Chapter 38: Sato Vs Naruto

Here are the corrected paragraphs:

"While Teams 8 and 10 were conversing, the remaining candidates also arrived.

And the final candidate is none other than Naruto, who was being chased by the raging bulls.

Regarding Toss (not canon/important) and Sasuke, the former has been eliminated, and the latter should be on his way with Kakashi.

After the Third Hokage and the Fourth Kazekage took their seats, the official competition was about to commence.

The chief examiner in charge of this exam, one of the guards of the Fourth Hokage, Shiranui Genma, who had mastered the Flying Thunder Formation Technique, gazed at Sato and the others and said, "The official match of the third exam is about to commence! The rules remain the same as the preliminary rounds."

As he spoke, Genma Shiranui produced a form and continued, "Now, Naruto, who drew number one, and Sato, who drew number two, stay here. Everyone else, proceed to the spectator area to wait and watch the match."

"Eh? But Examiner, Sasuke hasn't arrived yet!" Naruto suddenly exclaimed anxiously.

Upon hearing this, Gaara replied indifferently, "It doesn't concern me whether he comes or not. If he fails to appear when it's his turn, it signifies his abstention. You should focus on yourself first."

The candidates left one after another, but as Ino departed, she made a fist gesture to Sato.

"Good luck... Sato, do your best."

Hinata, who knew her father and sister were in the stands, also quietly cheered Sato on.

"Don't worry, I won't lose."

Sato made an OK gesture, assuring them.

Soon, only Sato, Naruto, and Shiranui Genma remained in the vast square.

Standing between Sato and Naruto, Shiranui Genma said, "Just a reminder, this is different from guiding Jonin and stopping the candidates if they encounter an accident in the elimination round. The official competition is a battle where the candidates stake their lives."

"If you feel unable to defeat your opponent, I suggest you choose to abstain. Otherwise, even if your opponent kills you, I will turn a blind eye."

Upon hearing this, Naruto, who was usually carefree, became unusually serious.

Sato nodded to indicate his understanding.

"Then, the third exam of the Chunin exams and the first official match, Uzumaki Naruto versus Sato... officially begins!"

After Genma loudly announced the start of the match, he withdrew to a distance, leaving the battlefield to Sato and Naruto.

"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Naruto, who had low emotional intelligence but remarkably high combat IQ.

Almost immediately after Shiranui Genma's announcement, he swiftly formed hand seals and executed his best Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, creating dozens of Shadow Clones.

Naruto knew that besides Water Style, Sato excelled in illusions.

To be precise, before revealing his Water Style ninjutsu, Sato had given them the impression that he was a genjutsu specialist.

Hence, apart from disrupting the chakra flow, Naruto devised a way to counter illusions by creating a large number of Shadow Clones. This made it difficult for Sato to discern which one was Naruto's real body or if the Shadow Clones would aid in resisting the illusion.

"I must admit, this method is quite effective."

"However, Naruto need not be so cautious.

In this match, Sato had no intention of using illusions on him at all.

Unless the Sharingan was activated, ordinary genjutsu had no effect on Naruto whatsoever.

With his abilities, Naruto could effortlessly break free from Sato's illusions.

Once he tapped into the power of the Nine-Tails' chakra, ordinary illusions became completely ineffective.

Thus, Sato intended to have some fun with Naruto before initiating the plan to create chaos in Konoha.

Therefore, Sato formed a hand seal and declared, "Shadow Clone Body Flicker Technique!"

In a manner reminiscent of Shisui's Body Flicker Technique, two clones identical to Sato materialized on his left and right sides without any visible white mist.

Following that, Sato, along with the two clones, dashed toward the dozens of Narutos.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!...

Sato's speed was so rapid that Naruto's Shadow Clones were unable to react in time.

Just like Madara charging into the ninja alliance, Sato effortlessly broke through the group formed by the multiple Shadow Clones and unleashed his unrivaled assault.

Evidently, the clones that rushed into the crowd alongside Sato were mere ethereal (ghost-like) illusions, but when these Clones attacked Naruto's Shadow Clones, they suddenly transformed from ethereal illusions to solid clones. The bewildered Naruto Shadow Clones burst into clouds of white mist, dissipating into nothingness.

As some of Naruto's Shadow Clones regained their senses, they launched successive attacks on the three Satos before them.

However, when their strikes landed on Sato's body, whether it was the real Sato or the two clones, they instantly turned intangible, devoid of any physicality.

"What... is happening here!?"

"Why are these three Sato clones while the actual body is absent?"

"Aren't these just ordinary clones? Why don't they disappear when I attack them?"

"..."

Observing the phantasmal clones and the tangible body that eluded their blows, the remaining 'Narutos' panicked and shouted aloud.

"An excellent Body Flicker Technique."

"It's so reminiscent of... Uchiha Shisui."

"Is that boy the top student of this year? No wonder he could defeat the Uchiha orphan and heirs of major ninja clans."

"..."

If Naruto was flustered, the Jonin who were spectating the battle, as well as some prominent figures, were astounded.

Especially the special Jonin and Jonin who were contemporaries of Shisui, or those who had seniority over him—they saw a glimpse of Shisui in Sato.

As we all know, during the Third Ninja World War, Konoha had two formidable individuals who would abandon their missions upon encountering each other.

One was Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage, who was known as the "Yellow Flash" and had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique.

The other was Uchiha Shisui, renowned for his Body Flicker Technique. Even elite Jonin would flee upon encountering him.

Both of these individuals had mastered the most terrifying Body Flicker Techniques in the ninja world.

One possessed the ability to travel through time and space with incredible swiftness, while the other's techniques were so enigmatic that distinguishing between the main body and the clones was impossible.

However, with the demise of Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Shisui, the two most powerful Body Flicker Techniques in the ninja world had become legends.

But now, they witnessed the shadow of Uchiha Shisui in Sato.

Although Sato's technique was a weakened version of Shisui's Body Flicker Technique achieved through the combination of the Shadow Clone and the Body Flicker Technique, it could still be easily countered by those with a strong Perception Technique and knowledge of breaking illusions.

Nonetheless, the Shadow Clone Body Flicker Technique was a fusion of ninjutsu and illusions that had room for growth.

As the performer's mastery of illusions and Body Flicker Technique improved, the power of this technique would increase accordingly.

Mastering this technique required a solid foundation in both illusions and Body Flicker Technique.

As a current genin, Sato's impressive mastery of these skills indicated a future full of promise.

With proper training, Konoha would gain an exceptional master of illusions.

The Third Hokage, aware of Sato's potential connection to the Senju clan, recognized the qualifications of a master of illusions and Water Style in Sato.

The future of this new generation had already secured an elite Jonin.