The preliminary match arena was a square, open space.
With twelve teams advancing, a total of thirty-six ninja competed. In the best-case scenario, eighteen would move on to the third stage, the decisive matches to determine who would become Chunin.
Competitors were selected randomly, their names displayed on a central LCD screen in the arena.
Death was a possibility in these preliminaries. While killing wasn't restricted, a referee would intervene if a contestant surrendered.
"Let's begin the random selection of fighters." Minato \announced, serving as both proctor and referee for the matches.
Given that all five great ninja villages were in Konoha, this Chunin Exam was exceptional. Many of Konoha's renowned ninja, like Minato, were assigned as referees.
The LCD screen flickered, revealing two names: Tengen and Kadokawa Ishi.
"Huh, didn't expect to be first." Tengen remarked, mildly surprised.
As for Kadokawa Ishi, Tengen had never heard of him, likely some obscure ninja. In these Chunin Exams, Tengen had no concerns. With his strength, only Jonin or Kage could pose a threat. Mid-tier ninja like Chunin stood no chance.
"Tengen, let's see what you're capable of." Orochimaru said from the sidelines, his smile faint but chilling.
"Orochimaru-sensei, this Kadokawa Ishi won't make me break a sweat." Tengen replied confidently.
"Ha, go on then." Orochimaru chuckled. He was well aware of Tengen's prowess, which ranked among the top in Chunin-level strength. Without some unique ability, Kadokawa Ishi had no hope of challenging Tengen, let alone forcing him to reveal his true power.
"Orochimaru, you know Tengen's a real genius, maybe even surpassing you." Jiraiya interjected from nearby.
"Surpassing me?" Orochimaru's smile widened. "I'm aware, but Jiraiya, what's Tengen gone and done now?"
"It's a secret." Jiraiya said, grinning mischievously.
"Tengen." Orochimaru's gaze shifted to the young ninja.
"Orochimaru-sensei, let me keep you guessing for now. I'm heading down." Tengen said, leaping from the stands to the arena floor.
"Haha, Orochimaru, see? Tengen's closer to me." Jiraiya laughed.
"Whatever." Orochimaru said, shaking his head.
"Tsunade, your disciple Shizune made it through the Forest of Death." Jiraiya said, turning to Tsunade and Shizune beside her.
"Barely." Tsunade replied, shaking her head. "Shizune was with Kurenai when they ran into two teams of Kiri-nin. If Tengen hadn't passed by, they'd have been in serious trouble."
"Didn't realize this year's Chunin Exam candidates were that strong." Jiraiya said, surprised.
"They are." Orochimaru added. "It's not just Konoha. The other four great villages are stirring, sending ninja with real skill. They're not just aiming to shine in the finals before the daimyo and great nations."
"True. Seems the Kumogakure even sent a Jinchuriki this time." Jiraiya noted.
"Exactly." Orochimaru said, his eyes gleaming. "After this Chunin Exam, things might…"
In the arena, Tengen landed lightly. Across from him, a ninja much older than Tengen jumped down.
This was Kadokawa Ishi, bearing the Iwagakure Village's forehead protector, a Genin from Iwagakure.
"Didn't expect my opponent to be a Konoha brat. Looks like victory's mine." Kadokawa Ishi boasted loudly, as if announcing his presence to the entire arena.
"Oh?" Tengen smirked, shaking his head, waiting for Minato to start the match.
To Tengen, this Iwa-nin was a clown. Did he not consider how Tengen had survived the Forest of Death?
Perhaps Kadokawa Ishi assumed Tengen got lucky, facing weak or injured opponents and scavenging scrolls.
Up in the stands, ninja who knew Tengen exchanged knowing smiles. This Iwa-nin's bravado was about to backfire.
Terumi, a Kiri-nin who had experienced Tengen's strength firsthand, knew he had Jonin-level power. Kadokawa Ishi, acting like a fool, had no chance against Tengen, maybe in his dreams.
"Tengen, crush that Kadokawa Ishi! Show him who's boss!" Anko shouted from the stands.
For someone like Anko, advancing in the preliminaries depended heavily on luck. A weak opponent might let her pass, but a strong one could eliminate her instantly.
Tengen's other teammate, Uchiha Juto, was a different story.
"Let the match begin!" Minato declared.
At the signal, Kadokawa Ishi leaped back, hurling several shuriken that streaked toward Tengen like beams of light.
Tengen drew a kunai, effortlessly deflecting the shuriken, then vanished from Kadokawa Ishi's sight in a blur.
"Not good!" Kadokawa Ishi's eyes widened as Tengen reappeared right in front of him, impossibly fast.
He tried to dodge, hoping to regroup, but all he could see was Tengen's faintly amused expression.
Tengen's right fist slammed into Kadokawa Ishi's abdomen, raw power surging through. The Iwa-nin rocketed backward, crashing into the arena wall.
Boom. The impact cracked the wall, and Kadokawa Ishi slumped to the ground, blood trickling from his mouth, head lolling as he fell unconscious.
"Too weak." Tengen muttered, unimpressed.
The arena fell silent, stunned by Tengen's overwhelming victory in the first match.
One punch had ended it.
***
Every 5 reviews and 200 power stones, a bonus chapter will be dropped.
(5,10,15, 200, 400, 600, and so on then two bonus chapters will be dropped, 1 for 5 reviews and 1 for 200 power stones, so that's 2 bonus chapters!)
And if you want to read more than 50 chapters early, feel free to visit pat re on. com / Xelenea (remove space).