Chapter 39
"Please confirm your opponent."
Genma Shiranui held a list for all the examinees to look at.
In total, the third exam consisted of eight teams. Apart from Itachi Uchiha and Akihara Kagura, all the other teams were made up of three full members.
The entire competition was divided into three rounds: quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.
By an unfortunate coincidence, Akihara Kagura and Itachi Uchiha were assigned to different halves of the bracket. That is to say, these two examinees who participated in the Chunin Exam alone would have to pass the first two rounds, defeating two three-man teams, in order to face each other.
"It's over..."
"We're going to face that kid in the first round..."
"Don't panic, we haven't wasted these few days. We've all learned new ninjutsu, there might still be a chance to turn defeat into victory..."
The team that was facing Akihara Kagura in the first round immediately became lively.
All the teams present had seen Akihara Kagura's performance in the Forest of Death. Every team thought their chances of defeating Akihara Kagura were low.
"We're facing that kid in the second round..."
"Damn it, we're the ones facing that kid in the second round!"
The two teams that might face Akihara Kagura in the second round also became animated.
"Why don't you all go on together?"
Akihara Kagura couldn't help but retort.
In such a small matter, Akihara Kagura was still very willing to help.
"Hey, proctor!"
"Can you let the three teams go on together?"
"Any other teams that want to compete with me can also come together!"
"..."
The faces of the examinees present turned somewhat ugly.
"That's not allowed."
Genma Shiranui quickly rejected the proposal.
As the proctor of this exam, Genma Shiranui had already learned from his friends Ibiki Morino and Aoba Yamashiro about some important matters: a kid named Akihara Kagura in the Chunin Exam was a big trouble, and he needed to pay special attention to him.
"The focus of this exam is not on winning or losing."
Genma Shiranui glanced over everyone present and once again explained the meaning of the third exam: "Even if you're a winner, you might not get promoted. Even if you're a loser, there's still a chance for promotion. The purpose of this exam is to evaluate your team's tactics..."
"Understood."
The examinees gradually calmed down.
The first exam just happened to be Akihara Kagura's match.
As soon as the proctor announced the start of the exam, the opposing three ninjas quickly threw their shurikens, attempting to stop Akihara Kagura from forming hand signs!
"As long as we prevent this brat from forming his seals..."
"Wood Release: Advent of the World of Trees!"
Akihara Kagura had already put his fingers together.
Numerous roots drilled out from the ground, quickly growing into three giant trees!
The three massive trees rapidly extended countless vines and branches towards the opposing three ninjas, quickly tying them all to the tree trunks!
"Why..."
"Such a powerful ninjutsu..."
"Only requires a single hand seal..."
"There's no time to prevent it unless we directly counter his technique..."
The three opponents gazed helplessly at Akihara Kagura who hadn't moved a single step, their faces full of frustration, unable to understand why his ninjutsu was so simple.
"The winner, Akihara Kagura!"
Genma Shiranui announced the winner with a frown.
There was an uproar in the spectator stand.
No one had seen a ninjutsu so simple to cast yet so powerful. Especially those ninjas who had once created their own ninjutsu, they felt this more profoundly!
"Is all Wood Release ninjutsu like this?"
Aoba Yamashiro in the spectator stand stared at Akihara Kagura in the field, somewhat agape: "Just need to form a single hand seal to release a technique of this level?"
"Ah, actually the technique could be even more powerful..."
Anko Mitarashi, standing next to Aoba Yamashiro, continued nonchalantly: "When I first saw it, I was also shocked by that kid's Wood Release..."
"These Genin examinees..."
Homura Mitokado glanced at the other examinees and continued languidly: "I don't think any of them could stand against him, especially if this ninjutsu doesn't consume much chakra..."
"Yamato."
Kakashi Hatake looked at Yamato standing next to him and asked: "I remember you also have a similar technique, one that seems to have a greater range?"
"No... not quite."
Sweat trickled down Yamato's forehead as he shook his head: "That technique is a simplified version of the First Hokage's 'Wood Release: Advent of the World of Trees', which I call 'Wood Release: Advent of the World of Seas'. Both the hand-seal process and the power are much weaker because I couldn't master the 'Advent of the World of Trees', and had to reduce the technique's power..."
"Theoretically, he has successfully learned this technique and it's even stronger than mine. Wood Release uses life energy propelled by chakra. I can sense that the life energy in the field is much more intense than my Wood Release..."
This technique...
Danzo Shimura had also taught it to Yamato.
Regrettably, Yamato did not master it. He simply followed his own understanding, using his Wood Release Kekkei Genkai to replicate the effect of the 'Advent of the World of Trees'.
Yamato looked back at Kakashi Hatake, his face a bit pale: "Kakashi-senpai, this kid's Wood Release talent is much stronger than mine, you might want to consider..."
"Keep going, you can do it."
Kakashi Hatake calmly patted Yamato's shoulder.
Not only were the spectators taken aback, but the examinees in the field also wore ugly expressions. After all, a powerful ninjutsu that could be executed with a single hand seal was nothing short of a blow to these Genin.
After the first round, only four teams remained in the field.
However, the next team forced to face Akihara Kagura had already lost their confidence.
The reason this team was still around was not because they performed well, but because their previous opponent performed worse.
"Maybe this technique consumes a lot of chakra?"
"But in the Forest of Death, this brat didn't seem to be running low on chakra. He even has another technique that can summon a wooden dragon..."
"Don't lose heart!"
A Genin looked at his two somewhat dejected teammates and encouraged: "Even though we're certain to lose this round, our performance in the last fight might still let us advance!"
Round two, the semifinals.
Akihara Kagura's second-round opponents met the same fate as the previous team, effortlessly strung up in the trees.
Compared to the swiftly concluded match of Akihara Kagura, the battle between Itachi Uchiha and another team was much more interesting, garnering cheers from the crowd.
Although Itachi Uchiha's fight also ended in a dominant fashion, he utilized Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and Genjutsu respectively to eliminate the three opponents from the other team. Even the Third Hokage, who had been sitting on the main stand, commended Itachi for his beautiful performance.
Round three, the final showdown.
The entire arena fell silent.
No one had anticipated this scenario in the Chunin Exam – the final face-off involved two candidates who entered the exam alone.
And...
Both of them were the same age.
Both of them possessed the pinnacle Kekkei Genkai in the ninja world.
In the stands, someone exclaimed in admiration, resonating with many others.
"The First Hokage Hashirama Senju, who once possessed the power of Wood Release, and the ninja warrior Uchiha Madara, who once possessed the Sharingan..."
"Having these two youngsters standing here, it feels a bit like those two legendary figures in history, almost as if it's a reincarnation cycle of destiny..."
It seemed that there were quite a few people in the stands who held grudges against the Uchiha clan. Some even started to bring up history: "Perhaps their outcome will be the same as in history. Itachi Uchiha is unlikely to be a match for Wood Release..."
"No way!"
"Nii-san will surely win!"
Sitting next to his mother, Sasuke Uchiha yelled in discontent. The young boy's voice was quite loud: "That guy definitely can't be Nii-san's match!"
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