Apologies for the confusion. I now understand that the character's name is Yoru, and I'll be sure to keep it consistent throughout the translation. Here is the corrected version:
After arriving at the main venue, Minato Namikaze naturally noticed Yoru, who had arrived even earlier.
Minato was slightly surprised but nodded in acknowledgment.
If it was Yoru, then it made sense that he was faster. After all, Yoru had defeated Uchiha Izuna.
Just as Minato was considering whether to greet Yoru, the third and fourth victors also entered the venue.
At the same time, some interested Jonin, Chunin, and a few students who had forfeited their matches gathered at the venue, taking their seats eagerly, ready to watch the battle.
This was the main event. The other arenas were just child's play.
Soon, the venue was filled with even more spectators.
Finally, all four victorious participants from the different arenas arrived.
To be considered a victor, one had to win four consecutive matches.
If someone lost a single match, even if they won the others, they were not considered a victor.
So, only ten people were present.
Of those ten, only a few appeared to have undergone hard battles, while most, like Yoru and Minato, seemed completely relaxed and unharmed.
"Everyone is here, right?"
Looking down at the ten exceptional youths, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, smiled slightly.
These children were the future pillars of Konoha!
"Yes, Lord Hokage, everyone has arrived."
A ninja reported to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi nodded and was ready to begin the trials.
However, just then, an unexpected event occurred!
There was a stir in the crowd.
A figure appeared at the entrance.
Using a cane, he calmly walked towards the highest platform where Sarutobi sat.
Someone was also helping him bring over a chair.
It was Danzo, the Hokage's advisor!
"Oh, I didn't expect you to make time to come," Sarutobi Hiruzen remarked with a flicker in his eyes.
"As it concerns Konoha's future, it's only natural for me, the Hokage's advisor, to pay attention," Danzo replied nonchalantly as he seated himself beside Sarutobi.
An old fox, Sarutobi thought to himself, immediately understanding Danzo's intentions.
Undoubtedly, Danzo was here to scout out talented individuals to recruit for the ROOT organization.
However, Sarutobi usually turned a blind eye to Danzo's actions unless they posed a significant threat.
Danzo briefly scanned the ten youngsters below, then leisurely took a sip of tea.
"They're all too immature. They need proper training before they'll be of any use."
"A fledgling eagle, even when immature, will eventually learn to soar," Sarutobi said with a smile, responding calmly.
He then gave a signal to the examiner standing by.
The examiner nodded, and after receiving the cue, he stepped into the arena.
"By making it this far, you've all proven yourselves to be the most outstanding of your generation."
"Lord Hokage is watching you from above."
"Show him your very best side!"
The examiner, now an elite Jonin rather than a Chunin instructor, announced with authority.
Thus, the practical rank assessment officially began!
The names of the participants—Yoru, Minato, and the others—were shuffled randomly, and they were paired for the upcoming battles.
"The first match: Yoru vs. Hyuga Setsuna!"
The examiner raised his hand to announce the first match, drawing everyone's attention, particularly the Jonin in attendance.
Even Danzo slightly shifted his gaze.
"Yoru... he's the one who dared to challenge the Uchiha Clan's Chunin, Izuna, to a deathmatch, right?"
"Interesting. I'm curious to see how capable he is," some of the Jonin murmured among themselves, casting scrutinizing looks at Yoru.
In fact, these Jonin were already evaluating and selecting the most promising students for future assignments.
It was highly unlikely that any two victors would be placed in the same team after graduation. These ten victors would likely be separated to maintain balance among the teams.
"First match, and it's him. I'm eager to see what he can do. I hope he doesn't disappoint, especially since he's been challenging Minato for the title."
From the top, Jiraiya jumped onto the railing, completely ignoring the decorum expected of an elite Jonin.
Watching this, Tsunade's lip twitched, feeling embarrassed by his antics. She wanted to kick him down, but considering how that would look, she decided to ignore him instead.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru remained cool and aloof, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed behind his head, observing the scene with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
In the arena, Yoru and Hyuaga Setsuna stepped forward to face each other.
Minato and the others began to move to the side, preparing to watch closely.
Hyuga Setsuna gazed at Yoru with an unusual look.
He had, of course, heard about Yoru's reputation, and as a child from a prestigious family, he was acutely aware of these matters.
After a brief pause, Hyuga Setsuna sighed with what seemed like pity, saying, "What a shame. If only you were born in the Hyuga clan… The arrogant Uchiha wouldn't dare challenge us, but we would never allow them to get away with it."
"You're showing off your family's superiority?" Yoru asked, calmly meeting his gaze.
Hyuga Setsuna faintly shook his head and said, "No. I just think that you've managed to get this far, which is impressive. But this match… I must win. I want to make you happy before you die."
That sentence nearly made Yoru punch him straight away.
"Happy before I die? What nonsense!" Yoru almost lost his temper.
Luckily, Yoru had great composure and wouldn't let a child under ten provoke him, but he still couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth and ask, "You think you've already won?"
"You only use Taijutsu, and in Taijutsu… no one can beat the Hyuga," Hyuga Setsuna said dismissively, as if it was a given.
With the Byakugan and their unique Gentle Fist style, the Hyuga Clan had always been highly confident in their Taijutsu prowess. Even the Uchiha Clan wasn't taken seriously in this regard.
"First match, begin!" The examiner called, and the match officially started.
Setsuna immediately took his stance, preparing to unleash the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist technique. He calmly gazed at Yoru, waiting for his move.
"That's the famous Gentle Fist of the Hyuga clan," someone in the audience remarked.
"In terms of Taijutsu, trying to compete with the Hyuga Clan is probably too difficult."
Everyone was watching closely, especially the Jonin, who understood that the Gentle Fist could block chakra points and even damage internal organs. Once close, the battle could quickly become dire.
Everyone was eager to see how Yoru would respond to the Hyuga Clan's superior Taijutsu.
But what shocked everyone was that Yoru's fighting style was extraordinarily simple.
There were no complex techniques, no fancy moves.
Yoru took a single step forward and threw a punch!
No matter the famous Hyuga Clan or the Gentle Fist technique, Yoru only needed one punch to crush them all!