The longer this dragged on, the worse it would be for Shira.
The Seven Heavens Breathing Method wasn't suited for a battle of attrition. The damage from Hyuga Neji's Gentle Fist hadn't vanished; it was merely suppressed by his surging chakra.
Still, Shira's performance had far exceeded anyone's expectations.
In its current state, the Seven Heavens Breathing Method was far from mature. While the boost it gave to his physical strength and chakra was considerable, it was still a step below the Eight Gates. A self-taught secret technique from a Genin was bound to fall short of the battle-honed Eight Gates.
"To think he reached this level on his own, with no guidance... who would believe that just three months ago, Shira wasn't even a ninja!" Kankuro remarked, deeply impressed. "Baki-sensei, can we stop the match? The outcome is clear. There's no point in continuing. His opponent is too strong..."
"Wait a little longer."
Forfeiting wasn't an issue, but it depended on whether Shira himself was willing.
As if sensing his time was nearly up, Shira summoned his last reserves of strength. The friction between his chakra and the air ignited into visible sparks. His body was being pushed so far that capillaries on his skin began to burst, mixing blood with the air to form a faint red mist.
"Let's settle this in one blow!"
He threw a punch with everything he had, channeling nearly all his chakra into a streak of fiery light that shot toward the stern-faced Hyuga Neji.
*Boom!*
"A pity. He missed," Daigan sighed.
Besides the Seven Heavens Breathing Method, Shira's other fearsome technique, the Silent Palm, had not yet been perfected. Hyuga Neji effortlessly deflected the explosive, wide-motion strike, neutralizing its immense force with a gentle touch. A light tap from his fingertips sent the punch veering off course. As they passed each other, Neji drove an elbow into Shira's back, slamming him to the ground.
He was still a far cry from the Shira who would, three years from now, fight Rock Lee to a standstill while Lee had five gates open.
After Gekko Hayate declared Hyuga Neji the winner, medical ninja entered the arena and carried the badly injured Shira away on a stretcher.
Simultaneously, the electronic screen flashed to display the next matchup: Yamanaka Ino versus Kankuro.
"Don't get careless, Kankuro."
The difference in strength in this match was quite apparent, so Baki was relatively at ease. "I'm going to check on Shira's injuries."
As the only senior Sand Ninja present, it was his duty to look in on a promising Genin from his village.
"Don't worry, Baki-sensei!" Kankuro shot a confident smile at the bruised and battered Konoha kunoichi before strolling down to the arena floor to await his opponent.
Sarutobi Asuma glanced at the hesitant Yamanaka Ino. "How are you holding up? Can you still fight? There's no shame in withdrawing at this point..."
Having learned what his three subordinates went through in the Forest of Death, the bearded Jonin had to admit that Team 10 had done exceptionally well just to make it this far.
"I want to try!" Ino's feelings were a complex mix, but surrendering without a fight was out of the question. She had to at least give it her all.
"All right, but don't push yourself too hard. The Sand Ninja are strong this year. They won't be easy to deal with."
"I know!"
Ino tightened the bandages on her arms, calves, and ankles before walking slowly to face Kankuro.
"Any questions? Then... begin!"
The moment the words were spoken, the disadvantaged Yamanaka Ino instantly threw several shuriken.
Kankuro unhurriedly dodged the projectiles, which served as little more than a distraction, while Ino used the opportunity to retreat and create distance.
"So cautious?" Kankuro laughed with disdain. "But at this range, struggling is pointless. Surrender now and save yourself some pain."
As he spoke, Kankuro unslung the bundle from his back and placed it beside him.
"Are all Puppet Masters this arrogant?" Ino formed a hand seal and aimed at Kankuro. "Mind Transfer Jutsu!"
As if completely unaware of his opponent's technique, Kankuro gave a wicked smile and watched impassively as she performed her secret jutsu.
From the spectator stands, Nara Shikamaru suddenly shouted, "Ino, stop! It's a trap!"
Having been played just days ago by Daigan's puppet-and-user switcheroo, Shikamaru was still wary. Ino, however, didn't understand.
She was in poor condition, with little chakra or stamina left. A battle of attrition was unwinnable, so launching a swift, decisive attack was a good idea. But if her mind jutsu missed, she'd be a sitting duck.
As expected, the smiling Kankuro remained unchanged, while Yamanaka Ino, having used her technique, collapsed weakly to the ground.
The real Kankuro emerged from the bandages, coolly manipulating the puppet disguised as his double. It approached the defenseless Ino, extending a poison-tipped, blue blade and pointing it at her throat.
"Winner, Kankuro."
The match was over in mere moments. After Shira's defeat in the first round, the Sand Ninja had instantly evened the score.
"Just as I thought." Sarutobi Asuma scratched the back of his head, embarrassed. He knew her chances were slim, but seeing her defeated so easily was still a bit disappointing.
Kankuro returned to the stands, refreshed and invigorated. "See that, Daigan? *That's* how a Puppet Master fights. Your style of rushing in with your fists is a disgrace to the profession."
"Tch. You're this proud of beating a girl so injured she could barely stand?"
"Talk when you've won a match," Kankuro retorted, unconcerned. Luck was part of skill, and facing an opponent like that, victory was a given.
Just then, Baki, who had gone to see Shira, appeared with a Body Flicker Technique.
"Kankuro already won? That was fast," Saya commented. "Baki-senpai, how is Shira?"
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