17 Ch-17 1v 2.

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"Haha, Tsunade, I've won the bet. My student won the match and the finals," Jiraiya jubilantly announced.

"I don't have money right now. I'll give it to you after our next mission," Tsunade replied.

"If you're short on cash, how about a kiss? I'll consider that payment," Jiraiya suggested, playfully.

"Really? Why not?" Tsunade responded with a mischievous smile.

"You can have a kiss from my fist on your face," Tsunade retorted, promptly landing a blow on Jiraiya's face, causing him to fall to the ground.

"Shikari, your son seems to possess even more IQ than you, I must say," Orochimaru commented.

"Yes, he has a very high IQ, even surpassing mine. However, to become a powerful ninja, he still has a long journey ahead," Shikari replied.

"Sakumo-senpai, what are your thoughts on these two?" Tsunade inquired.

"They're good, very good. If they continue to work as diligently as they are now, they will undoubtedly surpass us, the older generations," Sakumo replied with a smile.

The others also nodded in agreement upon hearing Sakumo's words. At that moment, Tsunade remarked, "With these top five contestants, our village is certain to secure victory in all the matches against Sunagakure."

Jiraiya, though his face turned slightly red due to Tsunade's punch, stood up with a sense of contentment. His eyes landed on Michikatsu, who was nonchalantly reading a book. Unable to resist, Jiraiya addressed him, "Kid, how did you find the fight? You must have enjoyed such a match, right? Observing these battles provides valuable lessons. Analyzing these fights can benefit you in the future." Jiraiya's words carried the tone of a teacher guiding his student.

Michikatsu calmly closed his book and remarked, "You're right. When we observe others in combat, we do learn from them. I did watch their fight, and my conclusion is that they're both weak—too weak to even make me exert myself. Despite their genius, I respect their hard work, but their strength only elicits disdain from me. Even if they were to join forces, there's a high chance I wouldn't need to go all out."

Jiraiya retorted, "You're clearly showing disrespect with such words."

"Guided by my parents' teachings, I hold respect for everyone and their choices. However, concerning battles, if you seek my respect, you must display talent and effort. Otherwise, my respect won't be given," Michikatsu explained.

"So, you're implying you can defeat both of them as you please," Jiraiya pressed.

"I believe I made myself clear the first time, and I have no desire to repeat it," Michikatsu replied.

"Alright, after the graduation ceremony ends, my student and you will have a match. Do you accept the challenge?" Jiraiya proposed.

"Hmm, I don't see a problem," Michikatsu agreed.

Adjacent to the stands where the Hokage and Ebizo were situated, Sakumo and other prominent figures of Konoha were present, overhearing the exchange.

"Is that kid the White Fang's son?" Ebizo inquired.

"Yes, he is. His name is Michikatsu," Hiruzen confirmed.

"He appears exceedingly confident in his abilities. Why not allow this fight to occur tomorrow?" Ebizo suggested.

"He's just a five-year-old child. His words are likely a product of youthful naivety," Hiruzen responded.

"It didn't strike me that way, and remember, he's Sakumo's son. Also, did you notice that Sakumo, who is here, didn't refute a single word his son said?" Ebizo pointed out.

After Ebizo pointed it out, Hiruzen also deliberated on the matter. Indeed, Sakumo hadn't contested his son's words. This implied that Sakumo had confidence in his son's abilities and agreed with Michikatsu's assertions.

"What's on your mind, Hokage? It's a match everyone would be eager to witness," Ebizo urged.

"But he hasn't even graduated from the academy," Hiruzen noted.

"Present it as a challenge issued by Michikatsu," Ebizo suggested.

"Very well, I'll permit this, but only if both Michikatsu and Sakumo agree. Without their consent, the fight won't happen," Hiruzen decided.

Having made his decision, Hiruzen summoned the Jonin who would act as the referee. The Jonin approached Sakumo and explained the discussions that had taken place between Hiruzen and Ebizo.

"Sakumo-senpai, do you grant approval for this match?" the Jonin inquired.

"I'm not the one you should ask. Consult my son; his decision will be mine," Sakumo replied.

Before the Jonin could turn to Michikatsu, he heard Michikatsu's voice asserting, "I agree to this proposal, and I will fight tomorrow."

The Jonin referee nodded and once again stood at the center of the arena. He announced, "There will be a slight alteration to tomorrow's battle schedule."

"Hatake Michikatsu, son of Hatake Sakumo, has challenged today's finalists Nara Shikaku and Namikaze Minato to a 1v2 battle. At the request of Sunagakure's envoy and with the Hokage's permission, this match will take place tomorrow morning," the Jonin declared.

"Who's this Michikatsu? I've never heard of him," a member of the audience wondered.

"Don't you know about the six-eyed demon boy who trains alongside the Eternal Genin? That's Michikatsu," another audience member explained.

"A five-year-old kid intends to fight against two of our genius Genins? That kid must be daydreaming," someone else in the crowd scoffed.

"How did the Hokage even allow such a fight?" another voice chimed in.

"Someone who trains with the Eternal Genin... I can't imagine he'd be anything but weak," another audience member added.

With such comments circulating among the audience, the crowd began throwing objects into the arena and expressing their disapproval with a chorus of boos.

(A/N: I'm aware that some of you might question why Hiruzen would consent to this. However, for a leader who allowed ninja from his village to participate in the Chunin exams with deaths allowed, this decision is relatively minor.)

(A/N: If you like the story please vote power stones.)