Chapter 45: The Third
Fight
"Second round, Hyuga Yukina,
wins!"
The Chunin test proctor announced
Yukina's victory as Yuhi Kurenai lay unconscious, clearly defeated. He didn't
concern himself with the sudden influx of people in the arena and focused on
declaring the result.
By now, Namikaze Minato had taken
Yuhi Kurenai, while Uzumaki Kushina bandaged Yukina's leg wound.
"Congratulations, Yukina, you
won the first battle," Uzumaki Kushina said, patting Yukina's head gently.
Hyuga Yukina nodded slightly, her
expression serious. "Thank you, Sensei Kushina."
Uzumaki Kushina smiled wryly at
her stoic disciple. Can't these three ever just smile?
"Lady Yukina, are you
alright?" Hyuga Yutaka approached, his face filled with concern.
But Uzumaki Kushina blocked him,
preventing him from reaching Yukina.
Hyuga Yutaka looked at Uzumaki
Kushina in confusion.
"I said, there's still the
next match. Let's move out of the way," Uzumaki Kushina insisted.
"Yeah," Yukina nodded,
heading back to the spectator seats. She glanced at Hyuga Yutaka. "Thank
you, Brother Yutaka."
Hirohiko and Kiba followed
closely.
"Is your leg okay?" Kiba
asked, noticing Yukina walked without difficulty.
"I'm fine," Yukina
replied.
"Good," Kiba and
Hirohiko nodded.
As they moved, Kiba glanced back,
narrowing his eyes. Hyuga Yutaka stood in the arena, his eyes meeting Kiba's.
Sparks seemed to fly as their gazes locked.
Hyuga Yutaka snorted and returned
to his teammates, Muzi and Souta, who looked nervous after his earlier
outburst. His actions had even startled Minato, making them worry.
"Yutaka, are you
alright?" Muzi checked him over.
"I'm fine," Hyuga Yutaka
replied curtly, ignoring Muzi and looking down at the arena.
Taki Kiba... I hope to fight you
in the next round. And then... I'll kill you! Traitor, you are an eyesore near
Lady Yukina!
"Hyuga Yukina, very
impressive," Orochimaru said, watching Yukina, Kiba, and Hirohiko.
Tsunade nodded in agreement.
"As a girl, having the ability to harm herself to break free from genjutsu
shows excellent ninja qualities."
"But Hyuga..." Jiraiya's
gaze followed Kiba and the others.
Tsunade took out her scroll again,
making notes. "Let's continue."
"The third match... the
opponents are..." The Chunin test proctor announced the next match as the
big screen began to display names.
Hyuga Yutaka!
The first name stopped.
Both Kiba and Hyuga Yutaka's eyes
widened in anticipation.
Is it my turn? Alright, let's
settle this early!
Kiba prepared himself, his hands
reaching for his weighted props.
Hyuga Yutaka's meridians extended
as he activated his Byakugan.
Taki Kiba! It must be him! I'm
here to end you. I don't care about becoming a Chunin. As a member of the Hyuga
family, rank means nothing. I just want to get rid of the pest next to Lady
Yukina!
The screen continued to shuffle
before finally stopping.
Akira Yamada!
No?
Kiba paused, staying silent.
Damn it!
Hyuga Yutaka scowled, his face
even more serious. His teammates Muzi and Souta looked worried.
"Third match, Hyuga Yutaka
vs. Yamada Akira!"
"It's Yutaka!" a boy
about twelve years old exclaimed, covering his face in dismay, feeling unlucky.
His teammates sighed in relief, feeling spared.
Reluctantly, Akira Yamada
descended the stairs, cursing his bad luck. Seeing Hyuga Yutaka's serious
expression, his heart sank.
Oh no! Yutaka looks furious!
He swallowed nervously. I hope he
doesn't kill me...
Hyuga Yutaka barely acknowledged
Akira Yamada, his gaze locked on Kiba.
Kiba watched Hyuga Yutaka closely.
Let's see what he's capable of!
Hirohiko and Yukina glanced at
Kiba.
"Be careful, Kiba. Hyuga
Yutaka is very strong. My brother says he's the best ninja of our
generation," Hirohiko said, surprisingly speaking at length.
Yukina nodded. She had shared her
knowledge of Hyuga Yutaka with Kiba, though she didn't know all his abilities.
Hyuga Yutaka was her father's favorite disciple, personally taught by him. Her
father's strength rivaled even the current clan head's sons, and he highly
praised Hyuga Yutaka, calling him the "genius of the Hyuga clan."
Both Hirohiko and Yukina knew a
battle between Kiba and Hyuga Yutaka was inevitable and were worried for Kiba.
Kiba appreciated their concern but
focused on observing Hyuga Yutaka. Seeing Akira Yamada's reaction to facing
Hyuga Yutaka confirmed his formidable reputation.
Looking at Yukina, Kiba sensed her
conflicted feelings. He knew Hyuga Yutaka was a clan member, and Yukina likely
didn't dislike him.
Kiba frowned slightly, feeling
uncertain.
If I defeat Hyuga Yutaka, will
Yukina distance herself from me?
He quickly dismissed the thought.
Now's not the time for this. Focus
on the match!
Kiba shifted his attention to the
arena.
"Hiya!"
With a shout, Hyuga Yutaka lunged,
his Gentle Fist technique erupting.
Hyuga Yutaka moved with the
precision and grace typical of the Hyuga clan, his hands poised to strike Akira
Yamada's tenketsu points. Akira barely managed to dodge, sweat dripping down
his forehead. The audience watched in silent anticipation, the tension thick in
the air.
"Yutaka is relentless,"
whispered a spectator.
Akira tried to counter with a
kunai, but Hyuga Yutaka easily deflected it, moving with fluidity. His Byakugan
activated, he saw through every move Akira made.
"He's reading Akira's
movements like an open book," Hirohiko muttered.
Kiba nodded, his eyes narrowing. I
need to study his techniques carefully.
With a swift motion, Hyuga Yutaka
struck Akira's chest with a palm thrust.
"Tenketsu!" Hyuga Yutaka
called out, and Akira gasped as his chakra points were blocked, rendering him
unable to move.
Akira collapsed, unconscious.
The Chunin test proctor raised his
hand. "Third match, Hyuga Yutaka, wins!"
The audience erupted in applause,
awed by Hyuga Yutaka's display of skill.
Hyuga Yutaka glanced at Kiba one
last time before walking back to his team.
Kiba felt a chill run down his
spine. He's formidable, but I have to face him sooner or later.
Uzumaki Kushina placed a
reassuring hand on Kiba's shoulder. "Be prepared, Kiba. He's strong, but
so are you."
Kiba nodded, his determination
unwavering. "I will be ready, Sensei."
The Chunin exams continued, with
more matches showcasing the skills and potential of Konoha's young ninjas. Each
match brought its own excitement and tension, the audience captivated by the
prowess on display.
Kiba watched each match intently,
absorbing as much information as possible. Every move, every jutsu, and every
strategy was a lesson for him. He knew that the battles ahead would not only
test his strength but his wit and resolve.
As the day progressed, the
atmosphere grew electric with anticipation for the coming matches, each fight
bringing Kiba closer to his inevitable clash with Hyuga Yutaka.