"Ringo Ameyuri vs. Sasuke Uchiha!"
Seeing the names on the big screen, Hayate Gekko announced, "Ringo Ameyuri and Sasuke Uchiha, stay here. Everyone else, move to the second-floor viewing area and prepare for the next match."
In Hayate's opinion, this fight would likely be over quickly.
As soon as Hayate finished speaking, the hall on the first floor quickly emptied, leaving only Ringo Ameyuri and Sasuke Uchiha.
"Tch, I was hoping for that masked kid from the Aburame clan!" Ringo Ameyuri grumbled, holding the wooden whip she had carved the night before.
She then turned to Sasuke, "Kid, just give up now. Don't waste my time."
Sasuke, feeling belittled, retorted, "Shorty, you should be the one giving up."
Sasuke Uchiha had already awakened his three-tomoe Sharingan and mastered the Chidori technique. With the help of his mentor, he had also learned many of the Uchiha clan's secret techniques. He considered himself a formidable opponent, second only to Shishou and Naruto, who had also received special training from Lady Tsunade.
"Looks like Sasuke is in for a beating," Shishou muttered, a bit exasperated. He silently mourned for his surrogate son, realizing that Sasuke had unknowingly provoked a powerful adversary skilled in the same lightning techniques. And to make matters worse, his first words had deeply offended her.
Next to him, Sakura and Kiba couldn't help but cringe at Sasuke's words. They knew he was courting disaster.
"Shorty?" Ringo Ameyuri's temple twitched upon hearing Sasuke's insult.
Hayate Gekko, sensing the brewing storm, coughed and gestured to Guy and Kakashi. The proctors were well aware of Ringo Ameyuri's strength, and Hayate knew he couldn't control the situation alone.
As Guy and Kakashi joined them on the floor, Ringo Ameyuri smirked, "Relax, I have restraint."
Despite her anger, Ringo Ameyuri wasn't reckless. At most, she planned to break one of Sasuke's legs.
Kakashi sighed and addressed Ringo Ameyuri, "For the sake of the upcoming alliance between Konoha and the Mist Village, please go easy on him. Sasuke is the only Uchiha we have left."
"Fine," Ringo Ameyuri nodded.
Sasuke, hearing Kakashi's plea, felt a sense of unease. Before he could voice his concern, Hayate Gekko declared the start of the match.
"Begin!"
As soon as the words left Hayate's mouth, Ringo Ameyuri's form blurred, transforming into a streak of blue lightning aimed at Sasuke.
"She's so fast!" Sasuke thought, his Sharingan barely able to keep up with her afterimage. Despite his enhanced perception, he realized he couldn't react in time.
Instinctively, Sasuke channeled his lightning chakra. "Chidori!"
Lightning surged around his hand as he dashed to the side, narrowly evading Ringo Ameyuri's wooden whip.
Sasuke's use of Chidori to enhance his speed impressed Shishou and Kakashi. It showed his quick thinking and combat acumen.
"So, you use lightning too?" Ringo Ameyuri reappeared, her eyes locking onto Sasuke as she rapidly formed hand seals.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Body Flicker!"
With blinding speed, she closed the distance, her whip cracking through the air.
"Whack!"
The sound of the whip connecting with flesh echoed through the hall as Sasuke was sent flying.
In an instant, Ringo Ameyuri appeared behind him, striking him down to the ground before he could recover. She continued to pummel him, sending him flying back into the air and relentlessly attacking him.
Seeing Sasuke being battered like a ragdoll, the other candidates, except for Shishou and Gaara, gasped in shock. Naruto was so stunned he couldn't speak.
"Erm," Kakashi coughed, worried that if this continued, Sasuke might be seriously injured.
Ringo Ameyuri, respecting Kakashi's subtle plea, halted her assault and caught the unconscious Sasuke. His body was covered in red, swollen whip marks, making him look pitiful.
"I have restraint," Ringo Ameyuri grinned, tossing Sasuke to Kakashi before heading to the second-floor viewing area, feeling satisfied after venting her frustration.
"She really does have restraint," Shishou mused, surprised at Ringo Ameyuri's control. Despite Sasuke's battered appearance, his injuries were superficial, and she hadn't struck his face.
As the medical team carried the unconscious Sasuke away, Kakashi and Guy returned to the viewing area, signaling the start of the next match.
This match pitted Haku against Kiba Inuzuka.
Seeing his name on the board, Kiba's face fell. He had already fought Haku before and knew he couldn't win. Remembering his sister's advice to prioritize safety, he raised his hand in surrender.
"Smart move," Kurenai commented, understanding Kiba's decision to forfeit against a powerful opponent with a bloodline limit like Haku's.
The next match was Shino Aburame versus Kankuro.
"Ino, do you think Shino can win?" Ino asked, standing beside Shishou and watching her brother step onto the stage.
"Don't worry, Shino is strong," Shishou reassured her with a smile. In the original series, Shino was one of the top five talents among the Konoha Twelve and had matched Kankuro in combat. Now, with Shishou's guidance, Shino was even more formidable, surpassing both Naruto and Sasuke in skill. There was no way he would lose to Kankuro.
As Kankuro and Shino faced off, it was clear Shino's preparation and strategic thinking gave him the upper hand. Despite Kankuro's puppet tricks, Shino's insect-based techniques and his new healing bugs, capable of neutralizing toxins, made him an unbeatable opponent. In a short but intense bout, Shino emerged victorious.
The preliminary matches continued, each fight revealing the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates. The atmosphere was charged with tension and excitement as the participants and spectators alike witnessed the unfolding battles.
In the end, only the best would advance, proving their worth to represent their village and stand among the elite in the upcoming Chunin Exam finals.
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POWER STONE!!!!
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This fanfiction is complete on my P@treon. If you want to read it, you can find it at p@treon.com/Betek.
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