Chapter 62: The Fourth
Scene
"The second trial of the
Chunin Exam, the third round, Hyuga Yukina, wins!" Namikaze Minato
announced, checking on Kiuchi Taketo, who muttered, "If it wasn't for the
Byakugan, I..." before tilting his head and passing out.
Namikaze Minato confirmed Yukina's
victory.
The veins around Yukina's eyes
slowly faded as she deactivated her Byakugan. She touched her chest lightly,
biting her lip as she felt a slight pain.
Hearing Namikaze Minato's
announcement, Yukina gently lowered her hand and turned to leave. As she did, a
drop of blood slipped from her right hand.
Surprised, she looked down to see
a wound stretching from her forearm to the back of her hand. Blood slowly
seeped out; the wound wasn't deep.
Was I hit? I thought I dodged it.
Although my clothes were cut, I thought I escaped.
Curious, Yukina turned her head,
her Byakugan activating momentarily to inspect the ninja sword Kiuchi Taketo
had dropped.
It's an ordinary sword...
Yukina turned back again and
reached the stairs, preparing to go up to the spectator seats. She frowned
slightly, bandaging her arm as she walked.
Namikaze Minato watched the
medical team carry Kiuchi Taketo away, then glanced at Yukina bandaging her
arm.
Injured?
So, Kiuchi Taketo's Bird Flash is
already 70% complete? Judging by his ninjutsu in the first test, he indeed
suits this sword technique. If it had been a double Bird Flash, Yukina might
have lost.
Real numbers trained a good
student! Kiuchi must have endured a lot during this time.
Minato remembered how Kiuchi often
led during missions. His swordsmanship was exceptional, with few in the village
able to match him.
A nostalgic smile appeared on
Namikaze Minato's lips.
Though Kiuchi was low-key,
preferring to be known as "the crane tail of the Jonin," he was
undoubtedly reliable in missions.
Minato glanced at Kiuchi Taketo's
stretcher.
This kid seems a bit extreme.
Zhenshu once said he was worried.
Meanwhile, in the spectator seats,
the shock in Kiba's eyes gradually subsided, replaced by a self-deprecating
smile.
Why am I surprised? Yukina is
naturally strong. She trains as hard as I do!
Kiba's eyes turned to Shiga
Taketake. Although surprised by Kiuchi Taketo's defeat, he wasn't shocked.
He understands Yukina's strength
to some extent.
This guy might be very troublesome
if we face him.
Kiba frowned slightly. Yukina had
already reached the spectator seats, and Kiba noticed the bandage on her hand.
Her hand is injured? That sword
hit her? No, it should have been avoided!
Yukina approached, noticing Kiba
and Hirohiko's concerned gazes. She raised her hand and made a "V"
gesture.
Seeing this, Hirohiko gave a
thumbs up.
"Is your hand okay?"
Kiba asked.
"A minor skin wound, it won't
affect future battles. It's already bandaged," Yukina replied, smiling
slightly.
"That's good." Kiba
nodded and turned his gaze to the big screen, wondering if Yukina had
miscalculated her dodge.
Seeing Kiba's focus shift,
Hirohiko also watched the big screen, while Yukina showed a slight pain in her
face, pressing her chest gently to ease the discomfort.
The first row of names was
decided.
Izumi Shirakawa.
After a while, the second row of
names stopped.
Mizutani Rin.
Hirohiko and Yukina glanced at
Kiba, who noticed their stares and said, "Why are you looking at me?"
"Mizutani should abstain this
time. You knocked him unconscious," Yukina said.
"That's right," Hirohiko
agreed.
Kiba looked at the field, where a
young man slowly walked towards it, glancing at the big screen.
Maintaining physical condition
after each battle is crucial. If the second match is random and you can't
compete, you'll lose by default. Shiga Taketake might have realized this when
he surrendered to Hirohiko.
Kiba looked at Shiga Taketake, who
was no longer in the same spot.
He left...where did he go?
Kiba was puzzled but didn't dwell
on it. Displeased murmurs about Mizutani's absence arose around him.
A medical ninja whispered to
Namikaze Minato, who nodded and raised his hand.
Before the participants reached
the field, the test officer signaled not to announce the match's start but the
winner and loser.
Everyone knew Mizutani probably
couldn't compete. Kiba's earlier blow was no joke.
"This is so unfair! Mizutani
is being wronged!"
"The drawbacks of this random
selection system! It's unfair to Mizutani!"
"How can this be..."
Kiba listened to the complaints,
noting Mizutani's apparent popularity. However, this was one of the rule's
tests.
A ninja's battles don't follow a
round-robin schedule. Emergencies occur, and the second match being randomized
immediately after the first is an unexpected situation.
Choosing battle tactics,
preserving physical strength, and maintaining condition are crucial in
high-intensity, unpredictable, and sustained battles.
For war?
Kiba looked at Namikaze Minato,
then at the Third Hokage and Sannin on the high platform.
Is it approaching?
Kiba clenched his fist quietly,
feeling the tension.
"The Chunin Exam, the second
test, the fourth match, the winner..." Minato Namikaze prepared to
announce Izumi Shirakawa's victory, ignoring the complaints.
"Wait a minute!"
Suddenly, a bandaged teenager ran from the temporary medical room corridor.
It was Mizutani Rin!
Hirohiko and Yukina looked at Kiba
again.
Kiba, noticing their stares, said,
"Why are you looking at me again?"
"Half his head bandaged with
one punch..." Yukina remarked.
"Yeah," Hirohiko nodded.
"Hey...what are you trying to
say?" Kiba was exasperated.
In the field, Namikaze Minato
frowned slightly at Mizutani Rin, followed by two medical ninjas.
"I'm here!" Mizutani
exclaimed, looking back at the medical ninja. "I'm fine, I can
compete."
"But you have a slight
concussion..." one medical ninja protested. "You need to rest."
"It's okay! I'm fine!"
Mizutani Rin insisted, looking at Namikaze Minato with determined eyes.
This kid...
Namikaze Minato frowned, then
slowly lowered his hand.
"The Chunin Exam, the second
trial, the fourth round, Izumi Shirakawa vs. Rin Mizutani!"
Clearly, Mizutani Rin's
qualification to compete was recognized.
In the stands, Hirohiko and Yukina
glanced at Kiba again.
"Concussion..." Yukina
said.
"Yeah," Hirohiko nodded.
"So, what are you trying to
say?" Kiba couldn't help but laugh.