"I surrender."
The words hung in the air, heavy and unexpected. Minato Namikaze, his golden hair gleaming under the arena lights, blinked in surprise. He had barely finished announcing the start of the match when Shiga Takeyuki raised his hand in defeat.
Across the field, Hirohiko Uchiha's fingers froze at the edge of his ninja pouch. His dark eyes, usually unreadable, widened slightly at the abrupt concession. The young Uchiha's mind raced, recalling Shiga's performance in the first test.
Shiga had excelled in both shuriken skills and physical prowess. While not on par with Chiba or Mito, he had stood out among the other participants. Hirohiko had braced himself for a challenging fight, strategizing how to counter Shiga's strengths. Now, faced with an immediate victory, he felt oddly deflated.
Slowly, Hirohiko's hand dropped to his side. He stood straight, his face settling back into its usual impassive mask.
Minato's sharp blue eyes studied Shiga intently. Despite his ordinary appearance, the young boy exuded an air of calm maturity that seemed at odds with his actions. There was something about him that Minato couldn't quite put his finger on.
Clearing his throat, Minato raised his voice to address the spectators. "The second match of the Chunin exam concludes. Hirohiko Uchiha wins by forfeit!"
A murmur rippled through the crowd. In the stands, participants exchanged bewildered glances. Even the usually composed Chiba and Yukina couldn't hide their surprise.
Chiba leaned towards Yukina, his voice low. "I didn't expect that. Giving up the first match so easily... it's a risky strategy."
Yukina nodded, her pale eyes fixed on Shiga's retreating form. "Indeed. The first victory can be crucial for morale. Without it, the pressure in subsequent matches intensifies."
"It's not just about the immediate battle," Chiba continued, frowning. "It's a test of mental fortitude. Not everyone can bounce back from an early setback."
As they spoke, Shiga made his way back to the participant's area, his gait unhurried. Hirohiko followed a short distance behind, his expression unreadable.
Shiga's teammate, a grim-faced boy with a sword strapped to his back, glared as he approached. "That was pathetic, Takeyuki," he spat. "Scared of a seven-year-old?"
Shiga met his teammate's angry gaze calmly. "It was a tactical decision," he replied, his voice even.
The sword-wielding boy scoffed, turning away in disgust. Shiga didn't react, instead focusing his attention on the arena below.
As Hirohiko passed by, he caught snippets of their conversation. His brow furrowed slightly, but he continued walking until he reached Chiba and Yukina.
"Chiba, Yukina," Hirohiko said, his voice unusually contemplative, "this Chunin exam... it really does bring out all types."
Chiba glanced at Shiga in the distance, then nodded. "Ah, yes. It certainly does."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the arena, the Sannin turned in unison, surprise evident on their faces.
"Sarutobi-sensei!" Jiraiya exclaimed. "What brings you here?"
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood behind them, pipe in hand. Instead of taking his place in the central stand, he had chosen to join his former students.
"I came to see how things were progressing," Sarutobi said, tapping his pipe thoughtfully. "What's the current situation?"
"The second match just ended," Tsunade replied, her tone indicating the unusual nature of the event.
Sarutobi's eyebrows rose. "Already? It's barely begun."
His gaze swept over the field, landing on the proctor. "Is that Minato down there?"
Orochimaru nodded. "Yes. The match ended quickly because one participant forfeited immediately."
"Forfeited?" Sarutobi's surprise was evident. "Against whom? I wouldn't have thought any of these participants capable of intimidating an opponent into instant surrender."
"It was Hirohiko Uchiha's match," Jiraiya explained.
Sarutobi's eyes widened in recognition. "Ah, that boy..."
After a moment of contemplation, he gestured towards the high platform. "Come, let's move to a better vantage point. I want to hear more about these matches."
"Yes, Sarutobi-sensei," the Sannin responded in unison, following their mentor.
As they moved, the large screen above the arena flickered to life once more, signaling the start of the next match.
"It's time," Yukina murmured, her pale eyes fixed on the screen.
Chiba and Hirohiko nodded, the three of them standing shoulder to shoulder as they waited for the names to appear.
The first name materialized: Yukina Hyuga.
Chiba's brow furrowed. "This is quite the coincidence. First me, then Hirohiko, now you, Yukina. It almost feels like someone's manipulating the matchups."
Hirohiko nodded in agreement, his dark eyes narrowing slightly.
Yukina remained silent, her gaze intense as she watched the second name begin to form on the screen. Her heart raced, though her face remained impassive. 'Who will I face?' she wondered, bracing herself for the reveal.
The letters slowly came into focus, determining Yukina's opponent and the next chapter in the Chunin exams.