37 Ch 36 : Hibachi Vs. Sasuke

When the names were announced, everyone's attention immediately shifted to Sasuke and Hibachi.

Everyone here thought that it would be an easy win for Sasuke.

But Sasuke himself was trembling.

Sasuke couldn't help but wonder. How on earth had Hibachi become so powerful? Where did this level of skill come from? It was all a bit questionable.

In only a few months Hibachi had become this strong, was it because they had different teachers?

"No matter what, I won't lose until I get my revenge," Sasuke thought secretly in his heart. He had an expression of unfounded confidence. As if to prove himself, Sasuke's hand trembled continuously. But it was so slight that even Sasuke himself didn't notice that his hand was trembling.

Sakura looked at Sasuke and Hibachi with a complicated look.

With the skill that Hibachi displayed during the battle with Orochimaru before, it wouldn't be strange if the battle somehow turned into Hibachi's favor.

She wasn't afraid of the injury caused during the battle. What she was more worried about was Sasuke's mental state in case he lost. Sasuke was still a village comrade and it's not like she wanted anything bad to happen to him.

Sakura could only hope for the best and that there would be no accidents.

Soon, the two selected Genin separated themselves from the rest and walked forward towards the stage.

The rest of the Genin were instructed to move to the upper area, giving space for Hibachi and Sasuke to have their battle.

"For the first battle, Hibachi Vs Uchiha Sasuke has been selected."

"No objections, right?" Hayate asked to confirm.

Both Hibachi and Sasuke answered "No" at the same time.

"Now then, please begin."

Hayate finished his words, and Sasuke's eyes immediately turned red.

The two tomoe Sharingan activated and both his eyes and body were now fully focused on Hibachi.

Hibachi looked pretty relaxed.

His face revealed an evil smirk as he opened his mouth.

"I-T-A-C-H-I, it seems like you're still far from him..."

----

At this moment, Sanada who was standing at the Jonin stand could only put on an awkward face. Hibachi indeed said those words silently, but it still couldn't escape the observation of a Jonin.

Sanada could see Kakashi's glaring eyes were focused on him and could only think secretly in his heart.

'Hibachi... I did say that provoking your opponent is a strategy to get an easy win in battle, but I didn't tell you to go this far...'

----

The moment Hibachi said that name, Sasuke could no longer contain his emotions.

For him, Itachi was his switch and it shouldn't be touched by anyone.

All his anger was directed towards Hibachi as he vanished.

*Swish*

It was a familiar movement and a figure on the stand immediately realized what it was.

"Go Sasuke-Kun, let the power of youth explode!" Lee shouted, upon which Sasuke appeared beneath Hibachi.

Sasuke's movement was very swift as he successfully copied Lee's hard work.

However, if Sasuke thought that he could deal with Hibachi just by copying the bounded Lee alone, he was very wrong.

"Good speed, but it's still not as fast as Sanada-Sensei," Hibachi said as he noticed Sasuke was about to deliver a kick to his chin.

With a plop, Hibachi's figure turned into a log of wood and he reappeared behind Sasuke.

"I'm not really confident with my hand-to-hand combat, but let's try this."

Hibachi then launched a jab towards Sasuke, which Sasuke easily avoided.

The training with Sanada had polished Hibachi's dodging skill to a whole new level, but it also showed Hibachi's very evident weakness.

Other than the Blue-Ring Octopus, Hibachi's offensive methods were very limited.

Hibachi and Sasuke continued to exchange blows one and another, but even with the help of Substitution Jutsu, Hibachi still wasn't able to get an edge over Sasuke.

The gap between the two's taijutsu was just too far. It wasn't something that could be crossed with just the Substitution Jutsu.

BAMM!!! BAMM!! BAMM!

Hibachi launched three direct punches at Sasuke's body utilizing the surprise effect of his Substitution Jutsu. But Sasuke easily tanked those attacks and proceeded to counterattack Hibachi.

*Swoosh*

A roundhouse kick barely missed Hibachi's abdomen. If not for him having trained his instincts, that kick would surely give him some broken bones.

"That's dangerous... I think that's enough playing around." Hibachi distanced himself from Sasuke and proceeded to use Summoning Jutsu to summon the Blue-Ring Octopus.

The whole audience was already stunned by what the two Genin could display. Sasuke was one of the best talents in the new generation and thus his performance wasn't as shocking. But the one that took everyone by surprise was Hibachi and his battling methods.

"Using substitution like this is a simple but effective method. Excellent job, Sanada."

The Third Hokage, watching the battle, nodded in acknowledgment. It was the cleverness of this method that made the Third Hokage smile. If this method could be applied to every ninja in Konoha, then it would certainly boost their survivability.

Sasuke looked at the small Blue-Ring Octopus on Hibachi's shoulder, and a frown appeared on his face.

'That little thing, I must avoid it at any cost.'

He had seen how lethal that little thing was and it wouldn't be good if he got hit by it.

Sasuke jumped back quickly, widening the distance as he began to make hand signs.

Snake, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, Tiger...

Katon: Goukakyuu no jutsu (Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu)

A huge flame ball came out from Sasuke's mouth enveloping the whole area.