Chapter 115

Chapter 115

The morning matches concluded, and Haneda had already secured his promotion to Chunin. The same went for Kakashi and Rin from Team Seven.

Sakumo and Minato both chose to celebrate the occasion with a lunch gathering, though Team Nine and Team Seven had separate meals. Team Nine's gathering was at Yakiniku Q, a popular BBQ spot at lunchtime. Thankfully, Sakumo had reserved a private room, so there was no need to wait for a table.

Inside the private room, Haneda and the others casually found seats. A server soon came over to take their order.

"Welcome. What would you like to order?"

"The usual—two servings of grilled pork belly set, one set B, one set C, and drinks with iced orange juice, please," Sakumo said, recalling what they had planned earlier.

After the server left, Sakumo smiled and said, "Congratulations on becoming a Chunin, Haneda."

As soon as Sakumo finished, Asuma was quick to join in the congratulations:

"Yeah, Haneda! Team Nine really had you to rely on for this Chunin Exam, just like Team Seven had Kakashi and Rin."

Kurenai added her congratulations as well: "Congrats! Once the matches are over, the Hokage will give you your Chunin vest."

Haneda didn't think too much about the Chunin rank itself, but seeing Sakumo and the others so happy for him made him smile.

"It's not a big deal, but I still have to face Rin and Kakashi in the afternoon. If I lose to Kakashi, I'll have to break my promise… though that wouldn't be so bad."

Sakumo, recalling the powerful jutsu Kakashi had recently developed, couldn't help but give a warning:

"Kakashi's swordsmanship has improved a lot from our one-on-one training over the past month. He's also developed a new jutsu, similar to yours. Be careful not to underestimate him, Haneda."

"A new jutsu? Impressive, Kakashi. He's certainly gifted," Haneda said with a smile.

He remembered that Kakashi had already developed the *Chidori*. What could this new jutsu be?

Curious, Haneda became even more eager for the afternoon battle.

"Aren't you worried about losing?" Sakumo asked with a chuckle.

"Didn't you say the odds are seven to three in my favor? Besides, I carry the name of Uchiha—I won't lose."

Hearing Haneda reference the time he had beaten Kakashi five years ago, Asuma got excited and shouted:

"I believe it too! There's no way Haneda will lose!"

"With his unbeatable genjutsu, powerful lightning jutsu, and sharp swordsmanship and taijutsu, there's no one who understands Haneda's strength better than me!"

Hearing such enthusiastic praise, Haneda felt a bit embarrassed. Luckily, the private room was closed off, so no one outside would see...

…

After lunch, the semifinals and finals of the individual matches were set to begin at 2 p.m. This time, even more important figures were present to watch.

Among them were Uchiha Clan Leader Kenji, the heir Fugaku, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki Kushina, and even representatives from distant lands like Terumi Mei from the Land of Water.

Even Danzo Shimura, the infamous leader of Root and known as the "Darkness of the Ninja World," quietly sat in a corner, observing.

Yes, Danzo had come specifically to monitor Haneda Uchiha, whom he viewed as inherently dangerous. Haneda's rapid growth worried Danzo, who, as a guardian of the Second Hokage's will, was being extremely cautious.

"The first match is between Orochimaru's student, Guy, and Sakumo's son, correct?" Danzo asked quietly, his one visible eye narrowing.

"Yes, it's Might Guy versus Haneda Kakashi, Lord Danzo," a Root operative answered beside him.

Danzo narrowed his eyes further, recalling Orochimaru's research on the Eight Gates. He remembered that Guy had already opened the Gate of Pain, the fourth of the Eight Gates.

The Fourth Gate marked the true beginning of the Eight Gates technique, a serious threat even for a genius like Kakashi, who would have to fight with everything he had.

Danzo couldn't help but take the match more seriously.

In front of an audience of thousands, Haneda, Kakashi, Guy, and Rin stepped into the arena.

Terumi Mei, sitting in the stands, couldn't help but admire the two handsome young men—one with black hair, the other with white.

"So that's Uchiha Haneda… What a handsome guy! The Uchiha clan really does produce good-looking men," she thought to herself.

"And that Hatake Kakashi guy, wearing a black mask—he's cool too…"

Meanwhile, disguised as a ninja from the Land of Water, White Zetsu observed Haneda closely, muttering to himself, "I wonder… what do Uchiha heartthrobs feel like when they use the bathroom?"

Another White Zetsu beside him, telepathically linked, responded: "Hehe, probably the same as 'that person.'"

"You mean that person? He sits all the time… Does he even go to the bathroom?"

"Humans all go to the bathroom… So probably, yes."

...

Guy, looking at the packed stands, couldn't help but glance at Haneda and Kakashi. He was filled with excitement.

"Yosh! In front of this massive audience, I'll defeat Kakashi! Then, I'll challenge Haneda with the fiery spirit of youth! What do you think, Kakashi?"

"Although I can't save that jutsu for my first match against Haneda, I'll definitely defeat you!" Guy said, clenching his fists.

Kakashi glanced at Haneda, who was pretending not to notice, and shook his head slightly.

"You mean the Eight Gates? Haneda can use that too. Even in pure taijutsu, you might not beat him."

"I'll deal with you first and then worry about him! Youth is about taking one step at a time, right, Haneda?" Guy said, his eyes burning with determination as he looked at Haneda.

Haneda, seeing Kakashi's deadpan expression, awkwardly coughed and said, "Well, skipping steps is okay sometimes too…"

Kakashi nodded in agreement. "Haneda's right, Guy. You should just challenge him right away."

Kakashi mimicked Guy's usual thumbs-up pose and said, "Yosh! Youth is about skipping straight to the goal!"

He had heard from Guy how Haneda used to handle things, and Kakashi decided to copy that.

But Guy wasn't the same as five years ago. He firmly responded, "No, youth is about progressing one step at a time, Kakashi! Only by defeating you honorably will I challenge Haneda!"

"This is the promise I made with Haneda. It's our youth!"

Kakashi shot a glance at Haneda, the "culprit" behind all this fiery determination.

At that moment, the Jonin referee jumped down from the stands.

"The semifinals are about to begin. Haneda Kakashi will face Might Guy," he announced.

"Uchiha Haneda, Nohara Rin, please leave the arena for now."

Before leaving, Haneda looked over at Kakashi and said, "Good luck. I'll be waiting in the next round."

Rin added, "Kakashi, do your best! Obito is watching from up there too!"

"Huh? What about me? Why isn't anyone cheering for me?" Guy suddenly asked.

At that moment, a loud voice rang out from the stands. It was Obito.

"Go, Bowl-Cut! Beat Kakashi into the ground!!"

Hearing this familiar encouragement, Guy flashed his signature grin and gave a thumbs-up towards Obito.

"Yosh! Thanks, Runta!"

"Idiot! My name is Uchiha Obito! Uchiha Obito!!"

As Haneda walked off, he called out a reminder to Guy: "Be careful, Guy. Kakashi has gotten a lot stronger."

"Okay!" Guy replied with a confident smile. Under Orochimaru-sensei's guidance, he had learned some strange but effective techniques. Even though he didn't fully understand how they worked, they were useful, and that was all that mattered.

With Haneda and Rin leaving the arena, the referee raised a red flag, signaling the start of the match.

"Kakashi Haneda versus Might Guy. Ninja match, begin!"

...