In the center of the arena, a strange silence fell.
Shiranui Genma, with a senbon in his mouth, looked at the golden-haired boy who had turned and left, then at the Hyuga genius kneeling on the ground, his spirit already shattered. He finally raised his hand. "Winner, Uzumaki Naruto."
His declaration broke the silence, and two medical Ninja immediately rushed into the arena. They quickly checked Neji's physical condition, and the results puzzled them. Apart from a few bruises on his chest and abdomen, Neji's body and Chakra circulatory system showed no substantial damage.
But he was completely broken.
"Live for yourself…" Neji unconsciously repeated this phrase as he was carried onto a stretcher, his eyes hollow and devoid of all light.
In the stands, Hyuga Hiashi's expression could no longer be described as merely grim. He stared intently at Naruto's retreating figure as he disappeared into the contestant tunnel. The dignity and composure belonging to the Clan Head showed cracks for the first time. Beneath his anger was a fear he hadn't even realized.
That Uzumaki Naruto must have said something rebellious to Neji.
Hinata stood behind her father, feeling the oppressive aura around his body. Her emotions were incredibly complex. She looked at Naruto's back, then at her disconsolate cousin on the stretcher, unsure of how to process everything.
"Ahem, what a splendid match." Shiranui Genma cleared his throat, trying to bring the atmosphere back on track. "Now, let's proceed with the second match! Kankuro of Hidden Sand Village against Shino Aburame of Konoha Village!"
Shino Aburame had already entered the arena. He adjusted his sunglasses, and countless parasitic insects stirred within him.
However, his opponent, the Sunagakure Ninja with purple paint on his face, raised his hand.
"I forfeit." Kankuro's decision was swift and decisive.
"What?"
"What the hell! Did we buy tickets to see this?"
A huge chorus of boos and dissatisfaction immediately erupted from the audience.
In the contestant viewing area, Naruto was not surprised by this scene. Zero's intelligence network had already informed him of Sunagakure's general movements. Preserving the secret of the puppets and maintaining combat strength were all signals before the plan was activated.
He turned his head and spoke softly to Kakashi beside him.
"The chaos will begin during the match."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't ask further, just nodded solemnly.
Shiranui Genma reluctantly announced Shino Aburame's victory, then began the third match.
"Temari of Hidden Sand Village against Nara Shikamaru of Konoha Village!"
This match, at least, did not disappoint.
Shikamaru displayed his exceptionally high intelligence to its fullest, using his Shadow Imitation Jutsu and the environment to gradually corner Temari.
Just when everyone thought he was about to win, Shikamaru raised his hand.
"I give up. I don't have enough Chakra, and thinking any further would be too troublesome."
The entire venue was once again in an uproar.
Naruto watched Shikamaru, who was walking off the stage with a yawn, and gave his assessment in his heart.
"Excellent tactical planning ability, but willpower is almost Zero. He is a non-combatant personnel awaiting rectification."
Kakashi, who heard his extremely soft murmur, nudged him with his elbow.
"Naruto-sensei, your analysis is getting better and better."
He deliberately emphasized the word "sensei" with a teasing tone.
Naruto ignored his joke.
"And now, finally, the highly anticipated fourth match!"
"Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Sasuke! Versus—the monstrous rookie from Hidden Sand Village, Gaara!"
As soon as the words fell, a figure instantly appeared in the arena.
Uchiha Sasuke.
His speed and aura had undergone a qualitative change compared to the preliminary rounds.
Sasuke didn't look at the referee or the audience. His gaze fell directly on the red-haired boy with the large gourd on his back, standing opposite him.
Only one thought occupied Sasuke's mind.
This eyebrow-less guy is afraid of Naruto; I'll make him afraid of me too.
Kakashi looked at his student in the arena, a satisfied expression on his face.
"I spent a lot of effort on Sasuke's special training during this period. Come and see the results."
He said to Naruto, like a parent showing off his child.
At the same time, he couldn't help but marvel that, thanks to the pressure Naruto put on Sasuke, Sasuke's progress was much faster than he had imagined.
Naruto just watched calmly.
"Match, begin!"
The moment Genma's words fell, Sasuke moved.
His speed was so fast that he left an afterimage in his original spot, instantly appearing in front of Gaara.
Gaara's sand automatically formed a shield, blocking Sasuke's fist.
But Sasuke's speed was too great. He moved rapidly around Gaara, his fists and feet raining down on the sand shield, producing dull thudding sounds.
"Too slow."
Sasuke's voice came from behind the sand shield.
Gaara spun around abruptly, but only saw Sasuke's afterimage.
"Your absolute defense is full of holes."
Sasuke successfully broke through the sand defense and kicked Gaara in the face.
Gaara staggered from the blow, and cracks appeared in the sand armor on his face.
He clutched his face, and the insane killing intent in his eyes began to spread uncontrollably.
"Mother… Mother craves your blood!"
Sand surged wildly from the gourd, forming a giant arm that slammed towards Sasuke.
Sasuke leaped back to dodge, and his hands began to form hand signs rapidly.
A piercing crackle of electricity sounded, and a blue-white electric light gathered in his hand.
"Chidori!"
The speed increase brought by the Lightning Release Chakra stimulating his cells made him transform into an afterimage, charging straight at Gaara.
The sand armor on Gaara's body quickly thickened, forming a giant sand sphere.
"Pfft!"
The Chidori precisely pierced through the sand armor and entered the interior of the sand sphere.
"Ah ah ah ah—!"
Gaara let out an inhuman howl.
At that moment, countless white feathers slowly drifted down from the sky.
Inside the venue, a Ninja wearing glasses, Yakushi Kabuto, completed the last hand sign.
The large-scale genjutsu, "Temple of Nirvana Jutsu," was activated.
The moment the genjutsu was activated, the noisy venue quickly quieted down.
Most of the audience and Ninja of insufficient rank fell into slumber as the feathers drifted down.
The Konoha Crush plan officially began.
In the contestant viewing area, Kakashi and Might Guy dispelled the genjutsu the moment it activated.
But when they turned to look at Naruto, they found that he was completely unaffected.
Naruto's ice-blue pupils were completely calm.
He had already used his mental link to command the Nine-Tailed's Chakra to wash over himself, making this level of genjutsu ineffective against him.
He didn't immediately rush towards the Third Hokage on the high platform. He crouched slightly, forming hand signs.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
"Chainsword Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
"Bang bang bang!"
Hundreds of Naruto Shadow Clones appeared among the seats. Simultaneously, hundreds of Chainswords floated in the air, emitting ear-splitting roars.
Naruto's main body stood up and issued a cold, unquestionable command to all the clones.
"Eliminate all invading enemies."
"First priority: protect civilians, organize their orderly evacuation."
"Second priority: maintain order in critical areas, extinguish fires."
"The Hokage's safety will be handled by me and Karsten Squad."
After speaking, Naruto's icy gaze turned towards the center of the arena, to the positions belonging to the Third Hokage and the "Fourth Kazekage."
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