Meanwhile the clash in the arena drew gasps and opened many eyes.
A duel between the perceptive Sharingan and the all-seeing Byakugan was far beyond what students should be capable of.
In the end Ichie used the Uchiha Clan's shuriken toss to drive Riyōbo back, then kicked him flying for the win.
'Damn it—if I could just land a blow…' Riyōbo glared; his Gentle Fist never found its mark, every close-range exchange evaded.
'The whining of the weak.'
They formed the seal of reconciliation.
Ichie glanced at him and, voice gentle, drove the knife deeper, then walked off the field.
She paused beside Bai Lu, hesitated, then stepped naturally behind him.
The matches continued.
After Ichie versus Riyōbeverything else felt colorless.
Round after round of rookies pecking at each other, barely watchable.
'Looks like this year's crop is nothing special.'
'The standouts are almost all from the great clans.'
'Send these kids to the front—if an enemy squad hits them, aside from Ichie and Riyōbo the rest would be massacred.'
'But the other villages are already deploying their rookies; we've held out this long—that's already the limit.'
The observers murmured among themselves.
Many began to leave.
'Wait. One more candidate bears watching…'
Aburame Shibi said flatly.
'Next match: Mitarashi Anko versus Bai Lu!'
The two stepped onto the field.
'So it's you, the practical weakling… tough luck drawing me.'
Anko folded her arms, staring at Bai Lu with an odd expression.
'What do you mean?'
'Huh, so you haven't heard—no surprise, it isn't public yet. I… was just taken as a Disciple by Lord Orochimaru.'
Anko's smile turned sly, her face practically shouting 'praise me now.'
Gasps rippled through the crowd as everyone stared in shock.
'Lord Orochimaru?! Damn it, I want that too!'
'Why her? I'm no worse!'
Envy burned in many eyes, turning them bloodshot.
That was Orochimaru—one of the Sannin, a Kage-level expert!
Even the jōnin-sensei glanced aside, respect now in their gaze.
A Sannin's Disciple would surely become a pillar of the village.
Anko flicked her tongue over her lips—an affectation copied from Orochimaru.
She felt she must mirror her master in every way, down to gestures.
'Is that so? Amazing…'
Bai Lu looked suitably awed.
Anko snorted, irritation flaring for no reason. She whipped out a kunai, rushed in, and slashed his cheek!
Shhk!
Bandages parted; a thin cut bloomed, blood welling up and coating the blade.
'You didn't even dodge? Pitiful—can't even track my speed. And here's a fun fact…'
She grinned wickedly and, while Bai Lu's face changed, licked his fresh blood from the kunai with theatrical relish.
Bai Lu reached out too late to stop the insanity.
'I just love the taste of fresh blood—huh? Wh-what?!'
Anko swallowed, then froze.
The next instant she doubled over and vomited in front of everyone!!
She stared in disbelief, finger trembling as she pointed.
'You bastard—you poisoned your blood!!!'