Kisame looked at Zabuza's dazed expression and sneered, "Didn't expect you to get beaten that badly."
Zabuza only snorted, "Worry more about yourself. Konoha truly is full of talents."
For a moment, Kisame's expression also darkened a bit. If their group were to be completely wiped out, it was uncertain whether they'd face punishment upon returning.
To the side, Hozuki Ren showed a rare hint of worry on her face.
"If I don't perform well this time, Mizukage-sama might assign me to that dangerous mission."
For a moment, Kisame and Zabuza fell silent.
They knew what that mission was: circling from the sea to attack the interior of Sunagakure from behind, opening a breach for Kirigakure's offensive.
That location was extremely far from the Land of Water, and once they landed, they'd certainly face a siege from Sunagakure. It was essentially a one-in-a-thousand survival chance, if not zero.
If it were the past, with Zabuza's temperament, he likely wouldn't care. After all, their team was just a temporary patchwork for the Chūnin Exams.
But for some reason, perhaps Kakashi's words had touched a soft spot in him, Zabuza subconsciously asked, "If it really comes to that, do you have any last wishes? I could fulfill them for you."
Hozuki Ren looked at Zabuza in surprise, then fell into thought, "I don't have any particular wishes. Maybe the only lingering thought is about my older sister."
"She left the clan long ago, changed her name, and disappeared without a trace."
"But recently, I received a letter from her."
"In it, she said she married an ordinary man and is hiding in a village where it often snows. I heard she had a son last year."
"She hopes her son will be like a snowflake. Pure and flawless. She named him Yuki."
"If possible, I hope you can take care of her family, especially her son. I want him to grow up safely and peacefully."
Zabuza seemed lost in thought, "Like snow… pure and flawless? That really is a nice name."
"Alright then. If I have the chance, I'll visit that snowy village. But… for blood-drenched, killing-filled Mist shinobi like us, it's best not to get too close to ordinary people. It'll only bring them disaster…"
Elsewhere on the battlefield, the winner of match three, Sarutobi Asuma, reluctantly stood before match four's winner, Kurenai.
The proctor announced, "Sarutobi Asuma vs. Yuhi Kurenai—begin!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Asuma raised a hand, "I forfeit!"
The proctor froze for a second, then became awkward.
'The match hadn't even started. Is this some kind of insider manipulation?'
Kurenai was furious, glaring at Asuma: "I don't need your mercy. Fight me seriously!"
But Asuma just lazily spread his hands and looked at the proctor, "According to the rules, if one side forfeits, the other advances. I'm right, aren't I?"
The proctor could only nod and announce, "This match—Yuhi Kurenai wins!"
Kurenai was speechless and stormed toward Asuma, "Asuma, do you look down on me?"
Asuma glanced awkwardly at the upper seats where Sarutobi Hiruzen was watching with the same speechless look, and said to Kurenai in a low voice, "Anyway, the old man will find a way to make me a Chūnin. If you advance, maybe you'll get a slot too. No point wasting it outside the family."
Kurenai immediately showed a helpless expression.
But for some reason, even though she was clearly angry, her face slightly blushed.
The two left the arena just like that.
Seeing this, the proctor could only continue, "Next up—winner of match five vs. winner of match six!"
Obito, hearing this, jumped down from the stands. The match between Kurenai and Asuma had given him great inspiration.
He figured after this match, he could try the same thing when he met Rin.
On the other side, Terumi Mei and Hozuki Mangetsu's teammate, Hozuki Arashi, also jumped down from the stands.
Terumi Mei looked at Hozuki Mangetsu and asked, "Do you think Arashi has a chance?"
Hozuki Mangetsu smiled, "No chance. That Obito… might be the strongest among us all."
Terumi Mei was displeased, "Stronger than Kakashi?"
Hozuki Mangetsu was instantly furious, "You think Kakashi is stronger than me? That little brat, I'd beat ten of him."
Terumi Mei snorted, "Bluffing. Beat Rin first, then talk."
Hozuki Mangetsu immediately became serious, "That wild girl Rin… she's indeed not easy to handle."
"But…"
He confidently said, "My ability counters hers well. She has no chance."
———
While Terumi Mei and Hozuki Mangetsu were chatting, on the battlefield, the match had already ended.
Hozuki Arashi was skilled and mainly used taijutsu, but still couldn't compare to Guy, let alone beat Obito.
Obito easily defeated him.
The proctor promptly announced the result and called for contestants five and six.
Rin once again jumped down, and this time, her opponent was the one who had easily defeated Hayate, Hozuki Mangetsu.
Even Obito showed a hint of unease.
Kakashi noticed and smiled, "What? That Hozuki Mangetsu stronger than Rin?"
Obito shook his head, "No, he's probably a bit weaker. But… his ability counters Rin. How will she break the stalemate?"
Kakashi became intrigued and looked toward the battlefield, curious what kind of ability could make Obito take it so seriously.
At this moment, on the battlefield, the proctor announced, "Nohara Rin vs. Hozuki Mangetsu—begin!"
The moment the words fell, Rin simply and directly threw a punch toward Hozuki Mangetsu.
However, Mangetsu didn't even flinch. His body remained still, not dodging at all.
Suddenly, Rin felt a strong sense of déjà vu.
'This scene… seems familiar. Where have I seen it before?'
Her mind hadn't yet figured it out, but her body reacted instinctively.
She subconsciously held back some power, and with her other fist hidden, she prepared to strike.
BANG!
Rin's punch landed squarely on Hozuki Mangetsu's body.
However, in the next second, Mangetsu's body completely turned into a puddle of water. It splashed in all directions, not harming him at all.
Hozuki Mangetsu revealed a smug expression, "Your taijutsu is useless against me."
As he spoke, water from his body began to wrap around Rin's fist, trying to bind her.
But no matter how strong the force, how could it match monstrous strength?
Rin's fist paused only for a moment, then completely broke free of Mangetsu's binding.
Her fist fully escaped from his liquefied body.
Yet Mangetsu now wore a confident smile, "This is the moment I've been waiting for."
Suddenly, he released his Hydrification technique and pulled a sword from his back.
"Hiramekarei—release!"
The sword swung straight at Rin.
He was confident, the timing of this move was perfect. He had caught the brief opening right after Rin's punch.
Using the Hydrification Technique to nullify Rin's monstrous strength, then exploiting her ending lag. This was a tactic he had planned long ago.
Everything was going according to his plan.
So, this match was his!
[A/N: I saw some readers suggesting pairing Terumi Mei with Kakashi, so I went with that, haha! Also, Anko x Shisui was a reader's idea too, not my fault! Maybe I'll toss in Kurenai x Asuma later.]
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y