45 - The Third Match

"The second match goes to Yukina Hyuga!" proclaimed the Ninja proctor. Yuhi had already lost consciousness, making Yukina Hyuga's victory undeniable. Ignoring the sudden influx of people onto the court, the officer swiftly declared Yukina Hyuga the winner.

By this time, a medical Ninja had taken charge of Yuhi's care, while Yukina's leg wound had been carefully bandaged.

Kushina Uzumaki rose from the ground, a proud smile gracing her features as she gently patted Yukina's head. "Congratulations, Yukina. You've won your first battle."

Yukina Hyuga's face remained impassive, barely acknowledging her victory. She nodded slightly, her voice devoid of emotion. "Thank you, Kushina-sensei."

Observing her only female disciple's stoic expression, Kushina thought ruefully, 'Is it too much to ask for any of these three to smile genuinely?'

Concern etched on his face, Kayami Hyuga approached the group. "Lady Yukina, are you alright?" he called out, only to be halted by Kushina Uzumaki's outstretched arm.

Confusion flickered across Kayami Hyuga's features as he looked at Kushina Uzumaki questioningly.

Kushina explained, her tone firm but gentle, "The next match is about to begin. We need to clear the area. We're in the way."

"Yeah," Yukina nodded, turning to walk back to the spectator stand. As she passed Kayami Hyuga, she murmured, "Thank you, Brother Kayami."

Hirohiko and Chiba followed closely behind her.

"How's your foot?" Chiba inquired, his eyes scanning Yukina's gait for any signs of discomfort.

"I'm fine," Yukina replied curtly.

Chiba and Hirohiko exchanged glances, nodding in unison. "That's good," they echoed.

Chiba cast a fleeting glance over his shoulder, his eyes narrowing imperceptibly. At that moment, Kayami Hyuga stood alone in the field, a solitary figure against the backdrop of the arena. Kushina Uzumaki and Minato had retreated to the second-floor auditorium, while a medical ninja tended to the unconscious Yuhi.

Yukina maintained her composure, knowing that her Gentle Fist strike was merely for shock. Even without treatment, Yuhi would regain consciousness naturally after a day's rest.

Kayami Hyuga's gaze locked onto Chiba, his face a mask of calm belying the subtle killing intent in his eyes. In public, he still exercised restraint, careful not to display his emotions openly. As Chiba turned, their eyes met, the air between them crackling with unspoken tension.

With a cold snort, Kayami Hyuga pivoted on his heel, striding back to his teammates. Muzi and Sata watched him nervously, still reeling from the moment when Kayami had abruptly slapped their hands away, nearly provoking their teacher to intervene.

"Kayami, are you okay?" Muzi ventured, his eyes roving over his teammate's form in concern.

"I'm fine," Kayami Hyuga replied sullenly, brushing past Muzi's inspection to lean against the railing, his gaze fixed on the arena below.

'Chiba Taki...' Kayami's thoughts seethed with barely contained rage. 'I hope I face you in the next match. Then I'll kill you, you dirty traitor. You're an eyesore next to Miss Yukina!'

From their vantage point, the legendary Sannin observed the proceedings with keen interest.

"Yukina Hyuga, a very promising seed," Orochimaru mused, his serpentine eyes glinting as he watched Yukina, Chiba, and Hirohiko ascend the stairs.

Tsunade nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful. "For a girl to handle herself so well... She possesses the qualities of an excellent ninja."

"Indeed," Jiraiya concurred, his gaze following Chiba's trio. "But the Hyuga..."

Tsunade unrolled a scroll, jotting down some notes before announcing, "Well then, let's continue."

The Ninja test officer's voice rang out across the arena. "The third match... The opponents are..." He paused, awaiting the message from the Sannin.

The big screen flickered to life, names flashing across its surface in rapid succession.

Kayami Hyuga!

The first name had been decided.

Chiba and Kayami Hyuga's pupils contracted simultaneously, each lost in their own thoughts.

'Is it time?' Chiba mused, his hand unconsciously brushing against the hidden weapons at his side. 'Good, let's end this early.'

The veins at the corners of Kayami Hyuga's eyes began to bulge, his Byakugan activating involuntarily in his anticipation.

'It must be Chiba Taki!' Kayami's thoughts raced. 'This is the perfect opportunity to deal with you. It's just a Chunin exam. If you give up, so be it. As a member of the Hyuga family, I'll never care about the distinctions of Genin, Chunin, or even Jonin!'

'I'm willing to do anything to get rid of the cockroach hovering around Miss Yukina!'

The big screen's rapid flashing slowed, then stopped.

Yamada Akira!

'It's not me?' Chiba's posture relaxed slightly, his face betraying nothing.

'Damn it!' Kayami Hyuga cursed inwardly, his outward calm intensifying, causing Muzi and Sata to exchange worried glances.

"The third match, Kayami Hyuga versus Yamada Akira!" the test officer announced.

A wail pierced the air. "It's actually Kayami!" A boy of about twelve covered his head, his face contorted with dismay. His two teammates, however, exhaled with visible relief.

Reluctantly, Yamada Akira descended the stairs, each step heavy with dread. Kayami Hyuga waited below, his piercing gaze fixed on his opponent. As Akira approached, his heart sank further.

'Shit! Kayami seems to be in a foul mood,' Akira thought, swallowing hard. 'I hope I won't be beaten to death...'

Kayami Hyuga's attention, however, remained largely focused on Chiba in the stands above. Chiba returned the stare, his expression unreadable.

'Let's see what he can do first,' Chiba mused.

Hirohiko and Yukina exchanged glances before turning to Chiba. Hirohiko broke the tension, his words uncharacteristically numerous. "Chiba, Kayami Hyuga is formidable. I heard from my brother that he's likely the strongest genin of our generation."

Yukina nodded in agreement. Though Chiba had inquired about Kayami Hyuga before, she could only share limited information. Kayami had never displayed his full abilities in her presence, leaving her knowledge of his skills incomplete.

She knew only that Kayami Hyuga was her father's prized disciple. While the Hyuga family eschewed terms like master and apprentice, Kayami's Gentle Fist technique had been personally honed under her father's tutelage.

Her father, whose strength rivaled that of the current clan head had praised Kayami Hyuga as "the genius of the Hyuga family."

Aware of the brewing conflict between Chiba and Kayami Hyuga, Hirohiko and Yukina voiced their concerns, sensing an inevitable confrontation on the horizon.

Chiba's thoughts, however, diverged from theirs. He, too, yearned to uncover more about Kayami Hyuga's capabilities. Judging by Yamada Akira's reaction, Chiba sensed that Kayami's strength was likely terrifying.

Glancing at Yukina, Chiba detected a flicker of embarrassment in her eyes. He understood that despite Kayami Hyuga's overbearing protectiveness, Yukina couldn't bring herself to truly hate a fellow clan member.

Chiba frowned, momentarily torn. 'If I were to eliminate Kayami Hyuga, would Yukina become more distant from me?' The thought vanished as quickly as it had formed. 'This isn't the time for such musings. I need to focus on the match at hand.'

With renewed determination, Chiba shifted his gaze to the arena below.

"Hyah!"

In that instant, Kayami Hyuga sprang forward with a soft cry, his Gentle Fist technique poised to strike.