章 21: 019 - The Final Exam {PT. III}

KONOHA

"Any leads yet?" Hiruzen asked as he stared at Sasuke's lithe form returning to his seat in the waiting area below, his brows furrowed in grim contemplation.

"No, Hokage-sama," replied Raidō Namiashi, one of the Tokubetsu-jōnin in his compliment of elite bodyguards. "We still have a few squads of ANBU operatives searching for signs of the Snake-sannin, but our leads all seem to have gone cold… Also, the forensics team finally submitted their report on the matter of Gekkō's murder; the killer did a clean job, sir. They were unable to glean anything of relevance from the corpse; apparently, another dead end."

"...Keep searching," The Kage grunted in response. "If it is really Orochimaru we are dealing with then we won't have to wait long until he strikes again."

"Yes, Hokage-sama," came the Jōnin's reply before he flickered away. An uneasy feeling settled in the Hokage's mind as he turned his gaze back to the Uchiha boy across the arena from him. What plans did that wayward student of his have for this terrifyingly prodigious child? Hiruzen wondered.

"This Sasuke boy is pretty interesting…" commented the Kazekage to Hiruzen's left. "I assume this confirms the rumours that he indeed received the tutelage of Konoha's renowned Shisui of the Body Flicker. Such speed… it's unheard of in the youth of his generation."

"Indeed," Hiruzen replied, his tone noncommittal. Hopefully, that's all the boy learnt from those monsters, the Kage thought to himself. But even Hiruzen knew that was simply wishful thinking on his part; what were the odds that Wicked-eye Fugaku would refuse to pass on some of his secrets to his son when a fellow clansman had already done the same to great effect?

Wishful thinking indeed.

***

Hiruzen observed the match with a critical eye. Although that kunoichi student of Might Guy—Tenten—was woefully disadvantaged from the start, she still managed a noble showing against the Aburame scion before inadvertently succumbing to her fate. It was an inspiring match; the girl showed great promise and would most likely make chunin despite her defeat.

At the very least, she already had his vote.

A few medical-nin appeared on stage to transport her, limp, chakra-depleted body out of the arena to the medical bay underneath the Colosseum. Once she was catered for and Shino Aburame returned to the waiting area, the proctor signalled the start of the next match.

"The next pairing is Temari Sabaku. against Gaara Sabaku! Please come down!"

"I withdraw!" came the kunoichi's response.

A wave of muttering rippled through the crowd, but sympathetic understanding persisted. After all, everyone had seen what ruthlessness Gaara was capable of. Very few desired to see a repeat of Lee's defeat. Even fewer wished such misfortune on a girl

The proctor called and the next competitors appeared on the stage almost simultaneously.

"Hyuga Neji versus Uchiha Sasuke!"

Moments later, Genma flickered out of the arena leaving behind the two noble scions. They stood exactly a hundred metres apart. A gust blew through the clearing, lightly tossing their loose sleeves and long black manes in the air, and the air grew weighted with galvanised chakra

"Begin!"

The Uchiha rushed forward first, his hands a blur as they formed nigh-indecipherable hands seals. Opposite him, Neji let his body relax into the Hyuga's signature "Gentle Fist" stance. Eighty metres into his charge Sasuke's form flickered, his body splitting into five afterimages that manoeuvred to attack the Hyuga from multiple directions.

Hiruzen leaned forward as Neji spun on his heels in response, his chakra flaring as he parried rippling salvos of explosive jabs and kicks aimed at his vitals. One of the afterimages—no, a clone. A Shadow Clone!—retreated from the melee, its hand blurring through hand signs. A moment later, a fireball roared across the arena, instantly enveloping the Hyuga still embroiled in a battle with two other clones. With an eye-searing flash, the fireball detonated, its resultant over-pressure ruffling Hiruzen's clothing even where he sat in his cubicle above.

The Hokage squinted as he tried to peer through the billowing dust and smog that now enveloped the arena. It wasn't until a few moments had passed that the dust slowly began to settle.

In the centre of a smouldering crater fifty meters wide stood Neji Hyuga. His face was dusted grey with soot and the edges of his clothing were singed black. The Hyuga looked bruised and battered. Comparatively, the three Sasuke-look-alikes that stood safely out of arms reach from him had succeeded in maintaining their pristine appearances.

The difference was blatant for all to see.

"Neji's mastery of the Hyuga's famed Revolving Heaven is rather impressive," the Kazekage commented idly, seemingly unfazed by the display. "To be able to neutralise the effects of such a masterfully executed fire-style technique to such an extent… Impressive."

Hiruzen didn't respond, his attention fixated on the match below.

"Give up," came Sasuke's disembodied voice from all three look-alikes at once. Given how minutely their forms were flickering, at least one of the three was probably an Afterimage Clone, courtesy of the long-dead Shisui Uchiha. Sasuke seemed to have not mastered the technique yet given how easy it was to tell it was being performed. "

"I would rather not have to waste any more chakra on a pointless battle," The Uchiha continued, expressionless. "You can't beat me." A suspenseful silence hung in the air over the Colosseum following his words. Then, slowly, as if in response, Neji took a stance.

"...Very well then," Sasuke sighed as each of his bodies formed a one-handed Ram sign. "Bind!" they said in unison. From across the arena, Hiruzen could feel the boy's chakra churn. It felt thick and cold on his skin. Aberrant. The inert network of barrier tags that lay hidden beneath the smothering, chakra-infused dirt suddenly flared to life with an intensity that would have probably been visible to even the untrained senses of an academy student.

In a panic, Neji tried to escape the entrapment but was suddenly obstructed by a clone. Ribbons of animated kanji sprung out of the dirt akin to a sea of mutated bamboo shoots as the barrier activated beneath his feet, latching onto him and the sacrificial clone like starved leeches and sealing them both away.

The arena fell silent as the two paper cocoons fell to the ground with muted thuds. Neutralised.

"...Hyuga Neji is no longer able to compete." The proctor's voice broke the fragile silence.

"The winner is Uchiha Sasuke!"