Chapter 34
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This is probably the closest Fuijwara Tetsuya had ever been to Orochimaru.
Just the slight upward curve on Orochimaru's lips sent a chill down Tetsuya's spine.
No surprise there. Imagining the moment was one thing—actually standing face-to-face with this legendary figure? That was something else entirely. His usual confidence faltered in the face of Orochimaru's presence.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru!" Tetsuya forced himself to reply.
"Koharu Tatsu, make this fight entertaining for me!" Orochimaru said, his voice dripping with cold amusement.
As soon as the signal to begin dropped, the two figures—Tetsuya and Koharu Tatsu—rushed at each other with blinding speed.
As a member of the Koharu clan, Tatsu's training went far beyond what was taught in the regular ninja academy. In terms of taijutsu and her skill with kunai and shuriken, she even had an edge over Tetsuya.
"You think close combat can suppress me?" Tetsuya grinned, deflecting her kunai with practiced ease. "You're underestimating me."
"Leaf-style swordsmanship: Air Slash!"
In a flash, his short sword was out of its sheath, and several sharp slashes struck Tatsu's kunai, forcing her back and creating distance between them.
"The Chunin Exams would be too boring if we stuck to just taijutsu," Tetsuya said, spinning his blade in a quick, flashy circle before stabbing it into the ground in front of him.
Maybe to high-level shinobi, simplicity and efficiency were most impressive. But this wasn't just a battlefield. This was an arena, one where wealthy nobles and Leaf villagers alike watched with keen interest.
The bigger the spectacle, the more eyes it drew.
Perfect for his plans.
"Ox... Monkey... Rabbit... Rat... Boar... Rooster…" Tetsuya's hands moved swiftly through the seals.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
The enormous water dragon surged upward, roaring, its massive head raised high. Unlike the earlier skirmishes in the Forest of Death, this time Tetsuya went all out, the sheer force of the technique leaving a much stronger impression.
"It's the Water Dragon Jutsu! That's a B-rank ninjutsu!"
"To think someone that young could master a technique of this level…"
"Looks like the Fujiwara clan finally produced a genius worth betting on."
Tetsuya's ploy worked. The delayed activation of the Water Dragon had drawn everyone's attention. He had successfully made a name for himself among the elites of the Leaf Village.
But not everyone was pleased.
"Damn brat… What is he up to?" In a shaded area atop the stands, the Koharu jonin who had tried to blackmail Tetsuya glared down at the arena. His face twisted in frustration. How could a mere child, barely seven or eight years old, have the audacity to defy him—to defy the Koharu clan's will?
"Koharu Takuno!" A voice, deep and powerful, suddenly sounded behind him. A man with an imposing presence stepped into the light.
Takuno stiffened. "Yuhi Shin…"
The jonin's name alone sent a shiver through him. Shin wasn't just any Leaf jonin—he was a legend, known for his prowess in genjutsu and unwavering loyalty.
Takuno quickly masked his unease, but facing Shin's sharp gaze made his skin crawl.
"Takuno, let me make this clear," Shin's voice was cold, his eyes burning with intensity. "Fujiwara Tetsuya is my apprentice. Lay even a finger on him, and you'll have me to deal with."
Takuno clenched his fists, struggling to keep his composure. "Lord Shin, surely you don't think this child is worth going to war over? It's just one boy from a clan that's barely even relevant anymore."
"Is he worth it?"
Shin smirked. "Absolutely."
With a sharp turn, Shin left, not sparing another glance at the Koharu jonin. A figure wearing a long coat and dark sunglasses stood waiting for him at the end of the corridor.
Down in the arena, Tetsuya's water dragon tore through Tatsu's defenses, smashing through the earthen wall she'd hastily raised to block it. She had no choice but to keep retreating, water soaking her from head to toe.
"Fujiwara Tetsuya, you bastard!" Tatsu growled, glaring at him as she crossed her arms over her chest in an attempt to cover herself.
The hint of a smirk on Tetsuya's face told her he'd noticed. Her face flushed with anger and embarrassment.
That damn kid—who had he learned such shameless behavior from?
"Tatsu," Tetsuya said, his tone suddenly shifting, becoming mockingly polite. "Seems like you're not qualified to entertain me after all."
With a single seal, the water surrounding them began to churn violently.
"Water Style: Water Fang Bullet!"
The rotating jets of water formed into sharp drills, their speed and intensity increasing as they neared Tatsu. The ground within a ten-meter radius exploded as the water fangs collided with it, sending debris flying everywhere.
For the first time, real fear flashed in Tatsu's eyes. She barely dodged the attack, shards of stone and water tearing past her, grazing her skin.
"Water Fang Bullet, huh? A new jutsu?" one of the jonin watching from the stands murmured, impressed.
Two B-rank jutsu in rapid succession—Tetsuya was showing off his strength, and it was drawing admiration from the crowd. But for the other Genin watching, it was more than a little concerning.
They couldn't help but mentally prepare themselves. It was clear Tetsuya had anticipated their strategies and was ready to counter them. His arsenal was growing, and fast.
"Have you really gotten this strong already, Tetsuya?"
In a quiet corner of the western stands, a small group huddled together, watching with wide eyes. Tanaka Jirou, Fujiwara Sachiko, Uesugi Yusuke, and Tanaka Rina were all speechless as they watched Tetsuya dominate the match.
Jirou, who had once been a Chunin himself, understood just how advanced Tetsuya had become. The techniques Tetsuya was showing off were far beyond anything Jirou had ever mastered during his time as a Chunin.
"Water Style: Severing Wave!"
The water jet, about as thick as Tetsuya's arm, surged forward with the force of a high-pressure stream, slicing through everything in its path.
If Tetsuya was going to finish this, he wanted it to be spectacular.
"This... this is an A-rank jutsu!"
The sheer spectacle of the attack was enough to silence the entire arena. Even the guards stationed around the perimeter—both Chunin and Jonin alike—couldn't help but glance at Tetsuya with newfound respect. A shinobi his age mastering an A-rank water technique? That was the mark of a true genius.
"Lord Hiruzen!" A voice broke through the tense atmosphere. Zunine Koharu, who had been watching from a high platform, could no longer stay seated.
Panic flashed in her eyes as the water wave rushed towards Tatsu.
Without waiting for permission, she hurried to stand before the Third Hokage.
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