ALL NOVEL Chapter 33: Chapter 33
"Understood!" Orochimaru's cold voice echoed in the stadium, never one to waste time on pleasantries.
With a swift movement, he appeared at the center of the arena.
"Congratulations on making it to the official Chunin Selection Exams," Orochimaru announced, his words as sharp as ever. "Before we begin, I'll explain the rules. Like the preliminary rounds, there are no restrictions on what techniques or methods you may use. The fight ends when one participant surrenders... or dies. Only then will I declare the result."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing.
"Now, let's announce the matchups."
"First match: Hyuga Momaru vs. Fugo.
Second match: Fujiwara Tetsuya vs. Koharu Tatsu.
Third match: Senju Seito vs. Minazuki Chione.
Fourth match: Uchiha Mikoto vs. Nara Choshin.
Fifth match: Ay vs. Kitsuchi.
Sixth match: Kamunashi vs. Uchiha Tono.
Seventh match: Senju Hiroki vs. Kaguya Saki.
Eighth match: Rasa vs. Hozuki Mucan."
"Of course," Orochimaru added, "if anyone disagrees with the pairings, you are free to withdraw."
His dominance was absolute, etched in his very bones. No one dared to question a shinobi of Orochimaru's stature, even if they harbored doubts. The arena was silent, filled only with the oppressive weight of his authority.
Not even Fujiwara Tetsuya would speak up.
Nor would Ay or Kitsuchi.
But there was something oddly intriguing about the lineup, Tetsuya mused. Two Konoha shinobi pitted against each other in the first match, and now he was facing someone from the influential Koharu clan. Knowing Orochimaru's pride, it couldn't be pure coincidence. Perhaps it was a subtle manipulation, carefully orchestrated.
As the other contestants withdrew from the arena, leaving only Hyuga Momaru and Fugo behind, a voice spoke from behind Tetsuya.
"Fujiwara Tetsuya, come with me."
Tetsuya turned to see a Konoha Jonin in the standard green vest standing there, his face expressionless, his tone cold.
"Who might you be, sensei?" Tetsuya asked, narrowing his eyes slightly. There was something unsettling about this man. His presence was devoid of warmth, and the atmosphere around him seemed to chill with every step.
Unfazed by Tetsuya's question, the Jonin led him to a secluded corner of the arena, where he stopped and, in a low voice, delivered his message.
"Listen carefully, Fujiwara brat. I'm with the Koharu clan. You're going to lose the second match to Tatsu Koharu."
Tetsuya's expression darkened.
"In exchange," the Jonin continued, "our clan will ensure you're promoted to Chunin within a year. A fair deal, don't you think?"
The man's gaze held a certain arrogance, as though he were throwing a bone to an underdog, expecting gratitude.
"Oh, I see," Tetsuya responded, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "So you're part of the Koharu clan, huh?"
The arrogance and corruption of the Koharu clan were no secret. They had long been a thorn in the side of many smaller clans. And now, they wanted him to throw the Chunin Exam—a prestigious exam watched by the world—for their benefit?
Their audacity was staggering.
Tetsuya's heart burned with anger.
They already had their sights set on the territories of his clan and the Tanaka and Uesugi clans. Now they wanted to cheat in the Chunin Exam as well? And with such shamelessness, it made Tetsuya wonder how far Koharu Koharu would go. How much would Sarutobi Hiruzen—the Third Hokage—tolerate from her?
Still, expecting him to lose willingly? That was an insult.
"Does Koharu-sensei know about this?" Tetsuya asked coolly, but the accusation in his voice was unmistakable. "Because it seems to me that you're not just disgracing your clan... you're also dragging the Hokage's name through the mud."
Giving up was out of the question.
To break free from the oppression his clan faced and rise from the ashes, he needed to show his full potential in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen. He needed the attention of the Hokage. If he lost this fight, his chances of gaining the Hokage's favor would vanish. Worse, the Koharu clan would grow even more emboldened, tightening their grip on the three families' lands.
The promise of a Chunin promotion meant nothing in comparison.
Without hesitation, Tetsuya continued, "You're not just asking me to throw a match. You're asking me to sacrifice everything my family has fought for. How do you think your clan will protect the land when it falls into chaos?"
The Jonin's expression hardened, his cold demeanor replaced with a glint of malice. "Little brat, Koharu-sama doesn't need to involve herself in this. Tatsu has real potential to become a powerful shinobi. What I'm doing is for the sake of Konoha. For the village. A runt like you wouldn't understand."
Tetsuya bit back a retort, knowing that anger would get him nowhere with this man. He'd heard enough. Turning on his heel, he gave the Jonin a cold glance over his shoulder.
"I understand perfectly," he said, voice steady and dangerous. "And if there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
Without waiting for a response, he walked away.
As he headed back to the main arena, he muttered under his breath, "No matter where you go, there's always someone who thinks they can manipulate you for their own gain..."
---
When Tetsuya returned to the stands, Hyuga Momaru and Fugo were still engaged in a heated battle. But against the Hyuga 's Byakugan, Fugo's puppet techniques were about as useful as throwing paper against the wind.
It was only a matter of time before the fight came to an inevitable conclusion.
"Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms!"
Momaru's strikes landed in rapid succession, each blow sealing Fugo's chakra points, leaving him defenseless. Within seconds, his puppets collapsed to the ground like lifeless dolls.
"I... I surrender!" Fugo's defeated voice echoed through the arena, followed by a thunderous cheer from the audience, praising the Hyuga and their legendary Byakugan.
As the crowd's excitement reverberated around them, Tetsuya felt a tug at his sleeve.
"Tetsuya..." It was Uchiha Mikoto, her voice soft but filled with concern. "Are you alright?"
Tetsuya turned to her, flashing a reassuring grin. "Of course, Mikoto. Why wouldn't I be?"
But the unease in Mikoto's eyes remained.
Not wanting to worry her further, Tetsuya waved off her concerns. "Don't worry about me. Let's just focus on the upcoming matches, alright?"
With a firm nod, he made his way toward the arena, where his opponent awaited.
"Koharu Tatsu."
Tatsu was around Mikoto's age, about thirteen. She wore a tight-fitting, violet and white outfit that contrasted with her pale, smooth skin, giving her a distinct presence in the arena. Her stance radiated confidence, though she lacked the raw intensity of Mikoto.
Pity, really. Such a pretty girl, wasted on the Koharu clan's manipulative games. If not for her unfortunate lineage, she might've been someone Tetsuya could respect.
"Fujiwara Tetsuya, Koharu Tatsu," Orochimaru's voice boomed across the arena, "if you're both ready, we can begin."
And with that, the battle was on.
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