beautiful women, drawing a round of whistles from the audience.
Judging by this, even if they failed to become chūnin, they could still form a group and debut on the spot.
With a command from Minato, the second match of the third round of the Chūnin Exams officially began.
As usual, both sides opened with a rapid exchange of ninja tools. Although no results were achieved, any competent shinobi could tell that these two teams were stronger than the previous ones.
In the subsequent close-quarters clash, the six fought to a stalemate. Even so, they maintained their formations without disorder, their fundamentals steady.
After separating once more, both sides tacitly used ninjutsu to force the other to reposition and create openings. However, Rokushō Aoi's attainments in ninjutsu were clearly higher.
He specialized in Water Release. Several low-level Water Release ninjutsu were used with great proficiency; both their power and timing were well judged, making Ibiki's team extremely uncomfortable.
It looked as though, if they did not come up with a better way to respond, defeat was only a matter of time.
Aoi was an extremely proud and self-confident person. He had even already begun savoring the taste of victory in his mind.
I haven't even exerted myself yet, and you've already fallen. JPG.
But just at that moment, Ibiki, who had been hiding behind his teammates, quietly completed his hand seals.
Summoning: Torture Chamber!
This was a ninja-tool–type summoning. The summoning tools were prepared in advance, then called forth during battle to catch the enemy completely off guard.
Around Aoi's team, six metal pillars suddenly rose from the ground. From within each pillar, several thin steel wires shot out, connecting with one another and weaving into a web-like prison.
The three members of Aoi's team were instantly trapped in the center. Thin steel wires bound their hands, feet, and bodies; the slightest movement caused the wires to bite into flesh, producing excruciating pain.
The three members of Ibiki's team leapt onto the metal pillars, all gripping kunai and shuriken in their hands. If these had been enemies, the fate of those trapped would naturally have been to be riddled full of holes.
The outcome was decided.
Minato announced the result in a timely manner.
Hearing this, Ibiki broke into a happy grin—one so ugly it looked worse than crying. It would have been better if he had kept the deadpan expression he had at the start; that at least carried a colder kind of menace.
He released the summoning with a set of hand seals, and the three from Aoi's side regained their freedom. However, the way this guy looked at Ibiki was far from friendly. He always felt that his own raw strength was greater, but that he had been outplayed by this fellow.
In the waiting area, Makoto finally remembered Aoi's information as well. It seemed that later on he would become a rogue ninja, flee to the Rain Village, and make his way up to jōnin there.
At the same time, before leaving, he would steal the Second Hokage's Thunder God Sword—and, incidentally, drag his own student down with him.
That student was named Morino Idate, Morino Ibiki's younger brother.
Well then—case solved. This grudge had just been firmly established, hadn't it?
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