Chapter 128: Unexpectedly Fast
The spectators cheered loudly. The semifinals had been spectacular, and their expectations for the finals were even higher.
However, the ninja didn't share the same enthusiasm. They knew both genin had less than half their chakra remaining.
Sakai Yumi was unlikely to pull off any more surprises, and Kaito hadn't used anything particularly flashy yet.
Renjiro and Hiruzen, who understood Kaito's true abilities, knew this battle would be one-sided.
Kaito and Sakai Yumi locked eyes. Sakai Yumi's eyes were blue and focused, while Kaito's were as black as midnight.
Inoichi Yamanaka raised his hand. "The final match begins now! Get in position... start!"
Sakai Yumi expected Kaito to open with his usual Wind Blast technique. She retreated while forming hand seals.
However, Kaito changed his approach. He used Body Flicker while simultaneously forming hand seals!
Sakai Yumi's eyes widened in surprise. Kaito appeared behind her and unleashed his jutsu. "Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
Sakai Yumi immediately spun around.
She recognized the hand seals and quickly countered. "Water Style: Water Wall!"
Her water barrier formed rapidly, but the distance was too close. The wall slowed the wind blast, but Sakai Yumi was still hit by the technique.
She was sent flying backward with tremendous force. As she skidded across the ground, she plunged a kunai into the earth to stop herself.
The moment she stabilized, another kunai appeared directly in front of her face.
Sakai Yumi's eyes widened when she noticed an explosive tag attached to it. She immediately leaped left.
Kaito noticed her dodge and Body Flickered directly into the turbulent windstream he'd created.
Sakai Yumi didn't expect Kaito to enter his own dangerous technique.
She was distracted by the explosive tag's detonation, and her gaze shifted from Kaito for just a few seconds.
Kaito used those precious seconds to strike! He suddenly appeared in front of her, attacking with a kunai.
Sakai Yumi was caught off guard. She didn't have time to perform any jutsu. She raised her kunai to block while trying to dodge.
Their kunai clashed. Kaito's wind-chakra-enhanced blade easily sliced through hers.
Sakai Yumi had anticipated this and had already stepped back.
But Kaito stepped forward simultaneously, placing his kunai at her throat. The wind chakra flowing around the blade made a small cut on her neck.
He looked into her eyes and said calmly, "Surrender."
Unlike Uchiha Mieko, Sakai Yumi couldn't be certain that Kaito wouldn't actually kill her. The battle had barely begun, and she'd been completely overwhelmed.
Aside from that hastily formed Water Wall, she hadn't had a chance to use any other ninjutsu.
Kaito noticed Sakai Yumi hesitating and gently pushed the kunai forward. Sakai Yumi gritted her teeth. "I surrender!"
Kaito stopped the chakra flow in his kunai, withdrew it, turned, and walked away.
Inoichi Yamanaka was genuinely surprised by how quickly the battle had ended. It hadn't even lasted a few minutes! He announced loudly, "The winner of the Chunin Exams is Kaito!"
Upon hearing this, Renjiro smiled with satisfaction.
The civilian spectators were stunned! As soon as Inoichi Yamanaka had announced the start, a powerful wind had swept through the arena! Within that wind, they'd heard an explosion.
That was it! The wind hadn't even died down, and Inoichi Yamanaka had already declared the winner! They hadn't even seen any real combat! Many felt cheated.
The ninja were also very surprised by how quickly and one-sidedly the battle had concluded!
Genma commented dryly, "Well, that was certainly fast!"
Ibiki nodded. "Yes—fast and efficient. If this were a real battlefield, he could have easily killed her."
Kaito noticed the dissatisfaction rippling through the crowd. He thought to himself, If this were my previous world, people would definitely be throwing bottles and trash into the arena right now.
Seeing the crowd's disappointment, Hiruzen sighed helplessly.
The announcer declared Kaito the champion of the third round of the Chunin Exams.
Immediately after, Hiruzen stood and addressed the audience.
"As everyone knows, last year's record for the second round of the Chunin Exams was broken when a Konoha team passed in five hours and thirty minutes."
"However, that record was shattered again this year by the genin team consisting of Kaito, Uchiha Mieko, and Hyuga Hodaka. They completed the second round in just forty-seven minutes!"
The crowd erupted in astonishment and immediately cheered loudly. The feudal lords also took notice of this announcement. After all, it signified the emergence of exceptional young talent in Konoha.
Hiruzen continued, "As a reward for such outstanding performance, I will personally teach Kaito, Mieko, and Hodaka one jutsu each!"
This announcement shocked many ninja for several reasons.
First, Hiruzen hadn't personally taught anyone in a long time. Second, he was known as "The Professor," indicating his vast knowledge of ninjutsu.
Finally, his dominant role in the First and Second Great Ninja Wars had earned him the title "The God of Shinobi"! For any ninja, receiving his guidance and instruction was a tremendous honor.
However, unlike the shocked ninja, Kaito's eye twitched involuntarily. He thought cynically, What a cheap old man! This way he doesn't have to spend any actual money! Plus he gets a break from boring paperwork by pretending to teach us!
Kaito bowed respectfully. However, as he bowed, another realization struck him. Wait! That's not all. He just announced our achievements—and Itachi's team achievements too. This isn't just for the public, but also for the feudal lords. This way, he can secure more funding and better missions from them!
What a cunning old fox! I thought I could trick a decent reward out of him. Instead, after using us for publicity, he just gave us a token reward!
Kaito both admired and resented Hiruzen's methods! He'd effortlessly gained political capital, secured better missions, escaped paperwork, and enhanced his reputation—all in one move!
Watching the shocked and amazed expressions throughout the crowd, Hiruzen smiled. The effect was exactly as he'd anticipated.
However, he would never know that the eleven-year-old genin bowing before him had thoroughly analyzed his entire scheme!
Nevertheless, even if Hiruzen knew, he wouldn't react negatively. Instead, he'd probably hand the boy over to Nara Shikaku to further develop his analytical abilities.
A ninja who can see through schemes is always useful. A ninja who can see through schemes, set up counter-schemes, and exploit others' schemes is invaluable!
After Hiruzen's speech concluded, the Chunin Exams officially ended. The crowd began to disperse.
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