62 - Fourth Match

"Second round of Chunin exam, third match, Yukina Hyuga, wins!" Minato Namikaze announced. He examined Kento Kiuchi, who only managed to sputter, "If it weren't for my blind eye, I..." before his head lolled to the side as he lost consciousness.

Minato Namikaze then officially declared Yukina's victory.

The veins at the corners of Yukina's eyes slowly receded as her Byakugan deactivated. She lightly touched her chest, biting her lip as a twinge of pain shot through her heart.

Upon hearing Minato Namikaze's announcement, Yukina gently lowered her hand and turned to leave. As she pivoted, a drop of blood slid from her right hand, catching her by surprise. She noticed a wound extending from her forearm to the back of her hand, blood slowly oozing from the shallow cut.

"Was I hit?" she thought, furrowing her brow. "I should have avoided it. Even though I was careful, I did get hit."

Yukina glanced back, her eyes widening as they fell upon the ninja sword Kiuchi had dropped. "It's... a very ordinary sword," she mused.

Reaching the stairs, Yukina paused to bandage her arm, her mind racing with questions. Once finished, she continued her ascent to the participant's viewing stand.

Minato Namikaze watched the medical team carry Kiuchi Kento away before turning his attention to Yukina bandaging herself. 'Injured?' he pondered. "So, this Kiuchi Kento's 'Crane Wing Strike' is already 70% mastered? And considering the ninjutsu in his first test, it was indeed suitable for practicing this swordsmanship. If it had just been the 'Twin Crane Wing Strike,' Yukina would probably have lost."

A nostalgic smile played across Minato's lips. "This child Kento, I'm afraid he has suffered a lot during this time. He reminds me of someone—always taking the lead on tasks, able to defeat less than five people in the village with his swordsmanship."

Minato's gaze lingered on Kiuchi Kento's stretcher. 'It's just that this kid seems a bit extreme. To be honest, I'm still very worried.'

In the participants' viewing area, the shock in Chiba's eyes gradually subsided, replaced by self-deprecating amusement. 'Why am I so surprised?' he thought. 'Isn't it right that Yukina is so strong? She trains just as hard as I do!'

Chiba's gaze shifted to Shiga Takeyuki, noting a faint surprise in his eyes, but not outright shock. 'That's right,' Chiba mused, 'this Shiga Takeyuki is surprised that Kiuchi Kento was defeated, but not unexpectedly so. Does he have certain judgments about Yukina's strength? This guy may be a very troublesome type of person to deal with.'

Chiba frowned slightly as Yukina emerged from the stairs. He keenly noticed the bandage on her hand. 'Her hand is hurt? That sword hit her? No, she should have avoided it.'

Yukina, noticing Chiba's and Hirohiko's gazes, expressionlessly made a "V" gesture with her fingers.

Hirohiko responded with a thumbs up.

"Your hand, are you okay?" Chiba asked, concern lacing his voice.

"A little skin trauma won't affect the subsequent battle, and it has been bandaged," Yukina replied with a slight smile.

"That's good," Chiba nodded, then turned to the big screen, thinking to himself, 'Did I see it wrong? Did Yukina not completely avoid it?'

As Chiba's attention shifted, Hirohiko also focused on the large rotating screen. Yukina's face contorted slightly with pain, and she reached out to gently press her hand, as if to relieve the discomfort.

The first name appeared on the screen: Shirakawa Haru.

After a moment, the second name materialized: Mizutani.

Hirohiko and Yukina exchanged glances before looking at Chiba, who noticed their gazes and asked, "Why... are you looking at me?"

"Mizutani, you knocked him out, right? This time, he should abstain from participating," Yukina stated matter-of-factly.

"That's right," Hirohiko nodded in agreement.

Chiba's eyes scanned the field, where a young man was slowly approaching the arena, his gaze fixed on the big screen. "It turns out to be like this," Chiba realized. "After every battle, it's also important to keep your body in shape. If the second game arrives at random and you fail to join, it's judged as a loss. So, is this the reason why Shiga Takeyuki gave up so easily when competing with Hirohiko?"

Chiba's eyes darted to where Shiga Takeyuki had been standing, only to find the spot empty. "Left... where did he go?" Chiba wondered, slightly puzzled.

Before he could dwell on it further, Minato Namikaze's voice echoed through the arena. A medical ninja had whispered something to him, and Minato nodded, raising one hand.

He raised his hand, not to signal the start of the competition, but to announce the winner and loser. Everyone knew that Mizutani wouldn't be able to participate, and that Shirakawa's power was not to be taken lightly.

"Hey! This is too unfair! This rule is unfair! Mizutani is at too much of a disadvantage!" someone shouted from the crowd.

"Yes! The disadvantages of this system of random selection of both players! This is too unfair to Mizutani!" another voice chimed in.

"How can this be..." a third spectator muttered.

Chiba absorbed these complaints, realizing that Mizutani's popularity was quite high. However, this was one of the tests of this rule. Ninja battles weren't always orderly affairs. After one batch was completed, another would begin, often with unexpected situations arising.

The second match arriving so soon after the first was an emergency situation. It tested a ninja's ability to choose tactics in battle, preserve physical strength, and maintain their condition—crucial skills for high-intensity, high-risk, continuous combat scenarios.

Was this preparation for war? Chiba's gaze flicked between the Minato and the high platform where the Third Hokage and the Sannin sat. 'Damn it, is it so soon?' he thought, his heart constricting as he clenched his fists.

"Chunin Exam, Second Round, Fourth Match, Winner..." Minato Namikaze began, ignoring the complaints and grievances of the participants as he prepared to announce Shirakawa Haru's victory.

"Wait a minute!" A shout rang out as a teenager burst from the corridor of the temporary medical room, half of his head wrapped in bandages. It was Mizutani!

Hirohiko and Yukina turned to Chiba once again.

Feeling their gazes, Chiba's tension eased slightly. His eyes narrowed as he asked, "What are you looking at me for again?"

"Half of his head was bandaged with one punch..." Yukina stated bluntly.

"Yeah," Hirohiko nodded in agreement.

"Hey... what are you trying to say..." Chiba responded, exasperated.

Meanwhile, in the field, Minato watched Mizutani run out, two medical ninjas hot on his heels. The future Hokage's brow furrowed slightly.

"I'm here!" Mizutani called out, glancing at the medical ninja behind him. "I have no problem with my injuries. I can take the test."

"But you have a slight concussion..." one of the medical ninjas protested anxiously. "You need to rest."

"It's okay! I'm fine!" Mizutani locked eyes with Minato, determination blazing in his gaze.

Minato studied the young ninja, weighing his options. After a moment's consideration, he slowly lowered his hand.

"Chunin Exam, second round, fourth match, Shirakawa Haru vs. Mizutani!" Minato announced, officially admitting Mizutani's qualification for the competition.

In the stands, Chiba once again felt the weight of Hirohiko and Yukina's stares.

"Concussion..." Yukina murmured.

"Hmm!" Hirohiko grunted in acknowledgment.

Chiba could neither laugh nor cry. "So, what are you going to say..." he asked, bracing himself for their response.