Everyone who had made it through the first exam had already come this far—no one would back down out of fear of death.
All 31 remaining participants advanced to the next stage.
The exam followed a one-on-one elimination format, with 15 matches in total. One person would get a bye and advance automatically—after all, as the saying goes, luck is also a form of strength.
The matchups were determined by drawing lots, with the results displayed on the large electronic screen on the first floor.
...
Standing on the observation platform, Yagura noticed a few older faces mixed in with the other teams.
Judging by their age and demeanor, they were likely the Jonin instructors accompanying the teams.
Scanning the area, Yagura searched for the man who was supposed to be his own squad's Jonin leader.
"Where's our instructor?"
"Who knows?" Ringo Ameyuri chuckled. "Probably passed out drunk somewhere."
...
"Sasori! Where are Sato and the others?!"
A furious voice came from the Sunagakure section.
"Who knows? Maybe they're dead." The reply came in a raspy, mechanical tone—from a human puppet.
Sasori sat alone in the corner.
It was worth noting that Sunagakure had seven candidates who passed the first exam. The other six had all advanced together as complete teams.
But Sasori's two teammates were gone.
His Jonin instructor, clearly displeased with his disrespectful attitude, cornered him and demanded answers.
"They were your teammates! Why are you the only one here? Explain yourself!"
Sasori had little patience for pointless conversations. If poison could solve a problem, there was no need to waste words.
A glint of cold light flashed.
The Jonin, who had no intention of letting Sasori off the hook, suddenly felt a chilling sense of danger.
Sasori's tail lashed out at him in a lethal strike!
Whoosh—
Clang!
Years of battle-honed survival instincts saved the Jonin. His body reacted before his mind did—he parried with a kunai and leaped back, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow.
Sasori shot him a deep, calculating look. Or perhaps, he was looking through him, beyond him, at something else entirely.
He couldn't even kill a single Jonin?
So this level of attack wasn't enough...
"Sasori, you—!"
"Shut up."
Retracting his tail, Sasori turned away, his voice cold.
"I don't have the patience to listen to nonsense."
Nor did he have the patience to engage in pointless conversations.
The Sunagakure Jonin was furious but kept his composure. By now, everyone's attention had been drawn to the commotion.
Following the principle of keeping internal disputes under wraps, the Jonin shot Sasori a venomous glare but ultimately walked away, pretending nothing had happened.
Damn that Sasori... He clenched his fists, suppressing his anger. I'm a Jonin! Was he really trying to kill me just now?!
Just wait! You think being Elder Chiyo's grandson lets you do whatever you want? The Kazekage won't let this slide!
...
The brief disturbance delayed the exam's progression slightly.
"Now, we'll proceed with the preliminary round of the second Chunin Exam."
Nara Shikaku's calm voice snapped everyone back to attention.
"The first matchups will now be randomly selected. Once your names appear on the electronic screen, step forward to begin."
He raised his hand and swung it down. "Begin!"
The electronic screen flickered as names shuffled at high speed, rotating rapidly through the candidates.
Everyone held their breath, eyes locked onto the screen.
Weaker contestants silently prayed to avoid facing the top-tier talents.
But for those confident in their strength, this was an opportunity—a chance to face a formidable opponent and go all out!
Beep!
The names stopped flashing. The first match was set!
Yagura's pupils narrowed slightly. He crossed his arms, tapping his elbow lightly.
Of all people...
"YOSHAAAA!!!"
From the other side of the observation platform, Might Guy erupted in a deafening cheer.
"Youth! Passion! Ignite!!"
What could be more youthful than kicking off the tournament with an explosive, hot-blooded battle?
Answer: Absolutely nothing!
He, Might Guy, would lead the charge!
"Hey, Guy. Your opponent is that Mist ninja," Genma Shiranui pointed out, his tone hesitant.
Clearly, Guy had drawn one of the worst possible matchups. So why the hell was he this excited?!
"I know! But this is what youth is all about! Passion! Battle! DAZE!!"
Guy flashed a thumbs-up at Genma and Raido, his thick eyebrows twitching with enthusiasm as he bared his gleaming white teeth.
...
"The first match."
Shikaku glanced at the two competitors and announced, "Might Guy versus Karatachi Yagura."
"That bowl-cut kid?" Ringo Ameyuri eyed the loud Konoha genin, whose sheer energy seemed to hurt her eyes. "Isn't this a free win? Are Konoha shinobi always this dumb?"
Mukumo gave Yagura a nod. "Good luck."
It was the right thing to say in a moment like this.
Though, in truth, Yagura didn't need luck—he was going to win regardless.
"Thanks."
Yagura vaulted over the railing, landing smoothly in the arena.
He couldn't help but muse.
Might Guy, huh? Was there some strange fate tying his bloodline to Jinchūriki?
Years later, Rock Lee would fight the One-Tail's Jinchūriki, Gaara.
And now, Might Guy was facing him.
He rolled his neck, producing a sharp cracking sound, and let a small smirk form on his lips.
A perfect opportunity.
"Wooooohooo!"
Might Guy flipped through the air in a series of acrobatics before landing with a dramatic boom.
One arm behind his back, the other extended forward in his signature stance, he declared,
"Konoha's Might Guy! Has arrived!"
Yagura didn't move. He responded simply, "Hello."
"Oh! Amazing! You, as my opponent, are full of youthful spirit as well!"
He'd rarely met someone who talked even more than he did. Yagura made no comment, merely preparing for battle.
"Is that so?"
Shikaku raised his hand. "Begin!"
...
Guy moved first.
As a taijutsu specialist, his full power could only be unleashed at close range. Keeping him at a distance would render him useless.
Or, rather—at this stage, his only ranged technique would be the Secret Art: Randomly Throwing Kitchenware.
"Well, let's see how this goes."
Unlike his fight with Yakura, Yagura didn't bother blocking Guy's approach.
Guy shot toward him at high speed, eyes gleaming as he reached optimal striking range.
His heart surged with excitement. He spun into a powerful kick—
"Konoha Whirlwind!"
THUD!
Yagura raised his arm and took the full force of the kick head-on.
Guy's leg, wrapped in heavy weights, struck hard. His arm throbbed with pain—but he endured it.
The Konoha genin gasped in shock. He actually blocked it?!
Without giving Guy a chance to recover, Yagura raised his other hand.
"Water Palm Cannon."
A point-blank blast of high-pressure water slammed into Guy, sending him flying!
...
The battle had only just begun.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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