Half an hour after Tatsuya arrived at the examination grounds, the other ninja participating in the exam had also gradually trickled in.
With the Third Hokage's appearance, the Special Jonin selection exam officially began.
The rules of the exam were simple: participants were paired up through a lottery system for one-on-one matches. Those who advanced through three rounds would be promoted to Special Jonin.
However, while the exam primarily assessed combat prowess, it wasn't the sole deciding factor. If a ninja demonstrated exceptional talent in a specific area that others couldn't match, they could also pass the exam.
Typically, each Special Jonin promotion exam would add two or three extra promotion slots beyond the initially allotted number. This meant that ninja with Bloodline Limits or Secret Techniques had an easier path to Special Jonin rank compared to common ninja.
The examination area consisted of ten separate arenas, allowing for twenty ninja to compete simultaneously.
After the proctors conducted the lottery, Tatsuya's first opponent was a ninja in his thirties.
This middle-aged ninja came from a commoner background. While he possessed considerable combat experience, his relatively limited chakra reserves and average physical abilities restricted his overall power.
Tatsuya held a decisive advantage in both taijutsu and ninjutsu. After a brief skirmish, he defeated his opponent with a B-rank Water Release ninjutsu: Water Fang Bullet.
After Tatsuya advanced to the second round, Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, Asuma Sarutobi, Anko Mitarashi, Genma Shiranui, and Hayate Gekko also won their respective matches. Among their peers, only Iruka Umino was defeated in the first round, losing to a young ninja skilled in swordsmanship.
After more than an hour of intense competition, the first round concluded.
In the second round, Tatsuya's drawn opponent turned out to be one of the top contenders from their graduating class: Asuma.
Looking at the name displayed on the match list, Tatsuya was slightly taken aback, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.
Was there truly no behind-the-scenes manipulation in this Special Jonin selection lottery?
Was the Third Hokage that confident in his own son's abilities?
Thinking this, Tatsuya's gaze involuntarily drifted towards the Third Hokage's position in the main viewing stands.
At that moment, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was seated in the central seat, observing the matches below. He seemed to sense Tatsuya's gaze, and his eyes shifted towards Tatsuya's direction.
Their gazes met for a brief moment before both looked away.
Stepping onto the arena, Asuma, a scowl on his face, addressed Tatsuya: "Tatsuya, summon your summoning animal. Otherwise, you have no chance of winning against me."
This was Asuma during his rebellious youth, his mindset far less mature than when he later became the Jonin leader of Team 10.
Tch.
A slight smirk played on Tatsuya's lips. With a flick of his right wrist, a kunai appeared in his hand.
Then, with a Body Flicker Technique, he charged towards Asuma.
He wasn't going to indulge a rebellious teenager.
No matter who his opponent was, he would secure the Special Jonin position.
With that status, many things would become much easier, such as requesting the village to exchange merits for forbidden jutsu like the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Facing Tatsuya's charge, Asuma was unfazed. He pulled out two chakra blades from the ninja tool pouch on his back and clashed with Tatsuya.
The two moved incredibly fast, appearing as two blurs flashing back and forth across the arena. The sound of weapons clashing echoed continuously.
Thanks to the boost from the Fujinhoin and the Body Activation Secret Technique, Tatsuya's physical abilities had reached the limit for his age, even surpassing most Special Jonin.
With his excellent physical condition and the constant training of a shadow clone, Tatsuya's taijutsu had improved by leaps and bounds.
As the Third Hokage's son, Asuma had received elite training from a young age. If not for the super-genius Kakashi overshadowing him, he would undoubtedly be the strongest among his peers, particularly excelling in taijutsu and swordsmanship.
"That guy, Akimichi Tatsuya, is actually able to fight Asuma to a standstill in taijutsu! How did he do it? He was always a dead-last in the Ninja Academy!"
Below the stage, Anko Mitarashi watched the intense exchange with a look of utter astonishment.
Everyone knew Asuma's strength; he was undoubtedly a top contender among their peers. In terms of pure taijutsu, perhaps only Kakashi and Might Guy could rival him.
Yet now, Tatsuya was suddenly displaying this level of skill before them, shocking everyone.
Nearby, Kurenai Yuhi, Genma Shiranui, Iruka Umino, and Hayate Gekko were all gaping in disbelief.
Among them, only Might Guy's eyes sparkled with excitement, a fervent look on his face as he watched the two battling on the arena. "Tatsuya's taijutsu has always been strong! I really want to have a match with them!"
Might Guy hadn't interacted much with Tatsuya, but as a taijutsu specialist, he had long noticed Tatsuya's exceptional physical abilities, far exceeding ordinary people.
In his mind, someone with such physical prowess naturally wouldn't be lacking in taijutsu skill.
It was this understanding that fueled Might Guy's persistent desire to have a youthful, passionate battle with Tatsuya.
Hearing this, the others rolled their eyes, ignoring Might Guy, and continued to focus on the match.
On the stage, after a fierce exchange of taijutsu, the expression on Asuma's face had shifted from relaxed to serious.
At the beginning of the fight, Asuma could clearly feel that his swordsmanship was slightly superior to Tatsuya's.
But as the fight progressed, Asuma noticed that Tatsuya's kunai usage was subtly starting to resemble his own swordsmanship style, and he was now engaging with him effortlessly.
What kind of monster is this guy?
He's learning my swordsmanship during the fight and then using it!
How is he doing that?!
Asuma was utterly shocked.
I can't let this continue!
Immediately, Asuma decided to change his tactics.
Thump!
A powerful sound of fists and feet colliding echoed as Tatsuya and Asuma's bodies quickly separated.
Flying through the air, Asuma began forming hand seals.
Landing on his feet, Asuma completed the seals, and a cloud of high-temperature ash erupted from his mouth, spreading towards Tatsuya.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of explosions followed, engulfing Tatsuya completely in smoke and dust.
To win the battle quickly, Asuma had unleashed his strongest ninjutsu right from the start: Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning.
This was a medium-range Fire Release attack ninjutsu. The user spews out a cloud of high-temperature ash that causes burning damage to the enemy upon contact. After a short period, it explodes, making it extremely powerful, a Jonin-level ninjutsu.
However, at this point, Asuma was still young, and his chakra reserves were not as abundant as they would be in a few years. Using this ninjutsu was somewhat straining for him.
After performing the ninjutsu, Asuma's chakra was almost completely depleted, and he stood panting heavily.
Crack... Crack...
After the explosions subsided, a series of cracking sounds emerged from the smoke.
What's going on?
Hearing the sound, Asuma held his chakra blades defensively in front of him, staring warily ahead.
The smoke cleared, revealing a semi-circular stone sphere on the arena.
The surface of the sphere was covered in a network of cracks, and the cracking sounds were emanating from these fissures.
Earth Release Barrier: Earth Prison Dome of Magnificent Nothingness, a B-rank Earth Release ninjutsu, could be used both to trap opponents and for defense.
The stone sphere cracked open, and countless fragments of rock scattered across the ground. Tatsuya's figure emerged from the center of the sphere.
Damn it!
Seeing Tatsuya standing amidst the rubble, unharmed and his breathing steady, Asuma's face completely darkened.
It was clear that in this round of exchanges, he was already at a disadvantage.
Seeing Asuma's weakened state, Tatsuya didn't hold back. He quickly formed hand seals, swiftly executing Earth Release: Earth Spear.
Beneath Asuma's feet, countless sharp rocks suddenly erupted from the ground, piercing towards him in a dense formation.
Asuma, who had realized the danger when Tatsuya started forming hand seals, leaped and dodged continuously, avoiding the Earth Spear attack.
However, Tatsuya gave him no respite.
Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!
Asuma had barely evaded the Earth Spear attack when countless wind blades, generated from thin air, assaulted him again.
"No way! When did Tatsuya become so strong? Even Asuma can't handle him!"
Below the stage, Iruka couldn't help but exclaim in shock, seeing Asuma clearly at a disadvantage in terms of his condition.
"Shut up! They haven't finished yet!"
Beside him, Anko Mitarashi, hearing Iruka's exclamation, snapped back impatiently.
She couldn't stand this guy who had stolen the teacher's attention from her!
Nearby, Kurenai Yuhi spoke up, "Asuma has no chance."
Kurenai possessed a decent sensory technique, and she could clearly sense the vast difference in chakra reserves between Asuma and Tatsuya.
Asuma, also realizing he was completely at a disadvantage, stopped merely dodging. He began to move towards Tatsuya while evading the wind blades.
He was prepared to use his remaining chakra for a final gamble.
Chakra Blades: Straight Line!
Asuma's two chakra blades glowed with blue light as they flew from his hands at high speed, attacking towards Tatsuya.
Water Release: Wild Water Wave!
Water Release: Starch Syrup Capture Field!
Facing the two incoming blue chakra blades, a smile appeared on Tatsuya's lips. He quickly formed hand seals, executing two Water Release ninjutsu in rapid succession. A waterfall-like stream of water erupted from his mouth, surging towards Asuma.
However, after performing the two Water Release ninjutsu, Tatsuya himself was unable to dodge the chakra blades' attack.
Is he trying to take me down with him?
Asuma, who had just dodged the wind blade attack, also had no time to evade. He was directly hit by the surging water, his body carried backward by the torrent.
Simultaneously, Asuma felt a binding force from beneath the water, preventing him from moving his feet.
Looking at Tatsuya, who was unable to dodge, Asuma was filled with shock and reluctance.
He knew the power of the ninjutsu he had just used, and it hadn't missed Tatsuya's vital points. If it hit directly, it would likely result in death or severe injury.
That wasn't what Asuma wanted.
In his panic, Asuma instinctively turned his gaze towards his father in the viewing stands, hoping he would intervene and save Tatsuya.
However, the scene Asuma hoped for didn't happen.
Boom!
The two chakra blades struck Tatsuya, and a cloud of white smoke erupted, his figure vanishing.
Shadow Clone Technique!
He used the Shadow Clone Technique while dodging the Ash Pile Burning.
Seeing this, Asuma immediately understood what had happened.
Indeed, just as Asuma was washed to the edge of the arena, his feet unable to move, Tatsuya's figure appeared next to the pile of rubble, about one meter high.
Looking at Tatsuya walking out from beside the rubble, Asuma smiled bitterly, "I lose."
____
patreon.com/Shinobi_Scrolls