"Kabuto Yakushi wins!"
Watching as Kabuto had already aimed the Chakra blade at Kōsei's neck, Kakashi decisively announced the winner of this battle.
"Damn it!" Kōsei pounded the ground in frustration.
Just moments ago, Kabuto had focused mainly on defense and evasion, not using much in the way of Water Release during the Death Forest segment. Kōsei thought Kabuto didn't possess particularly powerful offensive capabilities.
However, in the final battle, Kabuto revealed a strong slashing attack, even more powerful than the impact of his Explosive Release, directly knocking Kōsei down and placing the knife at his neck.
Upon Kakashi's announcement of victory, Kabuto stopped pumping Chakra into his Chakra Blade, and the light blade extended from the Chakra Blade instantly dissipated, returning to a regular short blade.
In this battle, Kōsei, with his powerful Explosive Release and agile movements, could unleash potent explosions without hand seals. Kabuto refrained from using Water Release much, as even with fewer hand seals, it required some, making it susceptible to exploitation.
Kabuto slung the short blade back behind him and then extended a hand to Kōsei lying on the ground.
Although Kōsei felt a bit frustrated for not winning against Kabuto and redeeming himself, he also understood Kabuto's true strength.
Even if they were to have another match, he would still lose because Kabuto's overall strength far surpassed his own. Kōsei couldn't land a hit on Kabuto, yet Kabuto could withstand his explosions and defeat him.
So, he accepted his defeat gracefully, grabbing Kabuto's extended hand and using the support to stand up.
"Your Explosive Release is amazing. If we have the chance, I'd like to discuss topics related to Explosive Release. Is that alright?" Kabuto said with a smile, genuinely interested in Explosive Release.
"Let's talk about it when there's a chance," Kōsei replied casually. Then, with a dark expression, he quickly left the arena. Although he accepted his loss gracefully, he didn't want to stick around, especially after losing to a kid under ten years old.
After the two left the stage, Kakashi used Earth Release to quickly repair the damaged ground, making it look less dilapidated, and then called out the names of the next set of participants.
"The second battle: Hayate Gekko versus Samui."
Hayate Gekko entered the arena, wielding a specially crafted sword for Special Combat Division members.
Looking at Samui, Hayate Gekko's initial impression was one of size; she seemed enormous, like peaks gathered together.
It wasn't because he was particularly interested in staring at a girl's private parts – he had a girlfriend. It was just that Samui was genuinely large, so Hayate Gekko noticed it right away.
Kakashi, being used to presiding over matches, managed to control his gaze due to experience.
However, even he was somewhat surprised upon seeing Samui. Among the people he knew, perhaps only Lady Tsunade could match her in size.
Sensing gazes coming from all directions, Samui remained indifferent, not embarrassed by the attention.
She knew that a certain part of her had developed exceptionally, so she was accustomed to such looks.
As an outstanding Shinobi capable of maintaining composure at any moment, Samui wouldn't let useless emotions affect her.
"Samui, blow up the weakling in front of you."
"Big Sis, go for it! Make sure to advance to the finals."
After Samui entered the stage, many Kumogakure Shinobi cheered for her, including those who had already been eliminated.
"Hayate, go for it! Show them the might of Konoha Shinobi."
"Come on, don't lose to a Kumogakure Shinobi."
Since Kumogakure Shinobi were cheering for Samui, Konoha Shinobi naturally wouldn't let their contestant stand alone. Due to their larger numbers, their momentum became even stronger.
"What a hassle." Hayate Gekko sighed when he saw such a situation unfolding in the arena. He wasn't aiming for the first place; he just wanted to become a Chunin. Making it to the quarter-finals would satisfy him, considering he couldn't beat those two freaks with outrageous strength.
But now, with so many Shinobi cheering for him, he had no choice but to give it his all. After all, it involved the reputation of Konoha, and losing wouldn't look good.
"Really, I was thinking I'd be successful if I made it to the top eight. Now, I have to give it my all." Hayate Gekko, who originally had eyes like a patient, suddenly sharpened his gaze, and his aura changed abruptly.
"Hmm?" Samui keenly sensed the change in Hayate Gekko's momentum and becoming even more vigilant.
Originally, she thought Hayate Gekko was the weakest among the eight. Now, it semed that she had underestimated her opponent.
"The battle begins!" Kakashi swiftly signaled, then moved to the edge of the arena.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!!
Samui rapidly drew four shurikens and threw them, initiating the attack.
However, Hayate Gekko was prepared. With his Breathing Style, he dished out a blue wind blade was instantly slashed out, knocking down the incoming shurikens while closing the gap.
"Flying Thunder!"
Samui quickly drew a red-handled short knife from her waist, simultaneously stepping back and slashing out a lightning.
Boom!
The wind blade and lightning collided, releasing air currents and arcs of electricity, leaving small burnt craters where they clashed.
While executing the wind blade, Hayate Gekko calculated Samui's movements.
Although he didn't aim for the first place, just wanting to become a Chunin, making it to the quarter-finals would satisfy him. After all, he couldn't beat those two freaks with outrageous strength.
In Hayate Gekko's calculation, Samui, being cautious and calm, wouldn't choose a head-on approach but rather a careful approach by striking from afar.
"Tornado Flash!"
Chakra surged, and Hayate Gekko rapidly charged forward, swinging a four-meter-high whirlwind at Samui's rear.
"Did he read my move?" Watching the tornado almost touching her face, Samui was somewhat surprised.
Nevertheless, Samui remained composed; she wasn't an Kunoichi, and she was quite tough.
Samui coursed of lightning across her body, and she withstood the impact of the tornado without being blown away or knocked down.
However, Hayate Gekko wouldn't let this opportunity pass. Sharp wind blades were relentlesssly dished out at Samui.
Although Samui did her best to defend, she struggled against Hayate Gekko's intense onslaught, and wounds quickly appeared on her body.
But in the midst of the intense battle, Hayate Gekko suddenly began to cough, and the movement of his sword slowed down.
Seizing the opportunity, Samui threw several shurikens, and one of them was attached with an Explosive Tag.
Hayate Gekko erected a wind wall in front of him.
Boom, boom, boom!!!
A violent explosion echoed, and the white mist produced by the explosion enveloped Hayate Gekko's vicinity.
However, when the mist dissipated, Hayate Gekko appeared unharmed. The wind wall successfully blocked the attack.
"You've lost!" Samui, who rushed to the side, took advantage of Hayate Gekko's struggle to defend and knocked the sword out of his hand, placing her short knife at his neck.
"No, you've lost!"
Suddenly, Hayate Gekko's voice appeared behind Samui. Simultaneously, he held shurikens at Samui's neck.
Samui was stunned, and when she realized that Hayate Gekko was behind her, she was dejected.
She probably understood what had happened. Just now, Hayate Gekko used a Shadow Clone Technique and concealed himself, using the smoke as cover. In that moment when she thought she had won, he struck.
"Hayate Gekko wins," Kakashi announced the winner of the second round.
"My Kekkei Genkai is the Transparent Escape Technique, which allows me to become invisible," Hayae Gekko said ashe sheathed his sword.
Whether in the Death Forest or the previous fights, Hayate Gekko hadn't used his Kekkei Genkai. So, aside from the members of the Special Combat Division, no one knew about this ability.
Originally, Hayate Gekko thought he wouldn't have a chance to use this Kekkei Genkai, as his Transparent Escape was more suitable for assassination than direct combat.
"You've hidden it well," Samui said lightly as she sheathing her own sword. Since it turned out this way, there was nothing she could do, and she had done her best.
"The third round..." Kakashi announced the next participant's name.
"Another promising talent. Third Hokage, the genius of Konoha truly makes us from Iwagakure envious."
Seeing another Konoha Shinobi winning the second round, and at such a young age, Onoki couldn't help but express his admiration. Among the eight remaining participants from Iwagakure, the Explosion Release user was the only Gennin from Iwagakure, and he had been eliminated in the first round.
"Haha, it's nothing special," Sarutobi Hiruzen said jokingly. Onoki nearly punched the Third Hokage for this.
It wasn't easy to act superior in front of Kage-level Shinobi in the same generation, and Sarutobi Hiruzen was thoroughly enjoying the envious looks from Onoki and Rasa.
"This is all thanks to the efforts of the Fourth Hokage and Nagasawa. It's because of them that Konoha..." enjoying his own happiness, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't forget to praise Minato and Nagasawa, who sat beside him.
Suddenly, a Konoha Anbu, dressed in black with an animal mask handed a scroll to Minato. Minato thought something important had happened and quickly opened the scroll, only to find a single line.
"Urgent, come to Hokage Rock! - Fujiwara Nagasawa"
Minato glanced at Nagasawa, who was watching the match. The clone of Nagasawa sensed Minato's gaze, saw the scroll in his hand, and nodded with a smile.
Minato put away the scroll, roughly guessing what was going on.
The Nagasawa here was most likely a shadow clone, and the real Nagasawa was waiting for him at the Hokage Rock.
Minato wasn't surprised that he was unable to see through Nagasawa's shadow clone, given their significant difference in strength.
However, Minato was somewhat puzzled. Why did Nagasawa send a shadow clone to watch the match and then have an Anbu deliver a scroll for him to go to the Hokage Rock? If there was something important, why not call him directly?
"Third Hokage, I have something to attend to, and I have to leave temporarily," Minato stood up and said.
"Is it something troublesome? If so, I can handle it for you," Sarutobi Hiruzen offered.
Minato shook his head, declining Sarutobi Hiruzen's offer, and said, "It's not a troublesome matter, but I need to go in person."
Nagasawa's shadow clone, already aware of the situation, remained silent, continuing to watch the match.
Seeing Minato refuse, Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded without prying further. He understood the balance between important and trivial matters, and Minato must be dealing with something personal.
After leaving the venue, Minato swiftly headed rapidly towards his destination.
However, at that moment, Minato suddenly sensed a Flying Thunder God Mark appearing on the Hokage Rock.
"This feeling..." Minato abruptly stopped in his tracks.
A Flying Thunder God mark wouldn't just appear without reason, as it was a permanent mark. The only enemy he had marked with the Flying Thunder God aside from the masked man who attacked Konoha were no longer alive.
So, there could only be one answer—the masked man who attacked Konoha back then was now on the Hokage Rock.
At this moment, Nagasawa was also waiting for him there, specifically instructing the Anbu to inform Minato to come.
"Nagasawa caught the masked man, so he called me over?" Minato speculated on the reason Nagasawa asked him to come.
If it was the masked man who had almost caused significant damage to Konoha in the past, then Nagasawa indeed had the authority to call him over.
Thinking about this, Minato directly activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
On Nagasawa's side, Obito stood beside the Hokage Rock, overlooking the familiar yet somewhat unfamiliar Konoha.
Most of Konoha remained the same as before, but there were also many new buildings and streets that made him feel a bit unfamiliar.
Suddenly, Minato appeared, and with one glance, he saw Obito standing on the cliff enjoying the scenery.
Because Obito had his back to Minato, Minato didn't see Obito's face, but he was very familiar with Obito's aura.
"Nagasawa didn't incpacitate him?" Minato thought while quickly taking out his kunai and thrusting it towards Obito.
"Hmm?" Obito sensed a powerful wind coming, turned around, and saw Minato thrusting a kunai towards him.
"Minato, don't be in such a hurry." Nagasawa, on the side, reacted quickly and grabbed Minato's hand.
He had planned to wait for Minato to come over before receiving him, giving him some psychological preparation. However, he forgot that Obito still had the Flying Thunder God mark on him.
Nagasawa knew without a doubt that Minato must have seen Obito's back and didn't recognize him.
Since he wasn't recognizing him as his former disciple but as the enemy who attacked Konoha, the first reaction would be to attack.
After all, the masked man had almost killed Kushina.
"Nagasawa?" Minato was about to ask Nagasawa why he grabbed his hand, then he saw Obito's face.
"So, it's..."