Chapter 35 (Patreon)

“This round isn’t the third exam itself. It’s a preliminary meant to determine who will advance to it.”

Hayate Gekkō looked over the twenty-three remaining candidates. His voice was weak and raspy, as though even speaking required effort.

“Far more candidates passed the first two stages than we expected. Because of that, we need to reduce your numbers again.”

The moment Hayate finished speaking, the hall erupted.

The tense atmosphere immediately grew heavier.

Several candidates had barely managed to reach the central tower before the deadline. After everything they had endured in the Forest of Death, they found it difficult to accept that they still had to survive another round before reaching the third exam.

This was not the third exam.

To earn the right to participate in it, they first had to pass these preliminary matches.

No matter how much they complained, however, the decision would not change.

Unlike the first two stages, which had been conducted away from the public eye, the third exam would be watched by many important guests.

Some candidates had passed the first and second exams partly because of luck.

That could not be allowed during the third exam.

The final stage served as a demonstration of each village’s military strength to the other nations. It could not be filled with weak, drawn-out matches that would damage the reputation of the participating villages.

The purpose of the preliminaries was simple.

Only the strongest candidates would advance.

The rest would be eliminated.

“I understand that some of you struggled just to reach this point,” Hayate continued. “Having to fight again immediately may seem harsh.”

He paused and coughed lightly into his fist.

“However, luck was also a factor in some of you making it this far. I suggest you hope that luck stays with you a little longer.”

His tired gaze moved across the candidates.

“There are twenty-three of you. The names will be selected at random for twelve matches. Since the number is uneven, one person will receive a bye and advance directly to the third exam.”

Hayate glanced toward the large electronic board mounted on the wall.

“Now, let’s begin. When two names are displayed, those candidates will remain on the floor. Everyone else will move to the second level and watch the match.”

As soon as Hayate finished speaking, the screen came to life.

The names of the remaining candidates began flashing rapidly across it.

Everyone stared at the board with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

A few seconds later, the display stopped.

Nerona Mihawk vs. Yoroi Akadō

At once, countless eyes turned toward Mihawk.

Some gazes held jealousy and caution.

Others were filled with excitement, hostility, or open killing intent.

The candidates began leaving the arena floor. Before long, only Mihawk, Yoroi Akadō, and Hayate Gekkō remained below.

On the second floor, Kakashi leaned against the railing and looked down at Mihawk.

“I didn’t expect we’d get to see this year’s top Academy graduate fight so soon,” he remarked. “This should be interesting.”

Kurenai Yūhi stood beside him, along with Might Guy and Asuma Sarutobi.

“You may be disappointed,” Kurenai replied, pride clear in her voice. “This match will be over in an instant. That man isn’t strong enough to make Mihawk draw his weapon seriously.”

“Oh?”

Kakashi’s visible eye curved slightly.

“The way you’re talking, this year’s top graduate must be quite something.”

Asuma and Guy also gave Mihawk another careful look.

The boy stood below in a black kimono.

His appearance was striking enough to draw the attention of nearly every girl in the room. His bearing was equally noticeable. Compared with the other candidates his age, he seemed unusually calm, and there was a quiet dignity in the way he carried himself.

The sword at his waist made him stand out even more.

Shinobi who specialized in swordsmanship were rare in Konoha.

Mihawk remained expressionless under everyone’s scrutiny, but inwardly, he was somewhat surprised.

He looked at the names displayed on the screen, then glanced discreetly toward the second floor.

Sasuke Uchiha stood there with an uncomfortable expression, enduring the pain caused by the Cursed Seal of Heaven.

A trace of confusion appeared in Mihawk’s mind.

What was going on?

Wasn’t the selection system supposed to be manipulated behind the scenes?

In the original course of events, Sasuke had been unable to endure the pain from the Cursed Seal of Heaven. Because of that, the first match had specifically been arranged between him and Yoroi Akadō.

Mihawk had forgotten many details of the story over the years, but he still clearly remembered several scenes from the Chūnin Exams. A few years earlier, he had even deliberately recalled the more memorable battles.

Sasuke’s Lion Combo had been one of them.

Naruto later copied the basic idea and modified it by using shadow clones, creating the Naruto Uzumaki Barrage.

Mihawk found the change strange, but he did not dwell on it.

If events had changed, then so be it.

The overall course of the exam should not be affected too greatly.

He turned his attention back to Yoroi Akadō.

Then, without warning, Mihawk looked toward Hayate.

“Am I allowed to kill him?”

The question was delivered in a completely calm voice.

The atmosphere inside the hall instantly turned cold.

Naruto and the others, who had been eagerly awaiting the match, instinctively drew back.

Kakashi and the other jōnin frowned as well.

Both competitors were officially Konoha shinobi, yet Mihawk had asked whether he could kill his opponent before the match had even begun.

His killing intent seemed far too strong.

Before Hayate could respond, Mihawk calmly explained himself.

“My swordsmanship hasn’t reached the point where I can completely control every strike. That’s why I’m asking in advance.”

Understanding appeared in Hayate’s eyes.

He turned toward Yoroi.

“Do you want to withdraw?”

Hayate’s tired voice remained calm.

“If your jōnin sensei is present, he may intervene before anything happens. I can do the same.”

His gaze sharpened slightly.

“However, I cannot guarantee that either of us will be able to save you once Mihawk launches a killing strike.”

“What kind of joke is this?!”

Yoroi shouted furiously.

“You’re humiliating me just because this brat said something arrogant?”

He glared at Mihawk with murderous intent.

“Good. I wanted to kill him too. Let’s do this!”

Although Yoroi was officially registered as a Konoha genin, his true identity was that of a spy working for Otogakure.

His special ability allowed him to absorb chakra through physical contact with his hands.

It was somewhat similar to Samehada’s ability to drain chakra, although the two worked in very different ways.

“That’s fine, then.”

Mihawk showed no reaction to Yoroi’s anger.

He simply nodded and placed one hand on the hilt of his sword, lowering his body into a drawing stance.

An invisible sharpness spread through the arena.

The eyes of the more experienced shinobi immediately narrowed with interest.

“Then,” Hayate announced, “begin.”

“—!”

The instant the word left his mouth, a familiar silver flash crossed the arena.

It cut through the space between them like a streak of light and passed straight through Yoroi’s body before he could react.

Mihawk appeared five meters behind him, still holding the same sword-drawing stance.

Click.

The blade slid back into its sheath.

A moment later—

Pshh!

Blood erupted from Yoroi’s back.

One swift, clean strike.

It had been so fast that the naked eye could not follow it.

And so simple that it sent a chill through everyone watching.