If Yoru could shatter B-rank ninjutsu, then even mid-level or elite Chunin who lacked A-rank jutsu would be swept aside by him.
And if he could eventually break through A-rank ninjutsu, then even Jonin—perhaps even elite Jonin—would find it extremely difficult to defeat him.
Bloodline limits rarely allowed for true cross-rank battles, but they always granted overwhelming superiority against others of the same level.
The Uchiha Clan's Sharingan, the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan—why were they so feared? Because anyone who awakened these Kekkei Genkai would undoubtedly be an elite among their peers.
But Yoru's Kekkei Genkai, a power capable of outright destroying ninjutsu, seemed even more overwhelming—more absolute—than either the Sharingan or Byakugan.
At the Genin level, taijutsu was useless against him, ninjutsu was ineffective… defeating Yoru was practically impossible!
"You win…"
Minato's voice carried a hint of bitterness. He didn't launch another attack. Instead, he admitted defeat.
His chakra and stamina were almost entirely depleted—there was no question that the battle had been decided.
He looked at Yoru deeply, a trace of unwillingness flashing in his eyes. Minato was a proud fighter; losing here left a sour taste in his mouth.
"Yoru, I'm glad I got to fight you… I'll be challenging you again in the future."
"Anytime," Yoru replied with a calm nod.
With Minato's official surrender, the final match of the combat ranking exam came to an end.
The proctor took a deep breath, then raised his hand high into the air.
"The victor… Yoru!"
Boom!
The entire arena erupted into cheers.
Yoru—ranked first in the combat ranking exam!
He had officially surpassed Minato Namikaze, claiming the title of Konoha's newest prodigy!
None of the students could believe it. Just a few months ago, Yoru had been nothing more than a dead last who couldn't even perform basic ninjutsu.
Now, after awakening his Kekkei Genkai, he had completely overturned everyone's expectations.
At that moment, everyone remembered the name of his bloodline limit—Shatter Release.
Some even envisioned a future where this unique ability would shake the entire ninja world.
Ignoring the admiring and envious gazes around him, Yoru leapt up to the stands and landed next to Kushina.
"I kept my promise," he said with a grin.
"First place."
He held up a single finger, waving it playfully in front of her.
Kushina was still staring at him in a daze.
For a moment, she had thought Yoru was certain to lose, but the outcome had been an overwhelming reversal.
Not only had he won, but it was an undisputed victory!
Throughout the entire combat exam, Yoru's clothes hadn't even been scratched!
Even Minato—arguably Konoha's most talented student—hadn't been able to leave a single mark on him.
Kushina's lips trembled, and her bright eyes filled with unshed tears.
She was… happy.
Happy for Yoru.
Others may not have noticed him before, but she had.
She knew just how hard Yoru had worked.
After school, when no one was watching, even late into the night—he never stopped training.
To Kushina, Yoru's victory wasn't luck.
It was earned.
This was simply the reward for his dedication and effort!
"…Why are you crying?"
Yoru chuckled softly and gently wiped away the tears forming in the corners of her eyes.
"Wha—!"
Kushina suddenly snapped out of her daze. Her face instantly flushed red.
She puffed up her cheeks and huffed in frustration.
"Hmph! It's just first place—what's there to be so proud of?! You're still far from being good enough to chase after me!"
Pfft!
Yoru nearly choked on air.
And then, the moment she processed what she had just blurted out, Kushina's face exploded into an even deeper shade of crimson.
Everyone around them stood frozen, their mouths hanging open in shock.
Even she couldn't handle the embarrassment—she immediately turned and bolted, disappearing in an instant.
Yoru stood there, his mouth twitching.
But after a moment, he couldn't help but laugh.
—
On the observation deck.
"…Minato… actually lost?"
Jiraiya, who had been leaning against the railing, suddenly fell over with a loud crash—flopping onto the floor like a clumsy toad. His exaggerated expression only made the other Jonin twitch in exasperation.
Tsunade, standing nearby, clenched her fist, barely resisting the urge to kick Jiraiya across the room.
Instead of paying attention to his antics, she turned toward Yoru.
Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
His combat style… his sheer raw power…
He's exactly my type.
If Jiraiya planned to take Minato as a student, she had no doubt—she would personally take Yoru under her wing.
"Heh heh heh… What an exciting battle," Orochimaru chuckled, propping himself up from where he had been leaning against the wall.
"A rare clash between prodigies…"
He glanced at Yoru below, an enigmatic smile curling his lips.
"But I wonder—just how far will they be able to go?"
Then, as he turned to leave, his voice dropped to a whisper.
"Oh, and… that boy named Yoru… seems to have an even bigger problem coming his way."
At those words, Tsunade's expression darkened slightly.
She turned toward the Third Hokage.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had been silent ever since Danzo left, his face unreadable as he sat deep in thought.
—
Elsewhere in Konoha.
Yoru's stunning victory over Minato in the combat ranking exam sent shockwaves throughout the entire village.
In a single day, his name spread like wildfire.
Nobody had expected it—this boy whom they once ridiculed as an arrogant fool, daring to challenge Uchiha Han, had actually proven himself as a true genius.
With this achievement, opinions on Yoru's past challenge shifted.
Before, people had dismissed him as reckless and overconfident—practically inviting his own death by provoking the Uchiha Clan.
Now, they saw it differently.
A young prodigy, full of talent and potential… of course he would be proud.
That was natural.
Many people's attitudes toward him changed dramatically.
But despite this newfound respect, no one believed that Yoru could actually win against Uchiha Han.
The combat exam, at its core, was merely a Genin-level test.
Uchiha Han, on the other hand, was already a Chunin—one of the strongest in his rank.
Not just any Chunin either—he was an elite.
An elite Chunin versus an academy student?
Even with Yoru's talent, even with his bloodline limit—there was no way.
It would be impossible to cross that gap