Bang...
Kenta sidestepped and kicked Inuzuka Jin, sending him flying backward. The kick forced him out of his Beast Mimicry, and the outcome was decided instantly.
At this moment, Aoki Yoru was the only one left who hadn't stepped onto the arena.
"How lucky!"
Aoki Yoru whistled, not expecting to get a bye.
"Destiny is truly on my side," he thought narcissistically.
Beside him, Yui nudged him with her elbow and said enviously, "Your luck is just too good."
She had faced Hyuga Taiichi, the top student of their grade, and although she won, it had taken a lot of effort and a bitter struggle.
Aoki Yoru gave her a look of disdain. This devious person had deliberately pretended to be evenly matched with Hyuga Taiichi, only to narrowly win in the end.
"I didn't expect Kakashi to be so good at teaching students."
On the sidelines, Kurenai Yuhi said to Asuma. According to what she knew, Kenta and Yui's grades at the Ninja Academy were only average. She hadn't expected that after two months, they would be able to defeat students from Ninja clans, including the top student from the prestigious Hyuga Clan.
You have to know that after graduating, students from Ninja clans receive full training from their families to avoid bringing shame to their clan, and the branch family of the Hyuga Clan is no exception.
"Yeah, I thought with that guy's personality, he would just let them run wild." Asuma puffed on his cigarette and exhaled a cloud of smoke.
"It really makes one look at him with new eyes."
On the field, Nara Shikaku walked up and looked at the candidates who had passed.
"Next, we will proceed to the second round."
There was no time given for the contestants to rest at all.
The scrolling on the screen stopped, and the names for the match slowly appeared—Nara Shikama and Sarutobi Wako.
"Were these two given a free pass?" Aoki Yoru couldn't help but think.
For the higher-ups, the three Kumogakure Ninjas were no match for the Konoha rookies. That meant there was only one spot left for the final four, a choice between the Nara and the Sarutobi.
"As expected, the Ninja World is full of connections and backgrounds!" This time, he truly realized that civilian Ninjas were indeed the best choice for cannon fodder.
On the field, Sarutobi Wako started by throwing hidden weapons, Kunai, and shuriken at Nara Shikama as if they were free, not giving him a chance to focus on using the Shadow Possession Jutsu.
Aoki Yoru watched with envy. It was so extravagant! If he had that much money, many of his ideas could become reality, instead of suffering and not even being able to afford to use an explosive tag.
On the field, Sarutobi Wako continued to throw Ninja tools while moving quickly to dodge the shadows, occasionally firing off a few Wind Release or Fire Release Ninjutsu at Nara Shikama.
Fifteen minutes later, Nara Shikama simply raised his hand and announced his forfeit.
"My Chakra is bottoming out; there's no chance of winning if I continue." Nara Shikama's demeanor was listless, and his eyes remained lazy.
Why did this scene look so familiar to Aoki Yoru?
"The Nara Clan is truly worthy of being the Hokage's advisors; they have mastered the art of human relations perfectly."
Nara Shikama had first fought a grand battle with Sarutobi Wako for a while before surrendering. This not only demonstrated his own strength but also took the opportunity to show loyalty to the Sandaime.
"Our Nara Clan is loyal to the Sandaime and is a reliable ally of the Sarutobi Clan."
After the referee announced the result, the central screen scrolled rapidly, and everyone held their breath, staring at it.
At this moment, the second matchup appeared—Tanaka Kenta vs. Omoi.
"Be careful, the opponent is not simple," Aoki Yoru said, patting him on the shoulder.
"Youth! Go! Let them witness the power of youth!!" Might Guy gave a thumbs up, his teeth flashing white in the sunlight, his whole body exuding a burning aura.
Kenta nodded seriously.
He used the Body Flicker Technique to appear in the arena and looked at Omoi.
"Finally, I've waited for this. Kakashi Hatake's disciple. I'll slaughter you first to comfort the soul of Senior in heaven." Omoi looked at Kenta with intense killing intent.
Upon hearing this, Kenta's expression froze. He became serious; this time he really had to give it his all, otherwise, he would be killed.
"So he really came for revenge." Outside the arena, Aoki Yoru wore an "as expected" expression.
Killing intent filled the arena.
Omoi vanished from sight, his speed even surpassing his previous match. He instantly appeared beside Kenta, swinging his blade down with no intention of holding back.
Clang...
The Ninja sword was blocked by a Kunai.
"What?" He hadn't expected his guaranteed strike to be blocked.
Having missed the strike, Omoi retreated directly, looking at him with a serious face. This opponent was not simple.
Both looked at each other solemnly, slowly gathering their strength.
A gentle breeze blew by, and both launched their attacks simultaneously.
Omoi held his Ninja sword. Having inherited Killer Bee's swordsmanship, his blade work was fast, strange, and tricky, attacking from angles that made it impossible to defend against.
Clang, clang, clang...
All of his moves were blocked by Kenta.
On the field, two high-speed moving shadows clashed intensely, with a series of afterimages so faint they were almost invisible, appearing anywhere in the arena at any moment.
The continuous clashing of metal and sharp whistling sounds in the air, one after another, struck the hearts of the rookies in the stands.
Now, they could only see a blurred melee of light and shadow; these two were moving so fast they exceeded the limits of normal vision.
Hyuga Taiichi's veins bulged around his eyes as he tried to capture their figures. He found it hard to accept; he was the top student, yet he couldn't see Kenta's movements clearly.
"Kenta has gotten even faster." Watching Kenta moving at high speed in the arena, Aoki Yoru was a bit surprised.
But thinking about it, it made sense. After the Chakra control and Taijutsu training with Kakashi and Might Guy, it was no surprise that his Body Flicker Technique and physical explosive power had reached a new level.
On the field, Kenta suddenly increased his speed, catching Omoi off guard and leaving him struggling to defend.
Parrying the lunging Kunai, Omoi took the opportunity to create some distance.
Kenta looked at the panting Omoi and said with a smile, "Is that all you've got..."
"Hmph, Konoha brat, don't get too cocky."
Omoi gritted his teeth, bloodshot veins popping in his eyes. He hadn't expected to fall into a disadvantage.
Cloud Style: Crescent Moon Slash
Omoi's Chakra surged violently, and he slashed out several high-speed, crescent-shaped, wide-area attacks, striking at Kenta from multiple directions.
Earth Release: Earth Wall
Four thick walls rose from the ground with a boom, surrounding Kenta.
Boom...
The slashes slammed into the walls, and the earth walls slowly crumbled and shattered, sending dust and smoke rising into the air.
Watching the slashes shatter the earth wall, a smile appeared on Omoi's lips.
"Die! Did you really think a mere pile of dirt could block my ultimate technique?"
"Is that so?" The voice coming from beside his ear made his smile freeze.
Bang!
A fist slammed heavily into his face, sending him flying directly into the wall.
The examiner walked up, checked him, and after finding that Omoi had lost consciousness, announced, "Winner: Tanaka Kenta!"
A wave of cheers erupted from the audience stands.
"Kenta is quite capable, isn't he?" Aoki Yoru remarked.
In the main seating area, the Sandaime was also full of surprise. He hadn't expected Kenta, a Ninja of civilian origin, to emerge so suddenly; it was an unexpected delight.
He then tipped his hat and smiled, "It was a wise decision to let Kakashi lead students; he's doing a good job." He became even more expectant for the upcoming duels.
At this moment, a new matchup appeared on the screen.