The new genin taking part in their first Chūnin Exams this time were truly individuals beyond ordinary comprehension.
Akado Yoroi once again slammed his fist into the spot where Shiki had just stood, but all he hit was empty air.
"You said you could beat me even without a sword. Now you're dodging all over the place—could it be that you're scared?"
Yoroi took another step back, his eyes locked firmly on Uzumaki Shiki. That red hair definitely wasn't good for hiding. No matter where he stood, he always stood out too much.
Shiki didn't care, though. Immediately after, chakra began gathering into his fists.
The opponent was too weak—it seemed holding back no longer served any purpose for training.
Then suddenly, he stomped hard against the ground. The immense force cracked the stone floor beneath him.
A deafening boom erupted as Shiki's fist smashed into Akado's gut, and the surrounding air vibrated violently, as if being pierced through.
How could he be so fast?
That was Akado's final thought before a sharp pain surged from his stomach. His vision blacked out momentarily, and blood burst from his mouth.
Just one punch—but it nearly knocked him unconscious, leaving him unable to fight.
How could someone like this even exist?
"No way… Shiki is this strong?" Kiba's eyes widened. By now, he had already encountered many formidable fighters up close.
But defeating an opponent so easily was even more shocking.
"Hmm. Among Konoha's genin, Shiki is the only one who can go head-to-head with Lee using [Strong Fist]." Might Guy nodded approvingly, watching Shiki with admiration.
However, those around him didn't get what he meant.
[Strong Fist]? What is that?" Sakura asked in confusion.
Lee smiled slightly, his eyes lighting up. "It's the opposite concept of [Gentle Fist]. We call normal taijutsu techniques used for attacking [Strong Fist]."
"What about [Gentle Fist], then?"
Lee shook his head. "Not the right time to explain. Later, you'll see it yourselves."
Though they didn't fully understand what Lee meant, hearing that they would witness it soon satisfied their curiosity—for now.
"So does that mean someone focused purely on taijutsu becomes really hard to defeat?"
Everyone recalled Shiki's earlier punch—simple yet brutal, leaving his opponent helpless.
At that moment, Might Guy suddenly grew serious.
"Absolutely don't think that way. Compared to those who can use ninjutsu or genjutsu, people relying solely on taijutsu have fewer options. If they're countered, they'll be in serious trouble."
Kurenai frowned. "Doesn't that mean someone like Lee would also be at risk as a ninja? Then what should he do if he faces an opponent who counters him?"
Her words carried concern—not just confusion, but genuine worry for both Lee and Shiki.
"That's exactly why taijutsu specialists must grow even stronger and faster."
"Fast enough to prevent opponents from even initiating countermeasures, and strong enough to punch through both their defenses and their bodies."
Everyone seemed to grasp something—the incredible potential of taijutsu. Yet, on the other hand, achieving such awe-inspiring strength often required tremendous effort, a power impossible to resist even with one's full capability.
Standing elsewhere, Orochimaru watched as Akado Yoroi spat out blood, yet still wore that same smile.
"Fighting Yoroi up close—Shiki Uzumaki looks like he picked the wrong approach."
"You brat, truly such a kid," Akado Yoroi said, blood still at the corner of his mouth, his voice slightly shaky.
But he clamped onto Shiki Uzumaki's fist, giving him no chance to break free.
The next moment, Akado Yoroi began drawing Shiki Uzumaki's chakra through his hand and into his own body.
[White Eye]
[Sharingan]
Instantly activating their Byakugan and Sharingan, Neji and Sasuke closely examined the scene.
Other ninja with strong chakra sensing abilities also showed shock.
They hadn't expected this middle-aged man wearing a black mask to possess the ability to absorb chakra.
Observing through their advanced vision techniques, Neji and Sasuke both wore grim expressions.
[Ahh!]
Suddenly screaming aloud, Sasuke startled everyone nearby, turning all gazes toward him.
"What happened, Sasuke?"
"It's nothing." Sasuke replied through clenched teeth, though clearly no one believed him.
Kakashi's expression was also extremely grim—he understood precisely why Sasuke had screamed. It was because of the cursed seal on Sasuke's neck.
Actually, when they passed through the Forest of Death, both the Third Hokage and Anko had strongly advocated for immediately halting Uchiha Sasuke's participation in the Chunin Exams.
From Anko's experience, Kakashi fully understood just what Orochimaru's cursed seal really was.
Yet he had still stopped them—he wanted to allow Sasuke to continue participating in this round of Chunin Exams.
"Sasuke, stop using your Sharingan!"
His voice turned icy, almost barking the order.
In reality, without being told, intense pain already prevented Sasuke from using it.
Sakura looked at Sasuke with concern, while Naruto didn't understand what had happened to Sasuke. He didn't know that Orochimaru had placed the cursed seal on Sasuke while he was unconscious.
Compared to Sasuke's seemingly unprovoked scream, he worried more about Shiki Uzumaki currently fighting on the battlefield. From others' explanations, he learned that Akado Yoroi was using some special means to drain Shiki Uzumaki's chakra.
The consequence of losing all one's chakra was obvious to everyone.
"Why hasn't Shiki Uzumaki broken free from Yoroi already?"
His tone carried obvious anxiety.
"Because Shiki Uzumaki doesn't need to."
Gekko Hayate softly replied. Everyone could feel the frailty in his voice.
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