"Lava Release?!"
Rasa's pupils shrank to pinpricks.
He didn't have time to think. The shield of gold dust before him sizzled and hissed, as if something hot enough to melt gold was rushing toward him.
BOOM!
In the next instant, the golden shield dissolved like snow under a summer sun. A molten sphere of rock, steaming with violent heat, shattered through and shot toward Rasa like a meteor.
"Damn it!!"
Rasa's face paled with terror.
The Gold Dust Great Funeral was forgotten. His body flew backward in a desperate retreat. He pulled every grain of gold dust he could from the surrounding area, throwing it into the path of the oncoming lava.
This thing could melt his gold! A single touch would vaporize him!
"Grraaahhh!"
With a strained roar, Rasa poured every ounce of his chakra control into his Magnet Release. A few desperate strands of gold dust lashed out, snagging the Yōgan: Yōkō Ryūgan just before it could hit him. The molten sphere ground to a halt, dripping and sputtering.
"So you blocked it. Fine. And the second one?"
Chiba's voice was a demon's whisper. In the stands, the previously bored Mizukage sat up straight, a spark of genuine interest in her eyes.
"What?!"
Rasa barely had time to blink. Another lava sphere was already flying.
The flimsy wall of gold dust he'd just erected shattered like glass.
THUD!
The concussive force and searing heat blasted through his last defense. Rasa flew back. His skin blistered instantly, blackened and sealed by the heat, not even allowing blood to seep through.
Given time to prepare, Rasa could have stopped both attacks. No question.
But a battlefield changes in a heartbeat. Dominance one second, death the next.
He never imagined Chiba, on top of that bizarre other release, also possessed Lava Release. His ultimate defense was broken.
SWISH!
At the same moment, Chiba shot from the cloud of settling gold dust. One touch of his toe to the ground, and he was beside the off-balance Rasa.
"Chakra Scalpel!"
Chiba's right hand swung down. The blade of concentrated chakra aimed straight for Rasa's throat.
I've lost.
The thought flashed through Rasa's mind as he finally stabilized his footing. He didn't understand how a kid could master two such powerful releases, but the defeat was absolute. He closed his eyes, accepting it.
Tap.
The impact came. But not the pain. Rasa waited. And waited. Confused, he opened his eyes.
"Hey, you're pretty messed up. Want me to fix that?"
Rasa blinked. The chakra blade was gone. Chiba was just… smiling at him.
What?
"You could have…" Rasa's voice was hoarse. "Why didn't you kill me?"
Putting himself in Chiba's place, he would have struck without hesitation. This made no sense.
Of course it was for the reward!
Chiba suppressed the thought, his face turning serious. "Because I respect you, Rasa. I think you're something special."
"Ever since we first met, I felt a… connection. A mutual understanding. You felt it too, right, bro?" Chiba pressed.
"Huh? …Y-yes. Yes."
Rasa's brain short-circuited. He answered on autopilot, feeling like a student put on the spot.
"Exactly!"
Chiba retracted his hand, then clapped Rasa on the shoulder—twice—as if they were old friends. "A guy like you has a big future. Fourth Kazekage material, I'd bet. The shinobi world would be boring without you. A real shame if you died here."
"I… Is that so?"
Wounded, shocked, and freshly spared, Rasa's mind was mush.
Chiba launched into another round of extravagant praise. Rasa felt light-headed, unable to form a coherent thought. He let himself be guided to sit on the ground, submitting numbly as Chiba began healing him.
The entire sequence—Rasa's domination, Chiba's reversal, the killing blow withheld, the sudden "friendship"—all happened in less than a minute.
The audience was stunned. The arena fell into a stunned silence.
"Excellent! Truly excellent!" The Sandaime Kazekage was the first to react. Of course he was—a Kage's reflexes were unmatched. "The shinobi of Konoha possess great nobility!"
He turned and gave a shallow bow to Hiruzen. "Hokage-sama, your student truly reflects your own esteemed character. I am humbled."
If Rasa had died here, he'd have lost his last capable lieutenant. This was a gift.
"Ah, you flatter me, Kazekage-sama," Hiruzen said, waving a hand, feigning modesty. The grin threatening to split his face told a different story.
This kid knows how to play the game. Sparing Rasa is far more valuable to Konoha than killing him. It eases tensions with Suna and wins us goodwill in front of every important spectator here.
Hiruzen decided then and there: after these exams, Chiba was getting a promotion.
"Hmph! Pathetic," the Raikage snorted, utterly contemptuous of the mercy shown.
"Hmph!" Ōnoki grunted in agreement, already planning to raise Chiba's bounty to fifteen million ryo.
"Ending the match with restraint proves strength, demonstrates character, and deepens the bond between our villages! This Konoha youth is exemplary! Let's hear it for him!" a voice cried from the stands.
"Sir, who are you? You sound like a press release."
"Well done, Konoha! Knowing when to hold back shows wisdom. My future business is with you!"
"Incredible. Even their children have such power and integrity."
"But seriously… they were fighting like the world was ending. Are all Genin like this now?"
The question from a confused civilian sent a ripple of thoughtful silence through much of the crowd.
Amidst the praise, only one person was furious.
"Chiba! I can't believe you!"
Sasori's eyes were red. He'd allowed himself to care—for the first time since his parents—and Chiba had betrayed him. Utterly.
He'd never said it aloud, but the feeling was there. His first flicker of trust in another person. And now, his first taste of bitter betrayal.
"No. I need answers. Now!"
Fuming, Sasori jumped from his seat and stormed down the staircase, heading for the arena floor.
Arena Floor.
The proctor didn't interrupt. He saw "profound diplomatic intent" in Chiba's actions and was deeply impressed.
To think a teenager would devise such a masterstroke to secure a new ally for postwar Konoha. I am not worthy.
Chiba, of course, was thinking no such thing.
He just wanted Rasa alive. For the rewards. That was it.
"If we meet on the battlefield… I'll spare you once," Rasa muttered, turning his head away as Chiba worked diligently on his burns. The words were low, barely audible.
For a proud man like Rasa, this was the highest acknowledgment.
"Deal. You're not so bad yourself," Chiba said, happily pocketing the future favor.
If I collect an IOU from everyone I save, will I become the Shinobi World's Shanks? he mused. Any named character will have to give me face…
Rasa's honest. The guy was dumb enough to get tricked and killed by Snake Granny. His favor should be valuable.
Soon, the healing was done. Chiba almost wished the injuries had been worse.
Magnet Release, Magnet Release, give me Magnet Release!
Please! I'd trade Pervy Sage's lifelong virginity for Magnet Release!
After a silent, desperate prayer, he finally looked at the glowing system prompt.
[Ding! Treatment successful. Host has acquired the skill: Sand Waterfall Funeral!]
"What the hell?!"
Chiba stared.
He wanted Gold Dust Great Funeral! Not this… this Sand Waterfall crap!
He'd dreamed of becoming the next Lord of the Gold Dust. Now? He was basically Rasa's spiritual "son." What kind of twisted development was this?
[Sand Waterfall Funeral: Gaara's signature move. A cruel technique that buries the enemy in a torrent of quicksand, ending them with a raging waterfall of sand!]
"…Whatever. It's… fine. I guess." Chiba sighed deeply.
He should have just stabbed Rasa. The injuries weren't severe enough!
He shot a long, profoundly resentful look at Rasa, who flinched and instinctively scrambled to put more distance between them.
"Excellent!" The proctor appeared in the center of the arena, his voice booming. "Let's have a round of applause for both contestants' magnificent display!"
He raised his arm. "The winner of this match, advancing to the finals… is Konohagakure's Chiba!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
Read up to (100+ ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here: patreon.com/BingeInk
Happy reading, everyone!