Chapter 52: Narrow Defeat and the Finals!
Kakashi frowned slightly as he looked at Uchiha Takashi, who was almost completely covered in blood and still radiating warmth.
Despite everything, they were teammates, and there was a sense of concern.
"I'm fine!"
With a gentle wave of his hand, Uchiha Takashi sat down to quickly recover.
The battle with Maki had ended swiftly, seemingly in just a few exchanges.
However, it had consumed a significant amount of chakra and stamina.
The injuries he sustained, even with healing elixirs, required some effort to recover from.
Trading injury for victory!
That was the main reason he was able to quickly defeat Maki.
His opponent never expected him to charge forward so decisively, even under the threat of ninjutsu. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been so easy to take him down.
The advantage of being previously unnoticed was now apparent.
Not much was known about him by others.
And the semi-final matchups had been drawn.
Kakashi's expression was serious.
Because he was up against Gang Tu, while Uchiha Takashi was facing the last 'lucky' participant.
"Finally, some luck!"
Seeing this matchup, Uchiha Takashi sighed inwardly.
Previously, he had faced off against both Juan and Maki, two strong contenders from the Hidden Sand Village, with the latter being a recognized figurehead of the village.
Even now, many found it hard to accept this reality.
Now, being matched against a heavily exhausted and injured participant from a small ninja village, instead of Gang Tu or Kakashi, was indeed fortunate.
It seemed this time there was no foul play involved.
After all, reaching the semi-finals meant strong opponents were inevitable, so there was no need to deliberately avoid them.
However, there was some bad news.
In the first match, Uchiha Takashi was not placed at the end but at the beginning.
In other words, he had no time to catch his breath.
Faced with this situation, he could only drag his weary body into battle immediately.
And this time, he had no informational advantage like he did against Maki.
The small ninja village participant named Ongen was incredibly slippery, giving him no chance for a quick victory.
If not for the ninja tool, the Flaming Fist, Uchiha Takashi wouldn't have been able to conserve his strength.
At a critical moment, he blocked an attack with the back of his hand and then used a fierce strike to send his opponent flying, securing victory.
After dealing with his opponent, it was time for the next high-stakes match.
Kakashi vs. Gang Tu!
Compared to Maki's unexpected loss, this battle, eagerly anticipated by countless spectators, was already being viewed as the finals.
The attention was at its peak.
And the outcome was as expected by the audience.
Kakashi... lost.
His attacks struggled to penetrate defenses, and faced with the opponent's B-rank ninjutsu, "Weighted Rock Technique," he was at a loss.
No matter how fast he was, under the effect of several times the gravity, he inevitably slowed down.
Once his speed decreased, Kakashi, a speed-type fighter, naturally saw his combat effectiveness greatly reduced.
If he were 14, he would have easily defeated his opponent.
But at just 7 years old, he was at a disadvantage in terms of physical strength and chakra, leading to a direct defeat by Gang Tu.
A glorious defeat!
This phrase perfectly described Kakashi's performance in this battle.
In terms of tactics, skills, and ninjutsu... he had done his best.
And if not for Minato Namikaze stepping in to save him at a critical moment, he might have fought to the death.
Thus, Kakashi's popularity not only remained unaffected by the loss but actually soared.
After all, he was only seven, while Gang Tu was twice his age.
Other ninja of the same age were just entering the ninja academy, let alone becoming genin, while he had made it to the semi-finals of the joint Chunin Exams.
If this isn't a super genius, then what is?
Kakashi's reputation as a super genius was instantly solidified.
Both the Hidden Sand and Hidden Stone villages looked at him with undisguised killing intent.
Because this talent is even more exaggerated than the White Fang. Once he grows up, he will be a 'White Fang Plus' version.
Who can tolerate that!
Especially the Sand Ninja, who were turned upside down by the White Fang, didn't even bother to hide their dirty tricks.
The moment Kakashi was defeated, Pakura seemed to step forward to 'save him,' but only heaven knows what she was really doing. Plus, Gang Tu also intentionally or unintentionally lent a hand.
If it weren't for Minato Namikaze, the future 'Fastest Shinobi in the World,' stepping in, Kakashi might have been done for.
The great ninja villages may care about their reputation, but when faced with the chance to eliminate a super genius from an enemy village, they can afford to be shameless.
Konoha even adopted a stance ready for war.
However, the alliance between Iwagakure and Sunagakure managed to avoid an immediate conflict.
Now you understand why the two Kage not only came in person but also brought so many strong fighters, right?
It was entirely to ensure that if a battle broke out, they wouldn't suffer too much.
Konoha indeed has the home advantage, and if it came down to it, they would surely win.
But the biggest concern is also this.
Once a real fight breaks out, the home ground would be lost too. Even if they die, the enemy could still destroy the village of Konoha.
It is precisely this kind of deterrence that allowed the two Kage to come without worry.
If the competition were held far from Konoha, do you think they would dare to come?
In the end, after the three Kage made a deal, the matter was settled.
After Kakashi's defeat, the list for the finals was announced.
Gang Tu vs. Uchiha Takashi! The former was no surprise, as his strength was indeed the strongest in this joint Chunin Exam.
But the latter shocked countless people.
'Tail-end,' 'waste,' 'freeloader'... such titles are no secret; any Konoha villager could tell you.
That's why no one questioned the data on Uchiha Takashi in the intelligence manual before.
But this seemingly insignificant person actually fought his way into the finals, leaving many people dumbfounded.
Of course, many also suffered heavy losses.
For instance, a certain blonde twin-tail was jumping up and down, cursing.
As for the big nobles and wealthy merchants who ran the betting, although they encountered an upset, they could only say they made a small profit, not a huge one.
The real big winner, of course, was Uchiha Mei, who bet on Uchiha Takashi without hesitation.
Although the odds were too low during the semifinals, making her refrain from betting to avoid being restricted for betting too frequently.
But by the finals, the odds skyrocketed.
It was directly 1.3:2.5 odds.
In other words, betting a hundred million on Uchiha Takashi could return 250 million, netting a profit of 150 million.
Odds fluctuate, and only with enough bets can the pot be supported.
Without such a large pot, it would be impossible to make a big haul.
On the main stand.
"I hope there won't be a repeat of what happened before, or don't blame us, Konoha!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice carried a warning.
In other words, if the two great ninja villages dared to play any tricks, they shouldn't blame him.
At his current age, he was still a 'Ninja Hero' rather than the future 'Ninja Bear.'
"Of course, that was just a misunderstanding!"
The Third Kazekage's expression didn't change at all, as if Pakura hadn't done anything just now.
"Yes, it was a misunderstanding!"
Onoki also agreed.
Now he and the Third Kazekage were temporarily united, with none of the life-and-death feelings of past ninja wars.
"It better be a misunderstanding!"
What else could Sarutobi Hiruzen say?
At least they got compensation, and since a battle here was impossible, he could only forgive them.
And the much-anticipated finals officially began.
Unlike before, many ninjas stood at the edge of the arena and the audience seats.
To prevent accidental injuries.
If it were just taijutsu or genjutsu, it would be fine.
But the destructive power of strong ninjutsu is truly astonishing, so precautions are necessary.
And so, in a feverish atmosphere, the final showdown began.
(End of Chapter)
Promising PS start let them come :D