Without a doubt, Akatsuchi claimed victory.
As someone who would one day serve as the Tsuchikage's bodyguard, how could Akatsuchi possibly lose to someone like Kin Tsuchi, who only knew how to use bell-based genjutsu?
The earth-shaking roar of Akatsuchi's summoned stone golem was loud enough to completely disrupt Kin's auditory genjutsu.
Moreover, Kin was using senbon needles—tools with minimal destructive power.
In the end, Akatsuchi knocked her out cold with a single punch, not even bothering to show the slightest mercy or chivalry.
"Nice job, Akatsuchi!"
As Hayate Gekkō announced the victory, Kurotsuchi, watching from the second-floor corridor, cheered loudly.
Kakashi glanced at the burly Akatsuchi and nodded slightly—this was indeed a well-selected contender.
"Alright, onto the second match."
As Kin was carried off the field, the electronic screen began a new round of "random" selection.
Uchiha Sasuke vs. Kurogane Kai
Upon seeing the matchup, Sasuke didn't hesitate for a moment. He jumped straight down from the second-floor corridor into the arena.
His appearance immediately drew everyone's attention.
After all, the Uchiha name still carried considerable weight across the ninja world—especially since he was the last of the clan.
"Heh, gotta say, this kid's pretty handsome."
Kurotsuchi couldn't help but smile as she looked at Sasuke entering the arena.
Beside her, her father Kitsuchi shot a wary glance at his daughter. He clearly didn't like the way she was looking at Sasuke.
As for Sasuke's opponent, no one paid him any attention. Just another background character.
Sakura sighed. This fight wasn't even worth watching.
In the original timeline, Kurogane Kai couldn't even beat a chakra-depleted Sasuke. Now, Sasuke was at full strength and had already mastered both the nature and shape transformation of Lightning Style.
This was going to be a total stomp. Kurogane's soft-body modifications were going to be completely overwhelmed.
Time passed, one match after another…
Temari vs. Tenten – Winner: Temari.
Saku vs. Shino Aburame – Winner: Shino.
Choji vs. Kiba – Result: Draw.
Sakura watched the match between Choji and Kiba end with both boys fainting simultaneously due to a collision of the Meat Tank and the Fang Over Fang within a smokescreen. She smiled.
Those two were clearly acting. They could've at least tried to be more convincing…
Naruto, Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba had been close since they were kids.
Obviously, Choji and Kiba must've made some under-the-table deal in that smokescreen and decided to 'pass out' together.
Kakashi sighed as he watched Choji being carried off on a stretcher—sneakily scratching his butt as he was hauled away.
Meanwhile, the screen was already displaying the next match:
Naruto Uzumaki vs. Tōsu
"Oh yeah! My turn!"
With a loud cheer, Naruto jumped straight from the second floor into the arena.
On the other side, the bandaged Tōsu turned green at the sight of Naruto's golden hair.
They had crossed paths in the Forest of Death. Tōsu had been overwhelmed by Naruto's clone army and had one of his sound-based weapons destroyed by a chakra ball.
"I surrender."
Tōsu raised his white flag decisively.
"Tōsu has surrendered. The winner is Naruto Uzumaki," Hayate Gekkō announced without hesitation.
"Huh? That's it?"
Naruto didn't even last two and a half minutes in the arena before he had to dejectedly return upstairs.
The screen continued flickering through names.
Gaara vs. Shikamaru Nara
Shikamaru's eye twitched as he saw his name paired against Gaara's.
Seriously? I have to fight Gaara?
Back in the Forest of Death, Team Ino-Shika-Cho had accidentally crossed paths with the Sand trio. Gaara's brutal methods and overwhelming strength were still etched in Shikamaru's mind.
"Shikamaru! Good luck!"
"You can win!"
Ino shouted words of encouragement.
Shikamaru gave his overly enthusiastic teammate a sideways glance and said weakly:
"I'm dead meat."
Then he turned to Hayate Gekkō.
"I forfeit."
"Huh? You're giving up too?!"
Naruto, clueless about Gaara's terrifying power, protested in confusion.
Gaara spared Shikamaru a brief glance and then closed his eyes, indifferent.
"Next match: Kurotsuchi vs. Kankuro!"
Ignoring the crowd's reactions, Hayate smoothly announced the next bout.
The Tsuchikage's granddaughter and the Kazekage's son both leapt into the arena without hesitation.
Iwagakure's Light and Heavy Rock technique versus Sunagakure's puppet mastery.
"Tch. What a pain."
Kankuro clicked his tongue. He knew full well who Kurotsuchi was—someone not to be underestimated.
Things got worse when Kurotsuchi flew into the air. His Crow puppet had long-range weaponry, sure, but with her holding the high ground, any sneak attacks were doomed to fail.
Still, he gritted his teeth and went for it.
As expected, it was a complete one-sided beatdown. From above, Kurotsuchi rained down stone spears—cheap in chakra cost and quick to form with minimal seals.
She bombarded him nonstop and occasionally swooped down to kick him in the face.
The so-called puppet technique was completely useless against her.
And to make things worse, Kurotsuchi didn't hold back her trash talk.
"Idiot!"
"Moron!"
"Imbecile!"
Under her relentless taunts and attacks, Kankuro's mental state shattered. He finally gave up.
"Next match: Sakura Haruno vs. Ino Yamanaka."
The moment those two names popped up, many from the Konoha side gave each other awkward looks.
Everyone knew Sakura and Ino were close friends.
But now…
"What? I'm fighting Sakura? Are you kidding me?"
Ino rubbed her eyes, stunned at the match on the screen.
"Go for it. You're basically sending Sakura straight to the next round."
Shikamaru smirked with mischief.
Ino huffed angrily at her teasing teammate.
"Hmph! So what if it's Sakura?"
"I can still… win!"
Her voice grew weaker as she spoke, but she still walked into the arena with her head held high.
"Sakura! Go get her!"
"Sakura! Knock Ino out!"
Lee and Naruto shouted their support from the second floor.
"You two, shut it!"
Ino scowled at the green bowl-cut and the blond loudmouth above her.
"Ino."
Sakura raised a single hand in front of her chest—forming the Seal of Confrontation.
This gesture signified that the two were fighting as comrades—a spar, not a bitter feud—and that once the fight was over, they could still trust each other with their backs.
Kakashi's lone visible eye crinkled into a crescent shape. This was easily the most civil match of the whole round.
As for Choji and Kiba?
Please. That farce? Everyone could tell they were throwing the match.
"Hmph! Sakura, I'm not going to lose to you."
Ino snorted. A smile tugged at her lips, but she quickly forced it down and adopted a serious expression. She formed the same hand sign in return.
Sakura had secretly met with that red-haired guy during the exams. Ino wasn't about to forgive her so easily.
She was going to hit back—with interest!
(End of Chapter)
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