After Minato's match concluded, it was quickly Kushina's turn to face her opponent in the arena.
Despite being on such an important stage, Kushina felt unexpectedly disheartened. She could not help the sinking feeling in her chest as she stepped forward. After all, this was the Chunin Exam, yet for three rounds straight, her matches had not been officiated by Uchiha Hayashi, but by the white‑haired referee standing before her.
Did I accidentally offend the Nine‑Tails jinchuriki somewhere along the line?
Sakumo, looking puzzled, touched his cheek as if wondering out loud, "Do I really seem that unpopular?"
He paused and continued to murmur, "No wonder my blind dates have been going poorly recently, apparently I've just been imagining things."
Nearby, the blond‑haired Nawaki stood on stage, his expression a mix of despair and resentment. Others might not have known just how strong Kushina truly was, but Nawaki certainly did. It was no exaggeration to say that in this part of the Exam, anyone who crossed paths with the little fox would often surrender with a laugh rather than a fight.
That was the power of the Nine‑Tails.
At full strength, Kushina fought like a dominant force among ordinary shinobi.
"Hey, is this the Leaf Village Police Force kicking someone out for cheating? Hurry up and arrest her," someone joked, prompting laughter.
Nawaki felt his confidence plummet. After boasting for months that he was aiming for the championship, would he now be stopped at the quarterfinals?
This was humiliating.
"Kushina, go for it, beat Nawaki!" Uchiha Hayashi called out from beside the arena, joining in the crowd's support.
His voice was almost immediately drowned out by the audience's cheers, yet both Kushina and Nawaki heard it clearly.
Nawaki scowled fiercely, staring at Hayashi as if he wanted to shove hundreds of explosive tags into his stomach.
Kushina, on the other hand, brightened.
"Hayashi cheered for me, Kurama, did you hear that?" she called out enthusiastically.
"You should just focus on the match," Kurama replied from inside her chakra cage, sighing. She had always been reserved even when she liked someone two years ago, and Kushina's bold reaction now made her wonder if her host was becoming less shy with age. Kurama wondered vaguely if one day soon Kushina might be the one making the first romantic move.
For now, that worry stayed in the back of her mind.
At the signal from Sakumo, the match began in earnest. Nawaki charged forward with his blended ninjutsu and taijutsu style, his speed so fast that a gust of wind brushed Kushina's bangs aside.
Thanks to her recent training, Kushina's combat experience had risen sharply. She nimbly dodged Nawaki's punch and formed a hand blade with her left hand, aiming a quick strike toward his neck. A precise hit there, even without full force, could leave him dazed and off balance.
Nawaki glanced aside and lifted his leg to kick backward, forcing Kushina to pull back her hand blade.
Uchiha Hayashi, watching below the stage, was clear about both fighters' levels. In a standard exchange like this, Kushina would appear to be outmatched by Nawaki.
But this was Kushina.
Fully aware of her disadvantage, she pulled back with thoughtful precision. Then, in a flash, she gathered chakra and launched a projectile technique from her hand.
Wind Style, vacuous bombs, forming in swift succession and hurled fiercely toward Nawaki.
At the same time, Nawaki formed hand seals and activated Water Style, Rain Formation, a known mid‑range water ninjutsu.
A single drop of water shot out, floating in the air.
Then ten drops.
Then hundreds, and thousands more.
The water streamed forward like a barrage of needles, colliding with the incoming vacuous bombs.
The two techniques met in mid‑air, detonating and scattering shrapnel of wind and water everywhere. In the clear daytime sky, it looked as if a sudden heavy rain had begun.
Twenty minutes passed in this intense battle, and when the dust cleared, the arena was left in ruins. Nawaki, unable to maintain his footing, stumbled out of the smoke and collapsed face‑first on the ground.
"This match is won by Uzumaki Kushina," Sakumo announced from the platform.
Medical ninja rushed in immediately to carry away the unconscious Nawaki and the seriously injured Kushina.
Uchiha Hayashi exhaled with a sigh. Nawaki had fought with everything he had, even if he knew Kushina was stronger.
That was the way of the shinobi; no one gave up easily.
While Nawaki and Kushina fought their intense battle, Mikoto's match in the following bracket went much more smoothly. Her opponents came from other villages and were not nearly as formidable, allowing her to advance with only minor injuries.
With that fight concluded, the four semifinalists for the Chunin Exam were decided, and the Hidden Leaf Village surprisingly held three of the four spots. Whether the results were due to skill or manipulation was of little concern to the spectators. All that mattered was the Leaf Village's growing reputation for strength.
"There will be a two‑hour break before the semifinals begin this afternoon," Sakumo announced from the center of the arena.
The Third Hokage chuckled, rising to his feet.
"How about that, Kazekage‑san, Mizukage‑san," he said with a smile, "I've prepared a lavish banquet in your honor. I hope you will join us."
"I've always heard that the Leaf Village banquets are renowned, and I've yet to try one. I won't refuse," replied the Third Mizukage, rising politely in response.
The Third Kazekage on the side seemed reluctant, but with nowhere to refuse, he followed with a neutral expression. Sarutobi Hiruzen simply smiled, unfazed.
At the lunch gathering, Kushina turned to Hayashi, eating with energetic enthusiasm, and asked, "Why are there two chief examiners for this Chunin Exam?"
"There were also two for the second exam, Orochimaru‑sensei and Jiraiya‑ossan," Hayashi replied without directly answering, smoothly guiding the conversation.
"Could it be some kind of easter egg?" Minato guessed, contemplating.
Mikoto offered her opinion, "Maybe they've arranged some performance match with Sakumo‑senpai after the exams?"
Hayashi considered this, then explained, "The purpose of the Chunin Exam is to showcase a village's strength. Having multiple referees helps highlight that prestige. Originally, this match might have been slated for Orochimaru‑sensei and Jiraiya‑ossan, but they refused, so it ended up being our turn here."
Kushina patted Hayashi on the shoulder and teased, "Those who are capable work harder, huh? Don't lose in such a public setting."
Hayashi grinned, then asked with concern, "Are you sure you're alright? Your injuries looked serious. Have you seen a medical ninja?"
According to the bracket, Kushina was scheduled to face Minato that afternoon. Defeating Nawaki had already been arduous; Minato would be even more difficult.
Kushina smiled confidently, "It was mostly chakra exhaustion. Tsunade‑neechan already healed my external injuries, so I'm fine."
"Good to hear."
Just then, a voice echoed from the doorway.
"Ah, there you are."
Everyone looked up. The first thing they noticed was Tsunade's presence.
"I can't believe you found a restaurant in a place like this," she remarked as she pulled out a chair and sat, grabbing Hayashi's drink and taking a long gulp.
Hayashi swallowed his surprise and stayed silent.
Seeing Tsunade, Kushina quickly asked, "Neechan, how's Nawaki?"
Tsunade ordered food casually, as if she had always been part of the group, then turned and smiled.
"He's fine, just resting in the hospital. No need to worry."
Kushina relaxed.
Tsunade sipped her sake and commented, "I didn't expect him to fight this hard. After this, I can actually leave the village without worry for a bit."
Everyone had heard whispers of this matter since last year, so her confidence was not surprising.
Hayashi, still curious, asked, "Which room is Nawaki in? We can go see him later."
Tsunade considered, then replied, "The same room Mikoto stayed in last time."
Hayashi's face twisted into a strange expression.
That room had housed him, then Kushina, and then Mikoto. Now it was Nawaki's turn.
He glanced at Minato, who was still eating unbothered, then with a hint of warmth, he patted the young man's shoulder.
Whether he stayed or not, the hospital room remained, waiting silently without ever leaving.
"So, good luck to you."
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