The referee declared Orochimaru's victory, and Nara Yasuo retreated in despair.
"Really? One person kept using ninjutsu while the other remained motionless, and the attacker actually conceded defeat!"
"Yeah, I don't understand it at all."
As they say, laymen watch the spectacle while experts watch the technique. The ordinary audience can't fully comprehend the intricacies of the ninja battles, resulting in sparse applause.
"Strange, Kazuki's eyes feel familiar to me," Uchiha Mirror, who was usually quiet, muttered to herself, but she quickly dismissed this unrealistic idea.
"Tsunade, you're being naughty again," Orochimaru wiped the footprints off his buttocks, and Tsunade smirked proudly.
"Next up..."
The matches continued, and Orochimaru focused on studying the fighting styles of each clan.
In the end, Yamanaka Inosuke defeated Yuren, Akimichi Chou overwhelmed a member of the Hyuga clan, Kato Dan used a secret soul technique to control another member of the Hyuga clan, and finally, Uchiha Renji defeated the remaining civilian ninja of Land of Grass.
At this point, all the ninjas from outside the village had been eliminated, and the top eight contestants were decided.
The Hidden Mist Village assassination ninja used a lesser version of the Hidden Mist Technique—the Mist Technique, which was somewhat less effective. However, for a ninja like Yamanaka Inosuke who relied on mind-related ninjutsu, he managed to counter Hidden Mist Ninja's attacks effectively with his telepathy. Yamanaka Inosuke was much stronger than Yamanaka Ino at the same age, and despite being hit by two darts and sustaining a cut on his leg, he ultimately emerged victorious.
Akimichi Chou's match was much simpler. His large and powerful fists using the Body Expansion Technique easily overwhelmed the Hyuga clan members who were inexperienced in countering such opponents.
Orochimaru watched intently during Dan Kato's match. At this point, he couldn't use his Spirit Transformation Technique, as a single misstep would lead to the opponent's death. However, Dan Kato had developed the ability to use his mental power to interfere with his opponent's mind, gradually leading them into a coma. He skillfully dodged and used ninjutsu during his battle with Hyuga, showcasing solid foundations in taijutsu and ninjutsu. Orochimaru called it "hypnotism."
In reality, it was a form of soul manipulation; once trapped, the opponent couldn't be roused no matter how much they screamed. They would sleep for two or three days, making it a rather sinister technique. Although Dan Kato's appearance and demeanor earned him applause from the audience, the competing ninjas regarded him with fear.
"He's quite despicable," Orochimaru didn't particularly like Dan Kato. He himself didn't talk much about love interests in his past life and disliked seeing others flaunting their relationships, especially when they were fleeting. Dan Kato reminded him of Asuma, and the fact that he was a disciple of Danzo added to Orochimaru's determination to thwart him.
Tsunade rarely retorted, observing Dan Kato with an inscrutable expression, her thoughts kept to herself.
Last to appear was Uchiha Renji. He wasted no time and immediately used the Fire Dragon Bullet Technique to dispatch the remaining civilian ninja of the Land of Grass.
Thus, all the ninjas from outside the village were routinely eliminated, and the top eight contestants were determined.
After lunch, the second round of the knockout stage began without much rest in between. It could be said that appearances mattered in this regard. If a contestant had expended too much energy, they would be made to compete immediately, indicating that their strength and luck weren't enough.
"In the first semifinal match, Akimichi Chou will face Yamanaka Inosuke," the referee announced.
"What? Two of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio are battling against one another!"
Boos resounded both from the spectators and the audience. This matchup seemed entirely based on luck.
"It's truly unfortunate, Inosuke. Are you alright?" Akimichi Chou's stout figure, donning a red vest, looked concernedly at the slender Yamanaka Inosuke. Earlier, he had been injured by a Hidden Mist Ninja, and his mental strength had been severely depleted. It was a significant setback for the Yamanaka clan's fighting power, and Akimichi Chou felt a bit awkward about facing him in this condition.
"I'm fine. Just give me your all in the fight," Yamanaka Inosuke smiled lightly. "Let's decide the winner with a single move to minimize our energy expenditure."
"Alright then, don't be stubborn!" Akimichi Chou was still worried, as each combination of the Ino-Shika-Cho had a close bond, being brothers who shared life and death.
"Let the match begin!"
Both contestants simultaneously formed hand seals.
"Multi-Size Technique: Human Bullet Tank!"
"Secret Art: Mind Shift!"
Akimichi Chou transformed into a larger, swollen figure, rolling forward like a speeding cannonball. Though the technique was not as potent as the Hidden Mist Technique, it proved effective against a ninja like Yamanaka Inosuke, who relied on telepathy. Yamanaka Inosuke, stronger than Yamanaka Ino at the same age, skillfully evaded most of the Hidden Mist Ninja's attacks with his mind-reading abilities. Despite being hit by two darts and suffering a cut on his leg, Yamanaka Inosuke ultimately gained control of the situation and emerged victorious.
"Stop!" Inosuke desperately attempted to control Chou's body, but the latter's swift movements made it impossible for him to halt the charging cannonball.
"Bang!" Inosuke himself was knocked out of control, and both he and Akimichi Chou lost consciousness at the same time.
"No!" The audience expressed concern at the sight.
Ultimately, Akimichi Chou quickly recovered, while Yamanaka Inosuke, having sustained a severe blow, was unable to maintain his secret technique. He lay on the ground, completely exhausted and unable to get up.
"Akimichi Chou wins!"
Akimichi Chou wasn't happy about the win as he helped his friend get up.
"You fell a bit short, my friend, but we did our best!" Yamanaka Inosuke expressed a hint of disappointment but still smiled.
"Yeah."
The match had concluded quickly, and the referee promptly intervened.
"Next up is Kazuki Hyuga versus Uchiha Renji!"
"Wow-!"
The audience buzzed with excitement. Were they about to witness a showdown between the two major eye techniques—the Byakugan and the Sharingan? The spectators, even the ninjas and prominent figures in the stands, were thrilled.
The Byakugan was renowned as the strongest visual prowess for perception, while the Sharingan was famed for its powerful genjutsu and dojutsu abilities.
Hyuga's abilities revolved around their Byakugan, making it a crucial asset for them. On the other hand, while the typical Sharingan excelled in illusion and dynamic vision, it offered limited enhancements to ninjutsu. Despite Kazuki Hyuga's proficiency
in his clan's fire techniques, it still couldn't match the overall prowess of the Hyuga clan.
"Orochimaru, who do you think will win?" Tsunade inquired with interest as she observed the intense confrontation between the two contenders.
"I believe Kazuki Hyuga will come out on top."
"Really?"
At the start of the match, the two opponents engaged in a fierce struggle. Kazuki Hyuga avoided making direct eye contact with Renji, relying instead on the full 360° vision of his Byakugan to determine Renji's position and close in rapidly.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Technique!" Renji swiftly spewed out multiple fire streams, but Kazuki Hyuga's high-speed maneuvers allowed him to dodge effectively. However, Renji cleverly directed the flames towards the ground, causing fiery waves that forced Kazuki to keep evading.
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullet Technique!" Renji unleashed his Fire Style techniques with impressive speed, something an average Chunin couldn't achieve.
In mid-air, Kazuki Hyuga couldn't evade this ninjutsu. Blood vessels on his face bulged as he yelled, "Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven!"
A circular shield formed, effectively withstanding the raging flames. However, Renji threw numerous kunai into the flames, hoping to strike Kazuki amidst the chaos.
Kazuki Hyuga keenly sensed something and moved away, narrowly avoiding the kunai. As a result, Renji, who had seemingly been hit earlier, turned out to be a shadow clone. The real Renji stood nearby, panting, with a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth.
Though Uchiha Renji managed to confuse Kazuki Hyuga with an illusion momentarily, he was still caught off guard and took the hit. However, Kazuki sensed the oddity in the attack feedback and promptly dodged the real attack.
"Renji is going to lose." The second elder sighed leisurely and stopped talking.
"I can only give it a try!" Uchiha Renji frantically made a series of hand seals, and his chakra surged violently. Finally, he unleashed an immense wave of flames, ready to engulf his opponent completely.
Though the Fire Style: Fire Extinguishing Technique was a B-level ninjutsu, most Chunin couldn't hope to execute it successfully, and Renji's flames were nowhere near as powerful as Orochimaru's.
"Bring it on!" Kazuki Hyuga wasn't one to back down, and he also put forth his best effort. He summoned two clones, and all three charged towards Uchiha Renji amidst the flames, determined to press forward.
"Gentle Fist: Celestial Palm!"
Kazuki Hyuga roared, and he and his clones used Gentle Fist to project chakra in front of them, forming a shield. Their hands danced, and the chakra created a rotating force field. The two clones mirrored the movements, and three rotating force fields spun in parallel, resembling a massive drill that plowed through the flames.
"What?!"
"What kind of ninjutsu is this? Did he create it himself?"
A chorus of astonishment echoed through the stands, and the usually calm Hyuga clan members were no longer composed. This ninjutsu had never been seen before!
The three figures pressed forward through the flames, parting the sea of fire.
Chakra depleted rapidly. After all, it wasn't an absolute defense like the Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven. The two clones dispersed one after another, but Kazuki Hyuga eventually broke through the fiery blockade.
"Impossible!" Uchiha Renji stared at Kazuki Hyuga, his white clothes blackened by smoke, his face filled with shock.
"Bang!" The two passed by each other, and Kazuki Hyuga began coughing violently. He was injured and his chakra was depleted.
"Plop!" Uchiha Renji froze for two seconds before slumping to the ground.
"Kazuki Hyuga wins!"
"Roar!" The audience erupted in cheers. They had witnessed the rise of a genius!
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