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Start of the fights one vs one fights!

Haruto and his team gathered at the edge of the arena, ready for the next stage of the Chunin Exams. There was a mixture of excitement and tension in the air as they watched the proctor prepare to announce the first matchups. Daichi, Shisui, and Haruto stood silently, each focused on what lay ahead.

Shisui had drawn the first match. His opponent? A Sound ninja known for specializing in genjutsu. Haruto, though eager to see how his teammate would handle this, already had a good idea of how it would go. Shisui was leagues above most genin when it came to speed and tactics.

The proctor raised his hand. "First match: Shisui Uchiha versus Ito of the Hidden Sound. Begin!"

Shisui stood calmly, his stance relaxed, Sharingan already activated. His opponent, Ito, smirked confidently, thinking his genjutsu specialty would give him an edge. Haruto leaned forward, curious to see how Shisui would counter.

But before Ito could even begin to weave his genjutsu, Shisui moved.

It happened in the blink of an eye.

Shisui's body flickered, a blur of speed that left Ito frozen in place. By the time Ito realized what had happened, Shisui was behind him, a kunai lightly pressed against his throat. The match had ended before it had even truly begun.

The proctor, somewhat stunned, raised his hand again. "Winner: Shisui Uchiha."

The crowd buzzed with murmurs of surprise. Haruto shook his head, smirking. "Kinda lame," he muttered. But he wasn't surprised. Shisui had proven once again why he was considered a prodigy. His speed was nothing short of remarkable.

Shisui walked back to his team, his expression as calm as ever. Haruto gave him a nod. "Impressive, but I was hoping for a little more action."

Shisui shrugged. "It's not about dragging it out. It's about winning."

The second match was next: Rasa of the Hidden Sand versus a random Leaf ninja. Haruto had been hoping to see Rasa's magnet release in action, but he was about to be disappointed.

Rasa, standing confidently with his auburn hair glinting in the sunlight, faced his opponent with calm composure. His golden eyes were sharp, focused, and calculating. His opponent, on the other hand, looked far more nervous, clearly unsettled by the reputation of the Sand shinobi.

The proctor called for the match to begin, and the Leaf ninja charged in recklessly, hoping to overpower Rasa with a flurry of taijutsu strikes. But Rasa didn't even flinch. He sidestepped each blow with minimal effort, barely moving as he dodged the attacks.

Haruto watched closely, expecting Rasa to use his magnet release at any moment. But instead, Rasa chose to keep things simple, relying on pure skill and technique. His movements were precise, almost mechanical. With a swift counter, Rasa struck his opponent's chest with an open palm, knocking the wind out of him. The Leaf ninja stumbled back, trying to recover, but Rasa was relentless. A leg sweep sent the Leaf shinobi crashing to the ground.

Rasa never had to use his magnet release.

"Winner: Rasa of the Hidden Sand," the proctor declared.

Haruto crossed his arms, mildly disappointed. "No magnet release, huh?" he muttered. But he had to admit, Rasa's skill was undeniable. The Sand shinobi had dismantled his opponent with nothing but simple, effective techniques.

The third match was then announced: "Takeshi Hyuga versus Mizu of the Land of Tea."

A Hyuga? Haruto perked up, his interest piqued. A tall, lean boy with the activated Byakugan stepped forward. His posture was confident, his expression calm. He clearly knew his way around a fight. His opponent, Mizu, was shorter and stockier, with the look of someone used to relying on brute force.

When the match began, Mizu foolishly decided to engage the Hyuga in close-quarters combat. Haruto shook his head. "What an idiot."

Takeshi moved with precision, each strike of his gentle fist shutting down Mizu's chakra points. It was over in a matter of moments. Mizu collapsed, clutching his chest, his chakra network completely disrupted by the Hyuga's precise attacks.

"Winner: Takeshi Hyuga."

Haruto stood at the edge of the arena, his eyes focused on the matches unfolding before him. Takeshi Hyuga had just finished his fight, dismantling his opponent with precision strikes that shut down his chakra network in moments. Haruto couldn't help but be impressed by the control and mastery the Hyuga displayed. There was something unnervingly precise about his fighting style—each move deliberate, calculated, and devastating.

"That Hyuga's got some serious skills," Shisui murmured beside him. "You better be ready."

Haruto nodded, still watching Takeshi make his way back to his team. "Yeah. I'll keep that in mind."

But now it was his turn. Haruto's stomach tightened with anticipation as he waited for the proctor to announce the next matchup. His gaze flicked toward the board as the numbers appeared.

8.

Haruto's number flashed across the screen, and he straightened, his heart beating faster. Finally, it was time to see what he was really up against in this round.

The proctor's voice boomed through the arena: "Haruto versus Kento of the Hidden Sand."

Haruto's eyes quickly scanned the crowd, landing on his opponent—none other than the bandaged ninja from Rasa and Pakura's team. He had noticed Kento before, always wrapped in bandages from head to toe, with only his sharp, calculating eyes visible beneath his hood and headband. Kento had remained mostly silent during their time in the tower, his movements quiet and methodical. Haruto hadn't been able to gauge his abilities, but he knew better than to underestimate him.

"Looks like you've got an interesting opponent," Daichi said, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Haruto stretched his arms, loosening his muscles. "I've got this."

Shisui chuckled softly. "Don't get too confident. We haven't seen what this guy's capable of yet."

Haruto walked toward the center of the arena, his mind focused and sharp.