Chapter 147 – Toneri's Chidori
"I feel like I can control my chakra so much better now!" Naruto said in awe, staring at his own hands as blue energy flickered faintly around them.
"Good. In that case, I'll leave him to you, Jiraiya-nii," Yusuke said, waving casually as he turned away.
"Wait, where are you going?" Jiraiya asked, narrowing his eyes.
He could tell something was off. Orochimaru was still lurking somewhere in the village—there was no way Yusuke hadn't sensed him. Which meant… he was intentionally ignoring it.
"You're the one meant to train Naruto," Yusuke replied flatly.
"Hey, I never said I'd take this knucklehead as my student!" Jiraiya shrugged.
"What?! You pervy old man! I don't even want you as my teacher! Uncle Yusuke's way stronger than you!" Naruto yelled, puffing up his chest.
Jiraiya dramatically brushed his long white hair back, adopting a proud stance. "Hmph! Let me make one thing clear, brat. The title 'Toad Sage' is just my undercover identity. My real name… is known throughout the entire world!"
He leapt up, summoning a man-sized toad beneath his feet. Striking a heroic pose, he pointed toward the sky. "I am one of the Legendary Sannin! The gallant white-haired wonder who can make babies stop crying with a single look—Jiraiya-sama!"
Naruto blinked. "…Who?"
Yusuke let out a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Jiraiya-nii, we need to talk."
Before Jiraiya could react, Yusuke pulled down his face cover, his piercing blue eyes gleaming coldly.
A few seconds later—
"Y-Yusuke! What the hell was that for?!" Jiraiya shouted, both his eyes now sporting dark bruises.
Yusuke calmly adjusted his mask again. "You dare call yourself 'unmatched' and 'handsome' in front of me? Unforgivable."
"That's why you hit me?!" Jiraiya roared in disbelief.
"Of course. You almost damaged my reputation," Yusuke replied with a serene smile.
Jiraiya could only groan, rubbing his sore face while glaring at Naruto—who immediately backed away, realizing he was likely the next target of Jiraiya's "lesson."
Meanwhile, Yusuke disappeared from the training field and reappeared near a dark underground chamber—Orochimaru's hideout.
"Who's there?!" a silver-haired young man with glasses snapped, instinctively raising his kunai.
"Relax, Kabuto," Orochimaru said calmly, stepping out of the shadows with his usual snake-like grin. "Yusuke-kun, what brings you to me?"
"Nothing much," Yusuke said casually. "Just here to take something from you, Snake-ojisan."
Orochimaru gestured for Kabuto to stand down. "Leave us."
Kabuto hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, Orochimaru-sama."
Once the room was quiet, Orochimaru tilted his head. "So, tell me, Yusuke-kun. What is it you want?"
"I need a copy of the summoning contract from Ryūchi Cave," Yusuke said plainly.
"Hmm… I see." Orochimaru's golden eyes flickered with curiosity, but he didn't question further. "That's fine, but I'll need to inform the White Snake Sage first."
"Of course," Yusuke nodded. He knew all too well—unlike the Toad and Slug Sages, the White Snake Sage was not one to be approached carelessly.
A faint shimmer enveloped Yusuke's body, and he vanished instantly.
Kabuto re-entered moments later. "Orochimaru-sama… was that the legendary Flying Thunder God technique?"
Orochimaru chuckled softly. "No. It's even faster than that."
Kabuto frowned. "Who is Hatake Yusuke, really? Should we be worried about him interfering with our plans?"
"Yusuke?" Orochimaru's smile widened slightly. "No. Just remember one thing—never anger him. I'll be leaving the village for a while. You continue the plan as scheduled and keep watch for me."
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama," Kabuto replied, pushing his glasses up nervously.
— — —
Time passed swiftly, and the day of the Chūnin Exam quarterfinals finally arrived.
"The first match: Uzumaki Naruto versus Hyūga Neji. Both contestants, please proceed to the arena."
Neji calmly stepped forward. But minutes passed, and Naruto was nowhere to be seen.
"Did Naruto chicken out?" someone in the crowd whispered.
"Wouldn't be surprising…"
"Since Uzumaki Naruto failed to appear, the next match—Sabaku no Gaara versus Uchiha Sasuke."
But neither Sasuke nor Kakashi had arrived either. Hayate Gekkō could only glance helplessly at the Third Hokage.
"Next up: Ōtsutsuki Toneri versus Nara Shikamaru."
"I… forfeit," Shikamaru muttered lazily, hands in his pockets.
Before he could leave, Ino pushed him forward. "You're already here, so fight!"
"The match between Ōtsutsuki Toneri and Nara Shikamaru will now begin!"
Shikamaru sighed and formed a hand seal. A dark shadow crept forward along the ground, reaching toward Toneri.
Toneri jumped lightly, avoiding it, and threw several kunai toward Shikamaru.
But instead of flying straight, they curved awkwardly, scattering around the arena.
"Hah! Those throws are worse than Academy students!" one Chūnin laughed.
"Seriously, what kind of aim was that?" another joined in.
"Looks like Shikamaru's got this one," Ino said with a confident grin.
But Asuma Sarutobi's expression was grim. He could sense it—something wasn't right.
Then it happened.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The kunai that had seemed to miss suddenly collided mid-air, ricocheting and embedding themselves around Shikamaru—forming a circular trap.
"Damn it," Shikamaru hissed. He had seen through the trick too late.
He rolled back, dodging the last kunai, but a shallow cut appeared on his arm. He retreated into the shadows, trying to regain his composure.
"This guy… he's a pain," Shikamaru muttered under his breath.
Above Toneri's head, a faint silhouette appeared.
"This is it! Shadow Possession Jutsu!"
But Toneri had already sensed it—he sidestepped effortlessly, eyes calm and unreadable.
Two kunai came flying toward him, both wrapped in explosive tags. The arena shook as the explosion engulfed Toneri in thick smoke.
When it cleared, Toneri stood unharmed, walking slowly out of the haze.
"Lightning Release: Chidori," he said softly. Sparks crackled around his right hand as blue lightning gathered and screamed in his palm.
"Wait, what?! That's Kakashi's technique!"
"That kid's a monster! Shikamaru doesn't stand a chance!" Asuma shouted, eyes wide.
Even the Jōnin around the arena tensed. The Chidori was notoriously unstable and dangerous—nearly impossible to control without the Sharingan.
Toneri vanished in a blur, moving so fast that only streaks of lightning remained in his wake.
"He's too fast!" someone gasped.
Asuma clenched his fists. "This is bad! Without the Sharingan, that jutsu will tear his arm apart—and Shikamaru's right in its path!"
But the strike didn't land.
Toneri's lightning-charged hand passed right beside Shikamaru's cheek, leaving only a faint tingling in the air. The Chidori dissipated silently.
Shikamaru froze, wide-eyed. The sound of electricity still echoed in his ears, his heart pounding.
"Did he… miss on purpose?" Asuma whispered.
"No," the Third Hokage murmured, eyes narrowing. "He compensated for the lack of Sharingan in another way…"
He stared intently at the boy on the arena floor.
"That sensory ability… it's beyond normal chakra perception. It's almost like—Observation Haki."
Toneri stood calmly in the center of the arena, his silver hair fluttering lightly. His eyes were closed—completely closed—yet his movements were flawless, precise, and terrifyingly efficient.
He didn't need to see his opponent.
He could already feel everything around him.
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