Chapter 51

"I've got the courage to admit defeat."

"Come on, do it!"

"You said yesterday, holding your badly injured little girlfriend, that you were going to beat me senseless, didn't you?"

Between the strong, even when clashing swords, there was always a peculiar sense of attraction.

Standing in front of this kid, who was a full head shorter than himself, Ay's expression was calm and composed.

"Little girlfriend, huh?"

"Never expected someone as blunt as you, Ay, to say something so amusing."

"You're right though, that's my promise to Mikoto. So, this punch... you'd better brace yourself."

——

The final battle of the Chūnin Exams!

In the middle of Konoha's arena, with countless eyes watching, Fujiwara Tetsuya's left fist hovered for a moment, just lightly tapping Ay's chest before he quickly pulled it back.

"Let's leave it at that for now."

"If we ever get the chance to fight again, I'll make sure to properly teach you a lesson."

With a faint smile, Tetsuya exerted his remaining strength, helping Ay up from the ground. Despite yesterday's events stirring up anger in his heart, Tetsuya couldn't help but respect this straightforward, battle-hardened man standing before him.

"Fujiwara Tetsuya!!!"

"Konoha wins! Konoha wins!!"

"That kid from the Fujiwara clan—what a fighter!"

The current scene didn't even need Tsunade to make an official announcement. Anyone with a shred of common sense could tell the result of the final Chūnin match.

Konoha's own genin, Fujiwara Tetsuya, had not only secured ultimate victory, but at the most crucial moment, displayed the true magnanimity of the Hidden Leaf, the first great shinobi village.

The crowd's deafening cheers echoed throughout the arena, taking a full ten minutes to finally settle.

"Koharu, what I told you yesterday..." Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was calm as he stood up, watching the two unsteady figures support each other. He paused slightly, then turned to quietly remind Koharu Utatane before descending the platform. "Think it over carefully."

The future workload for Konoha in the next few years was now secure.

Moreover, with the kind of potential that kid showed, he definitely had the makings to inherit the Will of Fire.

In an overlooked corner of the arena, Tanaka Jirou could barely contain his excitement as he watched the scene unfold, his entire body trembling with emotion. His blood was practically racing through his veins, setting his nerves alight.

They had won! They had actually won!

Among the Fujiwara, Tanaka, and Uesugi clans, this was the first time since the Chunin Exams had been held that one of their own had stood at the very top!

Nearby, the children of the three clans cheered wildly, jumping up and down with joy. Perhaps, in a few years, they too would look back on today and be inspired to walk the path of the shinobi.

---

Konoha Hospital.

After the match, both Fujiwara Tetsuya and Ay were admitted due to the severity of their right arm injuries.

However, Tetsuya, having won first place in the Chunin Exams, was granted a bit of special treatment.

But don't get the wrong idea—it wasn't anything too extravagant. Tetsuya simply didn't want to share a room with Ay, the loud, thick-headed guy who barely seemed to understand the concept of peace and quiet.

Room 307.

On the small table beside Tetsuya's hospital bed, a few bouquets of fresh lilies were placed, their fragrance gently filling the air.

Now that Tetsuya's right arm had stabilized, his attending medic-nin finally lifted the visitation ban, allowing visitors to come and see him.

Among the first to visit were Tanaka Jirou, Fujiwara Sachiko, Yuhi Shin, and Aburame Muto, each arriving as soon as possible. After much effort on Tetsuya's part, he finally convinced them to leave, despite their reluctance.

What followed was a flood of unfamiliar faces, people Tetsuya had barely met or didn't even know at all. The room was crowded with well-wishers until Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived, accompanied by none other than Orochimaru.

At that moment, the chaotic atmosphere was brought to an abrupt end.

"Finally, some peace and quiet." Tetsuya exhaled a long breath, lying back on the soft hospital bed, his body sinking into the comfortable mattress. It was a far cry from the hard floor of the Fujiwara clan's second floor back home.

Gazing out of the window at the birds flying by, Tetsuya's thoughts drifted as his eyes grew distant.

Hiruzen's visit earlier had been framed as a check-up on his injury, but much more was discussed. They talked about the Chunin Exams, the reward for his first-place finish, and the two A-rank jutsu promised to him. The conversation even touched upon the matter with the Utatane clan.

This was the advantage of strength, talent, and reputation. If it weren't for those, the old shinobi leader wouldn't have expressed his thoughts so easily.

"System, it's time. Let's settle the mission."

After what felt like a long time, Tetsuya finally withdrew his wandering gaze and focused on the system's rewards.

This temporary mission wasn't just about the immense kill points he had earned—there was also an S-rank lightning and water-style jutsu waiting for him. With all that combined, his power was about to see a massive leap forward.

[Congratulations, pure-hearted host! You've completed the temporary mission and claimed victory in the Konoha Year 35 Chunin Exams, gaining recognition in the shinobi world! Now calculating mission results…]

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for defeating Ay! You've earned 1,000 kill points!]

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for winning first place in the Chunin Exams! You've obtained the S-rank jutsu—Lightning Release: Kirin, and an additional 2,000 kill points!]

"Kirin, huh?"

Tetsuya's eyes glimmered as he processed the system's notification. As the signature technique of the Second Hokage's younger brother, the ability to manipulate weather conditions and summon a lightning dragon was the pinnacle of lightning release.

In the right conditions, Kirin's destructive potential could far surpass most other S-rank jutsu.

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