Chapter 35: The Preliminary Round BeginsThe Rules Explained
"This round isn't technically the third exam—it's a preliminary round to determine who qualifies for it." Moonlight Hayate's weak voice carried through the hall as he addressed the twenty-three remaining candidates. "The first two exams were too easy. Frankly, I didn't expect so many of you to make it this far."
His pale eyes swept across them.
"Therefore, I'll be eliminating half of you here."
Uproar.
The candidates who had fought so hard to reach the tower couldn't accept this. They hadn't even made it to the third exam yet—and now they faced another elimination round?
But protests changed nothing.
The third exam, unlike the closed-door first two rounds, would be held before an audience—dignitaries, village leaders, potential clients from across the nations. Some candidates had reached this point through luck rather than skill. The preliminary round would separate the worthy from the unworthy, ensuring the final matches demonstrated genuine strength.
"I know some of you are exhausted." Moonlight Hayate's tone held no sympathy. "But reaching this stage required luck as well as ability. Let's see if your luck holds."
He gestured to the display board on the wall.
"Twenty-three candidates means twelve matches, with one bye. The names will appear randomly. When yours appears, you fight. Everyone else moves to the second floor to observe."
The screen flickered to life.
Names flashed rapidly, building tension with each passing second.
Then they stopped.
Yagyu Ryuzen vs. Akado Akamatsu
Dozens of eyes fixed on Ryuzen.
Some held fear. Some held excitement. Some burned with hostility and murderous intent.
The candidates dispersed. Soon, only Ryuzen, his opponent, and Moonlight Hayate remained in the arena.
Observers
Kakashi leaned against the railing on the second floor, visible eye fixed on the silver-haired boy below. "We get to see the top student's strength right away. Interesting."
Kurenai stood beside him, along with Might Guy and Asuma Sarutobi.
"You might be disappointed." Kurenai's voice carried unmistakable pride. "This match will end too quickly to show much."
"That confident?" Kakashi's eyebrow rose slightly.
Asuma and Guy studied Ryuzen with renewed interest.
Black kimono. Perfect posture. A sword at his waist—rare in Konoha, where kenjutsu specialists were few. And something else... something in the way he held himself.
Calm. Too calm for a genin about to fight for his life.
The Question
Ryuzen studied his opponent—Akado Akamatsu, a Konoha genin on paper, but in truth one of Orochimaru's spies. His ability: chakra absorption through physical contact. Dangerous, if given the chance to use it.
But Ryuzen had no intention of giving chances.
He turned to Moonlight Hayate. "Can I kill him?"
The question, delivered with complete indifference, chilled the air.
Naruto and the others instinctively shrank back. Kakashi's eye narrowed. The jōnin exchanged glances—this child spoke of killing as casually as ordering lunch.
Before Moonlight Hayate could respond, Ryuzen added, "My sword techniques aren't fully controlled yet. Even I can't guarantee I'll pull my strikes. So I'm asking in advance."
Moonlight Hayate blinked, then looked at Akamatsu. "Do you wish to withdraw? Or is your jōnin instructor present? They could intervene if necessary. I could also attempt to stop a killing blow—but I can't promise success."
"What a joke!" Akamatsu's face reddened with fury. "You humiliate me like this because of some brat's arrogant words?!" His eyes locked onto Ryuzen with murderous intent. "Perfect. I want to kill him too. Let's do this!"
Perfect indeed.
Ryuzen's hand settled on his sword hilt. He settled into a drawing stance.
An invisible sharpness radiated from him—subtle, but enough that every jōnin present unconsciously focused more intently.
"Then... begin."
SWISH—
The moment Moonlight Hayate spoke, silver light filled the arena.
A flash. A streak. A single, perfect line drawn through space.
Ryuzen appeared five meters behind Akamatsu, still in his drawing stance—except now the sword was sheathed.
CRACK—
SPLASH—
Blood erupted from Akamatsu's body.
He fell without a sound.
Ryuzen straightened, adjusting his sleeves. No emotion crossed his features.
One strike. Instant. Clean.
Too fast for the naked eye to follow. So simple it was chilling.
The audience above sat in stunned silence.
Kakashi's visible eye widened slightly. Kurenai's proud smile grew. Gaara's murderous stare intensified.
And Sasuke's hands clenched the railing so hard his knuckles went white.
The gap... was still there.
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