Bai Ye Takes the Stage
"Hey, that Hyūga was strong—he tanked that kind of move like it was nothing."
"I remember there was a real weirdo in this year's Chūnin Exams."
"You mean the one who froze half the forest during the second round?"
"Yeah, I couldn't see clearly who it was back then—too far away. I'm not even sure he's fought yet."
While Kakashi and Kenji were fighting fiercely on the field, the other Genin naturally began discussing the standout competitors.
Bai Ye was fortunate enough to be mentioned thanks to his earlier performance. However, since his match had been the last in Group A during the morning, and most of the spectators had already left, very few had witnessed it firsthand.
As a result, only the three eliminated Genin he faced, Anko—who had stayed behind—and his own teammates knew he used ice-style ninjutsu.
Not to mention the "Hyorinmaru" he had only recently mastered—Bai Ye had never revealed his other trump cards, "Senbonzakura" and "God Spear," thinking it unwise to expose all his techniques so early.
---
"Are you kidding me?!"
Kenji had initially assumed Kakashi was being arrogant by opting for close combat, but after a long bout without landing a single hit, frustration boiled over.
He hadn't even touched a hair on Kakashi.
His anger only intensified. It felt like Kakashi was toying with him, deliberately dragging things out instead of finishing him off quickly.
Kakashi, for his part, was just trying to minimize unnecessary chakra use. There were still more rounds to go, after all.
And to be fair—Kenji's Gentle Fist defense was airtight. Any prolonged engagement risked Kakashi getting countered and shut down.
It was a classic match-up: Kakashi, fast and elusive, like a rogue; Kenji, sturdy but less mobile, like a brawler.
One aimed to chip away with calculated strikes. The other relied on landing one decisive blow—but couldn't.
Inevitably, Kakashi wore him down with steady attrition, claiming the win through smart, sustained pressure.
---
"Kakashi, you've probably just earned yourself another grudge."
Bai Ye glanced at Kenji being stretchered off. Even injured, the Hyūga still glared daggers up at the returning Kakashi.
That one was the vengeful type—no doubt about it.
"You should be worrying about your own fight," Kakashi replied coolly, shrugging. "Plenty of strong opponents left."
He was used to resentment. Ever since last year, he'd drawn that kind of attention.
"I just don't want to go last…"
Unfortunately for Bai Ye, his name was called for the second-to-last match. After all that waiting, he pushed his hair back with a showy flick and muttered under his breath.
"Guess I jinxed it."
Yu Yan gave him a smug look. "Looks like your wish didn't come true."
"I was just talking."
Bai Ye muttered defensively. Ever since that awkward moment earlier, Yu Yan hadn't missed a chance to jab at him.
---
"Zhiyi, you know how strong this guy is?"
Bai Ye's opponent, Aburame Kazuhiko, stood at the center of the arena, cloaked in black with a large gourd strapped to his back. Between the raised collar, the hood, and the iconic Aburame shades, his entire face was hidden in shadow.
"Strong enough to beat me without trying," Zhiyi replied matter-of-factly.
"…That doesn't help."
Bai Ye muttered under his breath. He could beat Zhiyi too—hardly useful as a measuring stick.
As Kazuhiko stepped into the ring, Bai Ye crouched on the guardrail, then pushed off, landing lightly at the center.
---
"So you're the one my cousin keeps talking about."
Kazuhiko's voice was flat and distant.
"Oh? I've heard Zhiyi talk about you too," Bai Ye smiled. "A lot."
But inwardly, he cursed. That little traitor! What else had he revealed?
He hadn't even known Zhiyi had a cousin, let alone one this different. While both wore the classic Aburame deadpan, Kazuhiko was quiet and inscrutable—Zhiyi's coldness was mostly for show.
Zhiyi was basically a goofball once you got to know him. Kazuhiko? He felt like a void in the air.
Without a word, Kazuhiko raised his head slightly. The gourd on his back cracked open, and a swarm of black insects erupted into the air, immediately clouding nearly a quarter of the arena.
"Colder than Kakashi," Bai Ye muttered, watching the Kikaichū spill out like an inky tide.
The mass of insects spread like a living poison cloud, sealing off the space with oppressive precision. There was no room to dodge—just a suffocating, creeping advance.
---
"Tch… troublesome."
Bai Ye narrowed his eyes. This field gave him no maneuvering room. If they were fighting on open ground, he might've been able to evade, but now he had no choice but to fight head-on.
"Hadō #31: Shakkahō!"
As the insects surged forward, Bai Ye raised his palm and fired a brilliant orb of red energy. The fireball blasted into the swarm…
…and disappeared without a trace.
"What the hell?!" Bai Ye's eyes widened. "That didn't even phase them!"
Desperate, he retreated and fired ten consecutive Shakkahō, the crimson fireballs flaring in rapid succession. But the black sea of insects swallowed them all.
Nothing worked.
The bugs kept advancing.
No escape.
No gap.
No mercy.