On the sidelines, the referee announced loudly that Shinichi Higashino had automatically advanced due to Kosuke Maruboshi's forfeit.
Immediately afterwards, the match-up list for the next game was announced: Might Duy VS Sunagakure Genin · Suna Maru!
The intention behind this arrangement is quite clear; it's yet another war of attrition.
Even if Might Duy wins, the next match will inevitably be an internal showdown.
Regardless of whether Shinichi or Might Duy advances, it means that Konoha's participants will experience unnecessary internal friction and exhaustion before the finals.
The match begins.
Suna Maru is a typical Village Hidden in the Sand tactical ninja who excels at using wind release Ninjutsu to control opponents at mid-range, combined with precise tool throws to block their movement.
His strategy was clear: Never let this Konoha ninja, who seemed to only know Taijutsu, get close.
Might Duy's offensive was direct and pure, charging straight ahead at astonishing speed in an attempt to close the distance.
Each step he took left a shallow mark on the hard, rocky ground.
Suna Maru's Wind Style: Great Breakthrough and the continuous stream of shuriken were all narrowly dodged by him with simple yet efficient movements, or were directly knocked away by his fists and feet wrapped in Chakra.
The situation reached a stalemate for a moment.
Suna Maru was unable to effectively injure his opponent with Ninjutsu and tools, and Might Duy also struggled to break through the dense mid-range firepower network to truly reach his opponent.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
Unable to break through after a prolonged attack, Might Duy let out a loud shout, his body suddenly spinning around, and with a powerful sweeping kick, he forced back Suna Maru, who was trying to sneak up on him, and also used the force to retreat a few steps.
He was slightly out of breath, and his eyes narrowed as he looked at his opponent, who was starting to form hand seals again.
'This can't go on... should I use that? But if it's just the first one...'
The image of Guy's face filled with anticipation and excitement when he learned that he was going to participate in the Chunin exams flashed clearly through his mind at this moment.
"... At the very least, I can't stop here! I can't let Guy down!"
He took a deep breath, and it felt as if some kind of restriction within him was quietly broken through.
Eight Gates: Gate of Opening, Gate of Healing!
Boom!
A powerful surge of Chakra arose, forming a powerful, invisible wave of energy that suddenly spread outwards from Might Duy's center!
His skin flushed slightly, a faint warmth rose from his body, and his aura suddenly surged.
"Youth, it's time to bloom!"
Before he finished speaking, his figure had already disappeared from the spot.
So fast!
Suna Maru's pupils contracted sharply, and his hand seals froze in mid-air.
A fist wreathed in blue chakra filled his entire field of vision.
Using the explosive power and speed gained from opening the two gates, Might Duy concentrated all his strength into this one strike.
Bang!
The fist landed solidly on Suna Maru's crossed arms as he parried.
The terrifying force shattered his defensive stance, and the remaining force sent him flying backward in an arc before crashing heavily to the edge of the arena. He struggled for a moment, but ultimately couldn't get up.
The entire arena fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a cacophony of discussion. The speed and power that burst forth in that instant exceeded many people's understanding of Taijutsu.
On the high platform, the third Kazekage frowned almost imperceptibly.
He turned to look at the third Hokage beside him: "Hokage, the Genin from your village just used... It doesn't seem to be ordinary Taijutsu. Was that sudden burst of chakra and speed some kind of special Hidden Jutsu?"
The third Hokage took a drag of his cigarette, a perfectly timed, slightly puzzled, and amiable smile appearing on his face: "Well... Kazekage's question has stumped this old man. Perhaps he figured it out himself, some kind of way to unleash potential? Young people always have some unexpected ideas."
He skillfully avoided giving a substantive answer and pushed the question back to him.
The third Kazekage's eyes narrowed slightly. Knowing he wouldn't get any information, he remained silent and turned his gaze back to the arena.
The weight that had been lifted from his heart by Kosuke Maruboshi's withdrawal from the competition seemed to drop slightly again.
This Konoha ninja, who only knows Taijutsu, seems to be more than he appears.
Off the court, Might Duy walked back to the dugout, took the water and towel Shinichi handed him, silently wiped his face, hesitated for a moment, and then tentatively spoke up: "Shinichi, how about... I forfeit the next match like senior Kosuke? That way you can be in top form to face your final opponent..."
"Withdraw? Senior Kosuke has his reasons, and..."
Shinichi interrupted him: "Senior Duy, don't you always say that there is no such thing as giving up in youth?"
You're asking to abstain? No way.
If you abandon it, how am I supposed to level up?
He specifically invited Might Duy, not only because he valued the Eight Gates, which could turn the tide of battle at crucial moments, as a guarantee of safety.
Another important reason is the anticipation of the possibility that the two might meet in the final.
Shinichi planned to rely entirely on Taijutsu to confront this man, who had taken his belief in Taijutsu to the extreme.
The people of Konoha have become so accustomed to his genius that their threshold for success is too high.
But the viewers of the Village Hidden in the Sand are not immune to this.
On the highly anticipated final stage, a showdown of pure power and skill is undoubtedly the perfect opportunity to break through the halo and allow the world to rediscover his Taijutsu ability.
This is crucial for his advancement in the Basic Taijutsu and even the Superhuman Strength talent.
"But..."
Might Duy scratched his head, looking somewhat hesitant.
"Rankings aren't everything."
Shinichi looked at him seriously and said, "As long as you fully demonstrate your strength, will, and character during the competition, the judges will naturally give you a fair evaluation. Fighting with all your might is the best proof of your promotion to Chunin."
"Well said!"
Master Chen, arms crossed, walked over, his gaze sweeping over the two behind his round sunglasses. His voice boomed, "The way of Taijutsu is all about going forward without hesitation! If you're already thinking about retreating and calculating gains and losses before even fighting, Duy, your fist started to hesitate, and your spirit was already broken."
"Since Shinichi has this awareness and confidence, you should respond with all your passion! Let the people of the Village Hidden in the Sand, and everyone else, see what kind of brave, diligent, and fearless heart our Konoha Taijutsu ninjas possess!"
Master Chen's words were like a shot of adrenaline, instantly replacing the hesitation in Might Duy's eyes with a familiar spark. He clenched his fist and nodded heavily: "I understand! Master Chen, Shinichi! Then let's... unleash our youth in the upcoming battle!"
"Senior Duy, please use the same move that defeated your opponent in our battle. Don't hold back."
Shinichi said while looking at Might Duy.
He had his own considerations.
Might Duy's normal strength is probably just barely enough to reach the threshold of Chunin.
Shinichi assessed his own strength as being at least at the level of a Special Jonin.
There is a significant gap in basic strength between the two.
If Might Duy hadn't used the Eight Gates, he could have won easily.
But this goes against his vision of a shocking showdown that would shake the audience's perception and redefine his physical prowess.
He needs Might Duy to demonstrate that extraordinary power.
Of course, opening a few doors is enough; who knows if the audience can actually see them?
Upon hearing this, Might Duy's face showed hesitation again, but looking into Shinichi's calm yet unusually firm eyes, and recalling the other's previous encouragement and trust, he hesitated only for a moment before nodding forcefully and squeezing out a single word through gritted teeth: "Alright!"
He agreed not only to meet Shinichi's expectations, but perhaps also to prove to himself and everyone else just how dazzling the path of Taijutsu he had persisted in could be.