Naruto: From Novice to Grave

Chapter 85 - The Third Chunin Exam: Showdown

In the center of the arena, the scattered ninja tools had already been collected by the two participating teams. After all, these things weren't cheap, and they had to be recycled if possible; ninjas' money didn't come easily.

However, the traces of the ninjutsu were still visible in the field. A Konoha ANBU ninja who knew Earth Release stepped forward and used ninjutsu to smooth it out.

Minato Namikaze looked towards the waiting room. He knew that there were two of Konoha's new generation of geniuses inside. The Hokage may have initially intended to use this make-up Chunin Exam to dispel the sorrowful atmosphere that hung over the village residents.

However, when Uchiha Shisui signed up alone, the significance changed, and the Konoha leadership took the opportunity to bring out Higashino Makoto to deal with the situation.

Now, on the surface, the Chunin Exams have become a stage for two people, but in reality, they have become a means for the higher-ups to compete with the Uchiha clan.

Minato Namikaze was not only an excellent ninja, but also politically astute. He sighed inwardly, thinking how complicated the relationship was between the village's high-ranking officials and Konoha's most powerful family.

I wonder if he can handle these troublesome matters if he achieves his dream of becoming Hokage.

Just thinking about it makes my head spin.

"Well, let's hand the stage over to these two excellent juniors for now," Minato Namikaze muttered to himself, then called out to the waiting room, "Come down, it's your turn!"

Upon hearing this, Higashino Makoto said, "Let's go, Shisui, it's our turn."

"Hmm!" Uchiha Shisui responded softly, seemingly suppressing his excitement.

Upon reaching the center of the arena, Minato Namikaze said, "State your name!"

"Makoto Higashino".

"Uchiha Shisui"

This is a privilege that the previous two teams did not receive.

After their voices were amplified and broadcast to the stands, villagers and ninjas who didn't recognize them immediately knew who they were upon hearing their names.

"So it was them."

"Could it be—"

"Yes, that's them."

"Yes, it's been the talk of the village lately about the two young heroes who defeated Kirigakure on the eastern front."

The villagers didn't care whether it was true or not; upon seeing the two legendary heroes, they immediately erupted into an even louder wave of cheers.

Minato Namikaze looked at the two, but he was more focused on Shisui. Shisui's Uchiha identity reminded him of his former student. However, Obito was different from Shisui, who had shown his genius at the age of 10. Obito was a complete hot-blooded idiot.

Although he earned the title of hero on the battlefield where Konoha defeated Iwagakure, he paid the price with his life.

Hopefully, this new hero of the Uchiha clan will grow up smoothly.

He actually had a fairly good relationship with the Uchiha clan.

On the main stands, the daimyo, seeing only two people in the arena, asked in confusion, "Oh dear, isn't this supposed to be a team battle? Why are there only two of us?"

The Third Hokage explained, "Because they registered for the Chunin Exams individually. These are the two most outstanding geniuses of Konoha's new generation. I believe their performance will satisfy you."

"Really? That's something to look forward to, hehehehe."

The daimyo's son, standing to the side, was thinking about something else entirely. If all these ninja geniuses could serve under him and acknowledge him as their master, then would Konoha have no reason to exist?

Only when force is always in one's own hands can people feel at ease.

Seeing that the atmosphere had reached its peak, Minato Namikaze stretched out his right hand between the two: "Well then, let the match begin!"

After speaking, he made a downward gesture with his right hand and instantly disappeared, leaving the stage clear.

Higashino Makoto and Uchiha Shisui formed a pair of opposing hand seals. Afterward, Shisui said, "Makoto, I knew you were very strong from the moment I met you."

In every encounter at the Ninja Academy, I could tell you weren't using your full strength. Because of this, I've been working hard to train, mastering everything you taught me, from the chakra nature training techniques to the various ninjutsu passed down in my clan.

I've always wanted to see just how big the gap is between us, and today might be the day to answer that question in my heart.

"Oh? That's quite a passionate statement. So what are you waiting for? Let's begin and see if you can actually do it."

After they finished speaking, they suddenly stepped back a little at the same time, and their hands reached for their ninja tool pouches simultaneously, and eight shuriken flew out of their hands.

"Ding ding ding ding~"

The shuriken clashed precisely in mid-air, producing a crisp sound. Both added wind-style chakra to their blades, making the ninja tools fly at an incredible speed. Those with poor eyesight couldn't see them clearly, only hearing the sound of the impact.

Higashino's ninja tool throwing technique wasn't flashy; it was all about speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness.

Although Shisui's wind-style chakra training was not as good as Higashino Makoto's, he could at least ensure that his shuriken could block the opponent without being cut.

At the same time, as a family that likes to use ninja tools in fancy ways, Shisui didn't just shoot eight shuriken; four more were hidden underneath, turning halfway through the attack and striking the opponent from the left and right sides.

Higashino leaped forward to dodge the shuriken, closing the distance between himself and Shisui, while simultaneously drawing a short sword from his back and slashing at his old friend.

Shisui instantly drew his sword to defend, and both of them infused their swords with chakra to protect the blades while increasing their sharpness.

Then, the two began to clash with each other using swords. Uchiha Shisui activated his Sharingan with two tomoe right from the start, which greatly enhanced his dynamic vision, making his sword speed and nerve reaction extremely amazing.

Although Higashino Makoto doesn't have good eyesight, his body, nourished by natural energy, has equally strong dynamic vision and reflexes, allowing him to handle things with ease.

Shisui could see that his friend was still not going all out, and he couldn't help but feel a little discouraged. At the same time, a feeling of not giving up arose in his heart.

I need to be faster, faster, maybe even faster and I can overpower the opponent.

The two moved swiftly across the arena like the wind, their sword strikes as fast as lightning, leaving the skilled ninjas in awe.

Ordinary villagers:

I can't see anything at all anymore! Are you guys monsters? Can you slow down a bit? We came to watch the competition, not to watch you two running around like crazy in the arena.

After the two fought for a while, Shisui realized that this was not a solution, because his breathing was becoming unstable.

He knew that he was no match for Higashino in terms of physical strength, endurance, or chakra reserves, and that if he continued to fight like this, he would soon be defeated.

But how could they be defeated so easily?

After Shisui used all his strength to deflect Higashino Makoto's weapon with a single strike, he swiftly flicked out four kunai with his left hand to stop Higashino Makoto's pursuit, while he quickly formed hand seals.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique

After Higashino knocked away the kunai that was attacking him, he saw the Uchiha clan's signature ninjutsu coming straight at his face.

However, in his eyes, the fireball was still too slow.

Therefore, Higashino really dislikes offensive ninjutsu that comes out of his mouth, but he occasionally uses defensive ninjutsu.

In order to ensure that the "Great Fireball Technique" which had never hit anyone before had a reliable hit record, and also to enhance the entertainment value of the match, Higashino Shin did not dodge and took the ninjutsu head-on.

His body was instantly engulfed in flames, making him invisible, as if he hadn't dodged the ninjutsu at all.

The audience in the arena went from complete silence to agitation in an instant, erupting in loud clamor.

"No way!"

"How could you not dodge?"

"We're doomed! Our hero has killed another hero."

"Murder! Murder!"

Minato Namikaze twitched slightly, but quickly returned to his original state without offering any assistance.

As the fire subsided, Higashino Makoto's figure was revealed, his entire body enveloped in a spherical, light blue chakra shield.

Minato Namikaze looked at the defensive ninjutsu with curiosity. Before agreeing to be the chief examiner for the third Chunin Exam, he had of course learned about the relevant information and was also aware of the series of ninjutsu developed by Makoto Higashino.

It's truly amazing that it can withstand the "Great Fireball Technique" without any harm. It's very practical, but the learning difficulty is a bit too great.

Besides, he doesn't have the water attribute yet. He needs to cultivate that attribute first if he wants to learn it. Oh well, he should just keep working on the Rasengan series.

"Spiral Flash Super Wheel Dance Roar - Wind Arrow Sword Dance"

He had prepared a cool name, but he was still unable to integrate the wind attribute, which made him a little embarrassed.

The Konoha ninjas watching the battle naturally noticed the amazing nature of Higashino's ninjutsu and wanted to learn it, but it seemed very difficult.

Ordinary villagers didn't understand, but they felt the plot twist came too quickly, and they cheered with increasing excitement.

Now, even if the fireball hits me, it'll be worth it!

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