The massive flower of chakra bloomed in the sky, scattering countless shimmering beads of light across the arena.
The audience stared upward, mouths agape, dazzled by the sight.
A figure slowly descended after the bloom faded—
Plop!
He landed gracefully within the flower's remnants, sending petals scattering into the air.
Shigure smiled faintly as he controlled the chakra flow, letting it slowly dissipate.
The stream of chakra produced by his ninjutsu required constant supply to remain stable; once he withdrew it, it faded like mist into nothing.
Standing calmly at the center of the arena, Shigure sheathed the great blade Zangetsu, his stance unshaken.
In that moment, every ninja in the stands felt their hearts jolt.
Everyone knew that Shigure had forged his own style of swordsmanship. Whether they had witnessed it or only heard rumors, it was impossible not to be aware of it.
Still, many held doubts. Swordsmanship had never been the foundation of shinobi arts.
Ninjutsu was.
Yet today, Shigure's performance had shattered that long-held belief.
So it's possible…!
Chakra and kenjutsu could be fused into a style powerful enough to rival ninjutsu itself!
This wasn't just swordplay—it was overwhelming.
It looked no different from unleashing a Dragon Flame Bullet—but faster, more precise, and without the need for hand seals or preparation.
In the chaos of real battle, such a technique could decide the outcome instantly.
Konoha shinobi: "To merge ninjutsu and swordsmanship like that… the power is unbelievable!"
Konoha civilians: "And he's just a Genin! Konoha's strength is monstrous!"
At those words, Ino, Chōji, Lee, Tenten, and Neji were left speechless.
Please… don't lump us in with that monster.
There was only one Moonlight Shigure.
Might Guy: "This is a sword style unique in the entire shinobi world!"
Asuma: "I agree. It rivals, even surpasses, many ninjutsu. You could call it a whole new category of technique."
Kurenai: "A ninjutsu without seals—born from swordsmanship itself."
But none were more shaken than Terumi Mei of the Hidden Mist.
In Kirigakure, every shinobi was expected to train in kenjutsu. It was their way of reinforcing strength.
Yet here was swordsmanship that rivaled advanced ninjutsu.
If her village could master such a style, even without their lost bloodline limits, they could stand shoulder to shoulder with Konoha once more.
Her gaze toward Shigure burned with growing intensity.
Ao, however, couldn't contain himself.
"How… how is this possible?!"
He stared at Shigure with his lone Byakugan-enhanced eye.
"That wasn't swordsmanship—that was clearly ninjutsu!"
Kakashi finally spoke, calm but firm.
"Shigure used no hand seals. This style was born entirely from his own chakra control. Harnessing chakra through kenjutsu is still swordsmanship."
Ao turned sharply toward him, scowling.
"Hmph! Even if that's true, what about his Ice Release? That kekkei genkai is—"
"Ao!" Mei cut him off sharply. "A loss is a loss. Don't disgrace Chōjūrō."
Ao froze, then lowered his head. "Forgive me, Mizukage-sama… Lord Hokage… I let my emotions get the better of me."
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved dismissively.
"It's fine. Anyone would be shaken by something like this. Even I was surprised the first time I saw Shigure's swordsmanship. But this… this is the progress of the era."
He looked across the arena, voice calm but heavy with meaning.
"Once, shinobi devoted themselves only to ninjutsu. But today's children—these new generations—forge paths we never imagined."
"Perhaps they'll change the entire shinobi world."
Mei silently agreed. Change was inevitable—and Kirigakure needed it most of all.
Still, Hiruzen watched her carefully. He suspected she had come to Konoha not just for diplomacy, but to see Shigure with her own eyes. And perhaps, to claim something more.
Meanwhile, Shigure helped Chōjūrō to his feet, using medical ninjutsu to mend his injuries.
The boy murmured his thanks, gratitude clear in his eyes.
Gekkō Hayate raised his hand.
"The winner—Moonlight Shigure!"
Cheers erupted through the stadium, voices echoing across the village.
In the lounge, Naruto let out a half-helpless laugh.
"Shigure's still ridiculously strong. He didn't even need to go all out against that Mist guy."
Sasuke clenched his fists.
"When… when will I finally catch up to you, Moonlight Shigure…"
Elsewhere, in another lounge, sand swirled lazily around Gaara as he muttered to himself.
"You overwhelm them with nothing but swordsmanship. You haven't even used your full speed… or ninjutsu. None of these weaklings can draw out your strength."
His eyes narrowed.
"…Only I can."
The finals of the Chūnin Exams had reached their climax.
Four Genin had already competed, and only five remained: Shikamaru, Shino, Hinata, Temari, and Gaara.
In the next matches, Temari triumphed over Shikamaru. Though he could have won as in the original story, he chose to forfeit at the last moment.
Hinata fought valiantly, but Shino's relentless kikaichū drained her chakra dry, leaving her unable to continue.
And Gaara, as fate had it—received a bye.
The Chūnin Exams had essentially reached their end.
Up in the stands, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, ready to give the signal to begin his plan.
But before he could act—
Gaara suddenly leapt into the arena.
"Gaara, what are you doing? The matches are over. Everyone has already fought, and you advanced with a bye!" Gekkō Hayate called out, his voice sharp.
Gaara ignored him completely. His gaze locked on the lounge where Shigure sat.
"I don't want to advance through a bye," Gaara declared coldly, his voice carrying across the arena.
"If I was given one, then let me use it to challenge the winners myself."
He stretched out his hand, sand swirling ominously around him.
"You can come at me all at once, or one by one—it makes no difference."
The audience froze in stunned silence. What kind of Genin openly defied the structure of the exam? What kind of lunatic would call out every victor at once?
But Gaara's expression never wavered. His sand pulsed like a living creature as he spoke again, his killing intent filling the air.
"Moonlight Shigure… you're the strongest among them. Do you dare to accept my challenge?"
...
TN:
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