Minato's clones moved forward, a kunai in each hand. Yuki and Yami immediately rushed to intercept them, a whirlwind of claws and fangs crashing down on the enemies in an attempt to tear them apart.
Kuro himself did not stand still either, instantly closing the distance with the blond. Meeting in the middle of the arena, they exchanged blows, and after the very first clash, Namikaze, feeling his arm go numb, realized that close combat was not the best option.
He tried to jump back, but Kuro did not give him that opportunity. Strike, block, counterattack, sweep. Minato barely managed to dodge the last move. Sensing something wrong, the blond's clone knocked the dog away and tried to move into Kuro's blind spot, but Yami quickly returned and dispelled it with a swipe of his claws.
Meanwhile, with every movement Kuro suppressed his opponent more and more, and an alarming thought flashed through Namikaze's mind.
Looks like the gap between us has grown even wider!? How is that possible? Didn't my training with Jiraiya-sensei bear any fruit?
At that moment, he took a knee strike to the stomach, after which Kuro grabbed his arm and threw him toward Yami, who immediately pierced the boy with his fangs. However, Minato managed to use the substitution technique and appeared behind them. Turning his gaze to him, Kuro smirked.
He doesn't have much chakra left. After all, Nawaki was far from an easy opponent.
Charging his shuriken with lightning chakra, Minato, drenched in sweat, once again used the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique from his previous fight, sending a swarm of deadly projectiles at his target.
But to Kuro, such an attack meant nothing. Forming a series of hand seals, he used a wind-style ninjutsu infused with a massive amount of chakra, expanding the attack to astonishing proportions.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
The wind exploded before him in a shockwave, easily sweeping away Minato's entire combination of techniques and forcing him to escape the attack line with a body flicker. At the same time, Yuki finished off the last clone, and now both dogs stood beside their master, ready to attack the enemy.
Clearly exhausted, the blond stared ahead, trying to analyze the situation and find a path to victory. But even in his own mind, every plan seemed to hit an insurmountable wall.
"So, Minato, shall we continue?" Kuro asked playfully, clearly enjoying himself.
Standing at the very edge of the arena, Namikaze caught his breath and, using the remnants of his chakra, created one more clone, preparing for a final desperate attempt to turn the tide of the battle.
At that moment, Yuki and Yami began slowly circling him from both sides.
Kuro, however, did not rush.
"You've really become faster," he said calmly. "But it's not enough."
Minato clenched his teeth and moved in. He understood perfectly well that speed was his only advantage.
If I stop—I'll lose completely.
His clone threw kunai at the dogs, while the original once again engaged Kuro in close combat, trying to impose his own tempo while constantly moving. Yuki easily dodged the kunai and lunged into attack.
Yami, meanwhile, tried to pursue the original, but the shadow clone intercepted him, drawing both shikigami onto itself. Blocking their clawed strikes, it tried to hold out as long as possible to buy time for the original.
But despite all of Minato's efforts, Kuro's eyes clearly kept up with him. Blocking a right strike, he was about to pull the blond in for a counter, but Minato used substitution and attacked from behind.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Charge!"
A swift stream of lightning chakra shot toward Kuro, but he simply extended his hand forward, concentrating Nue's lightning within it, and responded with an identical discharge. Upon the collision of the techniques, an explosion occurred, raising a cloud of dust that obscured vision. But in the next instant, a violet bolt from Kuro burst through the cloud and easily struck the already barely standing Namikaze, making him cry out in pain and sending him flying several meters.
Kuro began slowly walking toward the blond, and seeing this, the clone deliberately threw itself under the shikigami's claws. But instead of simply disappearing, it exploded, throwing the divine dogs in different directions.
Hearing the explosion, Nara immediately turned around—and Minato, as if waiting for that very moment, rose from the ground and instantly struck him in the face, launching a new series of attacks.
Just a single moment of distraction in a real battle could cost a life. Realizing this angered Kuro greatly, and he completely stopped holding back. Instantly catching the blond's fist midair, Kuro, with wild excitement, began striking back.
The first hit landed on the chin, then three to the stomach, a knee strike, an uppercut, and finally a spinning kick that completely finished his opponent, sending him crashing into the nearest wall.
After checking the boy's condition, the examiner raised his hand.
"Namikaze Minato is unable to continue. The winner—Nara Kuro!"
In the stands, Jiraiya cast a disappointed glance at Tsunade. Understanding everything, she quickly appeared beside the unconscious blond and immediately began healing him, noting to herself that the boy had several broken ribs and a cracked cheekbone.
When Minato regained consciousness, a storm of thoughts swirled in his mind. No matter how fast or talented he was, it was still not enough.
I need ways to stand against shinobi like Kuro. If lives depend on a fight and I fail… No! I can't even think like that. I need to train even harder.
At the same time, Kuro exhaled, calmed himself, and went to check on his shikigami. After making sure they had only minor injuries, he dismissed them. Then he shifted his gaze toward one worried red-haired girl.
Seems like the fight with her will be the hardest. Who would have thought.
Soon, the examiner announced the participants of the final match: Mikoto Uchiha, Kuro Nara, and Kushina Uzumaki. He also declared that all participants would have a one-hour break, after which the match would take place.
Meanwhile, the future Sannin continued discussing the match. Jiraiya crossed his arms over his chest, trying to appear composed.
"Damn," he exhaled. "Minato really has grown. But that Nara…"
"He controlled the entire rhythm of the fight," Orochimaru noted calmly. "But don't worry—sometimes defeat is more useful than victory."
"Maybe you're right."
"By the way, that applies to you as well. It seems that in the final, two of my students are present—and only one of yours."
"You just got lucky with the draw. If Kushina and Hizashi hadn't faced each other so early, they both could have made it to the finals."
"Seems like you're already making excuses, loser."
"Who are you calling a loser, snake?!"
On the other side of the arena, Kushina had already started warming up, stretching from side to side. She had watched the entire fight—every exchange, every feint. And for the first time in the entire exam, her confident smile disappeared. Because if anyone knew Minato's true strength, it was her—and Kuro had defeated him so easily.
"You look too serious," Mikoto's soft voice sounded behind her. The Uchiha stood nearby, calmly observing her friend and future opponent.
Kushina snorted.
"That Nara is so annoying. Why does he have to be so strong?"
"Believe me, I've asked myself that many times."
"And you know, I'm also thinking about how to defeat you."
Mikoto's smirk wavered slightly.
"Don't worry. Your chains are truly an incredible technique."
"I know. But will it be enough?"
"Just give it everything you've got. Personally, that's exactly what I plan to do."
At that moment, a familiar crimson spark of determination flared in Kushina's eyes.
"Yeah… let's do our best, dattebane!"
After the allotted rest time, the examiner stepped into the center of the arena and raised his hand, calling for order.
"Now, the final match of the Chunin Exam will take place. I ask the participants to come down."
The spectators watched the arena attentively. Although representatives of most clans had already been eliminated, the chance to witness the battles of Konoha's rising stars was captivating. Moreover, the final promised to be the true highlight of the exam.