Arena D
Satsuki's third opponent was Karin Uzumaki.
The match began.
The two started with a taijutsu exchange. Although Karin possessed extremely strong physical vitality, Satsuki had fought Naruko for many years and knew exactly how to deal with members of the Uzumaki Clan.
Satsuki suddenly increased the speed of her attacks.
Karin quickly found herself unable to keep up with Satsuki's tempo and was forced onto the defensive, waiting for an opportunity to counterattack.
After more than a dozen exchanges, Karin finally spotted an opening and threw a powerful punch.
But Satsuki instantly stepped back, causing Karin's attack to miss completely.
Although Satsuki wasn't injured, she understood something very clearly—
You could never fight a battle of endurance against an Uzumaki.
Satsuki coated her legs with Lightning Release chakra, and in the next instant—
She vanished.
Karin hurriedly activated her sensory ability:
"Kagura Mind's Eye."
This technique allowed her to sense the exact location, movements, chakra characteristics, and even the speed of anyone whose chakra she detected.
But—
After sensing Satsuki's movement, Karin couldn't help sweating.
"Her speed is way too fast!"
Suddenly, Karin punched toward a specific location.
"Right there!"
Satsuki appeared exactly where Karin struck.
However, Satsuki only smiled.
Purple-black lightning crackled across her body.
"You fell for it."
Karin's punch struck the lightning—
But the moment it did, the lightning wrapped around her body like living chains.
"What!?"
Karin panicked and quickly tried to retreat.
However, the lightning continued spreading across her body.
"This is bad—the lightning is devouring my chakra!"
She immediately gathered chakra into her hands and tried to tear the lightning away.
But Satsuki seized the opportunity and increased the output of her lightning chakra.
Within moments, the purple-black lightning enveloped Karin entirely.
Electricity surged violently as Karin cried out in pain.
Finally, Satsuki dispelled the lightning and struck Karin unconscious with a hand chop, ending the match.
Meanwhile…
Naruko's first opponent was Ino Yamanaka.
Naruko knew about the Yamanaka Clan's secret techniques, so she began the fight with high-speed movement, preventing Ino from locking onto her.
Naruko suddenly attacked from behind.
However, Ino sensed her presence.
"Mind Transfer Jutsu!"
Ino spun around and activated her clan's technique.
The Mind Transfer Jutsu struck Naruko instantly—
But Naruko turned into smoke.
"A Shadow Clone?! That's bad!"
At that moment, Naruko dropped down from above behind Ino and placed a hand strike at her neck.
Victory.
Naruko's Second Round
Her next opponent was Haidō of Iwagakure.
Although Haidō was quite agile, Naruko's powerful sensory abilities and superior physical strength allowed her to defeat him through taijutsu.
Naruko's Third Round
Her final opponent was Subaru of Hoshigakure.
Subaru didn't dare underestimate her.
"Peacock Mystical Method: Beast Form!"
Since he could only use the technique at a beginner level, the chakra beast he created was relatively small.
Naruko formed hand seals.
"Wind Release: Gale Palm!"
By clapping her hands together, Naruko compressed the wind and unleashed a violent gust.
Although Subaru's chakra beast looked impressive, it was instantly blown apart by the powerful gale.
Subaru himself was hurled backward, slammed into the arena wall, and lost consciousness.
Group D QualifiersSatsuki Uchiha
Naruko Uzumaki
The Top Eight
After the qualifiers were decided, all competitors gathered again in the central arena.
Fugaku stepped forward and addressed them.
"Everyone performed very well today—especially the eight participants who advanced.
However, those who did not qualify should not lose heart. Your performances have all been recorded, and the leaders of each village will decide whether you will be promoted to Chūnin based on your overall results.
As for the eight finalists—
Your matches will begin here tomorrow at 9:00 AM. Please remember this…"
After Fugaku finished speaking, the candidates dispersed.
However, Nagi and the others remained behind to draw lots and determine the match order.
The bracket was decided:
Hinata Hyūga vs. Shizuka (Fūma Clan)
Naruko Uzumaki vs. Gaara
Nagi vs. Ameno
Sakura Haruno vs. Satsuki Uchiha
Evening
When Nagi returned home and was preparing to cook dinner, the doorbell rang.
"Coming."
He opened the door to find Genma , Raido Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami.
"Cousin, what brings you here?"
Genma smiled.
"Tomorrow's your match, kid. Recently representatives from all the nations have been arriving, so we didn't have time to visit you. Now things have finally settled down."
Iwashi added,
"Tonight we'll cook dinner."
"Right," Raido said. "You just focus on resting."
Nagi froze for a moment before smiling warmly.
"Won't that be too much trouble?"
"Not at all."
"Just relax tonight."
The three of them walked inside carrying ingredients and cooking tools.
During Dinner
Genma and the others chatted with Nagi casually.
However, Nagi noticed something strange—
They seemed to be subtly asking about the things he liked.
After dinner, they cleaned the dishes and reminded him to sleep early before leaving.
On the Way Home
"Looks like he still forgot."
"Well, that's normal. Every year I'm the one who reminds him."
"Still… Nagi's tastes are so simple."
"I actually wish the kid would be a bit more extravagant."
"Anyway, next week is Nagi's birthday. Don't forget."
"Don't worry."
"We won't."
Raido and Iwashi then went their separate ways.
The Next Morning
Nagi and the others arrived early at the Chūnin Exams arena.
After Minato delivered another speech, the matches began.
Since the remaining contestants were extremely strong, the referee was chosen to be Shisui Uchiha.
First MatchHinata Hyūga vs. Shizuka
The two stood facing each other.
Shizuka made the first move.
Knowing Hinata's close-combat ability was nearly unbeatable, she decided to fight from a distance.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A powerful gust of wind shot toward Hinata.
Hinata simply slapped the wind aside.
She gathered chakra into her palm and struck forward.
"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"
Shizuka quickly coated herself with Wind Release chakra and dodged.
"Fūma Style: Vacuum Dance — Second Form!"
She leapt into the air, spinning rapidly while launching numerous kunai infused with Wind Release chakra toward Hinata.
Hinata didn't dare underestimate the attack.
She activated her Byakugan, then released chakra from every chakra point in her body while spinning rapidly like a top.
"Eight Trigrams Palm: Rotation!"
The kunai struck the rotation barrier and were all deflected away.
After both women stopped spinning—
Hinata used the Body Flicker Technique to instantly appear in front of Shizuka and reached out to grab her.
Shizuka immediately retreated.
Hinata's grasp missed.
Seizing the opportunity, Shizuka coated her fist with Wind Release chakra.
"Fūma Style: Raging Gale Fist!"
She charged forward.
Hinata also struck with her palm.
Their hands collided.
But Hinata's strength proved greater.
Shizuka was knocked backward more than ten steps.
However, Shizuka didn't look discouraged.
Instead, she smiled slightly—
As if she had already discovered a way to defeat Hinata.
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