Chapter 177: Even Kids Can See How Forced the Act Is
The Final Chunin Exam Arena.
"So... so strong..."
Naruto and the other students felt goosebumps rising across their skin. Actual goosebumps.
"Is this what a Jonin is like?" Sakura murmured to herself.
Inuzuka Kiba, feeling the pressure, put on a look of disdain. "Tch, Tonbo-sensei is such a show-off. It's too forced."
Yet, his eyes betrayed his envy. This was a chance to show off right in front of the Hokage! Dammit, why didn't he teach me that move back then? It's forced, but it's undeniably cool!
Woof! Woof! Akamaru's mind flashed with a vision: Kiba becomes Hokage and establishes a "Dog Festival." Akamaru would then walk like that in front of a pack of hounds. That "King's Aura" was just too cool.
Sasuke Uchiha stared at the skin on his arms, his gaze sharp and focused. When did I fall into the genjutsu? Was it the exact moment he stepped in?
The moment Tonbo Tobitake entered, Sasuke had deduced he was under an illusion based on the crushing pressure and the distorted visuals around the man. But to fall into a genjutsu just by catching a glimpse?
"No... we didn't make eye contact. This isn't a visual genjutsu, nor is it auditory. Is it some kind of secret technique?"
This was a Jonin. But then Sasuke thought of the genjutsu Itachi Uchiha had cast on him before leaving, and he gritted his teeth. Compared to Itachi, this level of illusion still had a gap. Is this really the man Konoha sent to pursue Itachi?
Ino grumbled, "That Tonbo-ojisan... he's a grown man and he still loves acting cool this much."
"Grandpa, isn't that Tianyu's dad? He's the Chief Proctor?" Konohamaru watched the figure below, a hint of indignation in his eyes. He couldn't help but think of Tianyu, Maki, and Wataru back at school.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with a smile. "That's right. He is a Jonin of Konoha and the proctor for this exam. Impressive, isn't he? You'll be just as amazing one day, Konohamaru."
Inwardly, the old man was puzzled. As a ninja—a Jonin—why would he waste chakra so pointlessly? It was absurd. Has he become so idle that he's lost the vigilance a shinobi should have? Even Hiruzen, an old man who didn't go on missions, kept his chakra levels full at all times, never wasting it. You never knew when an emergency would strike. This fellow, however, wasted it just for an entrance.
Konohamaru huffed, "Hmph! I won't just surpass him, I'll surpass you too, Grandpa, and become the Fifth Hokage!"
"Haha, keep at it."
"Hehe, for a second I thought I'd been found out. This pressure... it's quite intense!"
Kabuto pushed up his glasses, pretending to be uncomfortable as he sat in the stands. As a medical ninja, Kabuto knew the moment he was hit that it was a genjutsu. Using an illusion to pressure the physical nerves and trigger a stress response to create a sense of 'gravity'... what a creative idea!
It seemed he shouldn't just stop underestimating this enemy; he needed to overestimate him as much as possible.
"And it's not just genjutsu; that Wind Release was powerful too. He really is an all-rounder. I'm no match for him; it seems only Lord Orochimaru can handle this guy."
He then shifted his gaze to the contestants. These would be important data points for the plan next year.
"Now then, First Match: Fuma Shikun vs. Damu. Everyone else, head up to the spectator stands and wait. The battle continues until a participant is incapacitated or the referee deems the match over. Those are the only rules. Dismissed."
Tonbo glanced at his former student, then used a gust of Wind Release to lift everyone who wasn't fighting into the air, depositing them neatly in the stands. He then retreated a certain distance.
Fuma Shikun looked at Tonbo-sensei with a grin. He was determined to become a Chunin this time. After years of experience, he still constantly recalled Tonbo's training; it had helped him immensely. He couldn't afford to lose face.
He and his opponent formed the Seal of Confrontation. The battle was instantaneous.
Whiz! Whiz!
Both sides began with shuriken to test the waters. Only after confirming they couldn't win at a distance did they engage in close-quarters combat.
Clang! Clang!
Tonbo "watched" their battle with interest. It was a very plain, unadorned fight, yet it possessed a certain "beauty of combat."
He felt this way because the struggle consisted of shuriken, kunai, and Taijutsu exchanges. They only used ninjutsu—beyond the Three Basic Jutsu—at critical moments. It was a battle of wits.
Poof! Poof!
Smoke bombs dropped, leaving behind substitution logs. Clone Jutsu was used for distraction. It was pure, low-level ninja combat. It was worlds apart from the "high-tier" styles that would emerge during the era of the Konoha 12. The mastery of the Three Basic Jutsu and Taijutsu were the core tools of a standard Genin or Chunin. Tonbo found it fascinating.
Fuma Shikun was exactly as Tonbo remembered—his talent wasn't great. Even with the solid foundation Tonbo had laid for him, he was sixteen now and still wasn't a Chunin. However, looking at his tactical thinking and combat fluidity, he would likely pass this time. He could already be considered an elite ninja of his clan.
"Fuma: Instant Kill Slash!"
While Tonbo was reflecting, the match reached its climax. Shikun threw a smoke bomb at his opponent and whipped out a massive Fuma Shuriken. He began weaving signs with both hands; clearly, this was his trump card.
The enemy burst through the smoke, only to be greeted by the spinning giant shuriken.
Clang! Clang!
The opponent threw several kunai to slow the Fuma Shuriken's rotation, then used the opening to crawl forward and lunge. But Shikun had prepared this for a long time; there was no escape. Another Fuma Shuriken curved in from a blind spot, aimed straight at him.
Whiz—
Bang!
"Earth Release: Mud Wall!"
Damu pulled out his own final move, standing up to conjure a wall to block the strike. Shikun smiled slightly and yanked with his right hand.
Vroom!
"What?" Damu heard a sound and looked back. The giant shuriken that had just passed him was flying back like a boomerang. Seeing the blade right in front of his face, he closed his eyes in despair.
Clank!
A rush of wind brushed his face, but the expected pain never came. Damu opened his eyes to see the center hole of the Fuma Shuriken caught on a stone pillar, spinning harmlessly but violently.
"First match, the winner is Fuma Shikun. You both did well."
Damu looked at the proctor. The stone pillar was indeed the referee's ninjutsu. He breathed a sigh of relief. Hearing the match was over, he could only sigh at his own lack of ability. He formed the Seal of Reconciliation with Shikun and retreated dejectedly.
Shikun, hearing his teacher's praise, beamed with pride.
"Next match: Belim vs. Auto-Fujin."
Tonbo didn't waste time with small talk or catching up with Shikun; he moved straight to the next round. The ensuing battles were equally exciting, especially from Tonbo's perspective as a bystander. It felt like watching an anime—specifically, a tactical, psychological battle anime.
Isn't this way more interesting than just spamming giant energy balls?
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