Chapter 50: Another Encounter with the Phantom Thief

"Ordinary attire, mentally deficient hair... uh..."

"Carrying minimal supplies, indicating confidence in quickly passing the exam."

"Possessing a large-scale ninja tool, but it's merely secured to his back with a belt, suggesting it's not a heavy weapon."

"Effortlessly dispatched over ten opponents, most of whom were Genin and average Chunin, yet emerged completely unscathed… perhaps he utilizes a binding-type secret technique."

"Overall, a highly skilled examinee, but I've never heard of him before."

Kakashi was also observing Habara, but this superficial observation led him to some inaccurate conclusions. For example, because Habara had simply tucked the lump of iron behind him under his belt, like one would carry a small blade, Kakashi overlooked its weight.

Habara's "sword case" was incredibly heavy.

And, naturally, Kakashi had no recollection of encountering Habara at the Konoha gates.

He also felt that Habara's hairstyle was vaguely familiar, but thankfully, Habara neither had white hair nor carried a short sword in the center of his back, so this detail was easily dismissed.

Kakashi led Habara away from the examination grounds and said, "You've passed this exam. In seven days, before 9:00 AM, report to Indoor Training Ground 23 to participate in the final assessment."

"Don't I need some kind of proof?" Habara asked.

He thought to himself that it was only because Kakashi was the one giving the notice that it was even remotely believable.

"...Your qualification has already been recorded, don't worry. Your strength is sufficient to become a Chunin; the examiners aren't blind," Kakashi replied.

However, the not-blind examiners hadn't seen through Habara's true strength, and neither had "Sharingan Kakashi."

Moreover, when Habara fell into Orochimaru's hands, he already possessed Chunin-level abilities. Huh, thinking about it that way, Habara could use a rousing slogan for this Chunin exam… I've waited months for this opportunity, not to prove I'm better than anyone, but to prove that I will reclaim the Chunin title I lost with my own hands.

Framed that way, it did sound quite inspirational.

"Then I'll leave these to you. I have no use for them… They are technically public property, assets of Konoha."

With that, Habara pulled out a large stack of surplus coded scrolls from his vest and stuffed them into Kakashi's hands, before swaggering off.

Kakashi: "..."

And I do?

For the upcoming final exam, Habara couldn't afford to be so relaxed, because the Fourth Hokage was highly likely to appear.

For Habara, this was a chance to step into the higher-ups' sights, to shed his ordinary status and seize a degree of influence.

Although some of his earlier thoughts were jokes, the words "prove himself" were undoubtedly genuine. That was precisely what Habara intended to do.

And since he'd qualified early for the second exam, Habara would continue training in the remaining time, making every effort to familiarize himself with his new state and ninjutsu.

......

Seven days later, at the indoor venue for the third exam.

Including Habara, a total of 36 Konoha ninja had passed the previous exam, a fairly normal pass rate.

Early that morning, the Genin candidates assembled.

Habara stood among them, feeling no shame about "participating in the Chunin exam at such an advanced age," because although some of the examinees were very young, fifteen or sixteen was about the average age.

Before the exam began, the Fourth Hokage appeared on the main viewing platform on the second floor. The young Hokage was flanked by two squads of Anbu ninja, and beside him stood a modestly dressed old man and the old man's two disciples—the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru.

As the first major village event since the Fourth Hokage's inauguration, someone was there to support his successor, someone was there to support his disciple, and someone was there to observe the spectacle and, incidentally, observe Konoha's younger generation.

This lineup was so luxurious it could rival "those who resisted the [previous war]," but with all of them here, what about the front lines?

Well, that wasn't something a small fry like Habara should be concerned about.

Subsequently, a number of off-duty ninja also came to watch the exam of their own accord. Perhaps out of consideration for the new Fourth Hokage, the number of spectators was surprisingly large.

In any case, Habara needed to perform well in front of such heavyweight guests.

Display strength, gain admiration, seize status, ascend to a high position, and…

Flip the table.

See, what a classic villain's roadmap.

After the Fourth Hokage delivered a speech that Habara completely tuned out, the final stage of the Chunin exams officially began. Habara hadn't even heard how one could ultimately qualify, a perfect example of a leader holding a meeting while he was off in his own world.

The format of the exam was simple and traditional, nothing more than one-on-one battles. It was said that the pairings were determined by random drawing… yeah, said to be random.

It seemed unlikely that someone like Habara would get the chance to appear last, but he hadn't expected to be the very first to go.

The proctor for this exam was named Shiranui Genma, only 17 years old. Although he was a similar age to Habara, one was a proctor, and the other was just an examinee.

"First match, Habara, versus…"

Genma first drew a slip of paper from a box and announced Habara's name, then he drew another slip.

"Versus… Uchiha Shisui."

Uh…

Was this drawing random? Was it actually random?

If someone was unaware of Habara's performance in the second exam, this battle would essentially be a super-genius from a major ninja clan facing off against an unknown, no-name scrub.

"That young man is unlucky. A spectacular defeat doesn't entirely rule out the chance of becoming a Chunin, but fighting against the Uchiha clan's young prodigy… the battle will probably end in an instant. The opponent won't have any opportunity to show off."

A ninja on the viewing platform said this, and standing next to him were several ninja from the Uchiha clan, including even Jonin… They were, of course, there to watch Uchiha Shisui's fight and to ensure that this genius wouldn't suffer any unexpected injuries.

The Uchiha clan lacked the necessary trust in Konoha.

"Hmph, naturally," the leading ninja said.

This comment made the previously speaking ninja look surprised.

No wonder the Uchiha clan was universally disliked; was their intelligence so low they couldn't even hold a normal conversation?

Habara, on the other hand, hadn't expected to hear Uchiha Shisui's name in this place. He hadn't noticed such a figure during the previous exams.

But since his name had been called, Habara had no choice but to remain in the arena. Also remaining was Uchiha Shisui.

Uchiha Shisui's physique didn't seem to be in the same league as Habara's. He appeared to be only around ten years old.

Habara raised his hand to signal the referee.

"Habara, do you have a question?" Genma asked.

"My opponent seems a bit young. Isn't this battle a little unfair?"

Although Habara disliked clan ninja, especially the Uchiha, wasn't bullying a child a bit much?

"Don't worry, Uchiha Shisui is a professional ninja who has been on the battlefield. You don't need to worry about that."

Habara's words were clearly audible on the viewing platform, causing waves of laughter and murmurs… A weakling's unnecessary concern for the strong was indeed laughable.

"Alright, I understand."

Habara somewhat sheepishly scratched the back of his head.

Since everyone agreed he should beat up a child, Habara would beat him up for all to see… No matter how strong Uchiha Shisui was at this age, how strong could he really be?

Genma then signaled for both to move back a sufficient distance and reminded them to prepare:

"Both of you, get ready… Begin!"

Habara took a deep breath. Since it was a fight, he had nothing to hesitate about. Next, he would demonstrate the results of his recent training… his "Thirty-Second True Man Technique."

He planned to exhaust all of his chakra within thirty seconds. Using this technique on the battlefield would be suicide, but in an arena, it was a different story.

The battle would undoubtedly end quickly, but what about the outcome?

Uchiha, Uchiha… Since the Uchiha had taken the stage, Habara would allow him to display a signature Uchiha ninjutsu.

What was the Uchiha's signature? The Sharingan? Genjutsu? Shuriken?

No.

It was Fire Release.

Six Ren Techniques: Release.

Secret Technique: Cursed Seal Mode - Blood Release Technique.

Secret Technique: Arc Progression Seven Increase Rhythm - Second Transition.

Lightning Release: Self-Inflicted Binding Thousand Bird Stream.

In an instant, Habara's chakra intensity soared, and it wasn't just the intensity… Jiraiya, sitting next to the Fourth Hokage, sprang to his feet in astonishment, and the Anbu ninja on the platform quickly surrounded the Fourth Hokage.

This level of chakra intensity wasn't that of someone participating in the Chunin exams, but of someone coming to assassinate the Hokage.

Or even… two Hokage, at once.

As Habara's chakra erupted with unimaginable force, the iron on his back began to climb onto his body under his control.

In the blink of an eye, a ferocious demon warrior armor, entirely black and gleaming with metallic light, completely enveloped Habara:

Secret Technique: Drawing Hold Technique - Eightfold Yaegaki.

The armor had two horns sprouting from its head and a Hannya mask covering its face, even completely obscuring Habara's eyes… This was a countermeasure against genjutsu.

No one could feel the intensity of the chakra erupting from Habara more acutely than Uchiha Shisui, who was in the arena. So, after Habara completed his technique, Uchiha Shisui completed his as well.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

The scorching fireball slammed into the black armor, and then suddenly exploded with a deafening roar that seemed to tear at the eardrums.

However, such an attack was completely ineffective against Habara, who had activated his "absolute defense." The tiles beneath his feet cracked inch by inch, and in a flash, his figure vanished from its original spot and appeared before Uchiha Shisui.

This speed easily surpassed that of "Shisui of the Body Flicker."

The three-tomoe Sharingan instantly appeared, and Uchiha Shisui barely managed to dodge Habara's fist by tilting his body. He then reached out with both hands, using a very gentle method to meet Habara's kick, borrowing Habara's force to retreat slightly, dodging this attack as well.

Then Habara stomped his left foot fiercely, causing the ground to explode instantly. Using the recoil, he shot upwards, delivering a knee strike that sent Uchiha Shisui flying… This demonstrated that he was truly unskilled in taijutsu. If he could effectively utilize his speed and power, the first strike should have been enough to knock down "Shisui of the Body Flicker" at his current level.

The young prodigy of the Uchiha clan flew back like an arrow loosed from a bow and crashed into the opposite wall.

The battle had indeed ended in an instant.

This time, the Uchiha ninja on the viewing platform, who had been waiting to watch the show, couldn't sit still any longer. They suspected that this match-up was a deliberate ploy by Konoha to eliminate the Uchiha's genius ninja in a legitimate way.

"Hey! Shisui!"

Without a second word, that Uchiha ninja rushed down from the platform and into the arena.

However…

As if Habara had anticipated this, an iron arrow was already in front of that Uchiha ninja.

Bang!

The Uchiha ninja, acting out of concern, was struck in the midsection with tremendous force, and the iron arrow carried him backwards, pinning him to the opposite wall.

So you see, what's the point of bullying children? If you want to fight, fight their scoundrel parents.

Habara turned around and raised his right hand high.

Simultaneously, the iron armor covering his right hand began to disintegrate, revealing his palm, which was covered in dark red patterns and brilliant blue lightning.

Habara was a special ninja who could control the separation and convergence of his chakra, allowing him to use certain ninjutsu in unique ways.

And the key points of the following technique were as follows:

First, output a high-density, high-quality, high-grade chakra cluster at the center of the palm, compressing it as much as possible into a single point. The user could decide the nature of this chakra, for example, Wind Release.

Second, randomly distribute some additional chakra points around this high-density chakra point. There were no special requirements for these outer points.

Third, apply a rotational force to these outer chakra points. As they rotate at high speed, under the influence of the attractive force, the high-concentration chakra at the center begins to dissipate regularly and rotate along with them.

Fourth, when these chakra rotate into a ball of light, distribute additional chakra over an even larger area around the ball of light, and then apply another rotational force in the same direction…

Accompanied by an exceptionally piercing and regularly patterned high-frequency hum, a special form of Wind Release ninjutsu was held in Habara's hand:

Pseudo-Sage Art: True Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!

And then, Habara threw this "shuriken" at that Uchiha ninja!

The opponent had suddenly interfered with the exam and threatened the life of an examinee; Habara's actions were reasonable, appropriate, and lawful.

Now, it was the Fourth Hokage who couldn't sit still.

Question: How does a "commoner ninja" prove his talent?

Answer: By surpassing the Fourth Hokage.

The method was straightforward and concise.

And using the advanced version of the Rasengan, which even the Hokage himself hadn't completed, in front of the Fourth Hokage, wasn't that another form of NTR?

However, Habara had still overestimated himself somewhat.

His full chakra hadn't even lasted 30 seconds.