The first match of second phase

Chapter 58: The First match of

Second phase

"Come on, Kiba!"

"You can do it!"

Yukina and Hirohiko saw the names

on the big screen and patted Kiba on the shoulder with encouragement.

"I wonder who the opponent

is." Kiba subconsciously glanced at Hyuga Yutaka, who seemed to be

expecting his own name to appear next.

"Be careful with him. He

looks at you with hatred," Hirohiko said, following Kiba's gaze to Hyuga

Yutaka.

"With hatred?" Kiba was

startled. "Why?"

Before Hirohiko could respond, the

name on the second row of the big screen stopped.

Rin Mizutani!

Both Kiba and Hirohiko looked at

the big screen simultaneously, missing the dissatisfied look on Hyuga Yutaka's

face.

"It's Mizutani. I heard he's

good at ninjutsu. It's unlucky for Kiba to meet him."

"Even if he's a genius, he's

not necessarily Mizutani's match."

"Yeah, this should be

interesting. Although I still don't fully get these rules."

"Just remember, the more you

win, the better. And don't lose..."

The ninjas slowly moved to the

sidelines, heading up the stairs to the spectator seats.

Yukina and Hirohiko also moved to

the spectator seats. Before leaving, Hirohiko handed his ninja bag to Kiba.

Soon, only Kiba and another boy,

Rin Mizutani, were left in the field.

Another elite who didn't appear in

the original series.

Kiba sighed. He had never seen

this boy before, neither his appearance nor his name. As for his specialty,

Kiba remembered it should be water release, the same as his own.

Indeed, Taijutsu ninjas have

weaknesses against ninjutsu users. One specializes in close combat, the other

in long-range attacks, each with its pros and cons.

No wonder people were talking.

Mizutani's water release techniques are powerful. In the first test, he

defeated his opponent using the simplest C-rank ninjutsu, Water Release: Water

Formation Wall. It must be more potent than it seemed if it made his opponent

surrender. Don't underestimate his water release.

If I fight him with ninjutsu...

forget it. I'll use Taijutsu to decide the winner!

After all, the Eight Gates mode

consumes much more stamina than regular Taijutsu. This test is a marathon.

After this trial, there are at least two more rounds to go, possibly three.

Hyuga Yutaka will surely designate me. Judging from Yutaka's previous matches,

fighting him is no easy task. If I expend too much energy now, I'll undoubtedly

lose later. In other words, it'll be a sure defeat.

Here, if I can save energy, I

must.

So...

Kiba eyed Mizutani, strategizing

in his mind.

Mizutani was also sizing up Kiba.

Taki Kiba is formidable in

Taijutsu. His speed and strength were impressive in his fight against Might

Gai. Although I'm adept at ninjutsu and have the advantage of distance, my

Taijutsu skills pale in comparison. I can't be confident in casting ninjutsu

quickly enough. Plus, his strength... one hit could spell not just loss but

severe injury.

Recalling the large pit, Mizutani

shivered. The sound of the ground cracking still echoed in his ears.

I can't let him hit me!

So...

"The second trial of the

Chunin Exam, the first competition, start!" Namikaze Minato announced as

both combatants stood ready.

Be the first to attack!

Kiba and Mizutani shared the same

thought.

As soon as Minato's words fell,

Mizutani leaped back, scattering iron water chestnuts in a fan shape before him

and forming seals as he landed.

Kiba's eyes locked onto Mizutani.

The latter's swift retreat and strategic placement of traps surprised him.

Clearly, Mizutani's plan was to keep distance and rely on ninjutsu for victory.

A standard strategy for a ninjutsu

user.

Kiba's speed was extraordinary. As

Mizutani dropped the traps, Kiba advanced swiftly. The foremost trap nearly

pierced Kiba's foot, forcing him to jump hastily.

"Impressive, Mizutani!

Perfect timing!"

"He's in mid-air! Now

Mizutani has the upper hand. Kiba's Taijutsu prowess is useless if he can't

close the distance. He's a sitting duck!"

"At that moment, he had no

choice but to jump. Mizutani had him in his sights all along."

The spectators buzzed with

excitement, predicting Kiba's imminent defeat.

Yukina and Hirohiko watched

silently, showing no concern.

Mizutani's timing is impeccable.

His strategic acumen surpasses mine in this instance.

Kiba quickly evaluated his

situation.

Next, he'll attack with ninjutsu.

In mid-air, I can't dodge effectively. This is his best opportunity!

Kiba's eyes stayed on Mizutani.

Sure enough, Mizutani completed

his hand seals and spat out five fist-sized water bullets, targeting Kiba

mid-air.

Water Release: Water Bullets!

Kiba's pupils contracted. In

mid-air, he had no means to dodge. The sound of the rushing water bullets was

intense. Kiba could feel the impact if hit—it would be like being struck by

iron bullets!

Water Release uses the density,

impact, and pressure of water to cause significant damage to opponents.

Mizutani's Water Release is indeed

impressive.

The water bullets sped towards

Kiba. He reached behind his back, pulled out two kunai, and threw them.

Kunai?

Mizutani watched, then his eyes

widened in realization.

No! They're tagged with explosive

notes!

The two paper tags on the kunai

ends stretched in the wind. As Mizutani recognized the explosive notes, the

kunai embedded in the nearest water bullet.

"Boom! Boom!"

The tags exploded, sending fire

and smoke into the air. The water bullets burst into droplets, falling from the

sky.

The smoke engulfed Kiba's figure.

The last two water bullets charged into the smoke.

"Whoosh!"

Moments later, the water bullets

flew out of the smoke, missing their target.

Missed! How?

Mizutani's heart raced. He

couldn't see Kiba, but those last two bullets were aimed to hit for sure.

"Drop..."

A single drop of water hit

Mizutani's forehead, bringing a cold sensation. He snapped out of his shock.

Oh no!

Mizutani's face paled as he

quickly formed more seals.

I can't let him get close!

Kiba emerged from the smoke, fist

ready, water dripping from it. He threw two shurikens with his other hand.

Though Kiba's shuriken skills

weren't on par with Hirohiko's, his aim was precise. The shurikens flew

straight at Mizutani.

Damn, too late!

Mizutani stopped forming seals and

dodged back.

"Thud! Thud!"

The shurikens embedded in the

ground where Mizutani stood. As they landed, Kiba closed the distance swiftly.

How did he avoid those three water

bullets in such a short time!

Mizutani's eyes widened,

reflecting Kiba's approaching figure.

His speed far exceeds mine!

At that moment, Namikaze Minato

realized Kiba's ingenious strategy. First, he used the detonating talismans to

explode, blowing up two water bullets. The explosion's aftermath slightly

deflected the last two water bullets, causing their angles to shift outward,

forming a sideways distance. This kid's sense of balance is truly remarkable.

In that critical moment, he turned sideways in mid-air, avoiding the two water

bullets. Simultaneously, by turning sideways, he punched the last water bullet

coming from the front.

Finally, anticipating that

Mizutani would use ninjutsu again, he prepared the shurikens in advance,

disrupting Mizutani's seals. He predicted Mizutani's retreat and followed up

with a flying punch after landing.

The judgment and decisiveness at

this moment are exceptional!

"Boom!" A dull thud

echoed.

Kiba's fist connected with

Mizutani's face, sending him flying into the high wall with a "bang."

"This..."

"Amazing..."

"Mizutani... was defeated

just like that?"

As they watched Mizutani slide

down the high wall, unconscious, the participants exchanged stunned glances.

They knew Mizutani's strength

well. Many had sparred with him and lost more than they won. They respected his

abilities.

"How did he do it... Those

last three water bullets were unavoidable..." A dazed participant

muttered.

Clearly, they didn't understand.

"Hmph!" Hyuga Yutaka

scoffed.

What's so difficult about that?

"That's Kiba's style,"

Yukina sighed.

"Indeed," Hirohiko

agreed.

Namikaze Minato observed Kiba,

gently rubbing his right fist, with a sparkle in his eyes.

Namikaze Minato checked on

Mizutani Rin, seeing his swollen cheek and unconscious state.

"In the first round, Taki

Kiba wins! One point!"