Chapter 54: Shockwaves Throughout the Arena, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s Excitement

"...Rotation!"

Staring at the massive wave crashing down on him, Neji Hyuga's eyes widened. He didn't even have time to be shocked by Yagyu's one-handed seals. Neji immediately spun, releasing chakra from all of his body's points, executing the Eight Trigrams Palms: Revolving Heaven, a technique only taught to the main family but which Neji had learned through his own genius.

A massive spherical barrier of chakra instantly formed around him.

It wasn't that Neji wanted to use Rotation; he had no choice!

Yagyu's one-handed seals were too fast for anyone to react. Moreover, his Water Release technique was incredibly overwhelming—so much so that the massive wave, taller than the viewing platform, would flood the entire hall. Neji had no space to evade.

As soon as Neji's chakra barrier formed, the water wave crashed down on the rotating sphere.

Boom—

A deafening roar echoed as the tremendous water flow surged outward, filling the hall. The proctor, Hayate Gekkō, had to instantly retreat to the second-floor platform.

Just as the water level neared the stands, it seemed to hit an invisible barrier, diverting into other parts of the tower.

Yagyu, standing on the water's surface with chakra infused in his feet, crouched down and placed his hand into the water.

A small whirlpool formed around his hand, spiraling upward like a snake, coiling around his arm.

As the water level swiftly dropped, the still-spinning chakra barrier remained intact. But all eyes weren't on the barrier—they were fixed on Yagyu's hand.

In Yagyu's hand was a spear made of water.

Seeing this, the jonin in the stands, their pupils contracted sharply. Even Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kakashi Hatake were visibly stunned.

Might Guy, who usually had a jovial attitude, was now serious, ready to step in and forfeit the match for Neji.

But he was just a second too late.

Whoosh—

The sharp whistling of the spear cutting through the air filled the arena.

Yagyu leaped high, hurling the water spear with immense force.

Like a shooting star, the high-speed spinning chakra barrier shattered with a crack.

Neji, who had been spinning within, was thrown to the ground.

Nearby, the water spear had embedded itself deep into the floor beside him, its head and shaft buried in the ground.

The next moment, the water spear exploded.

A terrifying suction force, like an invisible giant hand, grabbed Neji and spun him violently in the air.

Water from the surrounding atmosphere gathered, forming a swirling vortex.

More and more water accumulated in the blink of an eye, creating a massive water tornado.

The intense suction force caused the jonin and genin on the platform to grab onto the railing, chakra coursing through their feet to hold them steady as they resisted the pull of the water tornado.

"Eight Gates: Fifth Gate—Gate of Limit... Open!"

Just as the water tornado threatened to destroy the arena and the second-floor platform, a powerful shout rang out.

In an instant, a figure enveloped in green energy shot out like an arrow from the viewing platform, delivering a kick to the water tornado.

The terrifying water tornado was immediately dispersed by the kick, and the resulting chakra and water turned into a torrential rain that soaked the entire hall and viewing platform, drenching everyone.

The figure responsible for this was none other than Might Guy.

When the rain finally ceased, Guy was standing with the unconscious Neji in his arms.

"The match is over. The winner is... Yagyu."

Hayate Gekkō reappeared in the hall and announced the result.

The entire arena was silent.

Everyone, from genin to jonin, even Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, had forgotten about being drenched. All eyes were on Yagyu, who was calmly slicking back his wet hair with his hand.

Gulp...

Someone audibly swallowed, breaking the tense silence.

Shaky voices started to murmur:

"S-S-rank Water Release!"

"There's no mistake! That level of elemental transformation and shape manipulation—it's definitely a secret technique of the highest level!"

"A water vortex, a water spear, and a water tornado... Isn't that the Second Hokage's Water Release: Water Severing Wave?!"

"He really is a descendant of the Senju clan!"

The discussion spread like wildfire throughout the hall. The jonin who recognized the Water Severing Wave looked at Yagyu with newfound awe.

Before, they had been skeptical of Neji's deductions. But now, after witnessing Yagyu's mastery of Water Release, they were 90% convinced.

Silver hair, red eyes, an enormous chakra reserve, and mastery of the Second Hokage's ultimate Water Release technique... Yagyu was like a younger version of Tobirama Senju!

Unfazed by the attention, Yagyu calmly walked over to Might Guy and smiled. "My attack avoided hitting his body. He's only suffering from water inhalation and chakra depletion. Let me heal him."

"Thanks, kid," Might Guy grinned, his signature toothy smile returning.

There wasn't a hint of anger or dissatisfaction over how Yagyu had nearly taken down his student.

As Yagyu began healing Neji, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched from the stands, his hands trembling slightly as he held his pipe. His emotions were surging, indescribably intense.

Sarutobi had been observing Yagyu since his time at the academy.

After all, the class of Konoha Year 60 was incredibly special.

Naruto's generation symbolized the future of Konoha. Their success would mark the village's rebirth. Their failure would mean Konoha's demise.

Anyone who dared harm this new generation would cross Hiruzen's bottom line, even Danzo, who Sarutobi had tolerated for so long.

To ensure their growth and safety, Sarutobi had assigned Kakashi to guide Naruto and Sasuke, Asuma to lead the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, and Konoha's genjutsu specialist to instruct Team 8.

Even Neji, who had graduated a year earlier, was placed under Might Guy, ensuring their protection.

Of these jonin instructors, three were elite jonin, showcasing just how much Sarutobi valued these twelve young ninjas.

Originally, Yagyu hadn't been part of Sarutobi's inner circle of concern.

But after Yagyu became the top student—and continued to hold that position—while forming close ties with the heirs of the Hyuga and Yamanaka clans, he finally caught Sarutobi's attention.

Sarutobi had observed Yagyu several times through his crystal ball, watching him teach Ino and the others tree climbing, water walking, and medical ninjutsu. He'd noticed Yagyu's exceptional chakra control and marked him as a talent worth nurturing.

When he later saw Yagyu use Water Release and sensory techniques, Sarutobi decided to take a gamble.

He wanted to see if Yagyu had the potential to wield Yin Release chakra.

That's why, during team placements, Sarutobi had chosen Yagyu over Kiba Inuzuka.

After receiving positive feedback from Kurenai about Yagyu's abilities, Sarutobi began to see Yagyu as a potential new genjutsu specialist for the village.

But what Sarutobi didn't expect was that he had vastly underestimated Yagyu's talents.

With such immense chakra reserves, mastery of Water Release, and even Tobirama's ultimate Water Release technique... whether Yagyu was a true Senju or not, his innate gifts and mastery of water techniques could turn him into a "copy" of the Second Hokage.

Even a replica of Tobirama Senju would grow into a pillar of Konoha.

With Naruto and Sasuke eventually coming into their own, Konoha could return to the glory days when the Sannin protected the village!

With that future in mind, Sarutobi felt reassured that he wouldn't have to face the former Hokage with shame when his time came.

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