Chapter 119
Chapter 119
When the massive purple lightning dragon roared, nearly everyone in the arena displayed emotions ranging from shock and fear to excitement.
The Sand Village's Pakura and her companions stared at the rampaging purple dragon, sinking into a deep sense of confusion.
Could their village, Sunagakure, ever extinguish such a generation of Konoha's rising stars? Just Kakashi's one strike was powerful enough to threaten even a Kage!
Terumi Mei from Kirigakure, her eyes gleaming with excitement, gazed at Kakashi with newfound admiration. Here stood a man of both power and charm—truly a high-quality individual.
Danzo, upon witnessing the purple dragon, felt a twinge of anxiety in his heart. For the first time, he found himself worrying about the fate of the "inherently evil" Uchiha boy.
This was a fight worth 50 million ryō of Root's funds—Haneda absolutely could not lose at this critical moment!
Unexpectedly, the least concerned for Haneda was none other than Kakashi's father, Sakumo. He watched his son with a smile, but didn't fear for his student Haneda either.
Haneda and Kakashi were both his pride. With the experience of their previous battle, Sakumo had faith in Haneda's strength.
However, Obito, who didn't fully understand Haneda's power, wasn't as confident. His small hands clenched tightly, sweaty with worry. He deeply doubted whether Haneda could win against this strike.
At that moment, Haneda's face lit up with excitement, his eyes burning with determination. He stepped forward to face the surging purple lightning dragon head-on.
"Open!!"
With a shout, faint green steam began to rise from Haneda's body. It was the Fourth Gate of the Eight Gates—**the Gate of Pain!**
"Come, Thunder!!!"
With another command, the sound of *Chidori* crackled along his short sword, but this time it shone with a pale white light!
To everyone's shock, Haneda's *Chidori* absorbed the excess lightning from the purple dragon, transforming it into a mighty *Kirin*!
Kakashi's uncontrollable *Purple Lightning* had been turned into Haneda's weapon!
"Thanks, Kakashi!"
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have mastered this power!"
Raising his short sword high, Haneda imbued it with everything he had said before—his complete understanding of chakra manipulation and transformation, along with his unshakable belief in victory!
As the lightning dragon materialized, a purple, transparent barrier of flames rose around the arena, cutting it off from the spectators. It was the **Four Purple Flame Formation**, a barrier technique personally created by the Third Hokage!
And then, the *Kirin* and the *Purple Lightning Dragon* collided!
*Boom!*
Thunder rumbled across the skies, and the blinding light from the clash made it impossible to keep one's eyes open. The arena was engulfed in a sea of lightning, its sheer intensity unimaginable.
When the light faded and the dust settled, the arena was obscured by a thick cloud of debris, hiding the outcome from view.
"Who won?!"
Everyone in the audience thought the same thing at that moment.
Danzo's right eye widened in shock, fixated on the battlefield.
The Uchiha clan head and Fugaku activated their Sharingan, straining to see through the dust.
As the dust cleared, two figures became visible. Both were standing—could it be a draw?
But then, the golden hair and black hair became clear, and the crowd erupted into cheers.
Haneda had won!
Moments before, Minato had used the **Flying Thunder God Technique** to teleport Kakashi to safety!
Technically, Haneda was the only one left standing!
"I told you, my lightning style surpasses yours!"
"I, bearing the Uchiha name, cannot lose!"
Haneda's voice trembled slightly as he gazed at Kakashi, who was being supported by Minato.
Hearing this, Kakashi turned his head, looking at Haneda with a smile on his face.
At that moment, it felt as if time had returned to that sunny afternoon five years ago.
The referee re-entered the arena and raised the red flag.
"Winner—Uchiha Haneda!!!"
...
When the news of Haneda's victory spread, the entire stadium erupted once more!
Except for those who had lost bets and the Sand Village shinobi, nearly everyone was ecstatic about Haneda's win.
Even Danzo found himself feeling pleased. After all, betting 50 million on Haneda had earned him a whopping 235 million ryō.
Asuma had made out like a bandit—not only had he supported his brother Haneda, but he had also won more than 200 million!
The Uchiha clan, of course, had even more to celebrate. Aside from the clan head's 30 million and Fugaku's 5.2 million bets, many other Uchiha had wagered smaller amounts. As the news of Haneda's victory spread, every Uchiha household found their breakfast accompanied by an extra egg.
After the Chūnin Exams officially ended, the Third Hokage watched as a crowd gathered around Haneda and fell deep into thought.
Sakumo, Haneda's teacher, was there without question, as were the Uchiha clan head and Fugaku—it made sense. But Minato and Kushina were also celebrating with Haneda, something the Third Hokage couldn't quite understand.
Even Dai, who was accompanying his son Guy in the medical ward, had snuck out to check on Haneda, leaving Guy behind.
Suddenly, a thought echoed in the Third Hokage's mind:
'When the entire village gathers around someone, perhaps the Uchiha could indeed produce a Hokage.
Could it be…?
Could Uchiha Haneda be the next Uchiha Kagami?'
The Third Hokage didn't know. He simply continued smoking his pipe in quiet contemplation.
...
"That was so cool, Haneda! So amazing!!"
"The majestic *Kirin*, the unparalleled lightning!"
"I can't even find the right words to describe how strong you are!"
Even before seeing the speaker, Haneda knew it was Asuma.
Another voice chimed in excitedly.
"I knew it! I knew Haneda wouldn't lose to that idiot Kakashi!"
Obito approached, looking at Kakashi, who was being supported by Sakumo, and taunted him:
"See that, you idiot Kakashi? That's the power of the Sharingan! You'll never be able to defeat Haneda!"
"Heh… you loser."
Even though Kakashi was weak from the battle, he still managed to deliver his signature snark, causing Obito to point angrily and shout:
"Shut up, Kakashi, you loser! You're just Haneda's defeated opponent, idiot!"
"Enough, Obito," Haneda interjected. "Kakashi fought hard."
"Yeah, Obito," Rin added. "Kakashi's injured. Let him rest for now."
Obito, hearing both Haneda and Rin, glanced back at Kakashi and then turned away.
"Fine, just because it's Haneda and Rin, I'll let it slide today, idiot Kakashi."
After half an hour of rest, Guy's body had recovered significantly.
He had watched from the medical ward as Haneda's *Kirin* clashed with Kakashi's *Dragon Roar*, filling him with excitement.
The moment he saw Haneda, he couldn't help but shout:
"Yosh!"
"Haneda, you truly are my eternal rival, my lifelong challenge! To once again defeat Kakashi so honorably!"
"So youthful, Haneda!"
Guy realized this might sound too harsh on Kakashi and quickly gave him a thumbs-up.
"Kakashi, though you lost, you were also brilliant—so full of youthful spirit!"
"Thanks," Kakashi replied with a smile.
But then, Guy added:
"Make sure to heal quickly, Kakashi! I still need to challenge you in the bloom of our youth!"
Hearing Guy's familiar words, Kakashi felt a bead of sweat form on his brow and casually glanced over at Haneda.
But Haneda, having grown used to this, smiled and said to Guy:
"Keep it up, Guy. I'll be waiting for the day you challenge me."
Kakashi, seeing this overly youthful Guy, realized just how thoroughly he had been defeated that day.
Defeated—utterly and completely.