19 - The Match Begins, Sarutobi’s Secret Observation

The battle commenced.

Yuto Souta needed to hold out for ten minutes without losing.

After all, his opponent was a chunin—simply avoiding defeat, even passively, would count as a pass.

But Hyuga Kouta clearly had no intention of giving him that chance…

The moment Kuroshu Nen declared the start, Hyuga Kouta activated his Byakugan. With a flicker of movement, he raised a palm and charged straight at Yuto Souta!

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

Yuto Souta opted for his most practiced technique.

A fierce gale erupted, amplified by Ninjutsu Master, forcing Hyuga Kouta to sidestep.

Immediately after, Yuto Souta's fingers began weaving again, though he stopped after just a few seals.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

Riding the wind, an oversized fireball surged forth, its sheer size—bolstered by the gust—intimidating!

The fireball roared toward Hyuga Kouta, its massive girth sealing off all escape routes.

Hyuga Kouta's brow furrowed.

This kid… was tricky.

The seals for both techniques were executed with precision, and the seamless transition between them was flawless—hardly the work of a first-year.

Still, it made sense.

To injure those peers so badly, one of whom was nearly a graduate, he had to have some skill.

But…

That was it.

Watching the grandiose Fire Release, Hyuga Kouta's nerves steadied.

Too young…

Trying to exploit the Hyuga's weakness against ninjutsu for suppression?

Wishful thinking!

Spreading his hands, Hyuga Kouta's chakra erupted from his entire body!

"Eight Trigrams! Revolving Heaven!"

With a shout, a blue chakra dome sprang up, completely deflecting the imposing fireball!

"This is—!" Kuroshu Nen's heart jolted, his expression quickly turning grave.

Watching the fireball weaken against the unyielding Revolving Heaven dome, he sighed inwardly.

"He's really not holding back, is he…"

He now roughly understood why Yuto Souta had provoked this Hyuga proctor.

Maybe it was for his clanmate Obito, or maybe, as he'd said, he just didn't like the Hyuga…

Either way, he didn't think it was a wise move.

This was a chunin!

Sure, the graduation exam only tested whether a candidate had the bare minimum to become a ninja, but an unrestrained chunin against a likely genin…

Ten minutes would be more than enough.

Yes, Kuroshu Nen acknowledged Yuto Souta's strength.

Yes, he still didn't think he'd pass…

He wasn't alone—the other two proctors shared the same view.

Their gazes toward Yuto Souta now carried a hint of pity…

Clan rivalries were, to ordinary ninja like them, akin to gods clashing.

They could only go easy on the other examinee…

Yet two others on the field held different opinions.

One was Obito Uchiha.

After half a month of training, he'd developed an unconditional trust in Yuto Souta.

Even that jerk Kakashi couldn't beat Souta—what was a Hyuga chunin?

Kakashi Hatake's take was more measured.

"This Hyuga chunin… is weaker than yesterday's guy."

That was his assessment.

It matched Yuto Souta's feedback on the Great Fireball.

"Activation took about a second longer than yesterday's, strength's roughly 80% of that one."

"Can't rule out he's holding back…"

Yuto Souta analyzed while forming seals.

The Great Fireball ultimately couldn't match Revolving Heaven.

After just five seconds of clashing, the flames dissipated, leaving Hyuga Kouta inside the dome unscathed.

A mocking smirk curled Hyuga Kouta's lips… his ease suggested he hadn't gone all out.

He was indeed a Hyuga chunin.

But what outsiders didn't know… he'd long possessed jonin-level strength!

As a branch family member, he simply didn't need a jonin headband…

Meanwhile.

In Konoha's Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi channeled chakra into the crystal ball before him.

The ninja academy exam unfolded clearly within it.

"Lord Third, identity confirmed."

"Hyuga Kouta, passed the chunin exam seven years ago. Has completed sixteen A-rank missions and one S-rank."

"Suspected to be a branch family Hyuga jonin, exact strength unknown."

An Anbu operative reported, handing over a scroll.

Hiruzen nodded.

His gaze deepened…

After a long pause, he took a drag from his pipe and waved at the kneeling Anbu.

"Notify the observing Anbu—mission unchanged. Ensure those two kids' safety."

"No intervention unless it's life-threatening."

"Yes, sir!"

With a low affirmation, the Anbu vanished.

Hiruzen mulled it over a bit longer.

He'd done all he could…

This was the only way to keep Konoha stable while protecting those kids from being pawns in Danzo's deals.

He knew his old friend too well.

Ignoring his opinion as Hokage, Danzo had slipped a Hyuga into the early graduation exam!

It was teetering on his bottom line…

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