Kapitel 49: Chapter 49: The Real Fight
"Great job, Tsunade!" The support team of the Senju Clan rushed back into the arena, pushing the referee aside irritably and throwing Tsunade into the air rather unceremoniously.
"Tsunade! Tsunade! Tsunade!"
Though the audience didn't quite understand why the final turned into a purely physical competition, it didn't dampen their celebration for the champion.
"Hmm..." Tsunade, being thrown around, glanced apologetically at Orochimaru, and the charming atmosphere between the two was completely disrupted.
Seeing the elated crowd, Senju Tobirama couldn't help but smile. "Yes, this kid has a great future!"
Senju Daichi chimed in, "He certainly put on quite a show!"
Tsushima added, "He's pretty impressive!"
"However, I still need to give him some challenges. Can't let him get too cocky." Tobirama looked at Orochimaru with admiration.
"It's fine, I'll take it lightly because he's acquainted to Tsunade." Tsushima smiled honestly and walked down silently.
In a corner, Orochimaru sat silently, gazing at Tsunade, who was basking in the glory of her victory, with a contented smile on his face.
Orochimaru didn't want to draw too much attention. If he showcased all his strength, he might attract the notice of hidden figures like Black Zetsu or Madara in advance. Besides, when your strength far surpasses all your opponents, winning the competition may not hold much significance. Seeing Tsunade so happy, Orochimaru felt satisfied as well.
Many ninjas in the stands silently observed the uncrowned king in the corner. Their eyes reflected complex emotions—puzzlement, fear, awe, and admiration. They were not fools. They could discern a lot beneath the surface.
"I could predict the beginning, but not the end." Nara Yasuo chuckled wryly. "I can never quite grasp Orochimaru's intentions."
As the match neared its conclusion, the referee was about to announce the end. At that moment, Orochimaru approached...
Referee: "I'll hand you the microphone. Go ahead!"
"Cough cough!" Sarutobi Hiruzen cleared his throat to gather everyone's attention. "Quiet, everyone!"
The audience fell silent, awaiting Sarutobi Hiruzen's words.
"The Chunin Exam has concluded, and the winner is Tsunade. However, the referee judges that Orochimaru did not fully demonstrate his strength during the competition, so he will undergo a separate test. The rest of the audience, please exit the arena!"
"Everybody, leave!"
The crowd departed, a little puzzled, but returning to their respective homes nonetheless.
Wanting to maintain a low profile, Orochimaru had Tobirama to thank for it, along with his growing reputation in the Land of Fire. After bidding farewell to Uchiha Kagami and Tobirama, Danzo, Koharu, and others left as well.
"Hmph, the teacher probably has a soft spot for Orochimaru!" Danzo snorted coldly and left with a sullen expression.
"Tobirama wants to test me, I suppose?" Orochimaru sighed. Secrets were hard to keep.
"Yasuo, are we really doing the right thing?" Yamanaka Inosuke asked in a hushed tone.
"Let's wait and see. We'll soon know Orochimaru's true strength," Yasuo Nara replied, goading the three of them to sneak onto the rooftop for a clandestine peek.
"Orochimaru, first of all, thank you for making Tsunade's victory possible. I now declare you a Chunin," Tsushima said.
"...Thank you."
"I know you didn't give it your all, but you're about to join Anbu and lead a team. I want to see your true strength."
"Oh? And how will you do that?" Orochimaru was slightly puzzled.
"It's simple. We'll have a duel!" Tsushima smiled honestly, revealing his white teeth.
"Attention, everyone! The main event has begun!" Nara Yasuo said.
"Hey~!" Akimichi Chou brought out potato chips and a hamburger simultaneously.
"You...!" Yamanaka Inosuke suddenly felt very exhausted. Indeed, only people with normal IQs acted like normal people.
"Earth Release: Earth Shape Transformation!" Chakra surged around Tsushima's body, and with a palm strike, the entire arena's terrain changed dramatically. Massive rock pillars and earth walls rose densely, obstructing Orochimaru's line of sight and restricting his movements within the compressed space.
"Boy, I know you're strong, but you better give it your all, or you'll be beaten badly!"
"This is quite extravagant. Changing the terrain to limit me requires such a large chakra expenditure. It's almost like this earth wall can restrain even ninjas at the Kage level." Orochimaru silently analyzed, sensing that his opponent's chakra was about three times greater than his own. "Are all members of the Senju Clan this monstrous?"
"The Hidden Shadow Snake Hand!" Orochimaru launched a probing attack.
"I'm truly disappointed. I said I'd give it my all! Earth Release : Obsidian Skin" Tsushima laughed heartily, his muscles swelling as his shirt tore apart, revealing black rock-like muscles.
"Pala la la!" The snake stream struck Tsushima, only to bounce off harmlessly. Many snakes tried to restrain him, but Tsushima remained unfazed!
"Tear!" Tsushima ripped off many snakes, and their blood splattered on him.
"A ninja proficient in Earth Release? This could be troublesome!" Tsushima 's defensive power was beyond his expectations, while his own attack power wasn't particularly strong. The most powerful ninjutsu of his might not make much of an impact.
"I can't defeat him head-on, so I'll have to wear him down." Orochimaru quickly made a decision. Tsushima's ninjutsu and defense were formidable, and his speed likely wouldn't be too fast. Thus, Orochimaru's agility became his main advantage!
"Take this punch!" Tsushima struck at Orochimaru, who evaded swiftly, stretching out his arms to grab a rock and swinging himself over. Boom! "A massive stone pillar shattered into dust, and Obsidian Skin not only rendered Tsushima invulnerable but also visibly bestowed him with enormous strength.
Orochimaru crouched on a rock wall and tossed three kunai with explosive tags attached to them, which detonated forcefully next to Tsushima.
"This level won't cut it!" Tsushima burst out of the smoke and rubble, shattering the rock Orochimaru had been standing on.
"Stronger than Tsunade, stronger than the physical defense of a Kaguya Clan ninja." Orochimaru dodged in time and analyzed the situation.
"Don't run, kid!" Tsushima grew somewhat frustrated. Orochimaru was too agile, and the ninjutsu he used to limit him proved ineffective. Although his absolute speed, combined with his strength, surpassed Orochimaru's, the latter's quick reactions always allowed him to escape. It was like a snake slithering through the cracks in the stone.
Despite his strength, it was useless if he couldn't land a hit. Sustaining such powerful ninjutsu would naturally consume a lot of chakra, and at this rate, even if he could continue the fight for a day, he would be at a disadvantage.
Orochimaru swiftly maneuvered through the rocks and mounds, using the rising smoke and debris to obscure his movements.
"Hey, don't run if you're so skilled!" Tsushima couldn't hide his impatience. Orochimaru's agility rendered the ninjutsu used to limit him virtually useless, and his absolute speed combined with strength was faster than Orochimaru's, but the latter's quick reflexes always enabled him to escape.
"Man, this Orochimaru sure knows how to run. It's quite pathetic," commented Senju Daichi, watching the match from a distance alongside Uchiha Kagami.
"No, this is how ninjas fight!" Tobirama responded with admiration. "Facing an opponent stronger than you without fear, rationally analyzing their weaknesses, and making tactical use of that knowledge. These are qualities every ninja should possess."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein