Chi’s performance far exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Not only did her opponent, Ukichiri, get caught completely off guard—even Daimaru was surprised.
Chi’s medium for casting genjutsu was a specially crafted feather fan.
It could fold up like a traditional folding fan, while its elegant plumes also made it resemble a dance fan.
Ukichiri had most likely assumed she was simply a genjutsu specialist with poor taijutsu.
But that fan wasn’t merely a casting tool.
Its ribs were forged from a rare alloy, making them exceptionally sturdy, and hidden beneath the feathers were razor-sharp edges.
It could assist with genjutsu…
…and serve as a deadly close-combat weapon.
A weapon with greater reach holds the advantage, while a shorter weapon demands greater risk.
Chi’s close-quarters combat wasn’t actually that poor.
As long as the fan remained in her hand, she was more than capable.
Combined with her agile footwork, her self-created Fan Dance style steadily forced Ukichiri onto the defensive.
The point-blank genjutsu she wove into her attacks struck without warning.
In a battle that demanded absolute concentration, they were nearly impossible to defend against.
Ukichiri had rushed into close combat hoping to end the fight quickly.
Instead, Chi swiftly overturned the disadvantage and began pressing him back step by step.
“Interesting…”
Daimaru stroked his chin thoughtfully.
The shinobi world was vast.
With so many shinobi…
…there would always be unique talents capable of surprising people.
Many high-level shinobi understood how to combine ninjutsu with taijutsu.
Among them, Kumogakure’s Raikage lineage and its Lightning Release Chakra Mode was the most famous.
Likewise, Sunagakure’s longtime enemy, Iwagakure, possessed Roshi—the Four-Tails’ Jinchūriki—whose Lava Release Chakra Mode had caused countless Sand shinobi no end of trouble.
Chi was still far too weak to compare with figures like those.
Even so…
…her fighting style genuinely caught Daimaru’s attention.
Simply combining taijutsu with genjutsu wasn’t remotely close to Daimaru’s own experimental ideas of a “Genjutsu Chakra Mode” or “Illusionary Body Art.”
Still…
…it offered plenty of inspiration.
While Daimaru watched with growing admiration…
Ukichiri, whose senses had been repeatedly disturbed by waves of genjutsu, finally slipped up.
The sharpened fan rib pierced straight through his shoulder.
The intense pain disrupted his balance.
An instant later…
Chi drove her knee violently into his jaw.
The impact immediately gave him a concussion.
He collapsed unconscious.
“The winner—Chi!”
The referee announced the result as the defeated Ukichiri was carried away.
The second opponent stepped forward.
Heavy eye shadow surrounded his eyes, so excessive that even his narrow sunglasses couldn’t completely hide it.
One hand held a reverse-grip kunai.
The other swung a chained meteor hammer.
“A mid-range weapons specialist?”
Daimaru frowned.
Shinobi like this usually served as the team’s all-rounder and support specialist.
Their strengths might not be especially outstanding…
…but they excelled at drawn-out battles.
Given how much stamina Chi had already spent…
…this would be difficult.
“My name is Mijin.”
“I’m not as reckless as Ukichiri.”
“Your little tricks won’t work on me.”
Looks like that’s the end of the road.
Daimaru sighed inwardly.
A Genin only possessed so much chakra. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
And Chi was still a girl.
Her disadvantage in stamina was obvious.
The battle unfolded almost exactly as Daimaru expected.
Despite stubbornly refusing to give up…
Chi gradually exhausted herself.
Under Mijin’s cautious, relentless assault…
…she fought until she literally collapsed from fatigue before finally being defeated.
Yome entered the field next.
She was slightly weaker than Chi.
However…
…her extraordinary eyesight allowed her to predict the trajectory of incoming attacks.
Whether it was kunai or shuriken…
…she evaded each one with the smallest possible movement.
Her petite, nimble body concealed surprising strength.
Even after Mijin closed the distance…
…she handled herself comfortably.
She even landed several solid punches to his abdomen.
The pain forced Mijin to abandon any thoughts of underestimating her.
“Are you trying to stall?”
“If the hour runs out, your side wins automatically, doesn’t it?”
Ignoring his question…
Yome silently maintained her distance, watching him carefully.
“What an annoying opponent.”
“The only reason you keep dodging everything…”
“…is because of those eyes of yours, isn’t it?”
Mijin formed a series of hand seals.
“Earth Release: Dust Whirlwind!”
A large amount of chakra burst from his body.
Dust and sand spiraled into the air.
The raging sandstorm forced Yome to shield her face to keep the grit out of her eyes.
That brief opening…
…was all Mijin needed.
A volley of shuriken flew through the dust.
Several struck Yome’s thigh and arm.
Then…
A figure burst through the sandstorm.
A heavy kick slammed into her waist.
Yome had never been able to take much punishment.
That single combination attack was enough to defeat her.
“The fact that I had to waste this much chakra and reveal a ninjutsu to beat you…”
“…you should feel honored.”
“I’d originally planned to save it for the Chunin Exams.”
Daimaru crouched beside Yome, briefly checking her injuries.
After confirming she wasn’t seriously hurt…
…he leisurely walked toward the still-breathing Mijin.
“If this is your trump card…”
“…then you won’t have a place in the Chunin Exams.”
“You worthless trash.”
Daimaru rolled his neck before flexing his wrists.
“Referee.”
“May we begin?”
“You may.”
Mijin didn’t seem offended by Daimaru’s openly insulting language.
“Are you angry because I injured your teammate?”
“No.”
“If you’re too weak and lose, you have nobody to blame.”
“I just don’t like that look on your face.”
“That expression that says everything’s under your control.”
“I really want to punch it…”
“…just to see if you’ll make a different one.”
“If you’re capable.”
“Then I won’t hold back.”
A brilliant grin spread across Daimaru’s face.
“Beating up people I can’t stand…”
“…is one of my favorite things.”
As he spoke…
…his right foot slammed into the ground.
The sand beneath them rippled like waves.
The undulating earth made it difficult to keep one’s footing.
In the blink of an eye…
…a massive wave of sand surged upward and crashed toward Mijin.
Not to be outdone…
Mijin raised his hand.
A sand wall erupted before him.
“A technique like this won’t be enough to beat me.”
“Your strength doesn’t really match that arrogant mouth of yours—”
While retreating and defending…
…a swift figure suddenly burst straight through the sand wave.
It smashed through the earthen wall and appeared directly before Mijin.
“I only used that ninjutsu to say hello!”
“I told you I was going to punch you.”
“So of course…”
“…I’m using my fists, idiot!”
His heavy punch slammed squarely into Mijin’s face.
His sunglasses exploded apart.
A sharp crack echoed as his jaw dislocated and fractured.
His neck twisted violently to one side.
He was sent flying backward.
The calm expression he’d worn until moments ago didn’t even have time to change into surprise…
…before he blacked out.
The fight ended so quickly…
…that even the referee failed to react immediately.
“Hey.”
“You done already?”
“You don’t look very durable.”
“Referee.”
“I won, didn’t I?”
“The winner…”
“…Daimaru!”
“Next one.”
“Hurry up.”
The final opponent stepped forward.
He had thick eyebrows and large eyes, and unlike the other two, wore nothing particularly unusual.
“What an impatient bastard!”
“Don’t compare me to those two useless idiots.”
“Remember this well!”
“The man who defeats you is called—”
“Sajin!”
(T/N: Sajin= Dust Cloud, Blowing Sand)
“So much nonsense.”
Daimaru casually dug at his ear before interrupting with complete indifference.
“Your name’s Sajin?”
“Well, what a coincidence.”
“I’m known as the Red Sandstorm.”
“I think you’re the one who ought to change your name.”
(End of Chapter)
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