Chapter 124

Kazuki, the main hero, watched the commotion in the arena as the voices of spectators echoed in the stadium. The young Patriarch of the Gekko Clan, known for his calm demeanor and sharp skills, remained indifferent to the noise.

"Let me just say that the young Patriarch of the Inuzuka clan cannot beat the young heiress of the Hyuga clan. How can a boy from a small ninja clan fight against the Hyuga clan? Hahaha, you still don't believe it! I'm going to make a small fortune today!"

"Damn it, how can a man lose to a woman? This young Patriarch of the Inuzuka clan should really be ashamed. I'll never hire a ninja from the Inuzuka clan again when I need help from Konoha!"

"Hey, did you know? The Inuzuka clan's leaders have always been women. What strength could you expect from their young clan leader?"

"Who is responsible for this? How much did we lose this time? All because of the Inuzuka clan! We won't do any more business with them in the future!"

The arena buzzed with chatter, laughter, and frustration as both major and minor powers reacted to the outcome of the battle. The Chunin Exam had turned into a grand spectacle, a stage for gambling and commerce.

An ordinary Chunin exam became their casino!

The candidates were not just representing themselves, they carried the honor of their villages, countries, and families. A successful candidate could elevate their family's status, increase the village's reputation, and secure valuable contracts. The reverse, however, was also true.

After this competition, the Hyuga clan would once again gain favor among the elite, increasing their influence and receiving more business. On the other hand, the Inuzuka clan would face further difficulties. The poor performance of Inuzuka Kiba, their young clan leader, had tarnished their name in this crucial exam.

Luckily for Kiba, his mother's protective nature would prevent him from facing the consequences. She would handle the troubles he caused. Were it not for his unique abilities and position in the family, Kiba might have already lost his title as clan leader.

Kazuki observed the aftermath calmly, his sharp eyes watching as Hinata and Kiba walked back to the stands. The disapproval of the adults didn't seem to affect the two.

Gekko Hayate, the proctor, glanced at the field. Since no significant damage had been done, he decided not to use the Earth Release ninjas for repairs. He quickly called for the second match to begin.

"The second match of the Chunin Exam finals: Konoha's Nara Shikamaru versus Amegakure's Shigure!"

In the stands, Shikamaru groaned and scratched his head, clearly frustrated.

"Such a drag..."

Smack! Ino slapped him on the back. "Don't be so lazy! You're the only one from our 10th team left! If you lose, we'll be humiliated!"

Shikamaru winced, rubbing his back. The pressure was real now. If he lost, Ino might actually kill him.

Asuma, their sensei, gave him a comforting pat on the shoulder. "Don't stress too much. You've done well to make it this far as a first-year graduate."

Feeling reassured, Shikamaru returned to his usual laid-back self. "Ah, don't worry, Asuma."

Shikamaru looked over at Choji, who was predictably munching on snacks. Even with the pressure of the exam, Choji never stopped eating.

"I believe in you, Shikamaru!" Choji handed him some snacks with a grin.

With a small smile, Shikamaru took a few bites. "Thanks, Choji. I won't lose... probably."

Despite his outward laziness, there was a glint of confidence in his eyes.

Meanwhile, in the Amegakure camp, there was no such camaraderie. The three ninjas from this small, rain-soaked village had grown up together, but now, only one remained in the finals. Shigure would have to fight alone. Even though he had developed a unique ninjutsu, winning against Shikamaru wouldn't be easy.

Without any words of encouragement from his teammates, Shigure walked towards the arena. His Jounin sensei, hidden beneath a dark cloak, showed no interest in the match.

"Have you heard of this Amegakure?" one of the spectators asked.

"It's a poor village, nothing special."

"Haha, young man, Amegakure may be poor, but it once produced a legendary ninja—Hanzo of the Salamander! Even the Five Great Ninja Villages feared him back then."

"So what does this guy from Amegakure have to offer?"

"Not much, probably. Hanzo is long gone, and this village hasn't produced anyone notable since. Konoha's chances in this fight are much better. I've heard that Shikamaru is the young clan leader of the Nara clan."

As Gekko Hayate declared the start of the match, Shigure made the first move.

"Water Release: Black Rain Technique!"

Black rain began to fall from the sky, drenching Shikamaru. He caught some of the liquid in his hand and sniffed it.

"Oil?" he realized, quickly retreating as a fiery rocket hit the spot where he had just stood, igniting the oil.

"A sneak attack! How cowardly!" Ino shouted from the stands.

But Asuma remained calm. "It's not a particularly strong ninjutsu."

Shikamaru thought the same. Although the technique was unusual, its power was mediocre. It lacked offensive strength, defense, and real impact. Shigure's chakra reserves must be low, or else he would have used a stronger version of the technique.

If Shikamaru had the same ability, he would've turned it into a powerful attack, like a black oil water cannon. But Shigure seemed unable to muster the chakra for such an effort.

The match was just beginning, and Shikamaru's mind was already calculating his next move.

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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg