In Konoha, they wiped out the Sarutobi clan at the start.

Chapter 22 Chiya vs. Kakashi

Danzo continued, "You must have heard of Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja. Kurenai Yuhi said that your strength has surpassed that of her, your teacher. If you can hold out against Kakashi for the duration of an incense stick, you will pass the Chunin Exams."

Furthermore, if you can demonstrate sufficient strength and gain the approval of our Konoha leadership and the elite Anbu members, you can be promoted to Jonin without any prior promotion.

"I understand, Lord Danzo," Chiya said solemnly.

"Then everyone, take your positions." Danzo, still with a gloomy face, waved his hand impatiently.

The four members of Konoha's F4 took their seats in the VIP section. Kurenai Yuhi and Itachi Uchiha, dressed in Anbu uniform, stood on either side of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, respectively.

The remaining members of the secret force continued to lurk in the surrounding trees.

A large open space was left in the center of the arena, where Chiya and Kakashi stood twenty paces apart.

An undercover agent stood between the two, acting as referee.

"Then let's begin," Hiruzen Sarutobi said to the referee.

"Fight!" the referee shouted in a drawn-out voice, then jumped back and left the battle.

Chiya and Kakashi simultaneously formed the Tiger Seal with their right hands to show respect to their opponent.

"Begin." The moment the referee finished speaking, Qianye moved, his hands quickly forming hand seals, and suddenly his entire figure transformed into cherry blossom petals and disappeared before everyone's eyes.

Illusion Technique: Triple Cherry Blossom Activated!

"Illusion technique? This child's strength has grown to this level." Hiruzen Sarutobi casually formed hand seals, disrupting his own chakra and dispelling the effects of the Thousand Nights Illusion Technique on him.

The others, except for Itachi Uchiha who possessed the Mangekyou Sharingan, also followed suit and made the corresponding movements.

They were all involuntarily shocked by Qianye's mastery of illusion magic.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh.

A flash of light, accompanied by the sound of a sharp blade cutting through the air.

Before most of the people in the arena had completely dispelled their illusions, a pure white blade shot out from the sky, and Qianye's figure appeared as well, the blade thrusting straight towards Kakashi's head.

"So fast. Not only in speed, but also in hand seals and power."

Kakashi was startled, the lazy look in his eyes vanished instantly, and he dared not underestimate him any longer. He immediately drew his katana from behind him to parry.

"Shatter! Like a mirage." Qianye murmured to herself.

He didn't intend to break Kakashi's Zanpakuto, but deliberately restrained his strength, releasing Kyoka Suigetsu when everyone's attention was focused on the Zanpakuto.

Then he continued to wield his sword and compete with Kakashi in taijutsu.

The Mirror Flower Water Moon kept clashing with Kakashi's katana, sparks flying everywhere.

"Not only genjutsu, but also taijutsu and body flickering techniques have reached an extremely high level. Even among Jonin, she is among the best. Kurenai, it seems you have taught a good student." On the judges' panel, Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked his goatee, commenting with an air of composure, and turned to Kurenai Yuhi.

The other two Hokage advisors also showed some admiration in their eyes.

Danzo's eyes held an unpredictable expression, and no one knew what he was thinking.

As for Itachi Uchiha, he was even more surprised.

With his Mangekyou Sharingan, his eyesight far surpassed that of everyone present.

He vaguely sensed that Qianye seemed to be hiding something and hadn't been going all out.

"Lord Hokage, you flatter me. I only provided some insignificant help. Chiyo's current strength is mainly due to his own efforts." Kurenai Yuhi knew her own limitations and quickly explained upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's praise.

While the two were talking, Chiya and Kakashi had already exchanged dozens of blows, using various ninja tools and Body Flicker Techniques, and occasionally even the Three Body Technique.

To the average person, all they could see were two afterimages colliding and sparking in the air.

Finally, when the incense was about to burn out, the two tacitly stopped their physical combat competition. Based on Chiya's current physical skills, they were about equal to Kakashi, and their control over various timings was also on par, with each exchanging blows. Continuing the competition would not yield much result.

This will only cause the incense to burn out, and Qianye will win without a fight.

"Kakashi-senpai, as expected of the Copy Ninja, you're amazing!" Chiya used honorifics. His hands rapidly formed hand seals.

"Likewise. Watch out, Chiyo, the next wave of attacks is coming." Kakashi's eyes revealed a hint of approval. He plunged his katana into the ground and rapidly formed hand seals. In his heart, he sighed, "Aside from his bloodline limit, he's a genius who's no less than Itachi Uchiha."

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

Kakashi suddenly took a deep breath, and a huge fireball shot out of his mouth, as dazzling as a giant sun.

After completing the hand seals, Qianye stood there stunned, letting the fireball engulf him.

"Chiya!" Kurenai Yuhi shouted excitedly, thinking that Chiya had not dodged the attack.

"Don't worry, Chiyo's strength is far greater than you imagine," Hiruzen Sarutobi explained calmly, his expression still composed. Although he had been away from the battlefield for a long time, he still possessed the necessary insight.

"It's the Hokage-sama." Upon hearing this, Kurenai Yuhi realized she had lost her composure and quickly apologized.

Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand dismissively and continued watching the battle between Chiya and Kakashi.

As the flames subsided, a shallow crater, not too big, was burned into the spot where Qianye had stood. Qianye, covered in wounds, was curled up in the crater, unconscious.

"Did it work?" Kakashi murmured to himself as he approached the shallow pit to check.

Just as he was about to approach, Qianye in the shallow pit suddenly vanished into smoke with a bang. It was a shadow clone.

Earth Release: The Art of Decapitation in One's Heart.

The next instant, with a scream, Kakashi was dragged underground, and in less than a second, only his head was sticking out.

"Kakashi-senpai, it seems I've won this time." Chiya's figure slowly rose from the ground.

"That's hard to say." Kakashi's voice suddenly rang out behind Chiya, and before he finished speaking, the katana was already at his neck. And the 'Kakashi' who had been pulled into the ground by the mental decapitation technique vanished into smoke with a bang.

"How did you see through it? Is it the Sharingan?" Chiyo didn't turn around, nor did she show any panic. She spoke calmly.

"Yes." Kakashi did not deny it. "From the hand seals you just formed, I could tell that you were preparing the Earth Core Decapitation Technique and Shadow Clone Technique."

"While the Earth Core Decapitation Technique is suitable for surprise attacks, it is also, in a sense, the most suitable technique for dodging frontal ninjutsu attacks."

"You were able to think of combining two techniques and execute them in such a short time. Chiya, I must say you are truly remarkable."

P.S.: Second update.

(End of this chapter)