Under the gaze of countless eyes, the ice crystal dragon slammed into Gaara. Shards of frozen mist burst into the air, and the dust kicked up swirled together with the icy wind, rising high above the arena.
In that instant, as the frigid air spread with the smoke and dust, even the spectators felt the chill sweep across their faces. A thin layer of frost clung to their skin from just a single breath of the cold wind.
Shivers ran through the audience.
At the center of the field, the ice exploded with terrifying force. The shards carried such hardness that they embedded themselves deep into the stone walls.
Shigure stood amidst the storm of snow, each flake curling around his feet as he advanced step by step toward Gaara.
Gaara staggered, clawing his way out of the frozen sand that bound him. He glared at Shigure, raising his hand to command Shukaku's sand once more.
But in the very next moment, Shigure's hand seized his. Ice bloomed instantly, freezing the sand solid and locking Gaara in place.
A violent shudder ran through Gaara's body. His frame quaked as the cold gnawed at him.
"It's over," Shigure said evenly. "Do you still want to continue?"
His voice held no malice, only calm resolve. If Gaara pressed on, Shigure knew he'd have no choice but to freeze him entirely. This boy wasn't someone who would surrender easily.
Blood trickled down Gaara's face, his eyes blazing with rage. He glared at Shigure, unwilling to yield.
But then—Shigure lifted his hand and flicked his fingers. A pulse of chakra flowed into Gaara. Healing energy coursed through his wounds, knitting flesh and stopping the bleeding in moments.
Gaara froze, stunned. Why? Why would this enemy heal him?
"Confused?" Shigure asked lightly. "The match is over. We don't bear each other hatred. Isn't it natural to heal you?"
Gaara's tense hands slowly lowered. The anger in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a bewildered calm. His chakra reserves remained drained, but the storm inside him settled.
"The winner—Moonlight Shigure!"
The instant Gekkō Hayate declared the result, the stadium erupted. The audience forgot about the cold, shouting and cheering Shigure's name with unrestrained passion.
This was a battle worthy of true shinobi.
The brilliance of ninjutsu had been laid bare. To see it wielded with such creativity—sand and snow clashing in forms unseen before—was intoxicating. Many in the stands felt only awe…and envy.
Kakashi, watching from above, let out a sigh.
"This kid… he just keeps getting more and more outrageous."
At first, Shigure had only shown slightly above-average taijutsu, with swordsmanship that was unexpectedly sharp. But now, even his ninjutsu had reached astonishing heights.
The rate at which Shigure grew was beyond belief.
The cheers had barely begun when a figure suddenly appeared behind Shigure without a sound.
Kakashi froze mid-step, his instincts screaming at him to attack—yet he stopped cold.
Because the person standing behind Shigure was none other than the Fifth Mizukage.
Why would a Kage suddenly rush onto the arena floor?
She wouldn't act recklessly, would she? With the daimyō present, and the eyes of the entire shinobi world on this exam, surely the Mizukage wouldn't risk her village's honor.
Kakashi's gaze shifted instinctively to the Third Hokage. Hiruzen's brow furrowed. Though uncertain of her intent, he gestured for Kakashi to move closer, ready to intervene should things escalate.
Orochimaru, observing from the stands, narrowed his eyes. This was yet another unforeseen development. For a moment, doubt flickered—should he proceed with his plan? But he quickly dismissed the thought. So many variables had changed, but the heart of his scheme remained intact. All that mattered now was him and Hiruzen.
As he readied himself, the Mizukage's voice rang out.
"You! You're not a shinobi of Konoha!"
Gasps rippled through the audience. What was the Mizukage talking about? Why accuse Shigure here, in front of everyone?
"Your Ice Release… it is the kekkei genkai of the Yuki Clan of Kirigakure. You are a surviving heir of their bloodline!"
The arena fell utterly silent.
Even Orochimaru faltered, turning toward her with a faintly amused expression. So this was her goal? She had come all this way for a boy?
Shigure, meanwhile, was struck speechless. What? The Yuki Clan?
Nonsense. He was a member of the Moonlight Clan—and not by accident. Even if he was a traveler in this world, his kekkei genkai was his own creation. He had forged Ice Release himself, through relentless experimentation and insight. How could she suddenly claim him as part of the Yuki Clan?
"Kage-sama!"
Kakashi leapt down, landing protectively behind Shigure.
"Even if what you say is true, what do you intend by storming the arena at such a time? This is the Chūnin Exams."
Mei Terumī's eyes locked on Shigure, one hand already reaching out as if to seize him.
"Of course. We will return those who belong to Kirigakure—back to Kirigakure."
Shigure blinked, bewildered. Bring me back? To the Mist?
"You've got to be kidding me…"
"Kage-sama," Shigure finally spoke up, his tone sharp. "Even if Ice Release once belonged to the Yuki Clan, does that mean no other shinobi can wield it? I developed it myself!"
A murmur swept through the crowd at his words.
Mei's expression hardened. "Foolish boy. Do you think creating a kekkei genkai is so simple? Even if you believe you developed it yourself, the truth is that your bloodline carries the Yuki heritage."
Shigure's mouth twitched. What kind of twisted logic is that…?
Before he could answer, Mei's voice softened into a whisper only he could hear.
"Boy, perhaps you feel no loyalty to the Mist. But compared to Konoha… Kirigakure will give you freedom. Here, your talents would be unleashed. You could even inherit the title of Sixth Mizukage."
Her eyes flickered with quiet conviction.
"But if you remain in Konoha… nothing is certain. Don't be fooled. This village hides a darkness far deeper than the Mist."
Shigure's gaze sharpened. He knew exactly whom she meant—Danzō. Perhaps even the Hokage himself.
The spectators erupted in whispers.
"Is he really not from Konoha?"
"How could someone from Konoha have a kekkei genkai from another village?"
"Maybe he's a descendant of those who fled the Mist years ago?"
"That's… possible…"
BOOM!
Before the debate could continue, a violent crash rang out. Orochimaru struck, launching his assault directly at the Third Hokage.
And from above, pure white feathers began drifting down, a genjutsu settling over the arena.
...
TN:
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