Chapter 24: Success and Crisis
Most of the candidates were engaged in a tough battle, except for Deidara, who was in a battle of wits and skills with Chao Yiqian. Although Chao Yiqian had slightly stronger physical abilities, that was not enough to completely suppress Deidara. Due to his various techniques, Deidara was more adaptable to combat.
Heitou was matched against a female ninja who specialized in water abilities and had a similar skill level to herself, as Deidara had deliberately chosen her opponent. However, due to a difference in experience, she was unable to gain the upper hand.
No matter how talented one is, without practical experience and growth, they cannot stand on their own. This was a common issue faced by the others as well.
However, as they continued to persevere, their combat experience rapidly increased, and the situation on the battlefield began to shift.
Majin had initially lacked combat experience and used his big move too early, exhausting his stamina. On the other hand, his opponent Yamamoto Mirai slowly and steadily pressured him, trying to trap Majin in an inescapable situation.
Seeing the opportunity ripe, Yamamoto Mirai decisively unleashed her ultimate move. "Secret Technique: Light Blade Shadow Slash!"
A blade came down, sending countless blade energies rushing toward Majin, cutting off all his escape routes and forcing him to face these attacks.
Majin could see the determination in her eyes. He threw aside his gauntlets and formed hand seals, calling out, "Secret Technique: Iron Armor Technique!" A metallic luster flashed, enveloping his body in a silver glow.
He toughened up against the blade energies and charged at Yamamoto Mirai, who was still recovering from her ultimate move and could only barely defend against Majin's mighty fists.
With a loud bang, Majin's punch sent Yamamoto Mirai's katana flying, and following it up was a powerful blow to her abdomen.
Yamamoto Mirai collapsed to the ground, curled up like a shrimp, visibly having lost her combat ability. Majin seized the moment perfectly, enduring the opponent's ultimate move before delivering the decisive blow during her brief moment of weakness.
He never expected to be the first among everyone to complete his match and successfully advance to the rank of genin. He hoped that Deidara and the others would also win; otherwise, he would feel terribly lonely!
"Majin wins! The time has not yet reached ten minutes; you have exceeded the target." The judge announced loudly, "In the name of my position as a jōnin, I declare that Majin will be an excellent ninja!"
Majin received the forehead protector from the judge and wrapped it around his arm. At that moment, he finally relaxed, but his legs gave out, and he sat down on the ground.
Meanwhile, Deidara was unaware of what was happening outside; he was fully focused on his battle with Chao Yiqian.
It must be said that facing an equally strong opponent of the same type was quite exhilarating for him.
Despite their differing fighting styles, the exchange of similar elemental ninjutsu during their battle excited Deidara. He had a good amount of chakra, so he continued to unleash ninjutsu without regard to Chao Yiqian's increasingly grim expression.
Although Chao Yiqian was slightly stronger, his chakra was undeniably a natural weakness. Deidara found his strategy of wearing down the opponent to be effective.
However, if this continued with their ninjutsu exchanges, he would likely exhaust his chakra and face defeat before the stipulated ten minutes.
"It can't continue like this," Chao Yiqian thought.
Deidara sensed something was off as Chao Yiqian's attacks suddenly became more ferocious, no longer the steady and calculated strikes he was used to, lacking any openings.
Although Deidara was unsure of Chao Yiqian's intentions, he couldn't let this opportunity pass!
Seeing Chao Yiqian make a slight misstep, Deidara formed hand seals and shouted, "Earth Release: Giant Shark Swallow!"
Suddenly, the ground beneath Chao Yiqian softened, and as he leaped high into the air, a colossal yellow shark emerged from the ground and aimed to swallow him whole.
No, it can't be that simple! Deidara realized something was amiss; an opponent this strong wouldn't be defeated so easily—could it be a substitution technique?
A gust of wind rushed from behind. Deidara quickly crouched to evade the attack, but instead of fleeing, he launched his counterattack.
If Chao Yiqian thought he could consistently outmaneuver him with ninjutsu and was weak in close combat, he was in for a surprise!
Not knowing his enemy's exact capabilities, Deidara knew not to rush in carelessly!
He intercepted Chao Yiqian's leg and flipped him upward. With Chao Yiqian now in an unstable position, Deidara unleashed a flurry of attacks.
Chao Yiqian did not expect Deidara to excel in taijutsu! While he was primarily a ninjutsu-focused ninja, he had secretly trained in taijutsu as a trump card.
Feeling apprehensive, he recognized that if his taijutsu were any weaker, he certainly would have been defeated by Deidara's assault.
After managing to fend off Deidara's barrage, Chao Yiqian quickly created distance. Since neither ninjutsu nor taijutsu seemed effective, he had to resort to his ultimate move.
Deidara sensed the resolve in his opponent; it seemed he too understood that this battle could no longer drag on!
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Hoard Technique!" Chao Yiqian unleashed a surge of chakra, rapidly forming hand seals before striking the ground.
Suddenly, the entire training ground shattered, and no fewer than ten earth dragons, each as thick as three people's embraces, burst forth from the ground.
Deidara quickly dodged but found himself on unstable ground, having to leap and dodge around amidst the cascading rubble.
Chao Yiqian took his place atop the largest dragon's head, commanding the other earth dragons to relentlessly assault Deidara.
In a precarious position, Deidara had to dodge left and right; the situation looked grim. Though he still had some stamina left, he couldn't evade this many earth dragons forever; the moment he got caught, defeat was inevitable!
Deidara, however, had devised a strategy to turn the tide. He began forming seals, but the constant interference from the earth dragons slowed him down.
Furthermore, the technique he planned to use as a breakthrough was still experimental and had never been perfected before; this was its first application.
If successful, he might have a chance to counterattack, but if it failed, he would face failure in his attempt to graduate early.
Finally, as Deidara barely avoided the combined assaults of three or four earth dragons, he completed his hand seals, just as he stepped off a ledge and began to fall backward.