Chapter 125: Vapor Style
After a short break, Hodaka and Sakai Yumi were called down to the arena.
Both took their stances. Hodaka immediately activated his Byakugan, while Sakai Yumi's eyes began to glow as she focused chakra into them, allowing her to see chakra signatures throughout the entire battle.
The Kirigakure genin watched nervously from the stands.
If they lost this match too, it would mean complete defeat against Konoha—a devastating blow to their village's reputation.
Inoichi Yamanaka raised his hand and announced, "The first semifinal match begins now. Ready... start!"
The moment he spoke, Hodaka rushed forward while forming hand seals. Sakai Yumi retreated while performing her own sequence.
"Earth Style: Stone Shuriken Jutsu!"
"Water Style: Water Wall!"
The stone projectiles were blocked by the rising water barrier. As soon as Hodaka's technique ended, Sakai Yumi quickly formed additional hand seals. The water wall transformed into dozens of water shuriken that rained down on Hodaka's position.
Hodaka slammed his hands on the ground. "Earth Style: Rock Shield!"
The rock barrier absorbed the incoming water projectiles. While hidden behind his shield, Hodaka secretly tunneled underground, preparing an ambush.
However, his Byakugan detected something troubling—Sakai Yumi was staring directly at his exact location beneath the surface. He frowned.
If her eyes can always track my chakra, I won't be able to catch her off guard!
After a moment's hesitation, Hodaka decided to attack anyway. He formed hand seals underground and unleashed his technique.
"Earth Style: Rock Spike Field!"
Sakai Yumi, having already spotted him underground, was ready. She quickly leaped away as sharp stone spikes erupted from the ground where she'd been standing.
Hodaka realized that using Rock Spike Launch to chase her would be pointless now, so he focused on the field technique instead, forcing her to keep moving.
He used it twelve times in rapid succession, throwing in Rock Spike Launch once to cut off her escape route.
Watching her constantly dodge without being able to counterattack, a satisfied smile crossed his lips.
Perfect. Two more times and she'll be within range!
Sakai Yumi kept thinking as she dodged.
He's trying to herd me closer to his position. He must be planning to use the Gentle Fist on me.
Hodaka used Rock Spike Field again, but Sakai Yumi dodged in an unexpected direction that threw off his plan.
He frowned and used it three more times, finally forcing her to the spot he wanted.
Success! He burst from underground only a few meters away from her and immediately launched forward. "Eight Trigrams: Sixteen Palms!"
At the same time, Sakai Yumi rapidly formed hand seals.
Hodaka saw this but continued his charge. He channeled chakra into his right palm, thinking quickly.
I'll use my right hand to deflect whatever Water Style jutsu she throws, then continue my assault.
Unfortunately, his strategy was based on a critical miscalculation.
After completing her jutsu, Sakai Yumi exhaled a dense cloud of scalding steam directly at Hodaka.
"Vapor Style: Skilled Mist Technique!"
Blistering hot steam engulfed Hodaka before he could react.
His right palm was protected by chakra, but the rest of his arm—and soon his entire body—was exposed to the scorching vapor.
He was burned over most of his body! Even his Byakugan-enhanced eyes were injured!
Hodaka cried out in pain, his attack faltering.
But he gritted his teeth, pushed through the agony, and forced himself forward anyway.
Then he saw a kunai with an explosive tag spinning toward him.
Sakai Yumi smirked inwardly. You're not the only ones who can use explosive tags!
The appearance of Vapor Style once again shocked the audience. Kaito and Mieko were both surprised. Kaito wondered aloud, "Vapor Style... Is she related to Mei Terumī somehow?"
He glanced at Hodaka, thinking analytically. This match just got much harder for him. As long as she uses Vapor Style, she can keep him from getting close. And with those chakra-tracking eyes, he can't ambush her either. This is going to come down to long-range ninjutsu, which isn't his specialty.
Hodaka desperately sidestepped, barely avoiding the explosion. However, the blast kicked up dirt and debris that contacted his burned skin, intensifying his suffering.
The moment he landed, Sakai Yumi appeared beside him, releasing another cloud of searing steam.
Hodaka used Body Flicker to retreat, formed a hand seal, and slammed both hands on the ground with all his strength.
Every rock spike in the area launched simultaneously. Most shot into the air, but several aimed straight for Sakai Yumi.
She quickly formed hand seals. "Water Style: Water Armor!"
A protective layer of water formed around her body, deflecting all the incoming projectiles.
Hodaka waited for the barrage to end. As the last spike struck her water armor, he appeared behind her in a flash.
He placed his hand on the water armor and released chakra from his palm, creating a hole in the barrier.
Hodaka tried to strike through the opening with Gentle Fist, but Sakai Yumi immediately abandoned her water armor and dove away.
Hodaka pursued, but she turned and sprayed another wave of scalding steam at him.
Anticipating this, Hodaka shifted sideways. The steam still caught him, burning additional areas of his body.
Both combatants eventually separated, observing each other from a distance.
Sakai Yumi stood still and silent. Her breathing was slightly accelerated but steady.
She watched Hodaka intently, alert for any tricks.
Meanwhile, Hodaka's breathing was labored. His chakra was nearly depleted from excessive ninjutsu usage.
Mild burns covered most of his body, and moving was becoming increasingly difficult.
Kaito studied Sakai Yumi carefully. She's strong. I underestimated her before. Fortunately, the steam she releases won't affect me the same way.
Ibiki commented from the judges' table, "Hodaka fought excellently. It's unfortunate his opponent maintained distance so effectively."
Genma nodded. "His rock spike traps were impressive too—he kept forcing her into close-range situations. Without Vapor Style, he probably would have won."
Raido added, "His opponent is exceptional as well. Whether in the preliminaries or this battle, she's remained calm and composed. She'll make a reliable squad leader."
Ibiki and Genma both agreed.
Sakai Yumi's performance, while not as flashy as Mieko's, Kaito's, Hodaka's, Rintaro's, or Shinichi's, demonstrated steady competence and tactical awareness.
Hodaka thought desperately, I've only got one shot left. Otherwise, I won't even have enough chakra for Gentle Fist!
He Body Flickered toward Sakai Yumi. She responded by releasing steam in front of herself.
However, Hodaka didn't appear beside her—instead, he materialized five meters in front of her.
Rather than charging directly, he formed hand seals and slammed his hands on the ground. "Earth Style: Stone Spear Jutsu!"
The instant Hodaka's hands touched the ground, Sakai Yumi took several steps back.
Multiple stone spears erupted from the earth, but she'd already moved out of range.
Hodaka used this brief moment to Body Flicker twice in rapid succession! He appeared right beside her, catching her off guard!
He concentrated all his remaining chakra into his right hand and struck, intending to end the match with a single blow.
However, Sakai Yumi blocked with her forearm, preventing the attack from connecting.
She immediately followed up with a powerful kick to Hodaka's abdomen, sending him flying over ten meters.
Hodaka sailed through the air for several seconds before hitting the ground and rolling several more meters, losing consciousness.
Chakra exhaustion combined with his burns was too much—he couldn't stay conscious any longer.
Inoichi Yamanaka leaped into the arena and announced, "The winner of the first semifinal match is Sakai Yumi!"
Medical personnel quickly arrived and carried Hodaka away for treatment.
Due to the intensity of the battle, the crowd erupted in cheers—though since the winner wasn't from Konoha, the applause was somewhat subdued.
Disappointed groans also rippled through the stands from those who'd bet on Hodaka.
Sakai Yumi walked back to the waiting room, breathing somewhat heavily. He was strong. I used over half my chakra in that fight! I won't be able to use Vapor Style many times in the finals. I hope Mieko and Kaito exhaust each other, otherwise I'll be at a serious disadvantage.
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