Among the Five Great Nations of the ninja world, the Land of Fire possessed the most fertile territory—a land where the chakra of Ashura and Indra had intertwined through reincarnation for countless generations.
By contrast, the Land of Lightning held a different kind of inheritance. It possessed Six Paths–era ninja tools, as well as the bloodline remnants of the Sage of Six Paths himself: Kinkaku and Ginkaku. From all known records, Kumogakure's connection to the legacy of the Six Paths was second only to Konoha's.
In recent days, Roshi's Wood Clone had been checking the mountain forests surrounding Kumogakure—and with notable results. Several previously undocumented, cold-resistant tree species had already been cataloged.
His gaze drifted toward a deeper mountain hollow, veiled in mist, where the vegetation grew unnaturally dense. There might be further discoveries waiting there.
He advanced cautiously, each step light and deliberate, careful not to leave any trace behind. Even though he had already altered his appearance with a Transformation Jutsu, caution was never excessive.
As his foot came down on a rock thickly carpeted with moss, an almost imperceptible sensation traveled up his leg—distinctly different from ordinary stone or soil.
…A barrier formula?
The instant the thought surfaced, the Wood Clone reacted without hesitation. It sprang backward, retreating to a safe distance before dispelling itself outright.
Back at the Chūnin Exams venue outside the Kumo, Roshi's eyes flicked briefly toward the Fourth Raikage's seat.
If that barrier had been set by Kumogakure, there would be a response soon enough. Which raised a troubling question—what exactly were they guarding?
Roshi returned his attention to the arena.
Today was the final match of the team competition: Konoha's Ninth Squad versus Kumogakure's First Squad—the very outcome he had anticipated.
Hayate and Yūgao had proven themselves formidable throughout the tournament. Not only were they individually strong, but in this kind of structured competition, their coordination was overwhelming. Their teamwork had been flawless so far, securing victory after victory with apparent ease.
Their opponents, however, were no less dangerous.
Kumogakure's First Squad included not only the already notorious Darui and C, but also a ninja named Jiei—whose strength was far from negligible. In both potential and execution, the upper and lower limits of this team clearly surpassed Konoha's Ninth Squad.
"Team Finals! Kumogakure Team One versus Konoha Team Nine—begin!"
The referee's voice rang out, and the battlefield erupted into motion.
Hayate and Yūgao moved as one. Steel flashed as their blades traced intersecting arcs, offense and defense flowing seamlessly into one another. Their coordination was so precise that even the Kumogakure audience watched with undisguised interest.
Darui had already observed their fighting style over the previous rounds.
Clashing head-on with their strengths would be foolish.
"Water Release: Water Wall!"
A torrent burst from his mouth, forming a surging barrier. Without pause, his hand seals shifted.
"Lightning Release: Grateful Wave!"
Lightning coursed through the water, electrifying it as massive waves surged toward the three Konoha ninja, crackling with lethal arcs of chakra.
"Fall back!"
The warning was aimed at Iruka.
As the only truly ordinary participant on the field, Iruka reacted instantly—leaping backward while hurling several shuriken in an attempt to disrupt the attack. The effort was futile. The lightning-infused water swallowed the projectiles without slowing.
The wave swelled further, pressing forward relentlessly.
Seeing this, the two unmasked Anbu exchanged a silent understanding and leapt upward simultaneously, attempting to break through from above.
That was when C finally moved.
He flashed to the front of his team, hands snapping together in a single fluid motion.
"Lightning Release Genjutsu: Lightning Illusion Flash Pillar!"
In an instant, an unbearable flash exploded outward, centered on C. The light was so intense it seemed to tear vision apart.
Caught midair with no footing, Hayate and Yūgao instinctively shut their eyes. Their movements stalled for a split second—and on a battlefield, a single moment was more than enough.
What followed was Darui's decisive blow, unleashed at precisely the right moment.
Hayate and Yūgao were sent crashing down into the flooded section of the arena, where arcs of lightning still writhed across the water's surface. The instant they made contact, a violent numbness surged through their bodies, locking their muscles in place and rendering them temporarily unable to rise.
Iruka fared no better.
While attempting to provide support, he was swiftly intercepted by Jiei and defeated without ceremony.
He lay flat on his back, staring up at the sliver of sky framed by the jagged stone walls high above the arena. A bitter taste welled up in his chest. After this match, his confidence in ever reaching the rank of Chūnin had taken a serious blow.
Whether it was his own teammates—or the Kumogakure ninja standing opposite them—these were heights he could not yet hope to reach.
"The outcome is decided! The winner—Team One of Kumogakure!"
The referee's declaration echoed through the arena, followed by an explosion of cheers. The Kumogakure spectators, in particular, were ecstatic.
"See?! Konoha's nothing special!"
"Well done, Darui!"
"This is the power of Kumogakure!"
The shouts overlapped and surged like a tide.
Roshi rose calmly from his seat, his expression unreadable. He had witnessed a similar scene just a year ago in Konoha—when Itachi had claimed victory with overwhelming dominance. Home-field advantage, the exhilaration of triumph… it was all much the same, regardless of the village.
As for the Transparent Release, Hayate never revealed it—when the gap in strength was this clear, whether it was exposed or not would not have altered the outcome.
Team Nine had already demonstrated Konoha's strength in the earlier rounds. That, in itself, was sufficient.
Roshi watched as the three in the arena helped one another to their feet, then turned and left the stands.
Inside the temporary rest area, the atmosphere was heavy and subdued.
The defeated members of Team Nine sat gathered in a corner. Iruka kept his head lowered, shoulders slumped. Though Hayate and Yūgao showed no outward frustration, the tension in their tightly pressed lips betrayed their unwillingness to accept the loss.
Around them, the other Konoha Genin were equally silent. The thunderous cheers from the arena seemed to linger in their ears, making the quiet here feel almost suffocating.
Roshi entered, his gaze briefly sweeping across the room.
As the team leader, he knew he should say something—but at this moment, any words would be hollow.
Instead, he simply confirmed that none of the three had sustained serious injuries, then said evenly, "Let's go. We're returning to base."
There was no reproach in his voice, nor any attempt at consolation.
Everyone rose in silence and began gathering their things.
Just then, footsteps and lively chatter drifted in from the entrance.
The Kumogakure group had arrived, seemingly on their way back to the village.
"Darui-nii! That move just now was incredible—super hot!" Atsui, Samui's energetic younger brother, crowded around Darui, his face glowing with admiration.
Darui merely scratched at his hair lazily, showing little reaction. The Fourth Raikage had already informed him that this Konoha squad was specially arranged, but to him, this result had been expected. There was little reason to feel excited.
C, too, remained composed, though his gaze occasionally flicked toward the departing Konoha ninja.
"It's such a shame I didn't get to see Darui-nii in a real sword fight!" Atsui continued. "If only I'd been able to participate—"
"Atsui."
Samui's cool voice cut him off.
Only then did the Kumogakure group notice the Konoha ninja preparing to leave.
Darui's eyes scanned the room and settled on the young Konoha team leader.
The Fourth Raikage's stern expression seemed to reappear in his mind.
That man… He can calmly pursue the greatest benefit for his village, regardless of circumstance.
A man praised by both the Tsuchikage and the Raikage.
Already a Jōnin, already able to sit across from a Kage as an equal—while Darui himself, despite all expectations, still carried the title of Genin and stood on this stage.
A faint, complex emotion stirred in his chest.
He spoke first.
"Roshi-san."
Roshi paused and turned, meeting Darui's gaze calmly.
After a brief moment, Darui continued, "It's a pity you became a Jōnin so early."
Roshi's expression didn't change.
"Is that so?" he replied flatly.
"Then I suppose… it is a pity."
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