“What an incredible fight!
As expected of Kakashi!” “I can’t believe an Academy student actually defeated a genin!” “Amazing!
That was an incredible shinobi battle!” At that moment, Kakashi was basking in the joy of becoming a genin.
He was convinced that, in the end, he was still stronger than his brother.
Once he got off the field, he was going to flaunt it in front of Muzan and make him jealous.
Then, someone nobody expected stepped onto the arena.
“What are you doing here?” Still lost in his fantasy, Kakashi assumed Muzan had come to congratulate him.
Before he could say anything, Muzan calmly made an announcement.
“Kaizen-sensei, I’d like to request an additional match.
I’m applying for the graduation exam as well.” “I intend to become a qualified genin.” The moment those words fell, everyone’s attention shifted from Kakashi to Muzan.
From the viewing platform, Arashikawa Kaizen stared at him in astonishment.
Just as he was about to reject the request, an Anbu dressed in black and wearing a fox mask appeared beside him, handing over new orders.
“The Hokage has approved it.
Arrange Hatake Muzan’s examination immediately.” “What?” Kaizen froze for a moment after hearing the Anbu’s report.
His gaze settled on Muzan standing in the arena.
“…Understood.” When Kaizen learned that Kakashi would be taking the genin graduation exam, Muzan had gone straight to the Hokage Tower that very night.
He had submitted his own application to take the exam today.
“I’ll ask you one last time.” Kaizen rose to his feet, his presence carrying an unmistakable pressure.
“If you withdraw now, it’s not too late.” Muzan simply nodded.
The intimidation had no effect whatsoever.
“I’m ready.” “Please begin the exam, kaizen-sensei.” Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Kaizen officially announced the start of Muzan’s graduation examination before calling over another genin.
“Since you’ve made up your mind, your opponent will be a genin.” Kaizen knew Muzan possessed extraordinary talent.
However, during his time at the Academy, Muzan had always appeared rather average.
Most of his time had been devoted to medical ninjutsu and chakra control.
He rarely practiced taijutsu and spent even less time learning offensive ninjutsu.
Kaizen honestly believed Muzan would have a difficult time defeating an experienced genin.
“Muzan-san, I’m your opponent—Nozawa Itsuki.” Itsuki greeted him politely with a proper shinobi salute.
Seeing the confusion in Muzan’s eyes, he immediately understood.
“You probably don’t remember me.” “I was one of the wounded shinobi you treated.
Since my injuries weren’t severe, the Hokage assigned me to be your examiner.” “But I won’t be holding back.” Having fought on the battlefield, Itsuki understood one thing.
Allowing someone without sufficient strength to become a genin would only get them killed.
He intended to defeat Muzan with everything he had so the boy would understand the gap between them.
“Haha…
I didn’t expect to run into one of my own patients.” “If I’d known yesterday, I would’ve left you bedridden for a little longer.” Muzan’s youthful voice echoed from beneath the black cloak.
Looking at the battle-ready genin, a murderous aura suddenly burst from him.
The overwhelming presence of an apex predator descended upon Itsuki.
It actually forced the genin to take an involuntary step backward.
His expression tightened.
The child healer hidden beneath the cloak had vanished.
Standing before him now felt like a savage beast.
“Be ready.” “I’m coming.” The moment those words fell, it felt as though their roles had reversed.
Muzan had become the one dictating the battle.
“Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!” An enormous fireball surged across the arena, leaving behind a charred trail.
It was noticeably larger than an ordinary Great Fireball.
Itsuki had no intention of taking it head-on.
Using the Body Flicker Technique, he leaped aside and narrowly avoided the attack.
Everything touched by the flames cracked and blackened, the destruction stretching all the way to where he had just landed.
“Muzan-san, using ninjutsu right from the start?” “On the battlefield, you need to conserve your chakra.” “Allow me to teach you how real shinobi fight.” “Did I ask you to teach me?” One sentence instantly rendered Itsuki speechless.
Before he could respond, Muzan’s speed exploded.
In an instant, he appeared directly in front of him.
Crack!
Unable to react in time, Itsuki was forced to block with his arms.
The tremendous force traveled through his entire body.
To the spectators, the genin looked like he had been launched through the air.
Yet the instant he landed, his body dissolved into smoke.
Although Muzan’s kick had connected, Itsuki had immediately used the Substitution Technique upon landing before disguising himself with the Transformation Technique, preventing Muzan from following up.
“That was close…” Without realizing it, he had nearly been kicked clean out of the arena.
Retreating to create distance, the dust-covered genin stared toward the cloud surrounding Muzan.
For the first time, overwhelming pressure filled his heart.
The brief exchange had already told him everything.
Muzan possessed genuine genin-level strength.
Had the boy possessed more combat experience, the fight would’ve ended already.
“As expected of Konoha’s youngest medical shinobi.” Muzan stopped advancing.
Taking a slow, deep breath, the face hidden beneath his cloak twitched slightly.
Even his voice grew lower and rougher.
“If this is all you’ve got…” “Then I can already tell you.” “You’ve lost.” A layer of chakra spread across Muzan’s body.
He used it to stimulate his own cells, much like the Raikage wrapped himself in Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
Naturally, Muzan’s version couldn’t compare to the Raikage’s.
However, a demon’s cellular vitality far surpassed that of an ordinary shinobi.
“Why is he glowing?” “Muzan looks so cool right now!” “He’s actually overpowering a genin!
If I were that strong, I’d graduate early too!” “Damn you, Muzan!
Damn you, Kakashi!
Once I awaken my Sharingan, I’ll get my revenge!” The Academy students watched in amazement as the glowing figure stood amidst the dust.
None of them understood what kind of technique this was.
Only Kaizen knew.
He understood just how terrifying Muzan’s chakra reserves truly were.
The boy could unleash C-rank techniques without the slightest hesitation.
“What an unbelievably gifted child.” “Itsuki is in real danger now.” Exactly as Kaizen predicted, Muzan’s speed and strength increased dramatically.
Relying solely on taijutsu, he completely overwhelmed Itsuki.
The genin was driven into a corner, his clothes shredded into rags by Muzan’s relentless flying kicks.
The endless barrage left Itsuki with no opportunity to counterattack.
Summoning every ounce of strength he had, he hurriedly formed hand seals.
“Earth Release: Hardening Technique!” A gray layer of stone coated his body, hoping to withstand Muzan’s assault.
But ideals were beautiful.
Reality was cruel.
The instant Muzan sent Itsuki flying with another devastating kick, he performed a move that left the entire audience gasping.
He formed a hand seal…
With one hand.
A feat requiring extraordinary chakra control.
Konoha certainly had shinobi capable of one-handed seals.
But those were seasoned jonin.
Years of battle had given them absolute mastery over their chakra.
Muzan, however, accomplished it through talent alone.
“Wind Release: Gale Palm!” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Hidden_Quill Thank you so much for reading!