As the duel commenced, the distinct background music filled the air once more, accompanied by a cascade of ribbons, flowers, and exuberant cheers. The atmosphere was electrified, with the audience's excitement reaching a fever pitch as Yahiko stepped onto the stage.
The mere mention of his divine weapon, the Blaze of Hope, and his divine armor, the Flame Dragon Armor, sent waves of cheers echoing throughout the venue, reaching a crescendo that seemed to pierce the heavens.
Even spectators watching from afar via television couldn't contain their enthusiasm, joining in the uproar with shouts of excitement. It was as though the entire duel had transformed into Yahiko's personal spectacle, captivating all who were present as they fervently waved their glow sticks and chanted his name in unison.
The Konoha spectators on the other hand appeared like a small boat amidst a roaring ocean, teetering on the brink of capsizing. Though they longed to cheer, their spirits were dampened, surrounded by Grass and Rain Village shinobi who exuded an overwhelming presence.
It was a realization dawning upon the Konoha side – a stark understanding of the Grass Village's strategic maneuvering. Asuma's confidence was shattered, plummeting to new depths as he grappled with the stark contrast between their simple entrance and attire compared to the grandeur of the Grass Ninja's spectacle.
The Grass Ninja's awe-inspiring entrance, coupled with their captivating narrative and impressive arsenal, cast a shadow over Konoha's humble preparations. The disparity was palpable, leaving the Konoha contingent feeling overshadowed and outmatched.
And to top it off, background music? Throughout their history and numerous Chunin Exams, Konoha had never encountered such theatrics in combat.
Moreover, that's not the only thing. It's someone else who was more annoying.
"Behold! Witness as the Konoha shinobi with the beard dare to launch the first assault! It looks like he is actually trembling with fear. Terrified, he initiates the attack!"
"In stark contrast, our Grass Village contender, Yahiko, remains unfazed. He casually wields his divine weapon, the embodiment of the Uzumaki clan's relentless efforts—the Blaze of Hope. With effortless grace, he slashes through the opponent, displaying disinterest in facing such a simplistic adversary!"
"The Flame Dragon Shinobi, Yahiko, a prodigy since the tender age of ten, flawlessly accomplishes every mission assigned by our esteemed leader. He has even earned the recognition of the artifact through his sheer prowess!"
"The Konoha shinobi initiates a Fire Release, but alas, this mere technique proves futile against the might of the Flame Dragon Shinobi.
However, the sudden aggression from the Konoha shinobi has stirred a spark of motivation in our Flame Dragon Shinobi!
Faster! Faster! He charges forward! Yahiko unleashes an attack! What's this? What's this, everyone, Let me tell you!
It's... the Flame Dragon Kick! His right foot transforms into a fiery dragon, hurtling towards the enemy! The Konoha shinobi retreats! Yes, retreats in the face of this formidable kick! Trembling in fear!"
The Konoha shinobi shoot furious glares toward the commentator's platform. At this moment, their fervent wish is to storm up and give that scoundrel a sound thrashing, reducing him to mere powder.
Scoundrel. Such blatant double standards? When he retreats, it's strategic, but when we do, it's portrayed as cowardly? Unbearably biased.
As Kakashi, who might be the next to step forward, observed the unfolding spectacle, he unconsciously touched the left eye concealed beneath his headband and adjusted the cloth covering his lower face, his movements betraying a hint of unease.
A sudden wave of reluctance washed over him. The current scenario left him speechless, and the thought of stepping onto the stage now seemed unbearable. He dreaded the potential embarrassment that awaited him once he took his turn. After all, The psychological warfare unleashed by this Grass Ninja was nothing short of terrifying.
On the Grass Village side, Akihiko observed with delight as Mubuki passionately delivered his commentary.
He hadn't anticipated that Mubuki would possess such skill, truly living up to the reputation of a seasoned Grass Ninja. His unabashed enthusiasm alone surpassed the capabilities of an ordinary Grass Ninja.
Even Naruto, Karin, and Obito nearby were swept up in the excitement, energetically cheering for the Flame Dragon Shinobi. Observing their enthusiasm, those familiar with them couldn't help but shake their heads in amusement.
However, while the children's excitement was understandable, Akihiko couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at Obito's childish behavior. As a renowned hero of Konoha, his exuberance seemed out of place.
Despite that, Watching the intense back-and-forth of the duel below, Akihiko couldn't suppress a sigh of satisfaction. "What a thrilling duel," he remarked with a smile.
However, at this moment, in stark contrast to the intense battle unfolding before the audience, Asuma within the venue felt an overwhelming sense of unfairness. The situation seemed far from a fair competition. The host exhibited blatant bias, and the opponent on the other side was not adhering to the standard rules of engagement.
Asuma, a seasoned participant in battles from Genin to Jonin levels, found himself engaged in a battle that defied convention. This was not just a physical confrontation but a dual attack on his mind and body. The host's bias added an extra layer of frustration to the already challenging situation.
Furthermore, the opponent's unconventional techniques left Asuma contemplating whether this could be considered a traditional ninja duel. The so-called 'Flame Dragon Kick' turned out to be a burst of fire from the mouth, and even the various strange names associated with the moves only added to the confusion.
The entire spectacle seemed like madness. When the opponent approached, the armor on his body emitted unexpected sounds, startling Asuma. Even the belt adorned with lights contributed to the surreal nature of the duel. The information provided by the village appeared utterly useless in the face of such unconventional tactics.
At this juncture, the prolonged duel left Asuma slightly breathless, yet his opponent remained unfazed.
Forced to wear a bitter smile, Asuma acknowledged his impending defeat. The moment he stepped onto the stage, he had already lost. The Grass Village ninjas showed no regard for the ninja code, rendering the entire situation unfair and exhausting.
Yahiko on the opposite side halted his movements, expressing a hint of regret. "I haven't truly exerted myself yet, and you're already fatigued."
'What do you mean I'm tired and you haven't even made a move yet? Do it without your equipment if you have the guts.' Internally cursing at Yahiko's blatant lies, Asuma couldn't help but wonder about the extraordinary nature of his opponent's equipment. It seemed capable of enhancing his chakra reserves, providing him with an unfair advantage.
However, Before Asuma could utter a word, Yahiko sighed and spoke, "Very well."
With a quizzical expression, Asuma watched as Yahiko firmly planted his giant sword into the ground and clenched his fist, adopting a serious demeanor. "The time has come to conclude this. Allow me to finish this battle with my ultimate technique."
"Ultimate technique?" Asuma's expression mirrored Yahiko's seriousness as he rose to his feet with resolve. "Then, I shall show you the might of a Konoha ninja."
Raising an eyebrow, Yahiko exuded confidence. "Is that a challenge?"
"Bring it on!" Amidst the audience's watchful gaze, the two combatants locked eyes, exchanging fierce roars of determination.
In an instant, the exhilarating background music resumed, signaling to everyone that the peak moment of the duel was imminent.
Without warning, Yahiko tightened his grip and initiated the attack, bellowing at Asuma, "Flame Charged Slash!"
Facing this assault, Asuma's expression turned serious. He firmly held his Chakra Blade, imbued with flowing chakra. 'Whirlwind Strike'—his self-invented Taijutsu—was ready to unleash, capable of demolishing stones with its force and accompanied by a razor-sharp tearing effect. He roared, "If that's the game, then brace yourself for my Whirlwind..."
However, before he could finish his sentence, the charging Yahiko suddenly halted. Clapping his hands together, he declared, "Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet!"
With those words, Yahiko inflated his cheeks, and in an unexpected turn, a formidable flame resembling a conventional fire dragon erupted from his mouth.
Asuma was taken aback. Hadn't Yahiko just mentioned Flame Charged Slash? The unpredictability of his opponent left him flustered. In a split second, his charged chakra vanished, replaced by swift hand seals. "Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
Locked in this silent standoff, both warriors internally cursed the lack of ninja code in their adversary's tactics.
But the ordeal wasn't over. Just as Asuma braced himself behind his earth barrier, a sword engulfed in flames descended from above.
Mubuki's commentary was filled with excitement, "Flame Dragon Slash! Witness the Flame Dragon Shinobi's ultimate technique! The divine artifact transforms into a blazing dragon, radiating a menacing glow as it slashes through the air! Spectacular! Despite our Konoha contestant's disregard for ninja ethics, the Flame Dragon Shinobi's reflexes were remarkable!"
"That's nonsense! It's an Explosive Tag!" Asuma's voice erupted with frustration upon recognizing the familiar symbols. "Damn it! Who's the one forsaking the ninja code here?"
…
Outside the arena, Nara Shikaku had departed but paused as if sensing something from the distant duel grounds. Turning, he glanced back toward the arena, a realization dawning within him. With a resigned sigh, he shook his head and resumed his path, heading towards the restroom.
Yet, as he entered the silent confines of the restroom, a deep and composed voice pierced the quietness, "You've arrived."
Although Nara Shikaku's mouth twitched slightly, he responded with calmness, "Indeed, I'm here."
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