The arena was still packed.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's long, winding speech finally came to an end. He sat back down, pleased with himself and in an excellent mood.
A ninja wearing a headscarf and holding a senbon needle in his mouth suddenly appeared in the arena.
This was Shiranui Genma, the chief examiner and referee of the final stage.
originally, the role had belonged to Moonlight Gale, but the Third Hokage decided his image was unsuitable and might damage Konoha's reputation, so Genma replaced him.
"Next, all contestants, please step forward."
one by one, the twelve finalists entered the arena and lined up, facing the audience.
They were:
Konoha — five people: Rock Lee, Aburame Shino, Inuzuka Kiba, Akimichi Choji, and Kohiyama.
Cloud Village — two people: Omoi and Yurui.
Iwagakure — one person: Kurotsuchi.
Kirigakure — two people: Hozuki Suigetsu and Chojuro.
Sunagakure — two people: Gaara and Temari.
"Is that Gaara? Wow, it really is him—just like on TV."
"What a pitiful kid…"
"He looks so fierce, but he's actually soft on the inside. Is he hiding a gentle heart behind that cold exterior? Ahhh, that's kind of cute!"
The moment Gaara appeared, the audience erupted. Almost everyone focused their attention on him.
The other contestants were practically ignored.
Gaara had become something like an idol overnight.
"Why…? Aren't they afraid of me anymore? Am I not cruel enough?"
Those burning gazes made Gaara uncomfortable.
He wasn't used to it.
Everything felt awkward.
Since childhood, he had grown accustomed to looks of fear and disgust. Now, in an instant, it had all flipped upside down, leaving him completely at a loss.
"So unfair… I want to be on TV too. Why didn't that lady from the TV station come interview me?"
Rock Lee muttered with envy on his face.
"Damn it. I really want to punch him. All the spotlight is on him—nobody's even looking at us. I wanted to make a name for myself on this stage."
Hozuki Suigetsu glared at Gaara, jealousy burning in his eyes.
The other contestants felt the same.
This Chunin Exam was supposed to be their moment. All five Kage were present—what could be a bigger stage than this?
Yet Gaara alone had stolen the show. Envy, jealousy, and resentment were inevitable.
"Before we begin, I have something to announce."
"Look here."
Shiranui Genma pulled out a sheet of paper showing the matchups.
All twelve contestants widened their eyes.
Rock Lee vs. Yurui
Aburame Shino vs. Chojuro
Akimichi Choji vs. Hozuki Suigetsu
Temari vs. omoi
Inuzuka Kiba vs. Kurotsuchi
Gaara vs. Kohiyama
"Memorize your opponent."
"Now, the first match—Konoha's Rock Lee versus Cloud Village's Yurui."
"All other contestants, please move to the spectator area."
Genma announced the start without hesitation.
Soon, only Rock Lee and Yurui remained in the arena.
"ohhh! I'm first! The opening match! My blood is boiling! Come on—let's have a fiery, youthful battle!"
Rock Lee ignited instantly, eyes blazing, spirit overflowing.
His enthusiasm was infectious.
The crowd finally erupted, focusing on the Genin for the first time.
"Lightning Style: Lightning Net!"
Yurui stayed calm and immediately formed hand seals.
Lightning flashed as a crackling net expanded outward, spreading to envelop Rock Lee.
Yurui had already seen Lee's taijutsu. He knew that once Lee closed the distance, he would lose instantly.
So his first priority was limiting Lee's speed.
Boom!
Rock Lee took a step—and vanished.
His speed was far beyond what it had been a month ago.
"Whoa! That green-clad kid is fast—I can't even see him, just afterimages!"
"The Cloud ninja is impressive too—very calm, excellent Lightning Style control."
"This year's Chunin Exam is on another level. These Genin are way stronger than before."
"Not bad at all!"
The crowd grew louder with excitement.
Most of the audience were civilians. Genin-level combat was the perfect balance—fast, powerful, but still understandable.
Chunin or Jonin fights would've gone right over their heads.
"Heh, Raikage, your ninja is about to lose."
"onoki, you fossil, your side's about to fall."
"The Konoha Genin specializes in taijutsu. If this drags on, the Cloud kid's chakra will run dry."
"Raikage, looks like your ninja is finished."
on the platform, the Raikage, Tsuchikage, and Kazekage started bickering again.
Rasa joined in eagerly—Sunagakure never missed a chance to mock Cloud Village.
only Kirigakure's Yagura remained silent, watching calmly.
After everything he'd been through, his temperament was steady.
But beneath the noise, onoki, A, and Rasa all shared the same grim realization.
Rock Lee was still warming up.
He hadn't even gone all out.
Yet Yurui was already struggling just to keep up.
No report could compare to seeing it with their own eyes.
The pressure mounted.
Genin represented the future.
If Konoha's future outclassed theirs, didn't that mean their villages would eventually fall behind?
"I can't let Konoha keep rising like this."
Rasa clenched his fists, finally making up his mind.
"Konoha must be suppressed."
The Raikage snorted, thinking the same.
"Konoha's growth is too fast. It needs to be restrained."
onoki narrowed his eyes, calculating.
"As for Kirigakure… this doesn't concern us. Let them fight. We'll just watch."
Yagura remained steady as a mountain.
"Leaf Hurricane!"
Rock Lee suddenly accelerated.
He appeared in front of Yurui in a flash and kicked out.
"Lightning Style: Lightning Arm!"
Yurui gritted his teeth as lightning surged through his arm, doubling its strength as he raised it to block.
Boom!
Bang, bang, bang!
Yurui was sent flying backward, stumbling again and again.
Rock Lee pressed the advantage—punches and kicks rained down.
Yurui was completely overwhelmed and finally blown away.
He tried to recover as he landed—
—but Rock Lee was already behind him, a kunai pressed to his neck.
"It's over."
"The winner—Konoha Village's Rock Lee."
Shiranui Genma appeared instantly, grabbing Lee's arm to stop him from striking further.
The moment the result was announced, cheers exploded.
The roar was deafening—heard throughout all of Konoha.
"Konoha wins!"
"Konoha wins!"
The villagers smiled with pride.
The crowd was overwhelmingly from Konoha—there was no doubt who they were cheering for.
"Lord Raikage," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a smug, unmistakably Versailles-style smile,
"this round… Konoha wins."
The Fourth Raikage snorted heavily.
Anger churned in his chest, barely suppressed, his breath rough as he struggled not to explode on the spot.
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