Chapter 45: One Move!

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: One Move!

Around 4 p.m., Shūichi Hoshita limped away from the training ground beside Konoha Hospital, grimacing in pain.

It hurts! It hurts so much!

He had taken more than a dozen hits from Tsunade.

That woman could really hit hard, and she was downright ruthless. She waited until his mental and physical stamina were drained, his reactions slowed, and then she went all out on him.

Aside from his face, he had bruises and welts all over his body.

"When I grow up, I'll definitely get even!" Shūichi vowed silently as he popped a soldier pill into his mouth.

Back at the training ground, Tsunade watched Shūichi limp away and couldn't help but smile, feeling completely refreshed.

"Beating someone up is actually pretty satisfying?"

"But was I too harsh?"

"No way. I'm helping this brat with his training."

Tsunade muttered to herself, then decided, "We'll continue tomorrow!"

...

By the time Shūichi arrived at his usual training spot near the Ninja Academy, most of the bruises and welts on his body had already faded. This was thanks to a combination of medical ninjutsu and his own enhanced recovery abilities from the tags he unlocked.

"Huh, Kakashi!"

Shūichi spotted Kakashi standing on the edge of a cliff, gazing at the sun as it slowly sank toward the western horizon. He immediately walked over.

"Kakashi, why didn't you sign up for the Chūnin Exams?"

Shūichi asked as he sat down beside him.

Without turning his head, Kakashi replied, "Our squad leader, Akiyama Sensei, thinks we've only just graduated, so he didn't recommend us."

Sarutobi Akiyama, a Jōnin from the Sarutobi clan and Kakashi's team leader—Shūichi had met him a couple of times before.

"Well, since we can't face off during the exams, how about we have a taijutsu match right now, Kakashi?"

Shūichi suggested with a grin.

Before today, he had already beaten Kakashi in taijutsu 12 times.

Kakashi turned to him, "Instead of just taijutsu, I'd prefer a full-scale match!"

Shūichi chuckled, "Of course, but let's warm up with a taijutsu match first!"

"Then let's not waste any time. Let's begin!"

With that, Kakashi leaped up, and the fight began.

With his superior strength, stamina, battle experience, and quicker reflexes, Shūichi easily won the taijutsu match again.

After recovering their strength, the two started a second battle.

This time, there were no restrictions—everything was allowed.

Taijutsu, kenjutsu, ninjutsu, genjutsu—Kakashi used every technique he had, but he still found himself at a disadvantage.

"Shūichi's kenjutsu has improved so much since last time..."

As their swords clashed repeatedly, Kakashi's relentless attacks were completely countered by Shūichi. Every counterattack from Shūichi disrupted Kakashi's rhythm, putting him in dangerous situations.

Just over a month ago, when Kakashi had been Shūichi's sparring partner, Shūichi's kenjutsu hadn't been nearly this advanced.

The next day.

At 9 a.m., in the indoor examination hall, the Genin participating in the Chūnin Exams gathered together, a total of 36 people.

At 9:10, the second round officially began.

After watching four matches in a row, Shūichi had a good grasp of the situation.

Most of the Genin relied primarily on taijutsu, with ninjutsu being used only at critical moments.

Of course, anyone who made it to the exams wasn't weak, but compared to Uchiha Shisui, they still had a long way to go.

In the sixth match, Uchiha Shisui took the stage. His opponent was a Genin from the Sarutobi clan, whom Shisui defeated effortlessly.

In the tenth match, Kurama Sanyō stepped up but had bad luck; his opponent was a Genin from the Hyūga clan, and he lost.

In the eleventh match, the examiner announced, "Shūichi Hoshita versus Yūjin Uchiha!"

An Uchiha!

Shūichi was slightly surprised, but then he heard Shisui and Sanyō cheering him on.

Nodding to them, Shūichi stepped into the arena.

Across from him stood a boy about ten years old, carrying a sword on his back.

The examiner glanced at both of them and then retreated, "Begin!"

Shūichi immediately raised one hand and created two shadow clones, then all three of them drew their swords and charged at full speed.

"So fast!"

Yūjin Uchiha was startled, his initial disdain vanishing instantly. His black eyes quickly turned crimson, revealing the Sharingan, and he swiftly threw three shuriken with his left hand.

Shūichi easily deflected them.

But Yūjin soon realized he couldn't use his Sharingan to cast genjutsu, as Shūichi had avoided making eye contact with him the entire time.

"This guy learned that from Shisui..."

Yūjin was furious, but before he could react, Shūichi's attack was upon him.

Clang!

Yūjin blocked two of Shūichi's strikes with his sword and kunai, but he couldn't stop Shūichi's real body, and could only watch as the sword was placed against his neck.

Defeated in one move!

The examiner immediately announced, "Shūichi Hoshita wins!"

As the shadow clones dissipated, Shūichi sheathed his sword.

Yūjin Uchiha snorted, glancing at Shisui in the stands before leaving with a scowl.

Being defeated by a kid so much younger than himself in a single move was utterly humiliating!

(End of Chapter)

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