Chapter 25: Taking Off the Weights—That Was Just a Warm-Up

"Man, Konoha Village really is prosperous!"

Having just arrived in Konoha, Darui looked around and sighed with emotion.

"It’s just a shame that Konoha’s Hokage is such a spineless coward."

A Cloud shinobi beside him openly mocked Hiruzen.

He completely ignored the angry glares from the Konoha villagers and shinobi around them.

"Keep it down."

The blond, fair-skinned Cee frowned and reminded him.

Although he thought the same thing, they couldn’t just say it out loud in the middle of Konoha’s streets...

And certainly not in such an insulting way.

"Tch!"

The Cloud shinobi clicked his tongue disdainfully.

They were guests of Konoha right now. Who would dare attack them?

Did they not fear another incident like what happened with the Hyuga?

"Cee, sorry to trouble you, but could you investigate the opponents we might encounter in the Chunin Exams?"

Darui scratched his head apologetically.

He was the only one participating in the Chunin Exams this time.

His two teammates had merely accompanied him to Konoha.

"No problem. Leave it to me!"

The sensory ninja Cee answered confidently.

...

"According to what I’ve found, Darui, your main opponents this time should be from the Uchiha and Hyuga clans."

Cee explained the information he had gathered while making inquiries throughout Konoha.

"There are two young shinobi from the Uchiha clan who are known as the Twin Stars, as well as one shinobi from the Hyuga clan."

"What?"

The Cloud shinobi who had been running his mouth earlier looked disdainfully at the information Cee had recorded.

"These so-called Uchiha Twin Stars are just two ten-year-old brats? Is the Uchiha clan really that short on people?"

"If you ask me, the only person worth paying attention to this time is that Hyuga."

Darui carefully read through the information and relaxed.

"So boring. There’s absolutely nothing worth looking forward to."

Two ten-year-old brats weren’t worth worrying about at all.

As for that Hyuga, Darui had already begun mastering the Lightning Release stimulation technique.

He didn’t need to worry about him either.

...

Reiji and Itachi easily passed the written examination.

The second-stage Forest of Death examination also ended without any surprises.

Although the second stage tested the overall strength of a team, the strength of Uchiha Reiji and Uchiha Itachi was more than enough for each of them to pass individually.

By the time the third stage began, nobles and influential figures from all over the shinobi world had arrived to watch.

Many of Konoha’s clan heads had also come to observe the matches.

"Are there any particularly noteworthy participants in this Chunin Exam?"

"I heard two Uchiha shinobi known as the Twin Stars are participating."

"Huh? Aren’t those two only ten years old?"

"Ten-year-old Twin Stars? What a joke. Is Konoha really that short on talent? No wonder they didn’t even dare to make a sound after Kumogakure bullied them like that!"

"I heard Kumogakure only sent one participant this time, a shinobi named Darui. I wonder how strong he is."

"Apparently, Darui once fought a Jonin for some time without losing. He also possesses a kekkei genkai called Storm Release!"

"Oh! That’s impressive!"

"Looks like Kumogakure’s taking first place this time."

"If Konoha actually lets Kumogakure take first place on Konoha’s own turf, despite them sending only one participant, I wonder where Konoha will put its face afterward."

The viewing stands buzzed with discussion.

The heads of Konoha’s various clans, however, merely sneered and remained silent.

They didn’t know much about Uchiha Itachi.

But Uchiha Reiji?

Two years ago, he had already fought against a wounded Orochimaru!

Compared to that—

What did Darui’s experience of fighting a Jonin without losing amount to?

Down below, in the enormous open arena—

A white-haired ANBU shinobi stood in the center, serving as the referee.

Reiji recognized him at a glance.

That distinctive mop of white hair was simply too recognizable!

Kakashi’s mask was practically unnecessary.

"First match: Kumogakure’s Darui versus Konoha’s Uchiha Reiji!"

Kakashi announced loudly.

Reiji hadn’t expected to be the first one to fight.

And his opponent was none other than Darui, one of the favorites to win the entire tournament.

As he walked toward the center of the arena, Reiji quickly figured out what Konoha was thinking.

They want me to use the Eight Gates to eliminate him immediately?

Reiji sneered inwardly.

Hiruzen really loved these little tricks.

He wanted to embarrass Kumogakure by putting Darui into the first match against Reiji, who possessed the Eight Gates.

That way, even if Darui won, he would be too exhausted to fight another match afterward.

Konoha could then arrange for someone else to defeat him.

"But..."

Reiji reached the center of the arena and stood facing Darui, who still looked relaxed and lazy.

He had trained with Might Guy for so long.

The Eight Gates wasn’t the only thing he had up his sleeve!

As Kakashi announced the start, both Reiji and Darui’s expressions instantly became sharp.

Darui, who had previously been looking down on Reiji, immediately discarded his contempt after sensing Reiji’s chakra.

His chakra isn’t the slightest bit weaker than mine!

"This Chunin Exam doesn’t seem so boring after all."

Darui stretched his muscles, completely abandoning his previous laziness.

Boom!

The battle began instantly!

Both of them charged forward at full speed and collided head-on!

The air seemed to explode from the impact, producing a sound similar to a sonic boom.

A wave of shocked exclamations erupted from the viewing stands.

Their movements had been so fast that only the Jonin present could clearly see what had happened.

"His speed is incredible, and his strength is impressive too!"

Darui’s expression became excited.

This is a powerful opponent!

However, for some reason—

The sensation when their arms had collided earlier had felt slightly strange to Darui.

He didn’t have time to think about it.

Reiji charged again, forcing Darui to accelerate and meet him head-on!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

One explosive impact after another rang through the arena!

Yet the figures of the two combatants were almost impossible to see.

"So... so fast!"

"They’re too fast! I can’t see them at all!"

"That ten-year-old brat is actually this strong? He’s fighting Darui to a standstill!"

"Who’s actually gaining the upper hand?"

The ordinary spectators were completely bewildered.

The two were simply too fast.

At this level of high-speed taijutsu combat, they couldn’t see what was happening at all.

"Phew... Uchiha Reiji really does seem to have the upper hand. As expected of an Uchiha."

A Konoha Jonin in the viewing stands watched the battle for a while before finally breathing a sigh of relief.

If Kumogakure were allowed to show off in Konoha’s own territory, nobody would feel good about it.

So even if the one winning was an Uchiha, they could accept it.

On the battlefield—

After exchanging blows at high speed for some time, the two temporarily separated.

Darui was breathing heavily, admiration visible in his eyes.

"Konoha really does have no shortage of geniuses. If we were the same age, I’m afraid I really wouldn’t be your opponent."

During their previous exchange, he had actually been suppressed by Reiji!

"However, if this is all you’ve got, then this ends here."

As he spoke, Darui began circulating Lightning Release chakra throughout his body, activating every muscle.

"I promised Lord Raikage that I’d come back with first place!"

Blue lightning chakra surged throughout his body.

This was the initial form of Lightning Release Armor.

By stimulating the entire body with Lightning Release chakra, it comprehensively increased strength, speed, and reaction time.

However—

Reiji grinned.

"Who told you I was using my full strength just now?"

As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeves and pant legs, revealing the weights strapped underneath.

"That was just a warm-up."

"The real battle is only beginning now."

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