Chapter 131: Lightning vs Lightning

Naruto and Neji's fierce, continuous exchange of blows left the spectators in the stands marveling in surprise again and again.

Many people had thought the duel between Sasuke and Rock Lee was the highest-quality match of this Chunin Exam.

Who would have expected Naruto versus Neji to be equally spectacular?

Especially Naruto—though just a Genin who graduated early from the Academy, he managed to fight a genius of the Hyuga Clan on nearly even terms. It was simply incredible!

"Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"

In the arena, between rapid, unrelenting attacks, Neji executed the entire Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.

To his surprise, Naruto emerged completely unharmed.

All Neji could do was continue attacking, this time with the Eight Trigrams One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms!

He was determined to use airtight offense to break Naruto's impenetrable battle rhythm!

"Eight Trigrams—One Palm!"

He struck again. Each palm was faster than the last, a ceaseless flurry!

Naruto's choice remained the same as before:

Dodge Neji's tricky Gentle Fist taijutsu and look for an opportunity to strike back!

So, the spectators saw an even more dazzling contest than before!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Neji's attacks raged like a violent storm, coming one after another.

Yet Naruto continued to handle them calmly, as steady as a mountain.

This time, Neji managed to unleash his One Hundred Twenty-Eight Palms in a flash, landing them all—but even such an onslaught did nothing to harm Naruto.

Neji couldn't help wondering if Naruto, like Rock Lee, specialized so heavily in close-quarters combat that he lacked decent mid- or long-range moves.

Thinking of this, Neji decisively pulled back.

Up in the stands, those familiar with the Hyuga Clan brightened at once, sensing Neji's intentions.

"As expected of the Hyuga's genius—he can still think and act decisively in the heat of battle!"

"Neji's judgment must be right. If Naruto can match him blow for blow in taijutsu, then he must specialize in it."

"In that case, that little brat's going to suffer. After all, the Hyuga's Gentle Fist isn't limited to close-quarters!"

Even casual onlookers understood Neji's plan.

As head of the Hyuga Clan, Hiashi grasped Neji's strategy right away. He turned to Kakashi, smiling.

"Kakashi, is Naruto, like Lee, primarily a taijutsu specialist? If so, then his fight with Neji is all but decided.

"With Neji's battle instincts and skill in Gentle Fist, he can certainly keep Naruto pinned down from a distance until Naruto has no choice but to surrender."

At those words, Kakashi's expression grew quite odd.

The real reason Naruto's taijutsu was so formidable was that Sasuke was adept at Lightning Release–based taijutsu. Naruto had been forced to improve by constantly sparring with Sasuke.

Naruto's true specialty was a ranged ninjutsu called the Aura Sphere—far more dangerous than the Hyuga's Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm.

All Kakashi could do was hope Hiashi and the other Hyuga elders would still be able to smile once they learned the truth.

Down in the arena, events unfolded just as everyone had anticipated.

"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"

No sooner had Neji put some distance between them than he fired a Vacuum Palm at Naruto without hesitation.

A wave of compressed air appeared in front of Naruto in an instant.

Naruto simply shifted his body to dodge with ease.

Neji assumed Naruto would then charge in close to continue a taijutsu exchange—but Neji refused to allow that, firing another Vacuum Palm at once!

However, this airborne strike was shattered by a single Aura Sphere Naruto released with one hand!

Whoosh—

After piercing Neji's Vacuum Palm, the Aura Sphere accelerated and kept barreling toward Neji!

"What?!"

Shocked, Neji immediately used his ultimate defensive move.

"Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation!"

He spun at high speed, covering himself in a perfect 360-degree sphere of rotation. Naruto's Aura Sphere slammed into it but was blocked.

"Huh? What technique is that?" Naruto was momentarily surprised by Neji's Rotation, but he didn't slow down. One Aura Sphere after another flew at Neji.

The rapid changes in the battle left the spectators in the stands gasping to keep up.

Neji's Rotation—an absolute-defense jutsu covering 360 degrees—was impressive enough, but who could have guessed that Naruto would use a mysterious ninjutsu no one had ever seen, bombarding Neji from afar in rapid succession?

Even though Rotation possessed an "absolute defense," it could not withstand Naruto's barrage of Aura Spheres forever.

Rumble!

On Naruto's seventh Aura Sphere, Neji's Rotation was finally breached.

A thunderous explosion rang out, and the shock wave of Aura Sphere clashing with Rotation sent Neji flying!

With a dull thud, Neji hit the ground in obvious pain. He rose quickly, but his eyes held deep frustration.

He had spent a great deal of energy and now looked disheveled, while Naruto was still completely unscathed.

Facing a Naruto who was practically at full strength, Neji felt like he was up against a monster.

These two who had chosen to graduate from the Academy early turned out to be ridiculously powerful!

The final outcome of the Naruto vs. Neji fight left everyone in the stands astounded.

Many spectators felt their emotions sway wildly through the course of that match.

"Seriously? That kid who looks around ten years old defeated Hyuga Neji—the genius of the Hyuga Clan!"

"As unbelievable as it seems, that's exactly what happened. I wonder who taught him ninjutsu and taijutsu?"

"From what I've gathered, it's supposedly Konoha's elite jonin Hatake Kakashi who's guiding Naruto and Sasuke right now."

"Wow—so Konoha's instructors are just that good, huh?"

As similar comments spread around, Kakashi couldn't help his look of helplessness.

He considered himself a decent teacher, but Naruto's abilities—both his ninjutsu and taijutsu—weren't really his doing.

Meanwhile, the previously smiling Hiashi of the Hyuga now found himself unable to laugh.

Not only him—the entire Hyuga clan fell into a heavy silence.

Hiashi's gaze rested on Neji. Privately, he was ninety percent impressed with Neji's display and ten percent disappointed in the result.

In Hiashi's eyes, Neji had actually performed very well. Perhaps if he'd done just a bit better, he would have won.

But Hiashi's attention soon shifted from Neji to Kakashi. He noticed the calm, almost unsurprised look on Kakashi's face—as if Kakashi had known this outcome was inevitable.

That forced Hiashi to reevaluate Kakashi's skill at training students and to pay more attention to both Naruto and Sasuke.

Indeed, as onlookers kept saying, Kakashi's skill in teaching was unbelievably high.

Those two students of his were absurdly strong!

Naruto had even defeated Neji, the Hyuga clan's top-tier genius, with apparent ease.

However, what Hiashi didn't realize was that Kakashi himself was silently wondering where things had gone sideways.

Though he wasn't truly the one who had trained Naruto and Sasuke, he was well aware of their daily practice routine.

Those two "crazy kids" left at dawn and returned late at night, grinding mission after mission. That was how they steadily honed their strength.

Kakashi found this method intriguing and had tried to study it, but personally saw little improvement despite mimicking their approach.

He couldn't help feeling a bit helpless about it.

Compared to the Hyuga clan's silence, the rest of the stands were lively. Many spectators felt coming to watch had been worthwhile.

The first two matches of the finals were both top-tier battles.

No wonder these candidates had reached the finals—they were all excellent.

In the areas where different factions gathered, major figures conferred quietly among themselves:

"So it appears the intel we dug up recently was spot on."

"Yes. Both Konoha and Amegakure have been running missions almost nonstop to temper their ninjas. That sort of extreme training really works!"

"Indeed. We have to keep investigating that style of training!"

Similar murmurs popped up on every side.

Naruto and Sasuke's dazzling show convinced many influential leaders that repeated missions gave a ninja the most comprehensive experience and unleashed their greatest potential.

Many planned to imitate this strategy when they returned home to strengthen their own forces.

Plenty of other big shots—especially those aligned with Konoha—began loudly cheering at the success of Konoha's Genin.

"Incredible! Absolutely incredible! All four of Konoha's Genin who've appeared so far are outstanding! If even their Genin are this good, imagine how reliable their Chunin and Jonin must be!"

"No kidding—the four Konoha Genin just now were astonishing! Konoha's future looks bright indeed."

"It appears that none of the other Great Shinobi Nations have such a formidable Genin that can match Konoha's!"

Their remarks left the Fourth Raikage with an uncomfortable mix of envy and jealousy.

Kumogakure certainly had its own elite Genin, but perhaps not as many as Konoha did.

Determined not to let Konoha claim all the glory, the Fourth Raikage recalled that Kumogakure had also brought two prodigies adept at Lightning Release.

Konoha's elite Genin had finished their matches—so it was time for Kumogakure's gifted duo to enter the stage.

He turned to the Land of Lightning's Daimyo. "Lord Daimyo, it's true those four Konoha Genin did very well, but our Kumogakure prodigies, Omoi and Karui, are sure to deliver excellent performances, too!"

Darui nodded in agreement. "Yes—whether in the Forest of Death or in the preliminaries, Omoi and Karui both showed impressive abilities. They've earned respect from every corner of the shinobi world."

"I believe that in the finals, they won't disappoint anyone!"

Those words caused everyone nearby to nod. They agreed with Darui's assessment.

Thus encouraged, the Land of Lightning's Daimyo also began to look forward to Omoi and Karui's impending matches.

Not too far away sat the Land of Earth's Daimyo, with the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, just behind him to the side.

Naturally, Onoki heard the Fourth Raikage's exchange with the Lightning Daimyo.

Iwagakure and Kumogakure had never gotten along, so Onoki took the chance to mock the Fourth Raikage.

"All right, enough of your boasting, Raikage. If you want to say Kumogakure has the greatest number of lightning-users, I'll keep quiet. But if you claim your lightning-users—or your so-called new-generation lightning prodigies—are the best, you should learn some self-awareness."

"Everyone knows the strongest lightning-user alive right now is Uzumaki Senshi. Even you, Raikage, are way behind him."

"And as for the strongest up-and-coming lightning-user, if you ask me, it's obviously those kids from Amegakure!"

That made the Fourth Raikage furious. "Onoki, you looking to die?"

Onoki shot him a cold look. "Watch it, kid. I was on the battlefield when you were still nursing."

With the two of them at each other's throats, the host—Sarutobi Hiruzen—had to jump in as the mediator, lest the arena be destroyed.

With a genial laugh, Hiruzen said, "Now, now, calm down. We'll see soon enough once the youngsters face off in battle."

"Besides, each Village has talented ninjas and secret trump cards. The Chunin Exams alone can't prove everything."

As a seasoned old hand, Hiruzen's words were perfectly chosen.

If the two Kumo prodigies did perform well, so be it.

But if they didn't, Hiruzen's remark about "every village having its own rising stars" would nip any trouble in the bud should the Fourth Raikage or the Third Tsuchikage stir things up later.

Just then, as though on cue, Shiranui Genma announced the next match:

"This match: Raimon Yukika of Ame versus Karui of Kumo! Let the battle begin!"

A beautiful blue-haired girl wearing a high ponytail—Raimon Yukika—stepped into the arena, along with a dark-skinned red haired Kumo Genin.

As soon as she appeared, Karui didn't immediately attack. Instead, she spoke with confidence:

"You should just give up. You're no match for me."

Hearing this, Yukika's lovely eyes narrowed slightly.

Her voice was calm and collected. "Did you train your lightning taijutsu just by running your mouth?"

Enraged, Karui shouted, "How dare you speak to me like that! You'll regret it!"

Yukika shook her head. "I do sometimes regret things, but speaking the truth is never one of them."

Known for both her keen intellect and a bit of a sharp tongue, Yukika naturally wouldn't let Karui's attitude slide.

The spectators in the stands, sensing the tension between the two, grew increasingly excited.

"This match is going to be fun—lightning prodigy versus lightning prodigy!"

"Hmph, how could some no-name village's lightning user compare with a Kumo prodigy?"

"But hey, that 'no-name village' gave birth to Uzumaki Senshi, who's stronger than the Raikage, no?"

"Are you trying to start something? That doesn't count!"

Before the match even began, the stands were abuzz.

Still, the Kumo's reputation for lightning mastery was widespread, so most spectators placed their bets on Karui.

To them, a prodigy from a big hidden village was sure to outclass a prodigy from a small one.

Because the first two matches had all been Konoha participants, there hadn't yet been a direct comparison between major and minor villages.

But from this match onward, everyone was wondering whether a talent from a small village would prove inferior to one from a big village.

Under everyone's watchful gaze, Yukika and Karui's fight officially commenced.

Boom! Boom!

Both opened with the Lightning Release Armor and lunged at one another.

That sight alone made many spectators' eyes go wide.

"What the…? Can an Ame ninja use Kumo's secret Lightning Release Armor skillfully?"

"Am I seeing things, or is that Ame girl's skill in lightning ninjutsu every bit as good as the Kumo prodigy's?"

"Let's keep watching—maybe she's only mastered this one technique."

Even so, seeing Yukika wield the Lightning Release Armor shocked many.

In particular, those from Kumogakure wore complicated expressions: none of them knew how their signature technique might have leaked beyond their own village.

Still, they trusted their Kumo prodigy.

The Fourth Raikage said confidently, "We in the Kumogakure are the true experts in teaching and developing lightning-based taijutsu."

"Even if that girl picked up a few tricks somewhere, her skill can't match Karui's mastery!"

But the Fourth Raikage was dead wrong.

Yukika's lightning ninjutsu and taijutsu were taught to her by none other than Senshi, whose lightning expertise was unrivaled in the shinobi world.

So, from Yukika's perspective, Karui simply wasn't on her level.

Down in the arena, Yukika and Karui were now clashing in a pure Lightning Taijutsu duel.

"Heavy Style Outburst!"

"Lightning Horizontal Chop!"

Karui threw a punch aimed at Yukika's abdomen with a Heavy Style Outburst.

Showing no intention of backing off, Yukika countered with a hand strike, Lightning Horizontal Chop, colliding right against her fist.

Boom!

The two techniques met, triggering a fierce explosion.

Yet Yukika didn't budge even an inch, while Karui felt a potent force slam into her, knocking her backward.

From that single exchange, their difference in power was clear.

The spectators watched, stunned yet again.

"No way. Ame's lightning-user is stronger than the Kumogakure prodigy?"

"This is unbelievable! I wouldn't have bought it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes."

"The fight's just starting—maybe it's too soon to call."

Of course, less-experienced onlookers assumed Karui was still holding back.

But many Kumo ninjas looked uneasy.

Heavy Style Outburst and Lightning Horizontal Chop were both fairly "fundamental" Lightning Taijutsu moves. If Yukika's foundational moves were stronger than Karui's, it was likely she was stronger overall.

And that was precisely the outcome Kumogakure dreaded.

Karui himself realized that. But she refused to accept it.

She couldn't believe this "rogue version" of Lightning Taijutsu beat her well-honed Kumo training.

So she flooded herself with lightning chakra, charging Yukika once again.

In a flash, the two of them became arcs of brilliant lightning, colliding repeatedly.

Up in the stands, onlookers witnessed a jaw-dropping sight:

No matter what lightning technique Karui threw at her, Yukika used the same move in return—and in every exchange, she overpowered him.

As the fight went on, Karui's confidence began to crumble, and Yukika sealed her fate with an even stronger technique:

"Hell Stab: Four-Finger Nukite!"

Standing a short distance away, Yukika spoke calmly as she extended four fingers and drove them toward Karui.

Her four slender fingertips—encased in lightning—seemed as sharp as spears. Karui felt a tremendous sense of danger.

She tried to dodge, but Yukika was simply too fast. Even another lightning-user like her couldn't follow her movements clearly.

Before she could react, Yukika's Four-Finger Nukite was upon her.

Boom!

Crackling with electric-blue chakra, Yukika's strike hit Karui squarely.

She reeled as if she'd been hammered by an iron club, flying backward like a kite with its string cut.

"Three-Finger Nukite!"

Yukika gave her no time to recover, instantly pursuing her for another clean hit!

Rumble! Crack!

Karui was pummeled yet again.

Her Lightning Release Armor shattered all at once, and she hurtled into the arena's outer wall with such force that she was practically embedded there.

All the while, Yukika merely retracted her hand, perfectly composed and almost…elegant.

Generally speaking, "lightning-user" and "elegant" don't go together—but they fit Yukika perfectly.

Before Shiranui Genma could even announce the verdict, everyone already knew the outcome.

That result sent a wave of shock through the stands.

The scene of Yukika landing that final blow with her Three-finger Nukite was nothing short of breathtaking.

Gasp…

All around, spectators sucked in a collective breath.

"How on earth does Amegakurw's ninja academy train its students?"

"She's barely into her teens, yet her lightning-taijutsu is that advanced. Her future is boundless!"

"If she'd been born in the Kumogakure, they'd be grooming her to be the next Raikage!"

Conversations surged in every corner, and the match's result left the Fourth Raikage speechless for a good while.

Not so for Onoki, who burst out laughing at the sight of Kumogakure's "lightning prodigy" Karui getting thrashed.

~~~

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