Chapter 43: Hyuga Yukina VS Yuhi Kurenai
"I'm going," Yukina said, noticing her opponent had entered the arena. She stepped lightly toward the stairs, and whispers erupted from the audience.
"Yuhi Kurenai? So cute!"
"Yeah, she's beautiful!"
"Such a young child, only nine years old, already qualified for the Chunin Exam. Incredible."
Kiba glanced at the ninja next to him and thought, Are you praising yourself? You're only eleven or twelve... not much older than her.
As Kiba glanced around, Yukina had already walked several steps. He hurriedly called out, "Yukina, be careful of genjutsu!"
Yukina paused, looking back at Kiba with slight confusion, then nodded.
Is Yuhi Kurenai a genjutsu user? How did Kiba know?
With these doubts in her mind, Yukina walked down the steps.
Immediately, the audience erupted with more comments.
"So cute! Who is she?"
"You don't know her? Hyuga Yukina."
"Of course, I know she's Yukina Hyuga. The screen says so. But who is she really?"
"She's the eldest daughter of the Hyuga clan's Shinsuke-sama, a famous genius. Graduated from the Ninja Academy at seven and is already taking the Chunin Exam at the same age. A true prodigy with the most potential to awaken the Byakugan fully."
"Byakugan? What's that?"
"Not sure..."
"You don't know? Then why did you bring it up?"
"Regardless of her strength, this girl is adorable!"
The discussion continued, with eyes on Yukina's beautiful face.
"Yutaka, I've heard Lady Yukina is a once-in-a-decade genius. How do you compare?" Muzi, Hyuga Yutaka's teammate, asked, her tone curious and admiring.
"Yeah, Yutaka, what do you think?" Nozawa Souta added, looking at Yutaka.
"Lady Yukina is undoubtedly superior," Yutaka replied without hesitation.
Muzi shrugged, knowing Hyuga Yutaka's unwavering admiration for Yukina. She sighed internally, feeling a pang of jealousy.
By now, Yukina stood before Kurenai. Despite the eyes on her, she maintained an expressionless demeanor, her pretty face stoic as she faced her opponent.
Kurenai, on the other hand, looked nervous, glancing around uneasily under the many gazes.
Red eyes... they must be used for genjutsu. I need to avoid direct eye contact.
With this thought, Yukina shifted her gaze slightly downward, avoiding Kurenai's eyes. The test officer's voice rang out, "Begin!"
Startled by the announcement, Kurenai focused on Yukina, but quickly leapt back, trying to maintain distance.
The Hyuga clan is skilled in taijutsu. I need to keep my distance!
But Yukina wouldn't allow it. She closed the gap, striking with a palm.
"Smack!"
Kurenai raised her hand to block, feeling a surge of chakra infiltrating her body, numbing her arm.
This is the Hyuga clan's Gentle Fist!
As Kurenai processed this, Yukina's other hand bypassed her defense, striking her lower abdomen.
So fast!
A trace of panic flashed in Kurenai's eyes.
Yukina decided Kurenai must be a genjutsu specialist with weak taijutsu. She needed to suppress her before any genjutsu could be cast.
"Smack!"
Yukina's palm hit Kurenai's abdomen, but she frowned.
Not real?
A clone?
"Boom!"
Kurenai exploded into leaves, swirling around Yukina in a whirlwind, obstructing her vision.
An illusion!
Yukina's heart sank.
When did she complete the hand seals?
She frowned slightly, realizing she had fallen under a genjutsu.
Kiba paused, watching Yukina freeze mid-attack as Kurenai retreated, breathing heavily.
She's under genjutsu!
Kurenai's talent for genjutsu is impressive, especially at her age. Performing genjutsu without hand seals is rare outside bloodline limits and secret arts.
While Kiba warned Yukina about genjutsu, he didn't expect Kurenai to be so proficient, especially at her age.
However, seeing Kurenai's performance, it was clear she had immense talent for genjutsu, one of Konoha's finest.
Nine years old and already casting Narakumi no Jutsu without seals... no other genjutsu user in Konoha comes close.
Against Itachi, Kurenai had to form seals for her genjutsu, but at this age, without seals... It's impressive.
Is it a C-rank genjutsu, Narakumi no Jutsu?
Apart from learning water and earth release from Kushina, Kiba had been frequenting the library to study ninjutsu, enriching his knowledge. While he couldn't learn everything, he understood enough to identify and counter various techniques.
Knowing the opponent's jutsu early could save chakra and provide a strategic advantage.
This opportunity was crucial for victory.
Kiba watched Yukina stand still, while Kurenai, holding a kunai, approached her.
This is bad!
"Yukina, it's bad," Hirohiko said.
"Yeah," Kiba nodded, concerned.
He wasn't focused on Yukina's potential loss but on another issue.
Genjutsu, a critical aspect of ninja combat. This technique, attacking the mind, was hard to guard against. Yukina's strength far surpassed Kurenai's, but a C-rank genjutsu had immobilized her, placing her in grave danger.
The power of genjutsu was undeniable.
Kiba realized he had no counter for genjutsu. Facing a genjutsu specialist, once hit, he'd be defenseless!
Though not absolute, this applied to most situations.
Once the Chunin Exam is over... no! Whenever possible, I must ask Kushina about genjutsu!
Kiba made plans silently, his face showing worry.
Yukina... don't lose!
The thought popped up uncontrollably.