The arena was silent, the air thick with anticipation as Daniel and Shino faced each other. The proctor's voice echoed through the stadium, signaling the start of the match.
"Begin!"
Daniel and Shino stood still for a moment, each assessing the other. Shino's calm demeanor contrasted sharply with Daniel's confident stance. The crowd watched intently, eager to see how the battle would unfold.
Shino was the first to move. With a subtle gesture, he released a swarm of kikaichū from his sleeves. The tiny insects buzzed around him, forming a protective barrier. Daniel's eyes narrowed as he observed the swarm, recognizing the threat they posed.
"So, you're starting with your insects," Daniel muttered, a smirk playing on his lips. "Let's see how you handle this."
With a swift motion, Daniel formed a series of hand seals. A burst of chakra erupted from his body, creating a shockwave that scattered the insects momentarily. Shino, unfazed, quickly regrouped his swarm, sending them towards Daniel in a coordinated attack.
Daniel leaped into the air, avoiding the initial wave of insects. He landed gracefully, his eyes locked onto Shino. "Impressive control," he remarked.
Shino remained silent, his focus unwavering. He directed his insects to surround Daniel, attempting to trap him. Daniel responded by creating a barrier of chakra, repelling the insects and forcing them to retreat.
"This'll be a boring match," Daniel muttered. He extended his hands, sending multiple green shuriken made of chakra flying.
Shino's eyes widened slightly as he recognized the unique colour of the shuriken. He quickly commanded his insects to form a shield, as an explosion sparked on impact. The force of the blast pushed Shino back, but he remained on his feet, his expression unchanged.
"Not bad," Shino said quietly, his voice barely audible over the buzzing of his insects. "But this fight is far from over."
Daniel grinned, "That's what I like to hear. Let's make this interesting."
The two combatants continued to exchange blows, each showcasing their unique abilities. Shino's precise control over his insects allowed him to launch coordinated attacks, while Daniel's mastery of chakra manipulation enabled him to counter with powerful techniques.
As the battle raged on, the crowd watched in awe, captivated by the display of skill and strategy. The tension in the arena was palpable.
"This should be enough to display my ability to become a chunin," Daniel thought, dodging another wave of insects. "Let's end things now. Maybe a flashy end."
Shino, sensing the shift in Daniel's resolve, prepared for his next move. "I need to find an opening," he thought, his mind racing. "One mistake, and this could be over."
The arena held its breath, waiting to see who would emerge victorious in this intense clash.
"I think we've put up a good show, don't you think?" Daniel said, a confident smile on his face. Shino's eyes widened slightly, not understanding what Daniel might mean.
"Kaioken times two," Daniel muttered softly. Suddenly, a red energy emerged from his body, striking the crowd with its intensity.
"What... Although the color is different, this somehow feels similar to when Naruto's strength suddenly increased when he fought Neji," Shino thought, seeing the energy flowing from Daniel's body. Realizing he had to go all out, Shino prepared himself.
"You're probably thinking of going all out, but..." Daniel uttered as he suddenly appeared next to Shino, grabbing his shoulder.
"What! His speed suddenly increased," Kiba noted, watching the match in astonishment.
"So you were hiding something like this, a technique I presume to be similar to the Eight Gates..." Hiruzen stroked his beard thoughtfully. "You're really a talented fellow, young Daniel," he muttered.
"To think you've been hiding such a monster in your village," the Kazekage said, giving Hiruzen a sidelong glance. The rest of the crowd marveled at how the battle had shifted into a one-sided match.
Daniel moved his hand from Shino's shoulder and placed his open palm on his back. Shino tried to respond, his insects swarming at Daniel, but it was too late. A great force of pressure rushed through Shino's body, and his insects collapsed to the ground from the sheer force. The pressure waves were so intense that even the spectators where Shino was facing could feel it. Shino collapsed to the ground, out cold.
"Good thing I healed him as fast as I knocked him out," Daniel muttered, standing over the silence-struck crowd.
"This one is full of surprises. He interests me more and more," Orochimaru muttered to himself.
"Winner: Mohale Daniel," the proctor announced.
"That's insane. A moment ago, he was fighting with just a slight advantage over Shino, and in an instant, he spanned the gap between them and ended the fight just like that," Kurenai said, looking at the aftermath of the fight.
"He is the professor's apprentice," Asuma remarked, sitting next to her.
The crowd erupted into a mix of astonished gasps and excited chatter as the sudden conclusion of the fight sank in. Conversations buzzed throughout the arena, each spectator expressing their amazement in their own way.
"Did you see that? He just knocked Shino out in an instant!"
"That red energy... it was like nothing I've ever seen before!"
"Who is this Daniel guy? He's incredible!"
"Shino didn't stand a chance once Daniel used that technique."
"Is he really just a genin? That power was unreal!"
"I thought Shino had him with those insects, but Daniel turned the tables so quickly!"
"He's definitely someone to watch out for in the finals."
The excitement and disbelief were palpable, with spectators eagerly discussing the implications of Daniel's abilities. Some were already speculating about his chances in the upcoming matches, while others were simply in awe of the display of power they had just witnessed. The atmosphere was electric, charged with the thrill of the unexpected and the promise of more incredible battles to come.
As Shino lay unconscious on the arena floor, medical nin's coming to pick him up.
Kiba clenched his fists, his eyes wide with shock. "I can't believe it... Shino was doing so well, and then Daniel just... What kind of power was that?" He muttered to himself, feeling a pang of frustration at seeing his usually composed teammate defeated so decisively.
And now the battle of Temari and Shikamaru started with Sasuke just arriving with Kakashi, his fight was placed jn the end.