Escape From Konoha

The dazzling sunlight shines on the forest clearing through the gaps in the tree shades.

Asuka and Sai both bent over, placing their palms on their knees, panting.

A large amount of dust was vaguely visible on their clothes, and their postures looked quite embarrassed.

The surrounding trees were covered with scratches that looked like the claws of wild beasts, as well as shocking holes as large as the mouth of a bowl.

The ground is also full of craters, as if it had been bombarded by explosives one after another.

"That's it for today."

Looking at the two panting people in front of him, Yi Ji also lowered his arms, softened his tone, and the original fierce aura on his body immediately dissipated.

After hearing these words, Asuka and Cai sat down on the ground with relief.

Several days have passed since the qualifiers. During these few days, the two of them have been receiving special training from Yi Ji, trying to improve their strength as much as possible before the third final.

Compared with the preliminaries, the genin who entered the finals were basically not strong opponents who could easily win.

In addition, the finals format is a championship. It is not just a matter of playing one game, but continuous battles until the rankings are determined.

This is a great test of the ninja's own tactical application and willpower.

Because this tournament requires not a short-lived victory, but a final victory.

If you can't even see through this and even make unintended moves, then you will obviously be eliminated from the game at the beginning.

Although getting a Chuunin rating has nothing to do with ranking, the more matches you play, the more your abilities will be reflected. This will undoubtedly give you extra points, and the greater your chance of being promoted to Chunin.

Because they were too tired, Asuka and Cai didn't want to talk now. They just sat there eating Bingliang Pills and began to recover chakra and physical strength.

Because the special training method was too harsh, before the effects of the Bingliang Pills were exerted, the two of them could not muster any strength. It could be said that they were forced to the limit.

Only in this way can they break through their own limits and achieve an increase in strength in a short period of time.

Even if they were at this point, even if they broke the restrictions, they wouldn't be able to achieve any improvement in quality within a few days. Even so, being able to strengthen it a little means that the winning rate will be relatively higher during the game.

If it is true what Shiraishi said at the beginning, even if it is just a few days of leisure, it is estimated that he will be eliminated soon and become an outcast.

"By the way, you can make your own arrangements for the rest of the time."

Yi Ji saw the two people's faces slowly turning rosy and spoke.

"Aren't you going to need special training next?"

Asuka and Cai were slightly taken aback.

Yiji smiled helplessly: "Don't you forget the time? There is only one day left before the finals."

"That is to say..."

Hearing Yiji's words, Asuka and Asuka immediately realized that time passed so quickly.

Four days passed by in a blink of an eye, and there was only one day left before the finals started.

But it's no wonder that they didn't notice this. They had been staying in the wild for special training these days. No matter it was day or night, as long as they rested, they basically spent time in training without noticing the passage of time.

If it hadn't been for Yiji's reminder, they would have thought that today was just the second day of the qualifying round.

"That's right. Tomorrow morning at nine o'clock is the time when the finals officially begin. There won't be much free time left for you."

Yiji took out her pocket watch. The time displayed on it was 11:30 noon. In less than twenty-four hours, it was the start time of the finals.

Including the subsequent eating and sleeping time, the time available for the two of them is estimated to be only about eleven or twelve hours.

At this time, Yiji did not plan to use special training, but let Asuka and Asuka make their own arrangements.

Whether they use it to relax their body or summarize the training results of the past few days, it is up to them.

"The final...the opponent in the first round is the Wind Release Ninja. I feel like my luck is really bad."

Asuka felt troubled when she thought that the opponent she was going to face in the first round was Temari from the Kingdom of Wind.

Although he has considered training fire escape vigorously in the past few days, no matter how hard he trains, fire escape cannot be achieved overnight.

Temari's wind escape technique is very powerful, and ordinary fire escape techniques may not be able to suppress it.

The attributes are incompatible, which is a result that will only occur when the power of the spells is equal and the obtained strength is not much different.

But if the power of Wind Escape is too much stronger than that of Fire Escape, then the restraint relationship between Fire Escape and Wind Escape may not be suitable for reality.

Temari, like herself, focused all her attack methods on one type of escape technique.

Human energy is limited.

Research work, Thunder Release training, Sharingan practice, all took up a lot of his energy... In this case, Asuka felt helpless when encountering a ninja who was proficient in Wind Release.

Although he was confident of victory when Lei Dun was restrained, but in that case... he might be exposed to more things, which would be detrimental to subsequent games.

After all, a tournament does not end with a victory, but a protracted battle. In a protracted war, all the trump cards must not be exposed from the beginning.

"It is indeed very difficult for you. But I advise you not to underestimate your opponent. If you only think about hiding your methods, and you are hesitant to use your trump card, you will be knocked off the stage accidentally..."

Although Yiji didn't tell the result, her laughter made Asuka shudder.

really.

This is also the downside of protracted warfare.

Because he wanted to win the final victory too much, he needed to hide his trump card in the early stage. As a result, he was accidentally defeated because of hiding his trump card... This kind of example is also common in the ninja world.

If you only play one game like the qualifiers, you won't have to worry about this, but in the finals of the championship format, any carelessness and clumsiness may cause you to overturn in the gutter.

But in order to ensure final victory, hidden means are often needed. Therefore, this tests the ninja's instant judgment ability.

"Then, the special training will end here. Next is your free time. I will go back first."

After saying that, without waiting for the two of them to reply, a few leaves fell down, and Yiji's figure disappeared from the place.

"That's great. If you become a Jonin, you won't have to participate in such troublesome competitions."

Looking at the direction where Yi Ji left, Asuka showed an envious expression.

"Rather than this, let's think about the next tactics. However, if Brother Asuka wins, it will probably be a duel between the two of us. Next, it is better for us to practice separately."

Obviously, Cai planned to use the remaining time to review the results of the past few days of special training alone.

"We are brothers after all, so it doesn't matter if we continue to practice together, right?"

"No, I don't want Brother Asuka to take advantage of his weakness and target him. Even if there is a one in ten thousand possibility, I will eliminate it."

Cai did not hesitate to refuse Asuka's invitation to practice together.

For him, the most terrifying thing about Asuka is not the ninjutsu, but the opponent's mind.

We should also be thankful that this is just an exam, not a real battlefield. There are many restrictions on the ninjas. They can only use the props within the regulations, rather than unlimited use of various tools.

Seeing Cai refuse without hesitation, Asuka could only sigh helplessly.

Although they have been brothers since they were young and have been colluding in the same team since childhood, they will also become opponents in the finals.

It can be said that this is the opponent that he least wants to encounter, bar none.

In the past few months of outing experience, Aya was responsible for most of the main force hunting jounin, while he and Xiang Rin assisted from the side and did not dare to have direct contact with the jounin for too long.

It would be too terrifying for a ninja with such strength to face an imaginary enemy.

"It seems that you have hidden a lot of strength before, Cai."

"Isn't it the same with Brother Asuka? I guess he has already prepared a trump card against me. When the time comes, I will learn from him personally."

The two brothers looked at each other, then smiled.

Although it has not been stated clearly, the other party's personality is well understood.

After all, although they don't have the same mother, they do have the same father.

In this kind of competition, even brothers who are related by blood cannot believe it.

From the second exam to the end of the third exam, they were enemies against each other, not comrades and brothers!

◎

"Ice Release... turns out to be Gaara's first opponent. Although various tactics have been discussed in the past few days, if we face each other tomorrow, Gaara may still be in a difficult battle."

In another forest, Sunagakure's trio gathered here.

Next to the three of them, Maki Sunagakure, who was their mentor, was also here.

Listening to Temari's analysis, Maki also knew that Haku, the Kirigakure genin who possesses Ice Release, and Gaara didn't get along well.

Of course, Ice Release does not restrain Gaara's Sand, but Ice Release Blood Succession Limit evolved from the combination of Water Release and Wind Release.

Being proficient in Ice Escape, there is no reason not to use Water Escape and Wind Escape. The Water Release Ninja is exactly the type that Gaara is not good at dealing with.

As the ultimate trump card of Sunagakure, they naturally hope that Gaara will win the first place in the finals instead of stopping in the first round.

"Water Release will make it more difficult for Gaara to control the sand, and the speed will also become slower. However, it will also increase the weight of the sand, making the sand's defensive capabilities stronger."

Mackey expressed his opinion.

Sand mixed with water will indeed become very heavy, which will greatly reduce the speed.

But everything has two sides, there is a bad side, but there is also a good side.

Temari naturally understands this truth, but it will still make Gaara passive.

Regarding Temari's worries, Gaara's face showed no sadness or joy. He naturally knew the shortcomings of his ninjutsu, but to say that he was afraid, this was not enough.

These days were not wasted on him. He had already thought of various tactics and used them in the first round.

As Maki said, water will increase the weight of the sand, but it will also increase the weight of the sand, making the sand's defense power condensed by chakra even higher.

As long as it is used properly, even the disadvantages can be the key to victory.

"It would be great if Gaara could use his father's sand gold. In this case, Water Release would be completely ineffective."

Temari sighed.

Although the art of placer gold is also derived from the art of manipulating sand, the weight of placer gold is far greater than that of sand.

Even if it is stained with water, it will not affect the power and speed of placer gold too much.

The load caused by water on placer gold is not as heavy as imagined.

But sand is a completely different story.

This is Gaara's weakness, and when he meets a Water Release ninja, this weakness will be exposed.

"Master Kazekage's gold dust technique is already within the bloodline range. Even if you inherit the bloodline of Lord Kazekage, you may not be able to inherit this power."

Marky sighed.

It’s no secret that lineage boundaries can be passed down to future generations.

However, it would be a pity that none of the Fourth Kazekage's three children would inherit the Magnetic Escape Blood Inheritance Limit of Placer Gold.

Even Gaara, the most promising, has yet to demonstrate his ability to control sand gold.

"And compared to Gaara, I think Temari has more to worry about on your side."

Although Water Release will restrain Gaara's sand, it is not fatal because the sand Gaara carries with him is special sand.

The sand that can be restrained by water is only the sand made by Gaara himself, and it is difficult to restrain the special sand that Gaara himself has.

The two cannot be confused.

In contrast, Temari, who also advanced to the finals, worried Maki even more.

The opponent is the Uchiha clan of the Kingdom of Ghosts... As if recalling some terrible past events, Maki's body trembled.

"I?"

"That's right. Your opponent, Uchiha Asuka, is the child of Uchiha Ruri and Chiba Shiraishi, and is similar in age to you. Although he currently only shows the ability of Thunder Release, if he is proficient in Thunder Release, he will also be proficient in Thunder Release. Fire Escape may be a tough battle for you.”

Ordinary fire escape is ineffective against Temari, but will be blown back by the violent wind escape. Mackey knew this.

However, the fire escape used by the Uchiha clan ninja cannot be treated with common sense.

Although Asuka has never shown the ability of Fire Release, Maji still assumes that the opponent is not only proficient in Thunder Release, but also proficient in Fire Release Ninjutsu.

No reason, just because the other person's last name is Uchiha.

The relationship between the Fire Release and the Uchiha clan is very deep, and it is not an exaggeration to say that they exist as one body.

"Don't worry, Teacher Ma Ji, I have prepared the Water Escape Scroll in advance. It's okay if he doesn't use Fire Escape. Once he uses Fire Escape, he will be extinguished by my Water Escape Scroll."

As for the thunder escape, it was the escape technique that Temari was least afraid of.

Therefore, when faced with Marky's worries, Temari seemed confident.

"In short, you can't take it lightly. Whatever you can think of, the other party may also think of. From his previous battle with the Konoha genin, you also know that he is an extremely cautious person. Moreover, he also has a third killing weapon—— Sharingan. Genjutsu is also something you need to guard against."

Markey's expression was serious.

Only two sand ninjas entered the final.

No matter what, you have to win the first round. As for the second, third or fourth round, that is something you should only consider after winning the first round.

"Yes, I understand."

Temari nodded solemnly.

With Fire Escape, she can use the Water Escape Scroll to create an effect equivalent to Water Escape, suppressing Fire Escape.

But facing the Sharingan, she didn't have a good way to deal with it.

Genjutsu ninjas were one of the types she was least good at dealing with.

Fortunately, her ninjutsu are all long-range attacks, so she won't easily give the enemy a chance to get close. As long as she is careful, she doesn't worry too much about the threat of the Sharingan, which makes her restrained.

"Then, let's continue training. Kankuro, you are responsible for buying a bento."

Maki clapped his hands and continued to prepare for the special training of Temari and Gaara. By the way, he also gave Kankuro, who was doing nothing, a task.

Kankuro, who was eliminated in the preliminaries, was naturally a little unhappy when he heard these words: "Why is it me again?"

Having said that, when Gaara's eyes turned his head, Kankuro immediately fell silent, pursed his lips twice, said nothing after that, and ran away in a panic.

Brother or something, it's really scary!

◎

"Konoha Tornado!"

boom!

The two legs collided quickly, causing an explosion in mid-air.

"Hahaha, Li, this is youth!"

Kay laughed loudly.

"Yes, Teacher Kai!"

Then Xiao Li also let out a passionate shout. After retreating to the ground, he stopped directly, then suddenly burst into flames and rushed towards Kai in front again.

Feeling the fierce fighting will in Xiao Li, Kai was not to be outdone, but in order to ensure that Xiao Li could see his offensive clearly, he slowed down to a level where Xiao Li could barely see clearly, and kept feeding Xiao Li trick.

Although the physical skills of punching and punching are not as gorgeous as ninjutsu, they are very explosive in combat effects and will make the bystanders watching become excited and want to replace one of them.

"Those two young fools are really noisy, and they both have so much energy."

Watching from a distance, Tiantian stuck out his tongue and didn't know where to start.

He had obviously been practicing all afternoon, but after half a day, he was still there tirelessly engaging in physical skills duel.

This kind of exaggerated physical strength made Tiantian very envious.

In comparison, Neji's training seemed very quiet.

He was just standing alone in another open space, standing there very quietly, seeming to be observing something.

"Seven..."

In Byakugan's field of vision, seven little birds were clearly captured by Neji's Byakugan.

Just when Neji was confirming the number, a bird suddenly flew into the sky from nowhere, making Neji startled.

"Not seven, but eight? The result is the same as before, and one is missing..."

Ning Ci turned his head and looked at the little bird who didn't know when to fly high in the sky, revealing a complex emotion and a hint of longing.

"Ningji, what are you talking about? Why did you miss one?"

Tiantian came over and asked curiously.

Neji came back to his senses, put away the complicated thoughts in his heart and replied: "No, it's nothing. I was thinking about how to defeat my opponent in tomorrow's final."

"I remember Neji, your opponent tomorrow will be a ninja from the kingdom of ghosts, he seems to have supercilious eyes just like you."

Tiantian remembered something and said.

Neji nodded and said nothing.

"However, I believe Neji, you will definitely win, because you are a genius!"

Tiantian said decisively.

The words are full of confidence and admiration for Neji.

Genius?

When Ning Ci heard Tian Tian's words, a trace of confusion flashed in his eyes, and then he became firm just as Tian Tian said.

Yes, I am a genius!

As a genius, I cannot fail in this game!

Only by thinking this way can he calm down some of the uneasiness in his heart.

At this moment, the sound of footsteps came, and the other party did not hide his whereabouts.

Neji and Tenten turned their heads and looked at the person who came. Like Neji, the person had black hair, white pupils, and wore a Konoha ninja forehead protector on his forehead, and he came here softly.

"Long time no see, Neji."

"Tokuma-senpai?"

Neji was a little surprised to see the person coming.

The opponent is of the same clan as himself, and they are all ninjas belonging to the Hyuga clan.

In Hinata Tokuma, the special jonin of the branch family is one of the few jnin in the branch family.

Seeing Ningci's clansman approaching, although Tiantian was a little surprised, she didn't insert into the conversation between the two of them ignorantly, but left silently with interest.

The intention shown by the other party was that he obviously wanted to have a private conversation with Ning Ci, and she didn't need the presence of an outsider.

Tokuma nodded slightly at Tenten's attentiveness.

Then he turned his attention to the somewhat embarrassed Ningji and said directly: "Hanabi-sama, escorted by our branch family, arrived safely at Ziyuan City not long ago. I think you already understand what this means, right?"

Neji was slightly startled.

Although Hinata Hanabi is the second daughter of the current Hyuga clan leader, she is the most powerful successor of the clan. She has been recognized by most clans. It will not be long before the Hyuga clan will have a true 'young master'.

The one who was abandoned was naturally the eldest daughter Hinata.

But now that the Konoha Hyuga Clan, the most powerful heir to the clan, came to Ziyuan City, the land of ghosts, the meaning is self-evident.

I'm here for tomorrow's finals.

"yes."

Neji lowered his head and said.

Tokuma stepped forward, patted Ningji's somewhat thin shoulder, and sighed: "Sorry, this is the collective order of the head of the family and the clan. The branch family thinks this is just a competition, even if the other party is Hyuga Aya There is no need to take Yin's children too seriously, just try your best. But for the Zong family, they can't wait for the traitors living in the country of ghosts to be humiliated in tomorrow's finals... Tell the world that the Konoha Hyuga clan is the one The strongest one also represents orthodoxy.”

Therefore, the battle tomorrow cannot be lost.

As long as he wins the first round, then, regardless of whether he wins or loses in the subsequent games, Neji will not be punished, but will become a great hero of the family.

But if he loses in the first round, although the clan members won't criticize him on the surface, they will inevitably complain about Neji secretly, thinking that he has lost the face of Konoha's orthodox Hyuga clan.

He might even take his anger out on Neji's father, Hizashi, and exert pressure and make things difficult at family meetings.

Thinking of the consequences, Neji couldn't help but clench his fists and felt pressure on his body, making it difficult for him to breathe.

I thought it was just a personal battle of honor and disgrace, but when people from the Zong family intervened, the nature of the matter became completely different.

If you are not careful, your father may be involved. This was something Neji wouldn't allow to happen.

"I understand, Tokuma-senpai, I will try my best to win the first round tomorrow!"

Seeing Neji's determined expression, Tokuma was slightly stunned.

As if feeling Neji's unwavering belief, Tokuma could only nod silently.

As separated families, they don't have much choice at this time.

It is their lifelong duty to safeguard the dignity and life of the clan, even if it means losing their own lives.

"Then I won't say anything more. Just have it in mind, Neji. I'll go back and report to Master Hanabi."

Tokuma took a deep breath, took a deep look at Ningji, and turned to leave.