49 - Youth Burns

Chiba hit the ground with a dull thud, quickly regaining his footing. Across the arena, Guy slowly slid down the wall, leaving behind a human-shaped indentation.

Gravel crackled as it rolled off the damaged wall. Chiba allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. 'The daily chakra control and footwork training paid off,' he thought. 'My force control was spot-on this time.'

Guy's head drooped, his arms hanging limply at his sides. He appeared to have lost consciousness.

Chiba narrowed his eyes, assessing his opponent. 'Is it over already?'

The spectators erupted into a cacophony of disbelief and awe.

"Look at those cracks in the wall!" someone exclaimed.

Another voice chimed in, "Impossible! How can a seven-year-old possess such power?"

"I... I think I want to go home," a third spectator muttered nervously.

"After a hit like that, he must have multiple fractures," someone else speculated. "Is this really the same genius who graduated early?"

The crowd of genin and chunin watching the match wore expressions ranging from surprise to incredulity to outright fear as they stared at the damaged wall.

In the stands, Kushina Uzumaki clenched her fist, a proud smile playing at her lips. "Not bad at all," she murmured. To herself, she added, 'I knew Chiba was training with weights, but I didn't expect him to wear them during the exam. It's a risky habit, and they're far too heavy. We'll need to address that later.'

Minato wore a wry smile, partly from Kushina's vice-like grip on his hand, and partly because it seemed his hopes for Guy were about to be dashed. It appeared Guy couldn't defeat Chiba after all.

Jiraiya couldn't help but glance at Tsunade. "That power... and those movements," he mused. "Did he learn Guy's taijutsu on the spot?" Chiba's kick had reminded him of Tsunade's formidable fighting style.

"Well, in terms of raw strength, he certainly lives up to the title of genius," Orochimaru nodded, a note of appreciation in his voice.

Tsunade reached for a scroll, preparing to make notes. "Speed, strength, and technique – this Chiba Taki has remarkable physical talent. No wonder the Third Hokage approved his early graduation," she observed.

The outcome seemed all but decided. Judging by the extent of the wall's damage, Guy had likely sustained multiple injuries, possibly even fractures. Continuing the match seemed unfeasible.

The medical team rushed onto the field, stretcher at the ready, prepared to whisk Guy away for treatment.

Chiba frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on the motionless Guy. Despite appearances, something told him this fight was far from over.

The proctor raised his hand, ready to call the match. Even he couldn't hide his surprise at the sheer power of Chiba's kick. 'Can a seven-year-old really possess such strength?' he wondered, both amazed and slightly suspicious.

Just as he was about to announce Chiba's victory, his sharp voice cut through the air: "Wait!"

The proctor froze, startled. The three Sannin exchanged surprised glances.

One of the medical ninja spoke up, a note of urgency in his voice. "He needs immediate treatment for those injuries."

Ignoring the protests, Chiba took several steps back, sinking into a fighting stance. His eyes never left Guy's prone form.

The medical team exchanged bewildered looks. 'Is this kid seriously going to continue fighting? That's insane! His opponent is gravely injured...'

Their thoughts were abruptly cut short as Guy stirred.

With a slight cough, Guy pushed himself to his feet. Though his body swayed unsteadily, he managed to raise one hand in a gesture that clearly said: "Come on, let's continue."

"He can still stand after that?"

"Unbelievable..."

The watching ninja couldn't hide their astonishment. Most of them knew they'd be out cold – or worse – after taking a hit like that. They'd be lucky to recover after weeks of bed rest!

A rueful smile tugged at the corner of Chiba's mouth. 'As expected, it's not going to be that easy...'

"He's up?" Kushina's eyes widened in surprise.

A glimmer of hope rekindled in Minato's eyes. 'Maybe... Guy still has a chance.'

Even the Sannin couldn't conceal their amazement.

"Youth..." Guy slowly raised his head, meeting Chiba's gaze. "Youth will never surrender!"

Chiba's mouth twitched. 'As expected from one of the most perseverant characters in the Naruto universe – the emperor of hard work himself.' Guy's eyes burned with an unyielding determination.

The medical ninja exchanged uncertain glances before reluctantly withdrawing from the field. The proctor lowered his hand and stepped back, allowing the match to continue.

'What remarkable children,' the proctor mused. 'To think this boy graduated from the academy on taijutsu alone. I heard his ninjutsu and genjutsu are unremarkable, but his taijutsu... A battle between a genius and a hard worker? This should be interesting.'

Chiba observed Guy carefully, one hand slowly moving behind his back.

From the second floor, Minato's eyes flashed with interest as he focused on Chiba's movement.

"Youth..." Guy took a deep breath and vanished from Chiba's sight.

In the blink of an eye, a kick was aimed straight for Chiba's chin. The attack came with blinding speed, catching Chiba off guard. Pain exploded through his jaw as the kick connected, lifting him off his feet.

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Chiba looked down. He glimpsed Guy with his hands on the ground, poised like a sprinter at the starting block. In the next instant, Guy disappeared once more.

'*Shadow of the Dancing Leaf!*' Chiba's pupils contracted slightly. 'Then, next is...'

Chiba barely had time to glance back before he heard Guy's determined voice behind him.

"Let it burn!"

Suspended in mid-air, Chiba found himself at a distinct disadvantage, unable to maneuver. His face betrayed his surprise as his mind raced.

'Could it be the *Front Lotus* next? Impossible! The *Front Lotus* requires opening the first of the Eight Gates. Guy shouldn't be capable of that yet!'

'Did I remember it wrong?'

'No. This isn't the Lotus – we're not high enough.'

Chiba estimated he was no more than three or four meters above the ground. The Lotus technique required far greater height. He caught a glimpse of Guy rapidly approaching, spinning through the air. Guy moved from behind to Chiba's side, then launched a fierce elbow strike aimed at Chiba's chest, amplified by the momentum of his rotation.

"Konoha Taijutsu Technique: Lion Combo!"

The impact resonated with a dull thud of flesh meeting flesh.

Chiba plummeted to the ground, his body carving out a shallow crater upon impact. Cracks spider-webbed across the arena floor as dust billowed up, engulfing Chiba's prone form.