Chapter 68: The Promised Battle

When Yamanaka Inoichi said those words, everyone looked at him with a somewhat strange gaze, even Sakumo was slightly taken aback. After a moment of contemplation, he answered Inoichi's question: "Well, you have already passed the trial. In a strict sense, this battle is an additional test, no longer within the scope of the previous trial, so you can choose to forfeit."

The initial purpose of this ninja ability trial conducted by the village was due to certain reasons, and these children had spent three days in the Forest of Death, so that purpose had been achieved. As for this competition, it was intended to select the most outstanding individual among these survivors.

In the ninja's mindset, giving up was a very serious matter. 

So Sakumo's expression became somewhat grave as he said, "Forfeiting is not a problem, but you need to think it through carefully. You've come this far, are you sure you want to do this?"

Feeling Sakumo's somewhat grave tone, Inoichi also became a little hesitant. However, when he saw the anger starting to show on Kushina's face, his thoughts became resolute again.

"I forfeit." Under everyone's gaze, Inoichi chose to forfeit.

Upon hearing this, Sakumo's expression showed some disappointment. He had heard some things about Inoichi, but he didn't expect this kid to be so spineless.

Even Miyazaki Satoshi, who knew his abilities were far inferior to Hiashi's, had at least tried his best to fight.

"Then let's proceed to the next battle. Remove your chakra seal yourself." However, this was Inoichi's choice, and Sakumo had no right to interfere.

"Wait." However, at this moment, Kushina seemed unwilling to accept it and stopped Sakumo, then jumped towards Inoichi's location.

But just as she was about to reach Inoichi, a figure also blocked her way. It was Nara Shikaku.

Minato, Mikoto, and others also hurried over. They all understood Kushina's temperament.

She didn't care about winning without fighting. In her eyes, Inoichi's forfeit was an insult to her.

With Minato and others' intervention, Kushina couldn't act recklessly, but she still glared at Inoichi, her words carrying a strange undertone as she asked, "Why won't you fight me?"

Inoichi seemed unable to explain himself, and Kushina refused to let it go.

Shikaku, who was standing in front of Inoichi, looked at Inoichi behind him and then said, "This guy can't fight girls."

"Huh?" Kushina was dumbfounded upon hearing this.

Shikaku shrugged and said, "This guy has always been like this, ever since he was young. He absolutely cannot attack girls. During practice matches in class, he always asks the teacher to switch partners."

"Why?" Kushina asked, and many people couldn't understand what was wrong with Inoichi either. Even Sakumo was greatly surprised upon hearing this.

"Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. This guy just can't do it when it comes to fighting a girl like you. What can we do about it?" Shikaku spread his hands.

"But..." Kushina wanted to say something more, but she was pulled aside by Minato.

"Enough, if that's something Inoichi is not good at, don't force him. Doesn't Shindō-sensei also not force you to memorize lessons during class?" Minato said with a smile.

Upon hearing the words "memorize lessons," Kushina seemed to be taken aback, as if it was something even more terrifying than demons to her.

She looked at Inoichi again but didn't say anything more, though she still refused to give up and turned to Sakumo, saying, "Then change my opponent, okay?"

Sakumo pondered for a moment and said, "No, I can't."

Kushina was about to explode with anger, but Minato awkwardly smiled and blocked her way, while Mikoto assisted him from the side.

Kushina's fiery temper made even Sakumo secretly break out in a cold sweat.

Then he looked around and said, "Let's proceed to the next battle. Nara Shikaku and Akimichi Chōza, come to the arena."

When Sakumo said that, the chubby boy Akimichi Chōza raised his plump little hand and said, "Examiner, I also forfeit."

"What did you say?"

Everyone was shocked again, and Sakumo's composed demeanor was gone. He had never expected that the next generation of the renowned Ino-Shika-Cho trio from the Leaf Village would be a bunch of kids like these.

"Heh heh." Chōza just smiled awkwardly and said, "Shikaku is my good friend. I can't attack him either."

His reason was so absurd that Sakumo didn't even know what to ask next.

"Hey, what are you saying? Won't your dad scold you if you directly forfeit and go home?" Shikaku turned around and looked at Chōza.

Chōza looked at him and said, "You're much smarter than me. I don't want to be played around like those guys we defeated. My dad won't let me off the hook if that happens."

During the three-day ninja ability trial, the reason why Chōza and his teammates could successfully reach this point was not only because of their decent abilities but also because of Shikaku's existence, who had calculated almost everything.

Fighting against him was like falling into one trap after another, never being able to escape.

Chōza didn't want to experience that feeling.

Sakumo couldn't help but cover his forehead, his expression a mix of laughter and tears.

Inoichi and Chōza forfeited in succession, resulting in Kushina and Shikaku winning without a fight.

Out of the nine battles, the winners had been decided in eight, leaving only one spot for the qualified candidates.

Kushina also seemed to realize this, and her expression became somewhat worried, no longer making a fuss in front of Minato due to the previous incident.

Minato also turned his head and looked at Uchiha Homura, who was standing alone apart from the group, still smiling at him. 

Then Minato also smiled back at him, and the two of them looked towards Sakumo simultaneously.

"Then let's proceed to the final battle, Namikaze Minato versus Uchiha Homura!" Sakumo said as he finished speaking, glancing at the two on the second floor before stepping back with a smile.

Uchiha Homura's figure instantly appeared in the arena, and everyone only caught a glimpse of a black flash.

The only ones who could keep up were Minato, Nawaki, and Sarutobi Ao.

Nawaki patted Minato's shoulder and said, "Good luck!"

"Be careful," Mikoto said worriedly from the side. Although she didn't think Minato was inferior to Uchiha Homura, the latter's aura still made her feel a sense of crisis.

"Don't worry," Minato smiled gently, and when everyone saw his smile, the worries in their hearts seemed to diminish.

Kushina, on the other hand, had a combative look on her face. Minato understood her meaning.

She and he would always be together.

Swoosh!

Then Minato also descended into the arena at a speed no less impressive than Uchiha Homura's, like a golden flash, contrasting Uchiha Homura's gloomy aura with a dazzling presence.

Seeing him enter, Uchiha Homura calmly said, "It's been a year. Do you remember our promise from last time?"

"Of course, I remember," Minato replied.

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Homura smiled and said, "That's good!"

At that moment, a voice also resounded, but to them, it seemed somewhat slow.

"Battle begin!"

At this moment, both of their eyes radiated an indescribable light, but without exception, it was...

A blazing, fiery intent to battle!

(End of Chapter)