50 - The Last Hit

'This Might Guy...'

The Sannin watched with surprise as Guy twisted in mid-air. It had been a long time since they'd seen a ninja execute such a rapid *Shadow of the Dancing Leaf* technique.

Though *Shadow of the Dancing Leaf* was merely a C-rank taijutsu that most skilled ninja could perform, it was rare to see it executed with Guy's speed and precision.

Kushina and Minato exchanged appreciative glances as they observed Guy's prowess.

In the stands, excited chatter broke out among the spectators.

"Did he do it? Has Might Guy defeated Chiba Taki?"

"Probably... Chiba Taki couldn't possibly get up after such a devastating blow!"

"Ha! Serves him right, getting a taste of his own medicine from Might Guy!"

The ninja in the crowd glanced between the human-shaped crater in the wall and the dust-shrouded area where Chiba had fallen. It did seem like poetic justice – an eye for an eye.

"Well done, Might Guy!"

"Victory is yours!"

"Our cheering wasn't in vain after all!"

On the field, Guy stood solemnly, his gaze fixed on the dust-covered area. Hearing the cheers, he clenched his fists and shouted, "It's not over yet!"

His declaration silenced the crowd. Everyone stared at the arena, bewildered.

'Not finished?'

As the dust settled, it revealed an empty crater where Chiba should have been.

'He's gone?'

The ninja blinked in confusion.

A smile spread across Guy's face, his teeth gleaming. "Is this... the *Headhunter Jutsu*?" he exclaimed, suddenly leaping into the air.

"I learned all about your battle with Kakashi. The *Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu* is your best ninjutsu! You love using it when your opponent can't see you!"

The moment Guy jumped, hands burst from the soil, grasping at empty air where he had stood a split second before.

"He saw through it!" Kushina realized, having noticed Chiba's strategy. The instant the dust had enveloped him, Chiba had employed the Headhunter Jutsu for a surprise attack.

She hadn't expected Guy to anticipate the move.

Minato's eyes flashed as he analyzed Guy's movements. 'Did Kakashi tell him about this? Might Guy... you're full of surprises.'

In an instant, Minato understood. He surmised that Guy, anticipating a match against Chiba in the Chunin exam, had pestered Kakashi for details about their previous battle. Minato could almost picture Kakashi's reluctant face as he eventually caved to Guy's persistence.

"Oh? His strategy's been exposed?" Jiraiya commented, observing the field. "I thought that attack would be quite effective."

Tsunade nodded. "Chiba Taki's earth escape technique is impressive. His Headhunter Jutsu is quite skilled, and his timing in using the dust as cover was excellent. Did he use the dust cloud like a smoke bomb? Unfortunately, Guy saw right through it."

"It's not that simple," Orochimaru interjected, his gaze shifting upward.

Jiraiya and Tsunade followed his line of sight, their eyes widening in surprise.

Above Guy's head, Chiba materialized. He executed a rotating side kick, chakra surging as he activated the Eight Gates technique.

"Boom!"

Guy barely had time to react before Chiba's kick sent him crashing into the ground. Debris flew up as the earth cracked like a spiderweb beneath the impact.

"Boom!"

The hands that had emerged from the soil exploded into white mist, dissipating.

'Shadow Clone!' The Sannin realized, shocked.

Not only Hirohiko Uchiha but Chiba Taki could use clones as well? This ability hadn't been mentioned in any reports.

Was the Headhunter Jutsu merely a feint to make Guy jump, leaving him vulnerable to an aerial attack?

Minato's eyes flickered between Chiba, still rotating in mid-air, and a small crater some distance from Guy's original position. He pieced together the strategy: In the dust cloud, Chiba had created a shadow clone. Both the original and the clone had used the Headhunter Jutsu. The clone had attacked, while the real Chiba had emerged behind Guy, leapt skyward, and launched his assault.

Chiba landed, gritting his teeth against the pain in his back and chest. If not for the enhanced durability granted by opening three of the Eight Gates, Guy's earlier attack might have knocked him unconscious.

'Surely he can't get up after that,' Chiba thought, frowning as he looked at Guy.

Guy lay spread-eagled on the ground, surrounded by a web of cracks and fissures. It seemed impossible that he could rise again.

The audience fell silent, their eyes darting between Chiba and the devastated arena floor. They compared the shallow indentation Guy had created earlier to the crater Chiba had just formed.

'This Chiba Taki! What monstrous power! The difference is staggering!'

Even the Chunin Test Officer stood stunned.

"He can't possibly get up now," Tsunade murmured.

Orochimaru nodded, his expression impassive. Yet, as he observed the destruction Chiba had wrought, a spark ignited in his eyes.

Chiba remained rooted to the spot, wary of approaching Guy. The Sannin's reaction snapped the Chunin Test Officer out of his daze. He stepped forward to assess Guy's condition.

"He's lost consciousness..." the officer announced, rising slowly. He gazed at the shattered ground, disbelief etched on his face. 'Did a seven-year-old child really do this?'

The medical team rushed forward, carefully lifting Guy onto a stretcher. As they carried him away, Guy managed a weak glance at Chiba but remained silent.

Chiba watched nervously as the medical ninja hurried off.

'I hope I wasn't too harsh,' he thought, then smiled ruefully. 'Maybe I'm just not equipped to deal with someone as tenacious as Guy. I used chakra instinctively out of fear.'

'Fear that he might rise again.'

'Even now, I can't shake the feeling that he could still stand up.'

Chiba heaved a long sigh as he watched Guy being carried away.

"The fourth match winner: Chiba Taki!"

The Chunin Test Officer's announcement echoed across the arena.

Chiba had successfully passed this test.