"Hatake Kakashi is the victor!"
Hiruko quickly announced the end of the battle after seeing Zabuza only talking without moving.
Soon, medical ninjas rushed down to carry the injured Zabuza away.
Lying on the stretcher, Zabuza's mind was filled with countless thoughts. This trip to Konoha had been quite a shock for him, but what he regretted the most was the battle he just lost with Kakashi.
He was defeated without having much chance to fight back, and he felt Kakashi probably wouldn't enjoy such a battle, which added to his regrets.
With the final match of the second round concluded, the hall welcomed a break in between rounds.
Although contestants could rest while other participants fought, ninja battles moved so quickly that while there were plenty of battles in the first round, the second round had just four matches, which offered little time for rest.
"Kakashi, what was all that battle wisdom you used, when you could've solved it more easily and..." Obito began grumbling about Kakashi's combat strategy as soon as Kakashi entered the resting room.
"To get revenge for the Forest of Death incident, isn't that a reason?" Kakashi interrupted.
Obito was left speechless; dealing a heavy blow due to personal grudges didn't seem out of line.
At this moment, there were only four people in the resting room: Kakashi, Obito, Might Guy, all resting and chatting, while Kisame was sitting in a corner with his eyes closed, waiting for the exam to resume.
Meanwhile, the audience munched on snacks and discussed the remaining four contestants' capabilities.
Up till now, none of the four candidates could be considered weak, with each one's performance being exceptionally strong—Hoshigaki Kisame could transform the battlefield into a domain of water, and Might Guy had an exaggeratedly powerful taijutsu display.
If Hokage technology had reached the point of online streaming, even a short break online would lead to hundreds, if not thousands, of posts debating their combat prowess.
"Hoshigaki Kisame versus Might Guy! Contestants, please make your way to the arena," Hiruko called out after the break ended.
Might Guy wore a bright smile as he confidently strode towards the battlefield, with Kisame opening his eyes and following behind.
All the spectators focused intently on the center of the arena, for this match was of great importance to this joint Chunin Examination.
If Might Guy were to win, it would signify a complete victory for Konoha, leading to an internal showdown among Konoha ninja in the finals.
But if Hoshigaki Kisame won, then even if Hidden Mist lost the finals, their honor would be somewhat preserved, as reaching the finals implied they were on the same level.
Konoha's audience cheered enthusiastically for Might Guy, while the Hidden Mist ninjas silently prayed for Kisame's victory in their hearts.
"Remember me, don't you? This time, I'm in peak condition and won't lose again," Kisame said with a shark-like grin.
Might Guy looked at Kisame's face, scratching his head, vaguely hearing Hiruko mention the name Hoshigaki; matching it with previous conversations in memory, Guy figured out his opponent's name.
"Hoshigaki Homen, and this time, I'll win too!" Might Guy declared confidently.
Kisame looked puzzled at Might Guy. Who was Hoshigaki Homen? He had no idea.
Kisame conceded to Might Guy absurdity, remembering that he hadn't remembered his name during the Forest of Death report, and even today, after the judge called his name three times, including just now, he still got it wrong.
"Is he deliberately trying to provoke me, causing me to make mistakes under pressure?" Kisame thought he had identified the reason behind Guy's tactic.
He never expected someone with such prominent eyebrows and muscles like Might Guy to use psychological tactics before the battle, which changed Guy's image in Kisame's mind.
"Let the battle commence!" Hiruko announced on cue.
"Eight Gates: Opening Gate, open! Healing Gate, open! Life Gate, open!" Might Guy instantly opened three gates, his body surging with chakra.
"Breath of Rock, Full Concentration!" At the same time, Guy shifted his breathing, concentrating it to greatly enhance his physical abilities.
Having fought Kisame once, he knew Kisame's approximate strength, so he attacked with full force without any probing.
"Water Release: Bursting Water Wave!"
Knowing of Guy's formidable taijutsu, Kisame didn't hesitate for a second. As soon as Hiruko's words ended, he rapidly retreated, forming signs to release a large volume of water toward Guy.
Guy leaped to dodge the massive wave, after which the entire field turned into something like a large pond, with Guy forced to battle atop the water.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bomb Jutsu!"
After using Bursting Water Wave, Kisame quickly formed signs for an offensive water release, conjuring a massive water dragon to crash into Might Guy.
"Leaf Strong Whirlwind!"
Might Guy concentrated power into his foot, delivering a Tornado Kick with overwhelming force that shattered the water dragon into watery fragments, scattering in all directions.
Though only about five feet tall, Guy seemed insignificant before the massive water dragon, yet such was the size discrepancy that Guy's single kick shattered it.
At that moment, the immense power of the Eight Gates combined with the Breath of Rock was displayed vividly, prompting many observing ninjas to inhale sharply, witnessing real taijutsu versus ninjutsu strength clash.
"Guy!" his father, Might Duy, shouted his name loudly with pride, as Might Guy's early risings and late return from training were not in vain, aimed precisely for moments like this.
Shiranui Genma and Ebisu exchanged glances, feeling that being grouped like this was perhaps a stroke of luck, as having such a powerhouse in the team filled them with a sense of security on missions.
Even after battling Might Guy once, Kisame's eyelid twitched wildly upon witnessing Guy's formidable taijutsu again.