First Match, Natsuki vs. Akado Yoroi!
Countless gazes focused on the two.
"Phew, that's great. I don't have to face that monster early." Temari, having been soundly defeated in the Forest of Death and well aware of Natsuki's strength, breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Even some of Konoha's Twelve were secretly relieved. They knew a little about Natsuki's strength; to put it simply, it was unfathomable.
Choji's Ultraman Transformation Device was activated thanks to Natsuki.
Sasuke had been trying to learn his Super Invincible Thunderbolt Fireball for years without success.
It was rumored that Natsuki was also behind Ino summoning that incredibly arrogant, powerful Hero King who had eloped with a bunch of Uchiha clan members.
While others could roughly estimate the difference in strength between opponents through comparison, Natsuki had too many strange techniques.
When fighting him, one wouldn't even know how they lost.
"Natsuki, good luck!" From the second-floor spectator seats, Hinata mustered her courage to cheer for Natsuki.
Her voice was soft and gentle, pleasant to the ear.
"Natsuki, you got this!" Ino yelled loudly, not to be outdone.
"Natsuki, go for it!" Naruto and Choji, both members of the Dimensional End's Congregation, shouted as well.
"This guy seems pretty popular," Kabuto commented, pushing up his glasses.
"Heh, isn't that even better? I love beating up popular people," Akado Yoroi sneered, his face hidden behind sunglasses and a mask, as if desperate to conceal his ugliness. "I'll make sure to beat him to a pulp later and let those people have a good look."
"Alright, the first match of the elimination round, Natsuki versus Akado Yoroi!" Hayate Gekkō announced loudly. "Please enter the arena; everyone else, quickly leave the first floor."
As soon as he finished speaking, Akado Yoroi appeared in the ring, showing off his Body Flicker Technique.
"This guy's Body Flicker Technique is very advanced!"
"As expected, the candidates who have made it this far are basically all elites." Exclamations arose from the crowd.
Some ordinary ninja were already secretly comparing their Body Flicker Technique to the contestants', realizing they were no match.
Then, all eyes fell on Natsuki, anticipating how he would deal with his opponent.
But at this moment, Natsuki was a bit surprised.
He wasn't surprised by Akado's strength but by the fact that the plot had quietly changed again. As expected, the butterfly effect was growing stronger by the day.
Akado Yoroi was on the same team as Kabuto and Misumi Tsurugi. Although ostensibly students of Konoha, their true identities were spies from Otogakure(Hidden Sound Village).
In fact, this entire team was planted in Konoha by Orochimaru.
Originally, this first match should have been Sasuke versus Akado Yoroi.
Now, it had become Natsuki.
Forget it, let the plot change, Natsuki thought. As long as I recruit more chuuni members and increase my strength, I can beat not just Chunin Exam participants, but even the Five Kage.
With that in mind, just as Natsuki was about to step into the arena, Akado Yoroi, impatient, began his taunts:
"Hey, kid, are you scared?
"Someone like you, a pretty boy, probably got this far relying on your teammates, right?
"If you're scared, just admit defeat and scram like a coward." Akado Yoroi loudly mocked. He wouldn't let go of this rare opportunity to pick on someone who relied on their looks.
As a spy, he had always kept a low profile in the village.
However, before the match, he received instructions from Orochimaru to act high-profile.
Might as well start with this pretty boy. Akado Yoroi thought, a sinister smile spreading across his face as he considered his trump card. Once I catch him, I'll drain his chakra first, then beat him to a pulp.
But...in the next moment...
"Wha-What?!" Akado froze, his expression hardening.
Because Natsuki was flying.
This guy could actually fly? Then how could he possibly touch him? His trump card instantly turned into a useless hand.
"Match begin!" Hayate Gekkō, a flicker of surprise in his eyes as Natsuki floated in the air and landed lightly in the arena, quickly announced.
At the same time as Natsuki touched the ground, Akado used Body Flicker technique to get close to him.
But without giving the opponent any chance, he soared high into the sky once more.
"What? This guy can fly."
"How's he doing that? There are very few jutsu that can allow someone to float so steadily."
"So cool! This is way more impressive than the Body Flicker Technique."
"What a shame he's a Konoha ninja. Otherwise, I'd definitely ask for his autograph."
Natsuki's display instantly ignited the observing candidates.
"What's the use of flying? If you're slow, you're just a target," Akado said through gritted teeth, taking out a dense cluster of shuriken from his ninja tool pouch. "Watch me turn you into a pincushion."
He then threw them with all his might towards Natsuki in the sky.
The next scene astonished everyone.
The shuriken, upon reaching a few meters from Natsuki, stopped in mid-air.
All the throwing weapons hung suspended.
"...Who gave you the courage to provoke the Lord of the Dimensional End?" Natsuki looked down at Akado Yoroi, whose eyes were filled with apprehension, and spoke indifferently.
He then slowly extended his right hand, fingers outstretched: "Kneel!"
Crack!
"What's going on?!" Akado's eyes widened in fury. An unbearable pressure suddenly weighed him down, and with a thud, he fell to his knees.
'Wh-What kind of jutsu is this?'
'I've never seen anything like this before.' Akado felt doomed.
His knees slammed against the ground, numb with pain. It felt as if a thousand-pound weight pressed down on his shoulders. He couldn't break free even with all his might.
"Repent, insect!" Natsuki declared righteously, as if carrying out divine judgment.
"To defy the Lord of the Endless Dimensions is to invite punishment!"
A flash of pale blue flickered in his eyes. His Tenseigan activated once more.
"The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him!
"Devastation!"
The shuriken suspended in mid-air reversed direction, hurtling towards Akado Yoroi like a torrential downpour from all directions.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
In an instant, he was turned into a pincushion.
In the end, Akado Yoroi, who wanted to turn others into a pincushion, got to experience being a pincushion, firsthand.
Silence fell over the entire hall.
Not to mention the candidates, even the experienced Jonin were stunned speechless.
"I've already tried my best to control my strength. If you get him treatment quickly, he might still be saved," Natsuki said, slowly floating down, his voice utterly calm. "But even if he survives, his legs are probably crippled."
"Oh, oh! Natsuki...Yuhi Natsuki wins the First Match!" Hayate Gekkō, finally snapping out of it, hurriedly called out to the medical personnel. "Medics! Hurry up and save him!"