Chapter 135: Might Guy's Youth
"Even Shisui lost?" Obito Uchiha's expression was as if he'd seen a ghost. They both had the two-tomoe Sharingan, but Shisui's skill was far superior to his, yet he still lost to Hoshikawa . Did he really have to wait until he had a three-tomoe Sharingan to even stand a chance? And when would that even happen?
Obito looked at Rin. She was smiling brightly, congratulating Hoshikawa . He suddenly felt an immense bitterness, wanting nothing more than to take Hoshikawa down right then and there.
Argh! This is so frustrating! Obito's emotions fluctuated wildly, and his aura turned cold.
"That was a really cool win!" Kurenai Yuhi jogged over, grabbed Hoshikawa 's hand, and smiled sweetly.
Seeing this, Rin Nohara quietly took a half-step back, not wanting to intrude on their moment.
"Just luck," Hoshikawa said humbly.
Asuma Sarutobi looked as if he was about to say something, but he stopped himself. He finally understood that sometimes, being humble was even more infuriating.
"Shisui, you did great," Shizune said, comforting her teammate.
"Losing to Hoshikawa -senpai was something I expected," Shisui Uchiha said with a smile, not bothered at all. "Besides, I learned a lot from our match."
"You really don't act like an Uchiha," Shizune said, glancing at the gloomy-faced Obito not far away. The difference in their reactions to losing was night and day.
"It's starting again!" Might Guy said, looking at the big screen excitedly. "It's my turn!"
Hoshikawa was surprised. Might Guy's opponent was Asuma Sarutobi. Was Hiruzen Sarutobi doing this because he thought Kurenai and Kakashi Hatake would be a tougher match for him? If so, the Third Hokage might be making a miscalculation.
"Asuma!" Might Guy's body radiated an intense fighting spirit. "Let's have a youthful showdown!"
"Your taijutsu is impressive, but I'm sorry, I'm going to be the one who wins!" Asuma snorted. Back in the Academy, he and Guy sparred often, and he almost always won. Taijutsu-only ninja were naturally at a disadvantage against ninjutsu users, who could keep them at a distance. Of course, there was another reason: Guy never used the Eight Inner Gates.
The two looked at each other and walked to the center of the arena, standing face to face.
"Guy! The time has come to prove your youth! Don't have any regrets!" a voice filled with both strength and a hint of a sob called out. It was Might Duy, in the stands.
"Yes, Father!" Guy's eyes welled up with tears, and his body trembled with excitement.
Asuma's mouth twitched. He suddenly felt a surge of sympathy for Kakashi. It must be painful being his teammate.
"Guy! Take them off!" Duy shouted.
Take what off? Asuma was confused. Just then, two loud thuds startled him. Guy had removed the heavy leg weights from his ankles, and they hit the ground, kicking up dust.
Asuma's eyes widened. What the hell? He's been wearing those incredibly heavy weights this whole time?
"Here I come, Asuma! Leaf Whirlwind!" Guy yelled. As soon as the words left his mouth, he became a green blur, shooting forward.
So fast! Asuma's heart pounded, and he had no time to form hand signs. He instinctively raised his arms to block.
CRACK!
A shockwave erupted. Asuma was sent back two steps by the immense force of the kick.
"Leaf Great Whirlwind!" Guy pressed his advantage, his body spinning for a powerful roundhouse kick. Gusts of wind rushed toward Asuma, making him feel a bit suffocated.
This is absurd! He never expected to be on the back foot from the very start.
Whirlwind Fist!
In the nick of time, Asuma gripped his chakra blade and punched out. Guy, being flesh and blood, naturally didn't dare to take the chakra blade head-on. With a shout, his body accelerated again. He lowered his leg, avoided the chakra blade, and sent Asuma flying with a kick.
BANG!
Asuma crashed into the ground, kicking up a huge cloud of dust.
On the high platform, Hiruzen's expression froze. Will he lose? Just as Hoshikawa had thought, Hiruzen didn't pay much attention to taijutsu-only ninja. In fact, you could see it from the original story; it wasn't until after Might Duy died that he realized the village had such a powerful taijutsu master. It wasn't just Konoha; it was the same in Sunagakure, too. Shira, who created the Seven Heavens Breathing Method and fought Lee to a stalemate, couldn't even become a ninja at first.
"It's not that easy!" Asuma leaped to his feet, his face taking on an extremely serious expression as he looked at Guy.
Wind Release: Dust Cloud Jutsu!
He formed hand signs and exhaled a cloud of dust. Guy charged into it and immediately lost his vision. In the next second, a wave of heat followed.
Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu!
Asuma didn't stop, unleashing a straight line of fire that instantly reached Guy.
"Dynamic Leaf Whirlwind!" Guy focused chakra into his leg and kicked out with full force. A large amount of fire scattered.
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
Asuma remained calm and composed, continuing to unleash jutsu. Chakra turned into a whirlwind and immediately engulfed Guy. Guy's expression changed, and he launched another kick.
Wind Release: Gale Palm!
Asuma clapped his hands together. The wind was highly compressed, then released like a fountain. Guy couldn't dodge in time and was sent flying.
"Good!" Asuma let out a sigh of relief. His strategy was working. Taijutsu ninja lacked long-range fighting ability and couldn't withstand ninjutsu or ninja tools head-on, so all they could do was dodge. The tide of the battle had turned, and Guy was now on the defensive, caught in a barrage of ninjutsu.
"Guy!" Just then, Duy shouted, "I grant you permission!"
Asuma's eyebrow twitched. Again? What are you two doing?!
"Eight Inner Gates!" Guy's body glowed with a green aura. "Gate of Opening, open! Gate of Healing, open! Gate of Life, open!"
"What?" Asuma was stunned. Guy had used the Eight Inner Gates twice before—once in a spar with Hoshikawa and once when he challenged Tsunade—but Asuma hadn't been there either time, so he had no idea.
"Watch out, Asuma!" Guy shouted excitedly. "Front Lotus!" His body moved with extreme speed. Before Asuma could even react, he felt himself being lifted into the air. His vision spun. Asuma immediately felt something was wrong. An intense sense of danger washed over him, but he was already wrapped in bandages and couldn't move.
BOOM!
The two of them slammed into the ground. Dust billowed, rocks flew, and a shockwave swept out from their impact.
"Asuma-senpai!" Shisui's face paled, and he subconsciously shouted. They were teammates and had a good relationship, so seeing this, he was naturally worried.
"Don't worry," Hoshikawa said, his eyes narrowing slightly, then casually added, "He's fine."
The dust cleared. Hiruzen Sarutobi's figure appeared. In his hand was a startled and shaken Asuma.
"Lord—Lord Hokage?!" Guy was stunned, then looked pleasantly surprised.
"You did very well," Hiruzen said, letting go of Asuma and complimenting him.
"R-Really?" Guy's body trembled.
"Of course," Hiruzen said with a smile. Although it was a shame that Asuma lost, he had discovered a great talent because of it, which was a fair trade.
"Father! Did you see that?!" Guy spun around and shouted. A figure appeared; it was Might Duy. The two looked at each other, then embraced, crying tears of joy.
Hiruzen's smile froze. What is happening right now?
"I lost," Asuma said with a weary expression.
"What's with that face?" Hiruzen shook his head. "You have no reason to feel bad about losing to the Eight Inner Gates. Just try harder next time." He then returned to the high platform. Inoichi should have been the one to intervene just now, but his concern for Asuma had made him break the rules.
"Might Guy wins!" Inoichi announced, looking at the hugging father and son with a slight headache. "Please leave the arena."
"It's my turn!" Kurenai said, taking a deep breath. There were only six contestants left in the third round, and now with only her and Kakashi remaining, they didn't need to draw lots.
"Just do your best," Hoshikawa said, reaching out and stroking her head. Although Kurenai's strength had increased greatly, her chances against Kakashi were still slim. In simple terms, it was a mage fighting an assassin; the first one to make a mistake would lose.
"Okay, I know," Kurenai said, looking at Hoshikawa and giving him a brilliant smile.
"I feel like we don't need to say anything anymore," Shizune said quietly, after watching them.
Asuma's face was crestfallen. Not only did he lose to Guy, but now he had to deal with a double dose of public displays of affection?
Rin pursed her lips. For some reason, she felt a little envious.
Kakashi walked to the center of the arena with a calm expression. All the excitement was for others; he had nothing. But he understood why. Everyone was instinctively comforting the friend who was more likely to lose. If he were to face Hoshikawa , everyone would probably be comforting him.
Kakashi looked at Kurenai across from him and slowly drew his short sword. They had sparred many times in the Academy and knew each other's strengths.
"Begin!" Inoichi shouted.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu!
Kurenai didn't hesitate, spewing a water dragon from her mouth. Kakashi stepped forward, his body instantly disappearing. His short sword came from the right side, aimed at Kurenai.
Water Release: Heavenly Tears!
Kurenai opened her mouth, and a torrent of water needles, like senbon, flew out. Kakashi was startled. That didn't require hand signs? He instinctively retreated but was still too slow, taking one of the needles in his left arm.
Kakashi's expression didn't change as he moved forward again, his short sword moving in a blur, creating a blinding flurry of strikes.
Water Release: Water Formation Wall!
A wall of water rose in front of Kurenai, blocking the sword strikes. Before she could sigh in relief, she heard a sound above her head. A flash of light fell from the sky.
Water Release: Water Blade Slash!
Kurenai instinctively gripped her kunai and raised it.
CLANG!
The immense force made her stumble backward. The moment her eyes met Kakashi's, she formed a hand sign.
Fox's Mind Technique!
Kakashi's body went stiff for a moment. Did it work? Just as Kurenai regained her balance, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned and saw another Kakashi.
"I yield," Kurenai said simply. She was used to losing to Kakashi, so she didn't mind much. Besides, having made it to the third round, becoming a chūnin was probably a sure thing.
.........
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