Chapter 22: The Preliminary Matches
The atmosphere in the tower's main hall was thick with anticipation. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, addressed the gathered Genin with his usual gravity. "Congratulations on making it this far. The Chunin Exams are designed to test not only your skills but your ability to adapt and overcome challenges. The final stage will consist of a series of one-on-one matches to determine who among you is ready for the rank of Chunin."
He gestured to Hayate Gekko, who stood at the ready. "Hayate Gekko will oversee the matches. Given the unusually large number of you who made it through the second stage, we'll need to hold preliminary matches to narrow down the field."
Hayate stepped forward, his serious demeanor underscoring the importance of the upcoming battles. "We'll conduct a series of preliminary matches to eliminate some of the Genin and determine who will advance to the final tournament. The matches will be randomized to ensure fairness."
A large machine, designed to randomize matchups, was wheeled into the room. Its dials spun and whirred before coming to a halt. The results were displayed on a large screen for all to see.
"First match," Hayate announced, his eyes scanning the screen. "Sasuke Uchiha versus Yoroi Akado"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed at the mention of his opponent. Yoroi Akado, a dark-haired ninja from the Hidden Sound Village, was known for his unsettling ability to absorb chakra. His presence alone seemed to draw a chill through the room.
As the matches were organized, Sasuke and Yoroi took their positions in the arena. The air crackled with tension as the crowd settled into silence, eager to witness the clash of these formidable ninjas.
The battle began with Yoroi immediately demonstrating his unsettling ability. He lunged at Sasuke, his hands glowing with absorbed chakra. Sasuke quickly realized that he would need to outmaneuver Yoroi to avoid having his chakra drained.
Sasuke's mind flashed back to his earlier encounter with Rock Lee and the powerful taijutsu move he had used: the Dancing Leaf Shadow. Inspired by Lee's relentless attacks, Sasuke decided to create his own variant.
He formed a series of rapid hand seals and channeled his chakra into his limbs. As Yoroi closed in, Sasuke unleashed his new technique: Lion's Barrage. His movements became a blur as he launched a flurry of powerful, precise strikes. Each punch and kick landed with explosive force, the intensity of the attack catching Yoroi off guard.
Yoroi struggled to defend himself as Sasuke's barrage of strikes overwhelmed him. The precision and speed of Sasuke's new move were impressive, pushing Yoroi back with each hit. The crowd watched in awe as Sasuke's innovation turned the tide of the battle.
Despite his best efforts, Yoroi found himself unable to absorb Sasuke's chakra efficiently due to the relentless assault. With a final, decisive blow, Sasuke sent Yoroi crashing to the ground.
The impact was enough to knock the wind out of Yoroi, and he struggled to get up. Sasuke stood over him, ready to continue if necessary. Hayate stepped in, declaring Sasuke the winner of the match.
As the medics carried Yoroi away, the room erupted in applause and cheers. Sasuke's victory had set the tone for the preliminaries, and the other Genin were inspired by his performance. Team 10 watched with mixed emotions, knowing that they too would soon face their own battles.
Kaito exchanged a glance with Shikamaru and Choji. "Looks like things are heating up. We need to stay sharp and be ready for anything.
Shikamaru nodded, his mind already strategizing. "Let's just hope we don't get matched against each other.
Choji, munching on his ever-present chips, added, "Yeah, and let's give it our all. We didn't come this far to back down now."
As the next set of names was drawn for the following match, the Genin prepared themselves for the trials ahead. The preliminaries had begun, and each battle would test their limits, their resolve, and their readiness to advance to the next level.