manynovel Chapter 134 Fugaku's Choice
Chapter 134 Fugaku's Choice
Chapter 136 Fugaku's Choice
Oishi was also a genin from Iwagakure. He had previously been in a team with Higashi Shijin and Mahiru. During the preliminary rounds, he had driven away Shinnosuke and Hiashi along with Huangtu. He did not meet Akaishi or Ranmai.
As one of the representative genin of Iwagakure, his strength should not be underestimated. He has solid ninjutsu and taijutsu skills, and if he is experienced enough, he could easily become an elite chunin.
However, it was still no match for Lan Wu, and it only consumed some of Lan Wu's chakra.
then----
More challengers are emerging.
This time, Lanwu chose one of them—the one she considered the strongest!
"The reigning champion, Lanwu, will face Iwagakure's Genin, Wenya. Everyone else, you may leave," Hatake announced.
"Hmm? That Wenya—shouldn't he be the strongest in Iwagakure besides Huangtu?" Akashi was still a little puzzled.
Wen Ya was burly, and unlike the somewhat bloated Xigua Shan, he was the kind of burly man with bulging muscles!
He was also Onoki's student. He was very skilled in Earth Release ninjutsu and taijutsu. He was previously in a team with Yotsuchi, and in some aspects he was even stronger than Yotsuchi.
If we had to choose a weaker one, it wouldn't be Wenya's turn no matter what.
"Because I can't hold on any longer." Minato shook his head helplessly.
"Huh?" Akashi was taken aback upon hearing this.
"With chakra being continuously depleted, it's difficult for the champion to win consecutively. Rather than letting the weaker opponents exhaust their chakra, it's better to consider how to eliminate the strongest genin from other villages, while also showcasing their own abilities more," Minato explained.
Upon hearing this, Akaishi finally understood that there was so much more to say.
Of course, none of this has anything to do with Akaishi —
Anyway, Akaishi is the last champion, so there's no need to think about when he'll go on stage. Besides, Akaishi has already decided on his strategy—just go for it!
As the No.2 on the Iwagakure side, Wenya is stronger than expected. Lanwu, who had been repeatedly exhausted, also used medical ninjutsu to continuously heal her injuries, which prevented the battle from falling too quickly. At the same time, she also showed her side as a "violent medical ninja".
In the end, both sides were exhausted when the battle reached its final moment, but Lanwu, as a medical ninja, stood longer and held out until Wenya collapsed.
"Wenya is eliminated and Lanwu, a genin, has successfully defended her title. Genin who wants to challenge, please come up on stage." Hatake announced after seeing Wenya "fall flat on her face".
Now there are many more people to take the stage.
After all, Lanwu is now so weak that she can barely stand, so she can basically be considered a "new champion applicant". Therefore, several people from Konoha also went up.
Minato then specifically said, "Zhao, get on stage!"
"Me? That won't work, will it?" Haruno Chizuru was taken aback by what he heard.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he should be the weakest of all the shortlisted genin.
"Hurry, now is your best chance," Minato urged without giving a chance to explain.
Upon hearing Minato's words, Haruno Shō gritted his teeth and jumped up as well.
Upon seeing the pink starfish head come up, Lan Wu suddenly thought of something and pointed directly at Chunye Zhao.
Haruno Chi was taken aback—he really chose me?
Lanwu then went down with the others.
"Ranma has relinquished his title as champion, and Haruno Cho, a genin, has become the new champion. Genin who wish to challenge him, please step forward," Hatake announced.
"Ah Zhao! Even if you die, bite off a piece of flesh from the person who challenged you. Don't waste the title of champion that Lan Wu gave you—or you'll be sorry!" Chi Shi said, throwing a punch at him from the sidelines.
Haruno Shou: ————
Haruno Chiu could only manage a wry smile – Me? Who could I possibly beat?
but----
Just then, Haruno took two deep breaths and, after calming himself down, realized that no one was coming up.
Regardless of Haruno's strength, he's currently in good condition, so it's normal that the Konoha genin are unwilling to challenge him. However—
Why didn't anyone from the other hidden villages come up either?
"Huh? They were scared by the starfish?" Akaishi asked, puzzled.
Meanwhile, the other hidden villages weren't entirely silent either. Some genin were even discussing something with their companions, but in the end, they all shook their heads, seemingly unwilling to come up.
"What's going on?" Akaishi looked at Minato with a puzzled expression.
It was Minato who encouraged Haruno to go up there, and Akaishi believed he understood what had happened.
"It's simple, they're afraid of losing," Minato said directly.
"Huh?" Akashi was taken aback upon hearing this—could it be that this pink starfish was hiding its strength?
"Although Ah Zhao doesn't have any killer moves, he has solid strength, and there is very little information about him. Even if others can roughly guess Ah Zhao's strength, they also understand that those who have advanced to the current level of Genin are not easy to beat. After facing him, they will inevitably be exhausted. Once they are exhausted, it will be difficult to face the challengers later."
"The rules state that each arena has two loser slots. Arena number two already has Huang Tu, Lan Wu, and Ri Cha—the loser lineup is already very strong. To advance, one must become the arena champion. Therefore, Ah Zhao has become a hot potato now," Minato explained.
Although Minato couldn't directly tell his comrade that he was "weak," Akaishi still understood.
Haruno Cho's strength is stuck at a level where you'll be exhausted when you fight him, but it's hard to see any outstanding performances!
If Haruno Chika wears you down and then you're defeated by a similar opponent, you'll become a "loser who didn't perform well," making it difficult to advance.
Moreover, due to the lack of intelligence, there is also the possibility of being ambushed!
and----
In the end, this is only the second arena!
Including Haruno Chizuru, six people have already come up to the second arena, reaching the average number. As a result, everyone is somewhat reluctant to go up now, feeling that it is not cost-effective.
After all, no one is less confident than Haruno Chizuru now.
For Haruno Chiu, coming up at any time was a last resort, but others valued timing more!
"No challengers, champion Haruno Chō successfully defends his title!" Hatake said with a smile as he looked at the still-dazed Haruno Chō, seeing that no one was challenging him.
"?? Is that okay? Why don't you guys bring one up?" Haruno Chō said blankly.
"Alright, go down now." Hatake shooed him away.
Thus, Haruno Chō became the fourth genin to secure a Chunin rank.
Meanwhile, the three shadows seemed to be discussing something—unlike the first arena, this time they needed to make a choice to select two of the five losers to advance.
"I won't mince words, I think Huang Tu and Wen Ya should be promoted to Chunin!" Onoki said sternly.
Three generations of fire, three generations of water: ————
Okay, you really don't shy away from it.
As for Huangtu, it's one thing, but Wenya is clearly weaker than Lanwu and Hyuga Hizashi!
"Huang Tu is indeed good, but—the second spot is clearly more deserving of Lan Wu's place," Sarutobi said matter-of-factly.
Sarutobi couldn't bring himself to say something like, "I think it's Ranmai and Hyuga Hizashi."
"Judging from the strength, that's true, but in the end, Lanwu gave up the fight herself, which I think is a huge deduction!" Onoki said, trying to force a point.
"What does the Mizukage think?" Sarutobi looked directly at Ina.
In general, in formal settings, the Kage address each other as "Xth Generation Kage," but in private, they can address each other however they like. However, the Third Mizukage was already resentful that he was the Third Generation, so Sarutobi didn't provoke him.
"Lanwu's Water Release reminds me of the Second Hokage's imposing presence, but what the Third Tsuchikage said isn't without merit—well, what do you three think?" Yin said, drawing the three guards into the conversation.
"This is just a competition. I think Lan Wu's decision to give up in the end was a wise move. Moreover, the timing of her challenge and the choice of her opponent were all perfect. I don't think there's anything that could be considered a negative point," Gouju said impartially.
There was no prior emphasis on what important mission this arena was simulating; it was only said to be "defending the title" and "judging performance."
"Mr. Gojiju makes a lot of sense, and I think that if Huangtu had chosen someone else the second time, he would have performed better. Even his choice of Hyuga the first time was a miscalculation. In the end, his performance was only focused on the duel with Hyuga. His performance against Lanwu was just average." Orochimaru not only sided with Lanwu, but also stepped on Huangtu.
This made Onoki Naoko turn his head and glare at him.
Orochimaru then took the initiative and asked the seemingly dull-witted Madara, "Mr. Madara, do you think the Yellow Earth Genin performed well?"
"Huh? Well—at least Huangtu definitely beat Richa, and his performance was better than Wenya's!" Ban said immediately.
Onoki slapped his forehead—this kid's completely been led astray by the Third Hokage's effeminate student! He even went to explain things to Koto!
"Alright, then let's go with Huangtu and Lanwu," Onoki said sullenly.
This was the most likely outcome, but Onoki was just taking a chance, using "giving up" as an excuse to see if he could shake Lanwu's performance score. If it didn't work, he wouldn't dwell on it.
"The losers of the second arena will advance to the Genin ranks: Ranmai from Konoha and Koto from Iwagakure." Hatake waited a moment for the three Kage to reach a consensus before announcing the results.
The second arena had six participants: Haruno Zhao, Ranmai, and Huangtu, who had been promoted to Chunin; Hyuga Hizashi, Oishi, and...
Wenya is disqualified —
The audience was initially skeptical of Haixingtou's "victory without a fight," but some people have come to understand and have provided analysis. More importantly, Haruno Chojun comes from a commoner background, and many people in the village know him, so there are no calls for a "behind-the-scenes manipulation."
All I can say is —
Starfish Head is so lucky!
"The champion of the third arena, Konoha's Uchiha Fugaku, please come up to the stage." After Hatake announced this, Fugaku stepped onto the still somewhat bumpy and muddy arena.
Although repairs have been made, the terrain has changed after a series of battles.
Actually, restoring the site to its original state is not impossible, but—
Dealing with different terrains is part of ninja combat, so Konoha only had some Chunin make repairs, and as for the extent of the repairs, they left it to nature.
"Any genin who wants to challenge the reigning champion, Uchiha Fugaku, may come up now," Hatake announced.
Now that it's the third arena, everyone is eager to get started.
Facing a fully recovered Fugaku, everyone in Konoha held back—although there were no theoretically separate groups, everyone still acted instinctively—
Ok?
wrong!
One of them went up from Konoha —
Pharmacist Nonou, who hadn't interacted much with the others, suddenly went on stage.
Meanwhile, the last remaining members of Iwagakure, Higashi Shijin and Suma Shi, did not immediately go on stage, clearly still waiting for their chance.
There were more remaining members on Kirigakure's side, but—surprisingly, after a brief exchange, only Juzo Biwa went up on stage.
The appearance of two challengers on stage caused Hiruzen Sarutobi and Tora to both have slightly somber expressions.
What surprised Hiruzen Sarutobi was that the ninjas reported by Root were not united with the other Konoha genin at all, and they went straight up to the stage to challenge the Uchiha champion!
Of course, Sarutobi understood that this must have been Danzo's order, something like "keep an eye on the Uchiha," and it couldn't have been the child's own idea.
Yin's expression darkened because—
You guys are so united!
The three teams from Kirigakure should be from different factions.
However, even the genin sent by Tiger, namely Suigetsu and Ryo, seem to have been impressed by Yagura and are now acting in unison!
Ling Yin was both angry and anxious, but he tried his best not to show it.
In contrast, while Onoki was also somewhat anxious, it was purely out of concern for Iwagakure's performance.
Under Onoki's leadership, Iwagakure has probably the fewest internal problems among the five great hidden villages.
At the same time, Fugaku frowned as he looked at the two people in front of him—especially Yakushi Nonou.
In the audience seats————
"Fugaku-nii! Fuck her!"
-
"Where did this ninja come from, Fugaku-nii? Don't hold back!"
"Hahaha, some people don't actually think that raising a bunch of wild kids can compare to the Uchiha clan, do they? Hilarious!"
Unsurprisingly, the younger members of the Uchiha clan began to lose their moral compass.
The fact that Yakushi Nonou had already put Hiruzen Sarutobi in a difficult position was already a cause for concern. The Uchiha clan's behavior at this time further confirmed the truth that "this was an internal conflict, with no strategic plan."
Yin chuckled and said, "It seems that Konoha Village also has a lot of internal competition."
Onoki pretended not to notice anything, since mocking Konoha at this time would not benefit him or Iwagakure.
However, upon hearing Yin speak, Ōnoki volunteered to speak on behalf of Hiruzen Sarutobi: "How can the vitality of internal competition compare to that of Kirigakure after the Third Mizukage took office?"
Ōnoki still found Kirigakure quite displeasing!
Yin glanced at him but didn't say anything.
It's not that Yin is more magnanimous, but rather—
Twenty years ago, the second leaders of both villages sacrificed their lives. For Onoki, it was the sacrifice of his beloved teacher; for Tora, it was a painful obstacle.
Meanwhile, Fugaku, who was on the field, directly ordered loquat jūzō.
Firstly, because that kid Juzo Biwa made the famous throat-slitting gesture at Fugaku as soon as he came up, acting all cocky and arrogant; secondly, because—unlike the other Uchiha, although Fugaku's first reaction was also to be angry at Root's provocation, he still held back considering the current situation.
"Uchiha Fugaku, the reigning champion, has chosen Biwa Juzo, a genin. The rest of you may leave." Hatake also breathed a sigh of relief.
Similarly, Hiruzen Sarutobi also gave Fugaku a friendly look.
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